118 Papers relating to the Earthquake in India in 1819. 



there will be twelve planets : there will be fifteen signs in the 

 zodiac. At night, when thirteen ghurries remain, then will 

 the golden age commence : Bhuddajee will appear. This 

 event has been extracted from the Vedes after much study. 

 From the Shri Bhud Maha Grunth, after intense study, has 

 it been extracted. Whosoever reads, hears, or causes to be 

 heard, copies, or spreads abroad this letter, will be fortunate. 

 Believe in it, for he who denies its truth kills a Brahmin or a 

 cow. He who has not faith will be damned : he who believes 

 will be saved, he will be happy, he will attain to the presence 

 of Bhugwan. Shri Krushan Damotherjee is truth." 



This paper was written in the Bridge Bhakha dialect, and 

 Balbood character. At the hour appointed in it for the de- 

 struction of sinners, almost every Hindoo of respectability 

 purified himself, and sat with the toolsi leaf in his mouth, 

 patiently expecting a fate which he had endeavoured to evade 

 by liberal donations to Brahmins *. 



The Moosulmans were equally alarmed, and abundance of 

 threats of punishment to the wicked were fulminated from the 

 musjeeds ; and a paper asserted to have come from Mecca, 

 with the usual seals attached, foretold the approach of the. 

 day of judgement, The Moolahs and mendicant Sijeds stated 

 the cause of the earthquake to be, that the horse Dooldool was 

 pawing for his food, and strict injunctions were issued to all 

 good Mahomedans to send a certain quantity of grain and 

 grass to the Moolahs &c. to satisfy Dooldool, which supplies 

 were appropriated to the pious Moolah's own private emolu- 

 ment. 



The Hindoos attributed the earth's motion to a quarrel 

 among the Dyets and Dewas, and fabricated the most ludicrous 

 stories on the subject. Prophets sprung up from all classes, 

 casts and sects : some asserted that they had foretold the ca- 

 lamity which had occurred; others boldly pointed out the 

 hour and moment at which still more calamitous events were 

 to happen ; and in short there was a superabundant display of 

 every thing absurd or extravagant that could be advanced by 

 ignorance and presumption, deceit and superstition. 



It may be remarked that the monsoon commenced about 

 the 11th of July in some places of the province, and later in 

 others. The memory of any person living can furnish no ex- 

 ample of so severe a season. The rain in the western parts 



* Even the Banians are said to have sold their goods at just rates and 

 with fair weights for some time previously to the dreaded day. A circum- 

 stance so extraordinary, as honesty in a Banian retailer, is certain proof ofi 

 the impression which the prophecy had made on his mind. 



of 



