Chap. XXVII. STABILITY OF DECCAN INSTITUTIONS. 



477 



that there is far more happiness than misery on this earth, 

 that the good outweighs the evil, and that the wars and 

 revolutions of history are but specks on the long periods of 

 tranquillity which remain for ever unrecorded. The village 

 system of the Deccau is a venerable monument, reminding us 

 how little the turmoils and civil wars, invasions, and revolu- 

 tions, of which history is composed, affect the mass of the 

 people. The endless conspiracies, treasons, massacres, and 

 battles wliich fill the narrative of Briggs's Ferishta might 

 not have happened in the Deccan at all, for all the change 

 they have effected in the institutions and customs of the bulk 

 of the population. The Ballootadar still holds the same office 

 which was filled by his ancestor centuries ago, performs the 

 same service, and receives the same perquisites. The culti- 

 vator uses the same implements, raises the same crops in the 

 same way, and practises the same customs. As it was centu- 

 ries ago, so it is now ; nothing is changed, and these time- 

 honoured institutions continue to be admirably adapted to 

 the simple wants and habits of the people who live under 

 them. These Deccanees now enjoy their land for a very 

 trifling assessment unalterable for thirty years, their means 

 are sufficient to supply themselves and their families with all 

 they require in the way of clothing and furniture, they have 

 a considerable variety in their food, days of relaxation and 

 festivity are not of rare occurrence, their immediate superiors 

 are of their own race and religion, and there is little to 



a twining plant, with large, deep rose- 

 purjjle, papilionaceous flowers, grown 

 in Malabar, and otlier parts of the 

 jjeninsula. 



7. Another kind of moong, called 

 ooreed, with black and white seeds. 



8. Lablub cultratus, a twining plant, 

 with wliite, red, or purple pai:)iliona- 

 ceous flowers; much cultivated in 

 gardens, and used for food. 



9. Dolichos labial), or hvlla, a twining 



plant of which there are several 

 varieties. The seeds are much eaten 

 by the poorer classes when rice is 

 dear, and are reckoned a wliolesome 

 substantial food. Cattle are very fond 

 of the stalks. One variety, with white 

 flowers, is cultivated in gardens, sup- 

 ported on poles, forming arbours about 

 the doors of houses. The pods arc 

 eaten, but not the seeds. 



