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nor Málá, but carry a rosary, and are further distinguished by a peculiar sort of cap, a round white cap, according to some, but according to others, one with four corners, and a flap hanging down behind; which it is essential that each man should manufacture for himself.
RELIGIOUS SECTS
The Dádú Panthis are of three classes: the Viraktas, who are religious characters, who go bare-headed, and have but one garment and one water-pot. The Nágas, who carry arms, which they are willing to exercise for hire, and, amongst the Hindu princes, they have been considered as good soldiers. The third class is that of the Vistar Dháris, who follow the occupations of ordinary life. A further sub-division exists in this sect, and the chief branches again form fifty-two divisions, or Thambas, the peculiarities of which have not been ascertained. The Dádú Panthis burn their dead at dawn, but their religious members not unfrequently enjoin, that their bodies, after death, shall be thrown into some field, or some wilderness, to be devoured by the beasts and birds of prey, as they say that in a funeral pile insect life is apt to be destroyed.
The Dádú Panthis are said to be very numerous in Marwar and Ajmir: of the Nága class alone the Rájá of Jaypur is reported to entertain as soldiers more than ten thousand: the chief place of worship is at Naraina, where the bed of Dádú, and the collection of the texts of the sect are preserved and worshipped: a small building on the hill marks the place of his