600 Note on the Limboos, and other Hill Tribes. [No. 102. 



Burrampootur ; and that Islamism has not made any progress in those 

 regions up to the present time. Hindooism is probably the more recent 

 of the two, but I am not aware that it has been settled what form, or 

 forms of worshipping the Deity were the prevailing ones previous to 

 the introduction of Buddhism or Brahmanism, nor is it settled which of 

 the numerous tribes and races now found in these mountains, have the 

 strongest claims to aboriginal antiquity. 



It is probable that those have the best claim to the distinction, who 

 even down to the present day have withstood the pressure of Hindooism 

 and Buddhism, exercised through wily and educated Brahmuns on the 

 one hand, and meditative tolerant Lamas on the other. How all of 

 these tribes are distinguished, and where located throughout the vast 

 extent of mountains indicated, I know not ; but among them, must be 

 included the subjects of this note, and the Haioos, an allied race who 

 live among them, and more westerly towards the valley of Nipal. 



For a long time it was my impression, carelessly assented to, that 

 the Limboos were Buddhists. This arose first of all from observing 

 the bad grace with which these people submitted to the restraints of 

 Hindooism so rigidly enforced in Nipal, where nevertheless, they 

 frequently are to be met with, professing to follow the Brahmins, when 

 they become ambitious of identifying themselves with the rulers of the 

 country, and the religion of the state ; and latterly, from the number of 

 these people who in this neighbourhood, where Buddhism is ripe, seemed 

 to follow with devotion the Lamas of the Lepchas and Bhotiahs. The 

 real fact however is, that they do not belong to either of these religions, 

 but as the Hindooism of Nipal suiting itself to the wants of the Mlecha 

 world around it, readily admits within the pale all who practice even 

 in a slight degree the outward forms of purity, and as the Lamas are 

 entirely catholic in their principles, it is not uncommon to find 

 Limboos passing for Hindoos, where Brahmins are numerous ; and very 

 common to find them shewing all becoming respect to the Lamas, and 

 giving their best attention to the doctrines they inculcate. The transi- 

 tion from their own religion, or form of worship more strictly speak- 

 ing, to Buddhism, is an easy one. Altogether free from the trammels 

 of caste, they have not to sacrifice a single habit or practice in qua- 

 lifying themselves to give their readily accepted adhesion to it, and 

 as their own gods do not seem to be jealous ones, they without alarm 



