68 
LIVES OF THE MOGHUL EMPERORS. 
bitable world.” Such are the silly pretences upon 
which despots justify their wars of extermination, and 
the spreading of death and desolation over conquered 
kingdoms ! 
From the Santons of earlier times have sprung up 
among the Mohammedans in India a race of religious 
enthusiasts unparalleled in the annals of superstition 
for the influence which they possess over their fol- 
lowers. These imposters are far more notorious for 
their licentiousness than for their devotion. They not 
only extort alms by demanding them in the name of 
their prophet, but, when these benefactions are not 
conceded to their expostulations, frequently obtain 
them by force. They often go in considerable parties, 
and then their pretended solicitations for gratuities be- 
come positive robberies. As these devotees are never 
interfered with by the native authorities, they levy 
their contributions upon the unprotected passenger with 
perfect impunity. They may be constantly seen on 
their way to perform some religious ceremony, at 
which times they reap a rich harvest from the charities 
of the pious, mounted upon an ox and clad in the 
costume of their vocation. This consists of undressed 
sheepskin, with the wool, or rather hair,* outside. 
Round the neck are several rows of large beads, and 
the head is covered with a profusion of hair, never, 
according to the custom of the Nazarites among the 
ancient Jews, having been clipped from the hour of 
their birth. Though they profess humility to the 
very extent of its acceptation among all religious en- 
thusiasts, nevertheless, conceiving it far more dignified 
* In India the sheep are covered with a thick curly hair. 
