DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5827#0096
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 witli a thick curly hair.
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 witli a thick curly hair.