1838.] Account of the Moa Morah sect. 677 



The head priest of the Moa Mureeahs, is a son of the man formerly 

 mentioned, called " Pitumber ;" until lately he resided at Kooteah 

 Pottah, but he is now living in the Senaputtee's country : his name is 

 Bucktanund. His antipathy to those who profess the Brahminical 

 faith is well known, and the strong suspicions that exist, regarding his 

 late conduct at Jorehdt, having been a cloak for mischievous purposes, 

 has forced him to leave that part of the country. 



The Moa Mureeahs seem to have a good deal of republican feeling, 

 with regard to equality, and free will ; and it is said that there are 

 great dissentions amongst those in the Senaputtee's country. 



Bucktanund dislikes the chief, because he will not enter into his 

 bigoted views, on secular, as well as religous matters. The Morans 

 also, on the Upper Debroo, have set up for themselves a separate Goo- 

 roo, or spiritual head, and as they considered themselves on an equality 

 with the Senaputtee, they are not at all satisfied with the high station he 

 has lately assumed, and particularly with their having been money tax- 

 ed, and also with regard to other unusual exactions made on them by 

 him. I have understood that these disaffections have been carried so 

 far, as to be made the subject of a formal complaint to the British 

 authorities in the beginning of 1837. 



The Bor Senaputtee is a " Boorook Sooteah ;" his ancestors* were 

 natives of the district of Sudii/a, but he was born on the Upper Debroo, 

 He must have been a man of some energy of character, and is spoken 

 of as having been much liked in his younger days ; but love of money, 

 and of power, have lately assumed such an influence over him, as to be 

 seen in all his actions. He is also said to be completely ruled by his 

 wife in these matters, against whom the Morans entertain very bitter 

 feelings. 



The Senaputtee is now an old man, and having had one severe pa- 

 ralytic stroke, he may not live long ; none of his sons are equal to him 

 in intellect, but the second son, called the " Madjo Gohain," is said 

 to be the most intelligent, and he is strongly in the interests of Buck- 

 tanund the priest. Taking into consideration therefore the character 

 of this priest, it is to be feared, that, when released from the control of 

 the Senaputtee, some disturbances may arise, and urged by bigotry, 

 some acts of violence may take place, unless prevented by timely in- 

 terference on the part of the British Government. 



Although the Senaputtee's country is interspersed with juno-le, it 

 abounds in extensive grain pathers, and is a rich depot of grain. A 

 great portion of the inhabitants being of those classes who are consider- 

 * Father and grandfather. 



