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 2) (London, 1832)

146 HINDOO IDOL.

Allah created all things, the world and all that
is in it: I could not have been here at this
moment, but for the goodness of Allah !"

There are amongst them men of good moral
character, yet in a state of deplorable ignorance,
a specimen of which may be here noticed in a
person of property employed in the service of
Government, at the killaah ; he is of the caste
denominated Burghutt,—one of the tribe which
professes so great reverence for life, as to hold
it sinful to destroy the meanest reptile or in-
sect ; and, therefore, entirely abstain from
eating either, fish, flesh, or fowl:—yet, when I
pressed for his undisguised opinion, I found that
he not only denied the existence of God, but
declared it was his belief the world formed
itself.

I was induced to walk three miles from the
killaah, on a cool day in December, to view
the remains of a piece of sculpture of great
antiquity. I confess myself but little acquainted
with Hindoo mythology, and therefore my
description will necessarily be imperfect. The
figure of Luchmee is represented in relief, on a