20 BHOTIA MEHALS 



natives, these tombs* are called Mogul. The Darma Bhotias, from the 

 association of the Mohammedan creed with the name of Mogul, repel, as 

 an insult, the extraction here attributed to them ; they are, nevertheless, 

 unable to assign any other, while the difference in language, customs, and 

 dress, particularly of the females, proves that they could not have had a 

 common origin with the other Bhotias. No opportunity has been offered 

 for comparing the Darma dialect with that of the Moguls. 



The religion of the Bhotias has been naturally influenced by their 

 peculiar situation and pursuits, subjected to a government which, as re- 

 garded the infringement of its religious tenets, was ever intolerant. The 

 Bhotias have been compelled to conform with the Hindu prejudices ; 

 continued intercourse with the latter sect has also led to a gradual adop- 

 tion of many of its superstitions, while the annual communications main- 

 tained with Tibet have served to keep alive the belief of their fore- , 

 fathers. The Bhotias may now be regarded as Pantheists, paying equal 

 adoration at every temple, whether erected by the followers of Brahma, 

 of Budd,h, or of the Lama. The only temples in Bitot are small rude 

 buildings erected with loose stones, merely sufficient to shelter the idol. 

 The Bhotias have no priests of their own caste, but avail themselves, ac- 

 cording to circumstances, of the services of a Brahmin or of a Lama. 

 Among the Darma Bhotias, divination is practised ; the omens are taken 

 from the reeking liver of a goat or sheep, sacrificed for the purpose, by rip- 

 ping up its belly. No undertaking of importance is commenced without 

 this ceremony ; when the first augury proves unfavorable, fresh animals 

 are sacrified, and further inspections made ; the result of the majority of 



omens 



* Gold ornaments and arms, are reported to have been occasionally found on them, several 

 graves have been exposed in digging foundations at Bdgeswar since 1815, but they contained only 

 small earthenware lamps. 



