78 RELIGION OF HINDOOS. 



on tlie first fortunate day send some sweet- 

 meats, cocoa-nuts, and a few rupees to the sister 

 or sister-in-law of the brideQ:room. This con- 

 eluded, the parties patiently await the means 

 of matrimony. The nu23tial ceremony lasts 

 from nine to 30 days. Much feasting takes 

 place — Brahmuns and Gooroos read out the 

 different formulas ; and, lastly, the bride is 

 taken to her husband's house. 



The Hindoos in Sindh pay as much veneration 

 to the sanctified resorts of the Moslem as Ma- 

 homedans themselves. Many were compelled 

 by the Ameers to abandon their religion, the 

 most trivial circumstances being used as pre- 

 texts for such oppression. Thus any one who 

 in conversation mentioned the word russee, a 

 rope, was supposed to have invoked the pro- 

 phet, and was compelled to perform the first 

 rite of Islamism. It is on official record that 

 the head Moonshee at Khyrpoor would never 

 write the name of the village of Russoolabad, 

 calling it always Wuzeerabad.* 



In the Khyrpoor country there are very 

 many Hindoos in the Meer's employ, but 

 they all wear the Sindh cap, and so complete- 

 * Blue Book, vol. 49 of 1S54. 



