226 THE SUPERINTENDENT OF ETHNOGRAPHY, BENGAL, ON 



or changed the clothes worn during the night. The amulet contains holy words, and 

 must therefore be put aside during the performance of any impure act, and ablutions must 

 be performed before it is resumed. The Tawiz enumerated above are sometimes known as 

 Alawi Tawiz, to distinguish them from Sifli Tawlz, or amulets containing mantras, the use of 

 which, although they are of Hindu origin, is not unknown among the lower classes of 

 Muhammadans. In Bihar, the name Tawiz is applied generally to every amulet worn by a 

 Muhammadan, as opposed to Yantra, the term used for charms carried by Hindus. In 

 Eastern Bengal, where the majority iof the Muhammadans are descended from converted 

 Hindus, who retained their superstitions when tney changed their religion, they use 

 amulets containing herbs and roots, more commonly than in other parts of the Province ; 

 and the terms Tawiz and Maduli are used indifferently for any kind of amulet, the Tawiz 

 proper being distinguished by the name Tumar. This practice is not approved by physi- 

 cians and Mullas, as it is claimed that every disease can be cured by amulets, which 

 contain the name of God. It is, however, encouraged by the Faqirs who trade upon 

 popular superstitions. A nother superstitious practice, which is probably of Hindu origin, 

 is to wash pieces of metal, plates or leaves, on which passages from the Holy books have 

 been engraved or written, and, after doing so, to drink the water. Pieces of paper on 

 which texts have been written by the Mullas are sometimes swallowed. The use of 

 Muhammadan Tawiz is not infrequent among the lower classes of Hindus, who are led 

 by superstition to adopt any form of amulet from which there is the faintest hope of benefit. 



The Kavac is a Hindu amulet corresponding to the Muhammadan Tawiz. The 

 word, which is of Sanskrit origin, denotes "armour." It is said to 

 have been first applied to amulets by Tantrik ascetics, who wore 

 them as a protection against the evils to which they were exposed when performing the 

 Tantrik Yoga. As in the case of the Tawiz, the term Kavac is in some places applied to 

 amulets generally. In its strict sense, however, it is confined to amulets containing 

 mantras, mathematical figures, or hieroglyphics by which the aid of some deity or 

 planet is invoked. A small image is sometimes added or substituted. These 

 amulets should be worn by Hindus only. The lowest castes, such as Hari, Dom, 

 Candal and Bagdi, who are not entitled to benefit by the Sastras, are not permitted to 

 wear amulets which contain S'astrik mantras. 



The S'astrik mantras are usually written by Brahmans, Gurus or priests. Others 

 may be written by Brahmans, Sannyasis, Faqirs, Ganaks or Acaryyas or exorcists. They 

 are usually written on Bh urja Fatra, of which four kinds are distinguished — white for 

 Brahmans, light brown for Ksattriyas, a darker shade for Vaisyas, and almost black 

 for S'udras. If Bhurja Pat) a cannot be obtained, leaves of the plantain, piped 

 {Ficus Religiosa), bcl (Acglc Marmclos), tulsi (Ocymnm Sanctum), or banyan {Ficus Fndica) or 

 paper may be used, but this is not common. The writer must be in a state of purity, and 

 must live on simple fare or he will be liable to severe punishment in the form of some in- 

 curable disease. The pens used are made of porcupine-quills, 1 reeds, thorns or twigs of 



1 It must be observed that where lists are given of articles used for various purposes it is not meant to imply that all those 

 included are in use in every part of the Province. It is quite impossible to specify from which districts any given name has been 

 reported, though attempts have been made to distinguish, as far as possible, where the more important matters are concerned. 



