DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5829#0097
80
TIIE ORIENTAL ANNUAL.
sanctity. I have not, at any time, met with these
people; but Captain Taylor, whose beautiful sketches
are the chief embellishment of the present volume,
has been more fortunate. He gives me the following
note concerning them. " I have seen more of them
at Hyderabad than elsewhere. Their costume is
peculiar above all others. It consists of a conical
felt hat, worked into chequers of white, red, and
black; and their gown, which descends from the
neck to the calf of the leg, is of diamond-shaped
patches of the same colours. A few gourds for
carrying water, are hung over the shoulder, or at
the waist; and usually a bright steel rod, sometimes
headed with a trident, completes their equipment.
They never marry, but are of habits exceedingly
dissolute and debauched, and are always most
sturdy and importunate beggars.'' Stories of the
kalundurs are current throughout India, and nu-
merous enough to occupy another series of a thou-
sand and one nights, though not always very credit-
able to the tribe. I have selected the following, as
being illustrative of their pretensions to the especial
favour and protection of Providence :—
THE KALUNDUR AND THE VIZIER.
In the days of religious prosperity, a kalundur,
whose travel-worn appearance betokened his arrival
from some distant place, made his salaam to the
TIIE ORIENTAL ANNUAL.
sanctity. I have not, at any time, met with these
people; but Captain Taylor, whose beautiful sketches
are the chief embellishment of the present volume,
has been more fortunate. He gives me the following
note concerning them. " I have seen more of them
at Hyderabad than elsewhere. Their costume is
peculiar above all others. It consists of a conical
felt hat, worked into chequers of white, red, and
black; and their gown, which descends from the
neck to the calf of the leg, is of diamond-shaped
patches of the same colours. A few gourds for
carrying water, are hung over the shoulder, or at
the waist; and usually a bright steel rod, sometimes
headed with a trident, completes their equipment.
They never marry, but are of habits exceedingly
dissolute and debauched, and are always most
sturdy and importunate beggars.'' Stories of the
kalundurs are current throughout India, and nu-
merous enough to occupy another series of a thou-
sand and one nights, though not always very credit-
able to the tribe. I have selected the following, as
being illustrative of their pretensions to the especial
favour and protection of Providence :—
THE KALUNDUR AND THE VIZIER.
In the days of religious prosperity, a kalundur,
whose travel-worn appearance betokened his arrival
from some distant place, made his salaam to the