308 President's Address to the [May, 



and other curious sectaries ; and of the peculiar practices, superinduced 

 probably by intercourse with the Hindus, of those wlio profess it in India, 

 and particularly in the provinces with which we are most intimately 

 connected. That the latter subject is not unworthy of interest, will appear 

 to any reader of the work lately published by Dr. Herklots, and to the 

 notices given of certain festivals by M. Garcin de Tassy. From these 

 documents, as well as from Colonel Kennedy's paper on the religion in- 

 troduced into India by the Emperor Akbar, it appears that the followers 

 of Muhammad, cannot only, when circumstances tempt them, lay aside 

 their intolerance, but accommodate themselves to existing prejudices, 

 and indulge in the boldest speculations. In the almost universal neglect 

 of historical records by the subjugated Hindus, we must principally look 

 to the Musalmans for any historical information connected with this 

 country which refers to the times which intervene between the commence- 

 ment of their conquest, and that of the European powers, 'the History 

 by Ferishta, translated by Colonel Briggs, though neither, as was to be 

 expected, very philosophical nor rigid, is valuable. Captain Rowlandson 

 and Dr. Bird, have done well to translate two works which treat of the 

 history of Malabar and Gujerat. They contain much interesting inform- 

 tion. Another history of the latter province, by a very intelligent Brah- 

 man, but principally from Muhammadan authorities, and which may 

 prove worthy of translation, was lately presented to our Society by our 

 zealous Secretary. There are materials to be found, in different places, 

 sufficient to throw light upon the principal occurrences in almost every 

 province of India. 



Of various tribes of the Hindus, as the Katis, the Bhils, the Banjaris, 

 the Pandu Kolis, the Dakhan Kunbis, and the Karadi Brahmans, and 

 the inhabitants of Sindh, very curious notices are to be fouud in our 

 Transactions. Of many other tribes, accounts have appeared in separate 

 publications*. Many more, however, with marked natural pecularities, 

 and in a strange social state, still remain to to be described. Those who 



Surat sits upon a throne, and is highly respected. He is thrice saluted by every 

 person wnen he is in cathedra ; and his attendants give him all the attentions which 

 the princes of the land receive when they are in Durbar. He has deputies in all the 

 towns in India where Bohoras are to be found, and even in Maskat, Basora, Jadda, 

 and Mokha. He has a very large income, arising principally from donations at 

 hirths, marriages, and deaths ; but from his funds, the poor of the sect, whether 

 resident in Surat or occasional visitors, are supplied. He nominates his successor, 

 having a principal regard to his talents, information, and capacity to govern. 



" The Mulla, or Mullaji as he is called by way of distinction, reads the Koran, 

 and addresses the people during five or six days of the Moharram, and one day du- 

 ring the month of Ramazan, when his auditors are numerous. In the part of Surat 

 principally inhabited by Bohoras, there are many courts, in each of which there is a 

 MuM to conduct worship early in the morning. The people, however, seem most 

 to relish praying at the tombs, or great mausoleums, which contain the sepulchres 

 of some of the ancient Mullas and their relatives. They actually, as we observed, 

 kiss the chunam covering of the graves ! 



" In regard to marriage, it may be observed, that the number of wives permitted 

 by the Koran is allowed, as in the case of other sects of Musalmans. The follies of 

 the Hindus have found a place among them, in the manner in which marriages are 

 contracted and celebrated. Girls are espoused at the early age of five years, and 

 without much regard, on the part of their parents, to the age of those with whom 

 they are united. The processions, and feastings, are conducted much as among the 

 other classes of the natives. 



"The shaving off the hair, which is viewed as a kind of sacrament, is performed 

 on the 7th or 21st day after the birth, either of a son or daughter. 



" Expulsion from caste follows the practice of gross immoralities, and par- 

 ticularly the drinking of ardent spirits. 



" Funerals are conducted with considerable solemnity. Those of the higher class- 

 es are attended by the Mulla." 



* Among the fullest, and most interesting of these, is the History of the Ramo- 

 shis, lately published by Captain Mackintosh. 



