Indian Antiquary Vol 59

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Charles E A W Oldham, S Krishnaswami Aiyangar, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarka
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 273

JANUARY, 1930) REMARKS ON TAF ANDAMAN ISLANDERS AND THEIR COUNTRY
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The object then of the operations which Mr. Vaux, with the assistance of Mr. Rogers and Mr. Bonig, conducted with such conspicuous endurance, courage and skill has been entirely carried out. Precise information has been obtained of the location of the Jarawas, of the real object of their annual raids and of the best mode of reaching them, and they have been taught that they cannot raid and murder with impunity. The return of the captured women will teach the tribe something of ourselves and that we have the power, if we choose, to take their fanilies away from them. Thanks also to the energy and determination of Messrs. Vaux and Rogers, inuch knowledge of the nature of the country and forests in the hitherto untouched interior of the South Andaman has been gained, and it is very satisfactory to note that the parties of Jàrawas punished belonged to the actual perpetrators of the latest raids. No operations in relation to the Jerawas have hitherto been anything like so successful. It is therefore all the more to be deplored that the leader should have lost his life in the chances of a struggle. It is a still more regrettable circumstance to record that the life need not have been lont, for at the last moment Mr. Vaux made an error in judgment in not waiting as usual for the Andamanese to rush into the camp first. Had this been done, it is more than probable that no life would have been lost. But it has been ascertained that he feared that if he did so the Andamanese accompanying him would kill all the men they could and that the rest would escape with most of their weapons and stolen property. It was to avoid this that he determined to go before them when the word was given to attack, and thus he lost his life in a laudable, though mistaken, atternpt to save bloodshed.
SIII. Extracts from Reports and Diaries of two Reconnaissances of the Country supposed to be
occupied by the Jarawas.
FIRST RECONNAISSANCE. (a) Extract from the Report, 25th January to 4th February, 1902, dated 8th February 1902, from
the late Mr. P. Vaux, Officer in charge, Andamanese, Port Blair. 25th January.-Left Port Blair at 6-30 P.m. in the steam launch Belle with Mr. Bonig, Assistant Harbour Master, a Havildar and 6 Constables of the Port Blair Police and a party of 15 Andamanese. Reached Macpherson's Strait at 9 P.m., and anchored for the night.
26th January.-Weighed anchor at 9 A.M., the delay being due to our giving the Police and Andamanese & run on shore. Proceeded on to Port Mouat to take on an Andamenese canoe. Left as soon as possible and proceeded to Constance Bay. We landed here and found some self-supporter convicts from Templeganj. One of these men told me a story about some of his villagers being attacked by Jarawas two days before, and I thought it worth while to send for the Chaudhri (Headman) and the villagers. On their arrival they all denied having ever seen anything of the Jarawas and denied having spread any such report. There seemed to be no truth whatever in the story ; 80 I sent them all back. Anchored here for the night.
27th January. Started from Constance Bay at 7 A.m., and arrived at Port Campbell at 11 A.M. I sent a party of Andamanese and Police into the jungle to the south, to try and pick up traces of the Jarawag. I and Mr. Bonig searched with others along the shore but found no recent traces. Mr. Bonig picked up an old bow and a basket. It seems probable that the Jarawas have not camped here since the man was shot by the Census party laat year (1901). The Police and Andamanege returned in the evening without having found anything. The Janglfs [Andamanese) had a grand turtle hunt in the evening, shooting some dozen turtles and a small pig, the latter & splendid running shot by quite a young boy. There was so much excitement over the tartle hunt, that those on the launch thought we were being attacked, and the remaining Police and Andamanese came hastening off, includ ing the womon, the latter with piles of arrows.