Indian Antiquary Vol 32

SR No.: 032524
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 550
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 20 MB

Page 205

APRII., 1903.)
THE ANDAMANS IN THE XVIIITH CENTURY.
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Tides. At full & change in the dry Season, the Tide rises 9 feet perpendicular, it is bigh Water a few Minutes before 10 O Clock. In the Rains the influx of the Freshes is so very considerable that the Neaps are scarcely discernable, and from the strength of the outset, a Vessel seldom tends to the Flood.
Inhabitants. The Inbabitants of the Andamans seem to be dispersed in very small Societies along the shores of their Islands, and in the Archipelago, their whole numbers it is probable do not exceed 2,500 or 3,000 Souls; as their Subsistence is confined to the Fish left entangled amongst the Roots of the Mangrove, that they strike with a rude kind of Gig, or shoot with Bows and Arrows, and shell fish collected at low water on the Reefs, it may be presumed the interior parts of the Island contain few or no Inhabitants; during the Rainy season they bave few opportunities of exploring the Reefs, and at that Season they are constantly seen in small parties patroling the Shores at night with lights of the Oil & Dammer Tree, in search of a Precarious Meal, the glare entices the fish to the surface, and those who follow the light, strike or shoot their prey. They must suffer exceedingly during the Rains, and from what has been observed in their huts by our working parties, we suppose them to live almost entirely on the fruit of the Mangrove, which has constantly been found in all their Habitations, either boiling on the fire, or macersting in fresh water, it is a very strong astringent, harsh and rough to the taste, and can afford but little Nutriment. Indeed their appearance sufficiently evinces the badness of their food. They are Caffres of a small stature, having most probably degenerated in successive Generations, as there is little cause to believe them Aborigines of these Islands, they being totally different in appearance and language, from every Race known in India. Their Arms, Thighs, and Legs are excessively thin, and they have all large protuberant, unsightly bellies, their Countenances depict Misery and famine in the extreme. They are abeolutely in a State of Nature, having no other covering than Mud, which they cover themselves all over with, as a Preservation and defence against the bites and Stings of the Miriads of Insecte swarming in the Juogles. They possess nothing that evinces strength in the formation of it, or ingenuity in the Contrivance. Their Canoes are contrived of a small sized Tree from 10 to 15 feet long, and from 8 to 14 Inches diameter, hollowed with fire, and prevented from oversetting by a spar fixed at a little distance as an outrigger. Their Bows wbich occasionally serve as Paddles, are the neatest performance among them. Some months ago we found a man and a child so reduced by famine, as to be incapable of moving, We brought them home, and nursed them, our endeavours to save the Man were ineffectual, the Child is a remarkable fine good tempered Boy, and has quite lost that Prominence of Belly, apparently occasioned by bad food. From the deplorable Scenes we witnessed of their distresses, We occasionally sent a few Carnicobar Coconuts, and a little Grain to their Huts in very bad weather, they retired till our our People returned to their Boats, when they eagerly seized what had been sent to them. They will not voluntarily come near us, and those we take, either escape, or are dismissed by ourselves, on observing their anxiety, with trifling Presents. They appear to be A harmless inoffensive Race, they will not eat raw food, or touch any thing tainted; a European belonging to a Veszel in distress, got into their Boat with some Lascars to seek for the Harboar, at night they put on Shore, and the Lascars ran away with the Boat, leaving the European asleep, he contrived to make his way thro' the Jungle, the Caffres took his Cloaths from him, but did him no further injury. The idea of their leing Cannibals is I fancy quite erroneous.
General The necessity of an Harbour in the Bay of Bengal, or at some Eastern Port, where one Ships could occasionally retire to, and refit, is well known & generally admitted. Port Corn. wallis has been Preferred to every other, yet discovered by so high an authority that it may be deomed excessive presumption in another person to speak of ite Relative situation. It will be seen by inspection of the Plan annexed, and from preceding observations, that it largely