DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.15172#0088
54? CHARACTER OF THE SINDIANS. chap. hi.
" I had written thus far, when the respectable
" Mahommed Gohur, one of those enjoying your
" Highness's confidence, arrived at this place, to
" acquaint me with your professions of respect and
" friendship for the British Government, bringing
" along with him many marks of your hospitality.
" Need I say I am rejoiced ? Such civilities mark
" the great."
A voyage of ten days brought us to Bukkur ;
but we landed a few miles from that fortress,
to prepare for a visit to Khyrpoor and its chief,
who had made us so welcome in his country.
We saw much of the Sindians on our way up the
river, and did every thing to encourage their
approach by granting free admission on board to
the commonest villager who wished to view the
horses. The body of the people are little better
than savages, and extremely ignorant; their spi-
ritual guides and Syuds, or the followers of the
prophet, however, showed knowledge and independ-
ence. I happened to ask a party of Syuds to what
Ameer they wrere subject: they replied, "We ac-
" knowledge no master but God, who gives us
" villages and all we desire." I was struck with the
family likeness that prevails throughout this class in
Sinde ; for it is not to be supposed that a tribe so
numerous has lineally descended from the prophet
of Arabia. The beggars of Sinde are most impor-
tunate and troublesome. They practise all manner
of persuasion to succeed in their suit for alms ; tear
up grass and bushes with their mouths, and chew
sand and mud to excite compassion.
" I had written thus far, when the respectable
" Mahommed Gohur, one of those enjoying your
" Highness's confidence, arrived at this place, to
" acquaint me with your professions of respect and
" friendship for the British Government, bringing
" along with him many marks of your hospitality.
" Need I say I am rejoiced ? Such civilities mark
" the great."
A voyage of ten days brought us to Bukkur ;
but we landed a few miles from that fortress,
to prepare for a visit to Khyrpoor and its chief,
who had made us so welcome in his country.
We saw much of the Sindians on our way up the
river, and did every thing to encourage their
approach by granting free admission on board to
the commonest villager who wished to view the
horses. The body of the people are little better
than savages, and extremely ignorant; their spi-
ritual guides and Syuds, or the followers of the
prophet, however, showed knowledge and independ-
ence. I happened to ask a party of Syuds to what
Ameer they wrere subject: they replied, "We ac-
" knowledge no master but God, who gives us
" villages and all we desire." I was struck with the
family likeness that prevails throughout this class in
Sinde ; for it is not to be supposed that a tribe so
numerous has lineally descended from the prophet
of Arabia. The beggars of Sinde are most impor-
tunate and troublesome. They practise all manner
of persuasion to succeed in their suit for alms ; tear
up grass and bushes with their mouths, and chew
sand and mud to excite compassion.