198 THE PROTEIN ELEMENT IN NUTRITION 



the hills and the plains, has maintained his physique, the develop- 

 ment of the lower classes of mixed descent improving under the 

 favouring influence of good food to be equal to that of the pure- 

 blooded cultivator ; whilst the higher Mian Dogras, with climatic 

 conditions and descent in their favour, but living on poorer 

 dietaries, have within the last century gradually descended to a 

 lower level of physical endowment, accompanied by a decrease 

 in stamina, endurance, and resistance to disease. The Mians are 

 the representatives of the great warrior class, Kshatriyas, who, 

 in the times prior to British occupation, were accustomed to 

 live on the fat of the land, and levied toll on all and sundry. 

 For years they provided the very best material for the Indian 

 regiments ; now the peasants and even lower-class agriculturists 

 are more and more largely recruited from ; the Mians, owing to 

 a lack of physique, being selected in gradually diminishing 

 numbers. 



Of the Dogras as soldiers, it has been said that they are not 

 remarkable for daring or impetuous bravery, but they can 

 always be depended on for quiet, unflinching courage, patient 

 endurance of fatigue, and orderly obedient habits. They have 

 not the grit and " go " of the better classes of Sikh, Pa than, and 

 Gurkha ; their soldierly qualities are essentially more solid than 

 brilliant. Their steady, resolute courage makes them reliable, 

 and they justly enjoy the reputation of being amongst the best 

 fighting material in the Indian Army. 



In physique they are not tall and muscular men, like the 

 Pathan and Sikh, nor have they the physical vigour and sturdi- 

 ness of the Gurkha. They are somewhat slightly built, of average 

 height, with refined and finely cut features, fair complexions, 

 and well-proportioned figures. Dogra recruits, however, caught 

 young, while there is yet time for their physical development to 

 take place, soon fill out with liberal feeding, drill, and systematic 

 exercises. The general appearance of a Dogra regiment leaves 

 nothing to be desired. The following data concerning Dogras 

 has been supplied from a Dogra regiment : 



FOODSTUFFS CONSUMED (AVERAGE PER MAN DAILY). 



Protein Value. 



Wheat .. . 12 to 16 ozs.' 

 Rice 



Dal 



f!20 to 135 grms., of which 40 per 

 cent, is derived from an animal 

 SOUrCe ' 

 Vegetables 



