88 Mqjor-General Sir J. Malcolm on the Bhills. 



The mountain Bhills live in small clusters of rude huts, which are to the 

 north of the Nermada, termed pdrds,* and to the south, kalis. They are 

 under the authority of a Ndyaca, or Tarwi, whose power resembles that 

 of the Patel. A number of these small colonies are often united in general 

 obedience to one chiefj who has a title according to his class, and the usages 

 of the country. Almost all the BInll leaders, immediately south of the 

 Nermada, are termed Ndi/acas ; while those on its north bank, are called 

 Bhumiyas : but in these titles, there is an endless variety, dependent on 

 family, rank, local circumstances, and ancient usages. 



There is a natural spirit of independence in the mountain Bhills, which 

 compels chiefs, who have a desire to establish an authority that supersedes 

 that of the Tarxcis of small colonies, to entertain followers from a distant 

 country. Besides, when the sphere of plunder is extended to any distance 

 from their native wilds, the Bhills are not so fit for such enterprises, as 

 many others of the predatory tribes. Their arms, and their habits, are more 

 suited to the ravines, the woods, and the mountains, amid which they 

 live. The Bhill is small of stature, but active, and capable of enduring 

 great fatigue. He has seldom any clotliing, but a small piece of cloth 

 round his waist. His arms are a bow and a quiver of arrows, in the use of 

 which he is very expert ; but he seldom faces his enemy. His arrows are 

 shot from behind bushes and rocks ; and his acquaintance with the country, 

 makes him almost always successful in eluding pursuit. If he descends 

 into theplain, it is at night, to thieve and plunder; or if in the day, to drive 

 away unguarded cattle, or to attack defenceless travellers, who (if not 

 killed) are kept, till they are ransomed. 



The cultivating classes of Bhills have been elsewhere noticed,! as differ- 

 ing in their usages from their brethren, who inhabit the mountains. The 

 latter, however, are always, in some degree, dependent upon the neigh- 

 bouring villages, in the plain, particularly for tobacco, of which, as well as 

 liquor.l: they are immoderately fond. They also require grain, for they 

 cultivate little, and that in the rudest manner, merely by breaking the soil 

 to receive the seed ; but I found them quite acquainted with the value of 



* Pdrd is an Hindustani word, corresponding to the Persian word Mahal, a ward, or divi- 

 »ioB, of a town. 



+ Vide Central India, Vol. II. p. 179. 



t I have often given liquor to Bhills, and have invariably noticed, that before they drank it, 

 they poured a libation on the ground. When asked the reason, they replied, it was usage. 



