go RELIGIOUS SECTS 



D&du was a cotton cleaner by profession : he was born at Ahmedahad, 

 but in his twelfth year removed to Samhher, in Ajmer : he thence travelled to 

 Kalydnpu7\ and next removed to Naraina, in his thirty-seventh year, a place 

 four cos from Samhher, and twenty from Jaypur. When here, he was admo- 

 nished, by a voice from heaven, to addict himself to a religious life, and he 

 accordingly retired to Baherana mountain, five cos from Naraina^ where, after 

 some time, he disappeared, and no traces of him could be found. His follow- 

 ers believe he was absorbed into the deity. If the list of his religious descent 

 be accurate, he flourished about the year I6OO, at the end ofAIcber's reign, or in 

 the beginning of that of Jehangir. The followers of Dddu wear no peculiar 

 frontal mark nor Mala, but carry a rosary, and are further distinguished by a 

 peculiar sort of cap, a round white cap, according to some, but according to 

 others, one with four corners, and a flap hanging down behind ; which it is es- 

 sential that each man should manufacture for himself. 



The Dddu Pantliis are of three classes : the ViraJdas, who are religious 

 characters, who go bare-headed, and have but one garment and one water 

 pot. The Ndgas, who carry arms, which they are willing to exercise for hire, 

 and, amongst the Hindu princes, they have been considered as good soldiers. 

 The third class is that of the' Bister Dhdris, who follow the occupations of 

 ordinary life. A further sub-division exists in this sect, and the chief branches 

 ao-ain form fifty-two divisions, or Thambas, the peculiarities of which have 

 not been ascertained. The Dddu Panfhis burn their dead at dawn, but their 

 religious members not unfrequently enjoin, that their bodies, after death, shall 

 be thrown into some field, or some wilderness, to be devoured by the beasts 

 and birds of prey, as they say, that in a funeral pile insect life is apt to be 

 destroyed. . 



The Dddu Pant'hls are said to be very numerous in Mavwar and Ajmer : 

 of the Ndga class alone, the Raja of Jaypur is reported to entertain as soldiers 



