tn the Lower Valley of the Indus and Cuichi. 33 
tribes, the women appear to hold a higher rank than in 
Sindh ;—here they are said to be admitted to council, and in 
warfare share the dangers with their husbands or relatives. 
On several occasions, these heroines presented their own bo- 
dies as shields to protect individuals from the fire of our 
troops. 
As the Mahomedan laws with regard to marriage, plurality 
of wives, &c., are generally adhered to by these tribes, it may 
be unnecessary to revert to them. 
The Brahias, who form the large body of the mountaineers 
and pastoral people in and around Kelat, are a distinct race 
from the Bilachis, and have been so accurately and minutely 
described by Sir W. Pottinger and Mr Masson, that these 
authors must be consulted for all information on this people, 
who preserve implicitly a primitive, simple, and patriarchal 
style of living, and whose character as inoffensive and in- 
dustrious, is far superior to that of their neighbours the 
Bilichis. 
In speaking of the character of the Bilaichis, our remarks 
should be tempered with due consideration for the circum- 
stances which have conduced to form it; living in a state of 
semibarbarism, and separated from all civilizing and amelior- 
ating influences by their somewhat isolated position, they have 
retained only some of the ruder virtues, and have ingrafted, 
on these, many propensities which may be denounced as 
vices. But first, of their better qualities, we may allude to 
their hospitality, good temper, sociability, good faith when 
pledged, courage, and patience of endurance. Hospitality is 
peculiar, I believe, to nomade people, and it is a prominent 
feature amongst the Bilichis. The kind welcome given to 
the wayfarer or stranger, is very marked and pleasing. In 
all, the true patriarchal mode is adopted, as seen with the 
Arabs to the present day, of giving the stranger the tenderest 
of the flock, and the best the hut or tent affords. Amongst 
the chiefs and rulers, it was carried to a great excess; and on 
any arrival of a man of rank at their courts or strongholds, 
he was not only entertained himself, but all his retainers 
- were feasted to their hearts’ content, and all their wants pro- 
VOL. XXXVIII. NO. LXXV.—JAN. 1845. c 
