202 Journal of a Tour through the Island of Rambree. [Aprii, 



this statement ; and it must be further remarked, that their occu- 

 pation in former days is said to have resembled that now allotted to 

 their namesakes in Bengal. The Dhilngs of Arracan will not, how- 

 ever, so employ themselves at the present day; endeavouring to 

 conceal their true descent, they are generally rope-makers and fish- 

 ermen. 



Burmahs of pure extraction are rare in Rambree ; those that re- 

 tain the name are of mixed blood, and properly termed " Bunddth." 

 They are the descendants of those Burmahs who accompanied the 

 several Mey-o-wuns to the province; uniting themselves with the 

 Mugh women, and remaining in Rambree with their families on its 

 being given over to the British. 



The class of Musalmans termed Kuman-thst* are particularly de- 

 serving of notice. There is little doubt but this interesting people 

 owe their descent to that devoted band of warriors which accompa- 

 nied the unfortunate Sha'h Suja'h into Arracan. As is well known, 

 both the Sha'h and his followers, (who were numerous) met at first 

 with a friendly reception from Meng-ka-mongf, the Raja of Rak- 

 khein-preh. But the repeated representations of the cold-hearted 

 Aurangzeb induced the wretch to adopt another line of conduct; 

 the Sha'h and his troops were several times attacked, and finally 

 defeated. The prince was put to death, and such of his followers as 

 survived the slaughter were made prisoners, and eventually distri- 

 buted in different parts of the kingdom. Lands and implements of 

 husdandry were assigned to them, and they were further encouraged 

 to marry with the women of the country. Many availed themselves 

 of this permission, and their wives did not object to embrace the faith 

 of Islam. There is a curious circumstance connected with the distri- 

 bution and final settlement of the Kuman-thst in the province. When 

 brought to the presence of Meng-ka-mong, and asked what profession 

 they were individually desirous of adopting, a few who were unable to 

 speak the language of the country, put their hands up to their heads, 

 and pointing out the two fore-fingers, endeavoured to represent an 

 animal with horns ; thereby intimating that they wished to follow 

 the occupation of herdsmen. Upon this the Raja directed a supply 

 of cattle and goats to be given to them, and those who received the 

 latter were placed upon a small island that has since been termed 

 Tchye-ki-tin\ (Goat Island). In the time of the Arracan Rajas, 



* Kamandav ? Bowman ? (Kam&nchl more probably. — Ed.) 



f I feel a pleasure in giving the name of this individual, in the hope that it 

 may tend to perpetuate his infamy. 



; Called " Saddle Inland" by the British. 





