217 



History of the Ramoossies* 



[July 



For the native women of all classes, high or low, rich or poor, 

 with very few exceptions, are the most frail and mercenary creatures 

 maginable, their vanity being such, tliat it renders them inordi- 

 nately fond of ornaments and fine clothes, and making a show even 

 beyond their means ; they are naturally of a warm temperament, and 

 their husbands not being permitted to be the object of theirown choice, 

 for they are married when they are mere children, that their after 

 conduct through life, is certainly not to be much wondered at. 

 Their being without the advantages of education, their conver- 

 sations, their songs, their numerous romantic, lascivious, and love 

 sick stories of heroes and heroines, demi-gods and goddesses, which 

 are familiar to them all, and which they are constantly in the 

 habit of hearing recited in the porches of their temples, and frequent- 

 ly in their own hbuses by professed itinerant story tellers, and ex- 

 pounders of their legends, may partly account for the state of mo- 

 ralitv among the Hindoo community of India. 



Although the misconduct of the females of a family is of very 

 common occurrence, and very generally known in the different towns 

 and villages. The inhabitants are very backward and cautious, in 

 making allusion to such matters, except, in confidence, even among 

 themselves, and more especially in their intercourse with Europeans, 

 unless it is communicated from malicious motives or mentioned by 

 some tattler, who is either looking out for service or favour. 



CHAPTER IV. 



The Ramoossies cross to the Pocrundur hills. — The period uncertain.— They 



are actively employed by Seevajee. — Are rewarded by Sahoo Rajah for 

 past services. — They become very troublesome and commit pieat excesses, 

 — Pillajee Jadoo Row nominated Sir Naik,and employed to restore order. 

 — His sanguinary proceedings. — The Ramoossy Naiks engage to continue 

 quiet.— They are employed in the Town of Hoona as Watchmen.— They 

 advance towards AkoUa and Sungumnair. — Become peaceable and Indus* 

 trious farmers and labourers in those districts. 



I shall now proceed, to give a sketch of the history of these peo- 

 ple after they crossed the Neera river, and settled in the Poorundur 

 hills ; from whence they subsequently spread themselves over the 

 Poona district, and kept moving northward, till their progress was 

 arrested apparently by coming in contact with the Bheels on the 

 banks of the Godavery. 



It is very uncertain when the Ramoossies first crossed to the 

 north bank of the Neera, for the purpose of residing permanently 

 in the Poorundur district, some of the oldest of them (men between 



