Mqjor-General Sir J. Malcolm on the Bhilk. 77 



were called Ktihans ; and their offspring (with their relations by mar- 

 riages) formed a family of sixty, who were called the sixty Rdwets, or 

 knights, of whom Kunda Rana was the chief. This race has been ex- 

 tinct for ages, and the sixty Rdwets are now exalted to as many Dongri 

 Devas (or hill-gods), who are worshipped by the B/t/llulas and Bhills, as 

 well as by almost all the Hindus of the lower classes, of Nemar. Of all the 

 sixty Rdwets (or hill-gods) Bhillet, son of Velam Gowala, is the most 

 revered : and this arises from the skill he possessed in magic, and from the 

 success, he was, in consequence, enabled to obtain during an expedition, in 

 which he accompanied the god Bhaiuava (another son of Sedasiva). They 

 both went (it is said) to Cdmrup, where the latter fell a victim to the arts 

 of the sorcerers and sorceresses of that country, who transformed him into 

 a beast ; but he was rescued by Bhillet, who, by his superior skill in ne- 

 cromancy, subdued all the magicians and sorcerers, and restoring Bhairava 

 to his natural shape, brought him away in safetv. 



This tissue of superstition and fable has given rise to a race of men, called 

 Barwds* who are supposed, through the influence of the hill-gods (whose 

 votaries they are), to be endowed with the hereditary gift of inspiration. 

 Their powers are, however, dormant, till they are excited by music ; and 

 for this reason, they have a class of musicians connected with them, who 

 are proficient in numerous songs, in praise of the hill deities. When the 

 recitation of these songs has kindled the spark of spiritual fire, they begin, 

 to dance with frantic gestures, and loosening their hair, toss, and whirl 

 round their heads, whilst their whole frame becomes agitated, as if under 

 the influence of strong convulsions. In this state of phrenzy, they give ut- 

 terance to oracles, which are attentively listened to by those, who come to 

 consult them. The Barwds are of various castes, and admit disciples. 

 The novices are required to perform daily ablutions, in warm water, for nine 

 days, and to allow their hair to grow, to as great a length as possible. They 

 then undergo a probation ; and if music does not stimulate them to a state 

 of extatic phrenzy, they are rejected, as not being favoured by the gods 

 with a re(|uisite portion of spiritual grace. 



The Barwds act also as physicians, and cure trifling complaints, by means 

 of simples, which the jungles produce. When the disease is serious, and 



* Tlie liarwas of the Jiliills appear to be nearly similar to the Bhopas ; for an account of 

 whom, vide Central India, Vol. il. p. 214, 



