280 Capt. Franklin's Memoir on Bundelkhund. 



from Makca, and have small possessions tributary to Jhdnsi, at the foot of 

 the hills south of Nerwdr. 6th. A tribe calling themselves Dhandelas, who 

 came from Shdhghar, and occupy a small tract of country tributary to Jhdnsi, 

 above the hills south of Nericdr. 7ih. The Gujer tribe of Sampthir. The 

 Mahratta Pandits of Jaldwan ; and, 9th, The Chobes, who were lately expelled 

 from CaUnJer. 



Of the inferior tribes, the following are the most common : L6d, Curmi, 

 Cult, Canghdn, Ahir {Abliira) and Chamdr (Charmacdra). The native chief- 

 tains seem to find these castes more tractable, and accordingly they are 

 found in every capacity, from the zemindar to the lowest tiller of the soil ; 

 but there is another caste which inhabits Banphari, a small tract in the 

 perganali of Clumdld, who are called Bamifers, and are the descendants of 

 Alla and Udal, two famous champions of the period of Parmal Deo. They 

 seem to preserve a portion of tlie rough character of their ancestors ; and 

 are often discovered in groups with their spears planted around them, 

 chanting verses in praise of their exploits. Formerly they were desperate 

 thieves, and used to go armed to their daily occupations ; but latterly they 

 have become more tractable. 



The Bundelas have been generally allowed to be a brave race of men ; 

 and there is sometliing rudely haughty about them to the present day. 

 They are certainly attached to the soil they inherit, and have a term, Bhumi- 

 yddi, which may be translated patriotism, and which they use to express 

 their exertions in behalf of their country. 



The principal Hindu religious establishment is at Chitracote on the 

 Pairnni river, where Rama Chandra is said to have rested on his way to 

 Lancd. There are also some Jam temples at Send-ccd and Kandalpur for 

 the worship of Buddlia (Jina). But the most singular religious establish- 

 ment is at Pannd, and was founded by an enthusiast named Ji Sdheb, who 

 emigrated from the Punjab in the time of Riijd Chhatrasal. 



This man assumed the appellative of Prdnandlji, or Lord of Life, and 

 declared himself to be the promised Imdm Mehedi, mentioned in the 

 Koran. His first attempts to set up his new religion were in the Panjdb, 

 that fertile spot for religious innovation. Afterwards he removed to Delhi ; 

 and finally, to avoid the persecution of the Muhammedans, he fled into 

 Bundelkhund, where he found protection under the rising power of Rcijd 

 Chhatrasal. 



None but converts to his religion are allowed to read his book, which is 



