THE DARDS 19 



accoiTnted the aristocracy of this people. They are not 

 uumerous. The Dard race are spread over a great extent 

 of country, including Astor, but are not found beyond its 

 limits towards the south, except a few scattered families in 

 Giir^s. " In physique they are broad-shouldered, moder- 

 ately stout -built, well-proportioned men; active and 

 enduring, and good mountaineers. In faces hardly 

 handsome, but with a good cast of countenance, hair 

 mostly black, sometimes brown, complexion moderately 

 fair, eyes brown or hazel, voice and manner somewhat 

 harsh." 



In disposition they are bold and independent, by no 

 means soft-hearted, but not disobliging. They are de- 

 cidedly clever, clear-headed, and quick, and exhibit in no 

 small degree a pride of race which is refreshing after 

 intercourse with the cringeing, soft-mannered, and ever- 

 deceitful Kashmiri. 



" Their dress is a woollen pajama (trousers), choga 

 {long coat), waistband, and cap. The latter is a bag half 

 a yard long, rolled up outwardly until it fits the head. 

 The roll protects from sun and cold nearly as well as a 

 turban. This head-dress is characteristic of the nation ; 

 it is never discarded. They wear strips of leather round 

 their feet and legs, as far as the knee, secured by thongs. 

 The skins of wild animals are generally used for this 

 purpose." 



There is one custom among the Shin caste of Dards that 

 ■deserves particular notice. 



" They hold the cow in abhorrence ; they look upon her 

 in much the same way that an ordinary Mahomedan 

 regards a pig. They will not drink cow's milk, nor do they 

 eat or make butter from it, nor will they even burn cow- 

 dung, the fuel that is so commonly used in the East. 

 Some cattle they are obliged to keep, for ploughing, but 



