SURVEY OF TH^ GANGES, 4S5 



$here are sevral se6ls ; but the principal ones are the Gosainsot Sannydsis^ 

 the Bairdgis, the Jogh and the XJdasis, The four sects are again sub-dt- 

 Vided, and branch out into a great variety ; the different shades and dis-= 

 criminations of which it is difficult to make out, or comprehend. The 

 most numerous are the Gosains, who, during the Maharata government^ 

 were sufficiently powerful to dispute the authority at the {Siace ; and not 

 only collec^led the duties, on their own account; but regulated the police 

 during the fair. This assumption was» of course, productive of many 

 serious disputes, which were decided by the sword: but- the Gosuins 

 were generally vi^orious, and maintained the sovereignty for many 

 years. The next powerful se6t was the Bairdgi ; but, from the year 

 1750, till the company got possession of the Dudh, this cast was de- 

 barred from the pilgrimage. The cause of this exclusion proceeded 

 from two brothers, D'hocal Gir and Dayara'm Pat'ha, who, having 

 determined on a life of penance, the former enlisted himself under the 

 banners of the Gosains^ and the latter of the Bairdgis, In the Cumbh'-mela 

 of that year, they both happened to meet at Haridwdra, and mutual 

 recriminations took place, regarding, the tenets which they had indivi- 

 dually embraced. From a private, it became a general cause ; and it 

 was agreed, that the sword should prove the superiority. On the Purbi 

 at last day of bathing, the two parties met, near Canac'hala, arid after 

 a long and bloody contest, victory declared in favour of the Gosains. It is 

 said that eighteen thousand Bairdgis were left dead on the field. Since 

 that time, the Gosains have claimed the pre-eminence, and appear to have 

 exercised their authority in a manner little expressive of meekness or 

 toleration. Although their despotic sway is over, they still occupy the 

 best situations at the fair ; the whole of the road between Canac'hala and 

 Haridwdra being inhabited by this sect. Cunsiderable expense must 



