268 



Statistics of the 



[No. 38, 



largely over Berar. They have head men or Gooroos, located in cer- 

 tain districts, some of whom are well provided for by their followers, 

 as the one at Reedpoor in particular, who possesses camels, a horse, 

 and palkee ; when these leaders die, the spot in which they are buri- 

 ed, becomes, the abode of one of the mendicants. Proselytes are made 

 chiefly from among the Koonbees ; the Mangbhows are a quiet, inof- 

 fensive tribe, unlike the Gosaees in this respect, who are, on the con- 

 trary; often turbulent and insolent. They eat nothing that has had 

 life, subsisting solely on grain, pulse, and vegetables. Their only 

 beverage is water. They have two or three wives as they please : 

 what their ceremonies of marriage were, I could not learn : when they 

 die, they are not burnt, but buried ; and placed in the earth with the 

 head to the north ; no tomb or stone marks their graves. 



Condition of the Koonbees. 



If it were possible to obtain an insight into the past history of the 

 Hindoos, it is more than probable, the condition of the Koonbees 

 would be found little differing, from what it is at the present day: 

 this inference is drawn from the spirit of their laws and institutions, 

 which consigns them to the most intolerable thraldom, both of mind, 

 and body ; to perpetuate which it has been the policy of a heartless 

 priesthood; to keep their minds rude, and ignorant ; in addition to 

 which, they have ever been oppressed by despotism, a circumstance 

 which Adam Smith has most justly remarked, is " more destructive of 

 leisure and security, and more adverse to the progress of the human 

 mind, than anarchy;" too sadly is the truth of these observations ex- 

 emplified, in the present case, where such little advances towards ci- 

 vilization have been effected : confining my remarks, for the present, 

 merely to such as are of a general nature, I would state that the ex- 

 perience of my intercourse amongst them, goes to prove their pos- 

 sessing the elements of much of what is most praiseworthy. Their 

 occupations have engendered a peaceful and mild temperament, pati- 

 ently enduring to the utmost limits their hard fate, and only resent- 

 ing harshness, when pushed beyond human endurance ; they are 

 cheerful in disposition, and kind and affectionate to their wives, and 

 children ; temperate in diet, and frugal, even to parsimony ; should 

 a little hoard be made, from the insecure state of property, it is all 

 squandered at once in feasts or marriages. The bigotry of the Brah- 

 mins kept all instructions from them, but they are not wanting for in- 



