814 Tour through parts of Baloochisthan, in [No. 154. 



The zikarees themselves say, that their saint was originally from the 

 river Attock, that he performed the pilgrimage, and on his return, ac- 

 cording to divine promise, and before a number of unbelievers extract- 

 ed from the heart of a tree he pointed out, a written volume of their 

 religious code. This tree is still pointed out on a rock called " Koh-i- 

 Nuwad" by them, to the south of Turbat ; the tree they call " Bai-i- 

 Kouhoor." They will never take a false oath by this tree, under which 

 they perform their orgies. Their saint was buried within the water (?) 

 of Turbat, until Meer Naseer Khan, in his zeal for the orthodox faith, 

 had the grave broken open, and the mouldering bones burnt to ashes 

 with horses' litter. They believe that Antichrist has come. 



They are very particular in paying tythes, but never pray or perform 

 the pilgrimage. Their belief runs thus : — 



" There is no God but one, and Antichrist is the light of God." 



Their devotional exercise is as follows: — 



They assemble in a ring every night on a level spot without the 

 village, and seat themselves and commence their zillar or repetition, 

 gradually warming as they advance. 



They do not fast with other Mahommedans in the month of Rum- 

 zan, but fast 9 days of the month Zilhij. When they begin to get 

 old and feel their death approaching, they go to their priest to seek 

 for heaven, who sells it according to the riches of the applicant. 



On every Monday evening they proceed to the " Koh-i-Murad," 

 and have a repetition, (?)* and on a certain day of the year they drug 

 themselves with intoxicating substances, and after dancing round the 

 tree, their priest exclaims, " It is time to be gone to heaven/' when 

 they retire to promiscuous intercourse. The marriage of a couple is 

 not considered fortunate, nor indeed lawful before the priest sanctifies 

 the bride. 



On my arrival at Kech the plague was raging at Turbat. I proceed- 

 ed to the Maeree, the residence of Meer Fuqueer Mahommed Beozanjoo, 

 and officiated as clerkt for 15 days, during which, crowds of people 

 prayed that never prayed before. On making preparations for my 

 departure, the Meer gave me letters of introduction on Kalwa ; one for 



* Sic in MS.— Eds. 



f (Pesh numaz ?)— Eds. 



