Indian Antiquary Vol 02

SR No.: 032494
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jas Burgess
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 428
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 20 MB

Page 52

46
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
(FEBRUARY, 1873.
Dakhan, for instance, men speak of the little of Ibrahim Khân, the soldier of fortune of “ Fifty-two Berars," which we call East and less than two centuries ago, and even hinted West Berar; and Tod quotes a Hindi that an ancestor who had fought for the infidel rhyme
against the true believers was not to be boasted "Bawau Barj, chhapan darwaja,
of. Hinc (more than from the dearth of copperMaina mard, Naen kå raja."
pots) illae lacryme. These Musalınan gentleHowever, it is possible that the name of
men of Junnar were my frequent companions in this chauri, a purely colloquial one, may be
excursions, and pleasant society enough ; but only a corruption of "Bhâwan Chauri," from
they had preserved few traditions of the place, and its Martello-tower-like form. In the suburbs,
no written records. Junnar, in fact, never got besides the remains already mentioned, are
over the sack of 1657, when nearly every private several fine tombs, especially one very large
house in the place was burned or stripped, and one said to have been erected over a “ Habshi"
doubtless many manuscripts and records shared of the Jinjira family. This, however, I doubt, as
118, nowever, I doubt, as the common destruction. The chief families the tomb contains several inscriptions in honour
are three-(1) the Sayyids, who are Shiahs, of Ali (now defaced by some Sünni bigot), and I and whose head is Mîr Jamal 'Ali, a great do not think any of that family have ever traveller who has done the Hdj, and wanbeen Shiahs. Near to these is a fine garden- dered far in Arabia, Persia, and Turkishouse, said to have been built by the same tân; (2) the Pirzadê; (3) the Begs: these Habshi when viceroy, or deputy riceroy here. last two are Sanni families. They used to But the tradition is obviously unreliable, and have fierce battles every Muharram, but the even the property in the garden had been lost peace has been pretty well kept of late years, and abandoned when Mr. Dickinson, mentioned though the old feud still smoulders, ready to above, came here some 30 years ago, and took up break out on the first opportunity. One advanhis abode in the old summer palace, which he tage that I derived from the society of the still inhabits. This place is called the Afiz Bagh Sayyids, who, like all Shiahs, are very particular which Europeans, rightly or wrongly, improve about things clean and unclean, was that I heard to Hafiz Bagh. The garden is now probably the debated with great vigour the question whether best in its way in the Dakhan, containing a man may, or may not, without mortal sin, eat besides all the fruits and vegetables common to green parrot. The prophet, it appears, forbade Western India, many imported from the Antilles his followers to eat that which patteth its foot to by the proprietor, and a little coffee plantation its mouth, but elsewhere he permits them to eat which thrives exceedingly well, as do also oats. every bird that has a craw. Now the parrot Junnar, however, with all its old buildings and fulfils both conditions, and was therefore a subbeautiful gardens (for the Hafiz Bagh is only ject of considerable debate among the Shiah the best among many), is sorely decayed and sportsmen of Junnar. I believe the general poverty-smitten; and a Musalman subordinate opinion was in favour of the legitimacy of parrot of my own once complained bitterly to me on the ground that a parrot in the cold weather of his exile to such a place," where he could not is far too good meat to have been forbidden by get a copper big enough to boil a sheep whole the prophet. The place has no notable manufacat his son's circumcision-feast." This man was ture but that of paper, with which it once in himself a curiosity in a small way, for he supplied the whole Dakhan; but now it is underwas the lineal descendant of Ibrahim Khan sold, except for native accounts, by the contiGardi, the commander of the Peshwa's regular nental papers brought through the Canal. The infantry at the last great battle of Pânipat. Kâgadis, or paper-makers, are all Musalmans Ibrahîm Khân was beheaded by the conqueror and a very rough and turbulent set they are. Ahmad Shah Durânî. His son was consoled by If ever a Musalman outbreak occurs in Western the Peshwa with the grant of the village of India, it will be necessary to use the wild Áhdé, in tâluka Mawal, in jaghir, which the tribes of the neighbouring ghâțs to hold the family still enjoy. They have the title of Muhammadans of Junnar in check The Nawab, and are very proud of their descent ; | higher classes have lost power and position, the but when this unlucky scion of the line came to lower their employment; and there are the Junnar, he found himself among families of materials for much trouble in the scattered and ancient Muhammadan race who thought but ruinous houses of the old viceregal city.
. Since this was written I have beard with great regret of my old friend's death,