208 HINDOO HISTORY. 



CHAPTER VI. 



Hindoo History and Mythology. 



General Aspect of the Hindoo People— Absence of authentic History- 

 Historical Poems— Indian Chronology— Series of Dynasties— Mythol- 

 ogy— Ideas of the Divine Nature— Bramah— Vishnu— His Avatars or 

 Transformations— Siva— Doorga— Kalee— Minor Deities— Worship of 

 Rivers— Of the Brute Creation— A Future State— Transmigration of 

 Souls— Ancient Temples— Elephanta— Kenneri— Carli— Ellora— Ma- 

 habalipoor— Pagoda at Tanjore— Temples in Rajpootana— Modern 

 Structures— Religious Rites— Mendicity— Pilgrimages— Penances- 

 Self-immolation— Idol Cars— Suttee— Infanticide— Hindoo Sects— 

 Vishnuvites— Sivites— Boodhists— Seiks— Native Christians— Jews. 



Having thus traced the varying fortunes of India, till nearly 

 the whole of that vast empire was subjected to British con- 

 trol, we shall now attempt to delineate its social and political 

 condition, both as respects its own numerous population, 

 and the military and civil arrangements by means of which 

 the conquerors hold it in subjection. 



In this survey, the most conspicuous object is that native 

 race, celebrated from all antiquity, who still form a vast 

 majority of its inhabitants. The Hindoos, in the wide 

 extent of territory over which they are spread, present many 

 varied aspects ; yet a striking similarity of religion, of lan- 

 guage diversified only by dialects, of manners and institu- 

 tions, and even in some degree of external form, proclaim 

 them to be throughout the same people. Amid great 

 blemishes, too, they have undeniably, with the exception 

 of the European nations, or those sprung from Europe, 

 attained a degree of civilization, and made a progress in the 

 arts, beyond any other people. Of orientals, the Chinese 

 alone can enter into competition with them ; yet though the 

 polity and institutions of that people claim, in some respects, 

 even a pre-eminence, they do not, on the whole, exhibit a 

 character so intellectual and interesting. 



It would have been desirable to introduce a sketch of the 

 history of the Hindoos prior to that of their Mohammedan 



