THE DOON 253 



so I have been informed, a conference of Brahmins was 

 assembled, and, fortunately for the country, after much 

 debate a decision was given in favour of the potato. 

 The turnip, introduced about the same time, was less 

 successful. As an article of food its use was prohibited ; 

 and yet for what reason, in all my long residence in 

 India, I never met a Hindoo who could inform me, or 

 indeed who was himself aware. 



The potato has certainly only come into use among 

 the natives of India under our rule. It is curious, 

 therefore, that it should be mentioned by Terry, the 

 chaplain to the embassy sent by our James I. to the 

 Emperor Jehangire. Terry was present at a dinner 

 given to the Ambassador, Sir Thomas Roe, by the then 

 Prime Minister, Asof Khan, brother to the celebrated 

 Lady Noor Jehan. Terry describes the various dishes 

 that appeared rather elaborately, and among others he 

 mentions potatoes, and he remarks that they were 

 exceedingly well cooked. Possibly Terry mistook for 

 the potato that somewhat similar - tasting root, the 

 " yam." 



Hindoo prejudices suggest Hindoo customs. And this 

 leads me to mention a very singular custom that here 

 prevails, not in the Doon itself, but in that small 

 mountain tract which, as I have mentioned, is attached 

 to the Doon, and lies beyond the Jumna. I first 

 became aware of the custom when I was encamped 

 just at the base of the mountains, and was holding a 

 trial. A witness in the case mentioned his father. 

 The writer who was recording his deposition inquired, 

 "Which father?" The witness replied, "My eldest 



