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of them to my knowledge is by Mr. Hunter at Oujein, where he 

 says, " they distinguish their own sect by the title of Ismaeeliah; 

 deriving their origin from one of the followers of the prophet, 

 named Ismaeel, who flourished in the age immediately succeed- 

 ing that of Mahomed. This singular class of people forms a very 

 large society, spread over all the countries of the Deccan, particu- 

 larly the large towns. Surat contains six thousand families; and 

 the number in Oujein amounts to fifteen hundred. But the head- 

 quarters of the tribe is at Burhanpoor, where their mullah, or 

 priest, resides. The society carries on a very extensive and multi- 

 farious commerce in all those countries over which its members 

 are dispersed ; and a certain proportion of all their gains is appro- 

 priated to the maintenance of the mullah, whose revenue is con- 

 sequently ample. He is paramount in all ecclesiastical matters, 

 and holds the keys of Paradise; it being an established article of 

 faith, that no man can enter the regions of bliss without a pass- 

 port from the high priest, who receives a handsome gratuity for 

 every one he signs. He also exercises a temporal jurisdiction 

 over his tribe, wherever dispersed; and this authority is admitted 

 by the various governments under whose dominion they reside, 

 as an encouragement to these people, who form the most industri- 

 ous and useful class of the inhabitants. A younger brother of the 

 mullah resides at Oujein ; and, with that same title, exercises over 

 the borahs resident there the authority, spiritual and temporal, 

 annexed to the office. Five mohillas of the city are inhabited by 

 them, and subject to his jurisdiction." 



The tomb of Baba Rahan, and other sacred places belonging 

 to the Mahomedans, are visited at stated seasons by pilgrims; 



