Indian Antiquary Vol 49

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarkar
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 87

MAY, 1920]
EPISODES OF PIRACY IN THE EASTERN SEAS
83
sanctimonious Alee ['Ali], placed the spoon upon the deck between him and the wind, and the pair of true believers repeated some verses over it-bound themselves by a vow to sacrifice several game-cocks upon a favourable occasion, and then the precious spoon was stuck through the lanyards of the main-rigging, with the handle to leeward. I think I should have died from the effects of suppressed mirth had not the fury of the squall and the quantity of water thrown on board of us given me enough to do to look after the safety of the craft. Jadee, however, sat quietly watching and waiting for the effect of his incantation. At last down oame the rain, not in drops but in bucketfuls, and as usual, the wind fell entirely." 63
[CAPTAIN SHERARD OSBORN, [ Quedah, p. 69. ]
XXIV.
CRUELTY OF ARAB PIRATES, 1819.
The pirates mentioned in the following account were known as Joasmees (Juhasmi, Juasmi) and were early Arab settlers from Nejd on the 'Omân Coast of the western side of the entrance to the Persian Gulf, opposite Ormuz, where they eventually assumed the chief position among a number of Arab tribes. They appear to have started plundering vessels of the weaker tribes about 1765 and became pirates as regards native ships. In 1797 they first attacked and captured a British war vessel, the Snow Bassein, for which they were punished by the Cruiser Viper in 1798. After this they treated the British flag with respect until 1804, when they came under the influence of the Wâhhâbîs. In the next year they captured the merchant ships Shannon and Trimmer, and attacked the Cruiser Mornington, behaving with great cruelty to all captives. Their extraordinarily cruel treatment of European and other prisoners, including Muhammadans, was no doubt due to Wahhâbî fanaticism. The Joasmees continued to be a scourge in the Persian Gulf and neighbourhood for the next five years, and intermittently to give trouble till about 1853.
"Bombay, December 18th 1819. We learn by accounts, dated Okamandel 6 19th November, that some pirates, whether Joasmees or others is not exactly known, have been committing some horrible outrages on that coast. About three days prior to the date of the accounts, a vessel going from Cutch Mandavie [Mândvî in Kachh] to Bate, [Beyt] in which were about 80 Byragees,5 men and women, had arrived in sight of Bate, when she was unfortunately fallen in with and boarded by the pirates. The vessel had no merchandise on board, being taken up purposely to carry the pilgrims. The pirates cut off the heads of 40 persons and threw their carcasses into the sea, the remainder, with the exception carried off, they wounded with their spears, some in three or four places. The barbarians then
63 According to Logan's Journal of the Indian Archipelago, IV, 690, the Malays have an idea that they can "call the wind," i.e., compel it to come, by sending the cook aloft as high as he can go with a bowl of rice. He then proceeds to make a great noise and scatters the rice about, repeating the ceremony at intervals until the wind comes. Naturally, the opposite effect would be expected from showing an empty spoon to the wind. I suppose the root idea is that the wind can be "called " by a process similar to that which "calls" birds.
64 Okhamandal, in Kathiawar, Bombay Presidency.
65 Bairdgt, a soot of Hindu religious mendicante.-ED.