RELIGIOUS SECTS OF THE HINDUS. 305 



The sect derives its appellation from that of its founder Sivanarayan, 

 a Rajput, of the Nerivdna tribe, a native of Chanddwan, a village near 

 Ghazipur: he flourished in the reign of Mohammed Shah, and one of his 

 works is dated Sambat, 1791, or A. D. 1735. He was a voluminous writer 

 in the inculcation of his doctrines, and eleven books, in Hindi verse, are 

 ascribed to him. They are entitled : Lao or Lava Granth, Santvilds, 

 Wajan Granth, Santsunclara, Guru Nyds, Sant Achdri, Sunt Opadesa, 

 Sabddvali, Santparwdna, Sant Mahima, Sant Sdgar. 



There is also a twelfth, the Seal of the whole, but it has not yet been 

 divulged, remaining in the exclusive charge of the head of the sect. 

 This person resides at Balsande, in the Ghazipur district, where there is 

 a college and establishment. 



The Sivandrdyanis are mostly Rajputs, and many are Sipahis : many 

 of the Up-county Bearers also belong to the sect. The members are 

 said to be numerous about Ghazipur, and some are to be met with in 

 Calcutta. 



SUNYABADIS. 



The last sect which it has been proposed to notice is one of which 

 the doctrines are atheistical. There is no novelty in this creed, as it was 

 that of the Chdrvdkas and Ndstikas, and is, to a great extent, that of the 

 Bauddhas and Jains ; but an attempt has been recently made to give it a 

 more comprehensive and universal character, and to bring it within the 

 reach of popular attraction. 



A distinguished Patron of the Sunyahddis was Dayaram, the Raja 

 of Hatras, when that fortress was destroyed by the Marquis of Hastings. 

 Under his encouragement, a work in Hindi verse was composed by 



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