Indian Antiquary Vol 09

SR No.: 032501
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jas Burgess
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 398
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 17 MB

Page 299

OCTOBER, 1880.]
BOMBAY BEGGARS AND CRIERS.
247
Rashidu'd-din Kaidu Khan
Baisangkhur Jerki Lin Gun Jaujin
Tumenoh Khan Surgħodul-chino Kendu-chino uluk-chino 1 Jaksu 2 Barin Shir : Khajui + Samkhajiun 5 Batkulgi 6 Kabul Khan 7 Udur Bayan 8 Budantsar O Jiadai
Ambaghai Khan
Batu Khaiju
Doghlan
Ukin Barkhakh. Bartar Baghadur. Khutuktu Mangur. Khadan Baghadur. Khutula Khan. Tudan Uchige Altan Topchi
Ssanang Setzen Khachi Kuluk
Khachi Külük Bai sanghur Dokshin
Shingkhor Dokshin Tonbenai Setzen
Tumbaghai Setzen Khabul Khakan
Khabul Khakan Barun Baghatur
Bardan Baghatur
BOMBAY BEGGARS AND CRIERS.
BY K. RAGHUNATHJI. As elsewhere, India gave birth to men of labour, the beggars say, why work hard and get wealth and position, and numbers of these half a loaf, why not follow beggary as a propeople fed, clothed, and even bore hardships onfession? In Banaras, if a boy is told by his account of their beggars. The result was that he parents to go to school, his reply will sometimes who gave most died leaving behind him the be that, if again told to do so, he will join some greatest number of beggars. The practice of of the many alms-houses (annakshatras). And alms-giving has existed from a very early age, at when Khanderão Gâikvad died, an immense least from the time of Manu. Nearly a tenth of the number of faqirs sat lamenting his death : they population have been beggars, and instead of said that the Mahârâja had induced them to beg, being ashamed of this, beggary is deemed a con- and now he was dead, and there was nothing left dition worthy to be sought after and followed. for them whereby to obtain their maintenance. There are even some among this class of people The Bombay beggars may be divided into two who will not go to the trouble of seeking charity, classes, the religious and the non-religious; they because they know they will be provided with may also be subdivided into the Hinda religious the necessaries of life by people who look upon and non-religious, the Musalman religious and them as having sacrificed theinselves for some non-religious, and others. The Hindu religious social end, for
beggars are Vaishnavas, Saivas, and the abomin"Brother, we have become a Gosåvi, and aban- able saktas, adorers of the goddesses. These doned everything.
classes may be distinguished by the kind of Patel build us here a chapel, bring plenty of rosaries they sometimes carry, and by the marke bhang and tobacco,
on their foreheads, temples, arms, chest, and Provide daily food for me, and send a sister abdomen, which they either stamp with a wooden to serve me."
form for the purpose, or burn the skin with Thus these worthless and degraded members heated metal plates; and the Saktas by the apof society are encouraged in idleness by the readyplication of red stuff to their foreheads between supply of their wants. What is the use of the eye-brows. Mr. Gopalrao Hari's Bhikshuks, p. 17.
• Mr. Gopalrao Hari's Bhikshuks, p. 17.