MARITAL JEALOUSY 163 



astrologers, of Malabar, like the Pandava brothers 

 (mythical figures in the epos of the Mahdbhdrata) " as 

 they proudly point out> used formerly to have one wife in 

 common among several brothers, and this custom is 

 still observed by some of them." x The carpenters and 

 blacksmiths too celebrate their polyandrous marriages 

 " openly according to their caste rules and with much 

 ceremony and pomp," in no wise as an evil to be sub- 

 mitted to or ashamed of. 2 Among their women, as we 

 have just seen, polyandry is highly appreciated. A 

 very pretty Dafla girl once came into the station at 

 Luckimpur in Bengal, threw herself at the feet of 

 Colonel Dalton, the officer in charge, who tells the tale, 

 and in most poetical language besought his protection. 

 She was a chiefs daughter and a prize in the 

 matrimonial market. Her father had promised her to 

 a brother chieftain who already had many other wives. 

 She however would not submit to be one of many ; 

 and besides she loved, and she had eloped with her 

 beloved. This was so romantic that the gallant 

 colonel was naturally interested. His sympathies 

 were at once enlisted in her favour. When she came 

 to him she was in a very coarse travelling dress ; but 

 when he assured her of his protection she took from 

 her basket fresh apparel and other ornaments, and 

 there and then proceeded to array herself ; and very 

 charming she looked as she combed and plaited her 

 long hair and completed her toilette. Meanwhile the 

 colonel sent for "the beloved," who had kept in the 

 background ; and his surprise was great when there 



1 Thurston, 115, quoting Logan, Manual of Malabar. 



2 Mayne, 75, citing a mem. annexed to the Malabar Marriage 

 Report, p. 103. 



