CONTENTS. 
CHAPTER IV, 
Inhabitants of Bombay. . Hindoos. . their ancient history. . division into castes., the 
four grand divisions. . Brahmins. . sacred books. . religious tenets. . idols in the 
Hindoo mythology. . Brail m ah. .creation, rebellion of the celestial spiiits. .origin 
of the Hindoo metempsychosis. . explanation of its system. . sublime description 
of the Deity. . extracts from the Vedas. . Menu’s code of laws. . Fakeers and Yo- 
gees. . their austerity and severe penances, . Cnandalas. . Pariars. . general descrip- 
tion of the Hindoos, .domestic arrangement, .dress of the men. .delicacy of the 
women. . their character. . dress. , ornaments. . houses. . education. . Hindoo school 
. . marriages. . funerals. . cremation of the widows. . astrology. . comparison with 
patriarchal manners. . hackeree. . palankeen. . rural feasts. . dancing-girls. . religi- 
ous choristers, singing men and women of scripture. . sacred groves and lakes. . 
ablutions. . hummums, . effects of opium. . halcarras.. ...................... 59 
CHAPTER V. 
Commencement of the Mahomedan conquests in Hindostan. . plunder of the Hindoos. . 
immense riches in their temples. . establishment of the empire of Ghizni. . invasion 
of India by Timur-lung. . Mogul empire formed. . character of Akber. . usurpation 
of the Nawabs, after the death of Aurungzebe. . religion of Mahomed. . brief ac- 
count of that prophet. . voluptuous paradise, dress, and customs of the Mahome- 
dans in India. . Mahomedan women. . genii, talismans, and charms. . story of a 
talismanic ring. . great extent of the Mahomedan religion. . Ishmaelites. . Solo- 
mon’s trade with India, .traffic of the ancients, .extensive commerce of the Ara- 
bians. . general character of the Mahomedans in Hindostan, with their manners 
and customs in private life 89 
CHAPTER VI. 
Parsees, or Guebres. . under the Mahomedan persecutions, emigrate to Ormuz, and 
from thence to Hindostan. . land near Surat. . arrangements with the Hindoo Ra- 
jah. . dispersion in India. . worshippers of fire, .everlasting fire near Baku, in Per- 
sia. . manners and customs of the Parsees. . treatment of their dead. . women. . 
ancient Persians. . religion of Zoroaster and the ancient Magi.. 109 
CHAPTER VII. 
Portugueze, and their descendants in India. . Romish missionaries. . Indian converts. „ 
Armenians at Bombay. . other occasional inhabitants. . general remarks on the 
