Meer Hassan Ali, B.: Observations on the Mussulmauns of India: descriptive of their manners, customs, habits, and religious opinions ; made during a twelve years residence in their immediate Society (Band 1) (London, 1832)

T4X ON PILGRIMS. 229

gold spout—which none could now dispute his
right to,—the same weight of gold in the cur-
rent coin of Arabia was given to him, thus
raising him from beggary to affluence."

I have often heard Meer Hadjee Shaah speak
of this gold spout which adorns the Kaabah,
being held in great veneration by the pilgrims
who make the Hadje to that place.

All Mussulmauns performing the pilgrimage
pay a kind of tax to the Sheruff of Mecca.
The present possessors of power in Mecca, are
of the Soonie sect. The admission money, in
consequence, falls heavy on the Sheahs, from
whom they exact heavy sums, out of jealousy
and prejudice. This renders it difficult for the
poor Sheah pilgrim to gain admittance, and it
is even suspected that in many cases they are
induced to falsify themselves, when it is de-
manded of them what sect they belong to,
rather than be denied entrance after their severe
trial to reach the confines of Mecca. The tax
levied on the Soonies is said to be trifling in
proportion to that of the Sheahs.

Amongst the different places visited by each