150 ACCOUNT OF BHUTAN". 



The Bhuteas all live by their own labour, no one depending for support 

 upon his relations. They have no objection to any sort of work, except 

 killing' hogs or other animals, which is performed by a person of mean 

 caste called P'hapchemi who is a slave. The chief employments followed 

 by the men are those of cultivating the ground or keeping shops ; there 

 are also potters, blacksmiths and carpenters. The potters do not use 

 the wheel. The blacksmith works like those in Bengal, bat the car- 

 penter has no saw, and performs all his work with an adze and chissel. 

 There are no barbers or washermen, every one performing their offices for. 

 himself, 



The Bhuteas enjoy the revenues of their country by mutual concurrence 

 in the following manner : They first become Zinkaups or Poes, then 

 Tumas, then Zumpes under the Pilos or other officers, after that Iodus or 

 Subahs of Papes, after that Zimpe, then Pilo, and at length they maybe- 

 come Deb Raja. The last Deb Raja was in fact originally a Zinkaup. If 

 a man however possess extraordinary abilities or interest, he may get on 

 more quickly and become at once a Zimpe from being a Zinkaup. Where 

 a person gets a good appointment he is not allowed to keep it long, but 

 at the annual religious festivals frequent removals and appointments take 

 place. The Deb Raja himself after a time is liable to be thrust out, on 

 some such a pretence, as that of his having infringed established customs ; 

 and unless he have either Tongso or Paro Pilo on his side, he must, if re- 

 quired to do so, resign his place, or risk the result of a civil war : on this 

 account the Deb Raja strives by removals, and changes at the annual fes- 

 tivals, to fill the principal offices with persons devoted to his interest. The 

 Bhuteas are full of fraud and intrigue, and would not scruple to mur- 

 der their own father or brother to serve their interest ; but what is wonder- 

 ful, is, that the slaves are most faithful and obedient to their masters, and 

 are ready to sacrifice their limbs or lives in their service ; while their mas 7 

 ters on the other hand, use them most cruelly, often inflicting upon then] 

 horrid punishments and frequently mutilating them. 



JN T o complaints for assaults and slight wounding or adultery are heard. 



