The “ Kols” of Chota-Nagpore. 159 
at which they eat, drink, sing, dance and make love, but though the 
austere “munis” of old must have stood aghast at such wild ebulli- 
tions of devotion, it is a fact that whilst the mass of the Kols have 
not taken to the worship of any Hindoo idols, the Hindoos settled 
in the province think it expedient to propitiate the gods of the 
Kols. It is gratifying that the darkness in which this primitive and 
interesting people have so long dwelt, is now being dispelled by a 
_ brighter light: that their paganism is at length yielding to the 
gentle influence of Christian teaching ; that there is abroad amongst 
them a widespread feeling that a change is necessary, a change more 
perfect than can be typified by the adoption of a ‘ pouta.”’ 
As the Moondahs first settled at Satyomba spread over the country, 
they formed themselves into communities called Purhas, or the country 
was divided into Purhas, each consisting of twelve or more villages 
under a chief. They do not appear in their earlier days to have 
acknowledged any chief, superior to the head of the Purha; the 
ordinary business of the community was conducted by him, and on 
extraordinary occasions, the Purha chiefs met and took counsel together. 
Vestiges of this ancient system are still’ et with in many parts 
of the country. Though ignored’ __ graphical or fiscal or territorial 
divisions, the Purhas still exist in the eyes of the people, and they 
still have chiefs whom they call Rajahs, men of influence and weight, 
who preside when a meeting is called to adjudicate regarding breaches 
of social observances, and who take the lead on the great hunting 
expeditions and national festivals. 
It is said that the Moondahs were in a very wild state, occupying 
but a small portion of the plateau, when the Oraons, driven from the 
Rhotas hills, swarmed into the country, and sought and obtained 
permission to occupy it jointly with the Moondahs. Both Moondahs 
and Oraons declare there was on this occasion no fighting. The 
former were glad to obtain assistance in reclaiming the country they 
had adopted, and the Oraons are said to have come with large herds 
of cattle and implements of husbandry previously unknown to the 
Moondahs. 
It is probable that the Moondahs of those days were not more 
advanced than are to this day their brethren, the hill Korewahs of 
Sirgoojah, a tribe that know not the use of the plough: but they 
