24 Geological and Statistical Account of the [Jan. 



of the combatants promised a treat of no ordinary kind, and I was not 

 disappointed ; it was truly astonishing to witness the dexterity of the 

 parties in their endeavours to throw each other. The struggle was 

 long and violent, ere it was terminated by the fall of either party ; it 

 was impossible, however, that both should be declared conquerors, 

 one poor fellow was thrown, and fairly held down at the mercy of the 

 victor. One of my Mahouts, a great stout man, and a native of Chit- 

 tagong, was present, and had the impudence to speak lightly of the 

 science. He was immediately challenged by a young Mugh, who was 

 far his inferior in size, as well as age. They wrestled, and the Mahout 

 was thrown, once — twice — and three times, to his very great confusion, 

 and the chagrin of his caste. Boxing, wrestling, and the Keelome, 

 are among the favourite amusements of the Mughs. The latter game 

 is not unlike our " battledore and shuttlecock," with this difference, 

 that the ball, which is hollow, and made of cane, is impelled into the 

 air by the foot, instead of by the hand. Half a dozen voung men form 

 a circle, and it is the aim of each individual, towards whom the ball 

 falls, to keep it up in the air as long as he can ; not Jnly the foot but 

 the knee is brought into action, much dexterity is displayed, and he 

 that keeps the ball up longest is entitled to the greatest credit. In 

 addition to the games of more general occurrence, the Mughs, like the 

 rest of their neighbours, have their own peculiar festivals, and modes 

 of celebrating them. The principal of these are — 



1. Sangrain-Kyadeh* . — This occurs in the month of Tagoo-la, 

 (April,) at the commencement of the new year, and during this sea- 

 son, the games of Reh-loundee, and Leh-prinedee are held. The for- 

 mer very much resembles what is observed in our own country on New- 

 year's- day. The women throw water over the men, who generally 

 return the compliment ; no distinction is paid to rank. The water 

 is thrown indiscriminately, and with an unsparing hand, upon high 

 and low, and all seem determined to enjoy a season that permits of 

 such unlimited freedom. The L^h-prinedee is the boat-race, which is 

 held at the same time : a number of boats assemble in a broad creek, 

 and start for a certain place, each striving to outstrip the other. The 

 boats are impelled with oars, and those that are light and well man- 

 ned, have a surprising speed upon the water. The shouts of the 

 rowers, the strains of wild music, and the gay appearance of the boats 



* The whole of these festivals owe their source to some fabulous narrative, pre- 

 served in the sacred writings or other books, and religiously believed by an igno- 

 rant and superstitious people. I regret that I am, from my very imperfect ac- 

 quaintance with the language of this country, debarred an opportunity of tran- 

 scribing any part of these. 



