172 THE HIGHLANDS OF CENTEAL INDIA. 



getting tliem to accept some of his fetishes* in the place 

 of their own. But probably they will then be no 

 further, if so far, from the acceptance of a pure religion 

 of morality than they are at present ; and when the 

 distant day dawns for the dusky peoples of India, when 

 the light of education shall dissipate their hideous 

 superstitions, and lead them to inquire after a pure 

 belief, they will be there, elevated and improved hy 

 contact and assimilation with a race superior to 

 themselves. 



Such seems to be the probable future of those 

 sections of the a1)orio^ines who lie on the confines of 

 Hinduism in the plains. But so long as the vast 

 wildernesses of these Central Highlands remain un- 

 cleared, which physical causes will in great measure 

 render a permanent necessity, so long must human 

 inhal)itants of a type fitted to occupy them continue to 

 exist. For, such civilisation as we call it is impossible, 

 and undesirable if it were Dossible. All that can be 

 done for them is to eliminate by thoughtful administration 

 causes which lead to their depression or demoralisation, 

 and to avoid any treatment irksome to their wild and 

 timid nature which is not necessitated by the general 

 requirements of the country. 



To return to my doings at Puchmurree. Towards 

 the end of Fel:)ruary numbers of Hindii pilgrims from 

 the plains to the great shrine of Siva in the Mahadeo 

 hills began to pass my camp. They usually encamp 

 at the foot of the hill l)elow the shrine ; and, besides the 

 road over the plateau, come by a way which leads 

 througli tlie Ddnwa valley below the Puchmurree scarp. 



* Of course I mean what would prove fetishes to tliem in tlieir 

 present intellectual staye — not that they are so to the missionary ! 



