Page images
PDF
EPUB

62

SINGING MEN AND SINGING WOMEN.

sidered in the character of the vestal virgins in ancient Rome, or of those we read of among the Peruvians; for if we investigate the brahminical mysteries, we shall find that these damsels are not only dedicated to the principal idols, but to the pleasure of the priests. They seldom leave the place of their initiation, looking upon themselves as wedded to the deities: but as they frequently have children, who partake more of a terrestrial than a celestial origin, the boys are taught to play on musical instruments, and the girls are early instructed in the profession of their mothers.

All the large cities in Hindostan contain sets of musicians and dancing-girls, under the care of their respective duennas, who are always ready to attend for hire at weddings, and other festivities; or to finish the evening entertainment of the Europeans and natives; and many of them accompany the Asiatic armies to the field.

[ocr errors]

The singing-men and singing-women mentioned by the aged Barzillai, and the daughters of music that we read of in the sacred pages, as well as in the ancient poets, resembled these characters in Hindostan. The women of Israel came out to meet David and Saul, dancing to instruments of music, and complimenting Saul with having slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands, 1 Samuel, c. xviii. v. 7. The choristers of Palestine resembled those of India; who now celebrate a prince, or general, in the same manner at a public festival.

It is not only the introduction of dancing-girls and musicians, but a variety of other customs, which remind us of similar scenes among the ancients. The Greeks and other nations kept their religious festivals

HINDOO CLEANLINESS.

63

among consecrated groves, gloomy forests, and sacred fountains. The Hindoos do the same, and have done so from the remotest antiquity. The Druids had their solemn oaks, their awful shades, and holy retreats; the Brahmins have their venerable trees, favourite tanks, and consecrated rivers; to which, at appointed seasons, they repair with their followers, to perform ablutions, to drink of the hallowed stream, and deck the banks with flowery oblations. There is something awful in a gloomy shade; it naturally inspires religious reflections, and was therefore held in much veneration by the Druids and pagan priests; but nothing in this respect equals the banian-tree, that rural fane, which is so fully described in a former chapter.

The Hindoo religion requires frequent ablution, which is a custom wisely introduced in a warm climate, where cleanliness is very conducive to health: these ablutions are performed in the consecrated tanks near the temples; but in most of the principal cities are hummums, or warm baths; and the people of fortune, amai i especially among the Moguls, have these conveniences in their own houses. Bathing sumptuously was a h great luxury among the Greeks and Romans; and the buildings appropriated to this purpose, constitute some of the most magnificent remains of antiquity. The hummum is equally the delight of the Asiatics; as is the subsequent anointing with aromatic oils. The Hindoo women perfume their hair with oil of cloves, cinnamon, sandal, mogrees, and other sweetscented flowers; and those who can afford it, use the oil, or ottar of roses; this delicate and costly perfume is made in Persia, and the northern provinces of Hindostan it is the pure essential oil of roses, rising in

[blocks in formation]

water.

small particles on the surface of newly-distilled roseIn Persia, whole fields are covered with the Damascus-rose, or the scripture rose of Sharon: but it requires many gallons of rose-water to furnish only a few drops of this delicious essence.

The Hindoos, as well as the Mahometans, are forbidden the use of wine and spirituous liquors; and I believe most of the higher classes attend strictly to the prohibition; the lower classes are less abstemious : but rich and poor, especially officers in the army, and soldiers, are addicted to the use of opium, which they take in large quantities, and enjoy the pleasing delirium it occasions. In battle it inspires a false courage, and sometimes produces a phrenzy, which lasts only for a short time; leaving those who swallow this pernicious drug in a state of languor and imbecility, until a renewal of the dose revives the spirits: but its frequent use enfeebles the constitution, and shortens the lives of its deluded votaries.

Opium is used to a better purpose by the halcarras, who are a set of people employed as messengers, spies, and letter carriers. An halcarra takes a letter, wraps it up in some secret fold of his shabby garment, and with a little opium, some rice, and a small pot to draw water from the wells of the charitable, he undertakes a journey of several hundred miles, and receives his reward on delivering the letter.

INVADERS OF HINDOSTAN.

65

CHAPTER V.

Mahomedan Conquests in Hindostan-Establishment of the Empire of Ghizni-Invasion of India by Timur-lung-Mogul Empire formed-Character of Akber-Usurpation of the Nawabs, after the death of Aurungzebe-Religion of Mahomed-Mahomedan Women-Genii, Talismans, and Charms-Loss of a precious Gem-Fire-flies-Great Extent of the Mahomedan religion-Ishmaelites-Solomon's Trade with India-Traffic of the Ancients-Extensive Commerce of the Arabians-General Character of the Mahomedans in Hindostan.

THE rich and fertile kingdoms of Hindostan were inhabited entirely by the Hindoos, until the year 976 of the Christian æra, when the Islamites, or Mahomedans, commenced their conquests in the northern provinces, and formed the empire of Ghizni. These invaders were Tartars, from the northern parts of Asia, who brought with them the most bigoted attachment to the Mahomedan faith. Under a pretence of converting the Hindoos to the tenets of the Koran, they destroyed their temples, and plundered them of the wealth which had been accumulating for ages. The treasures of gold and jewels found in some of those sacred repositories, appears almost incredible. quite History informs us, that the Sultaun Moaz-ul-Dien, who made nine expeditions into Hindostan, left behind him in diamonds alone, of various sizes, five hundred mauns in weight, which is little less than twenty thousand pounds in avoirdupois: and the avarice and cruelty of Mahmood, the first sultaun of Ghizni, in

[blocks in formation]

66

MOGUL DOMINATION.

consequence of an impious vow, are too shocking to relate. The invaders at length reduced all the northern kingdoms; the Mahomedan religion was established, and followed by the most horrid massacres and devastations during the reign of eighteen princes: a period which presents a sanguinary picture of war and famine, desolation and despair, arising from the frequent but ineffectual struggles of the wretched Hindoos, for their civil and religious liberties.

At the end of the fourteenth century, Timur Bec, or Tamerlane, a prince descended from Zingis Khan, chief of the Mogul Tartars, invaded the empire, established by the former Mahomedan conquerors, and with atrocious cruelty plundered not only the Hindoos, but the followers of the prophet. The Mogul empire was not, however, completely founded until the sixteenth century; when Baber, a descendant of Timur, got possession of Delhi, and made it the capital of his dominions. Most of the southern districts were shortly after subdued, and the tenets of the Koran adopted by numbers; the converts entirely relinquished the Hindoo manners and dress, and lost the name.

After these Mogul sovereigns were firmly established on the imperial throne, they permitted their Hindoo subjects the free enjoyment of their religion; and although, from foreign wars, and intestine commotions, the picture of the times too often presented a scene of blood and cruelty, yet the blessings of peace sometimes prevailed: during those happy intervals, poetry, history, and music, raised their dejected heads, and with many useful arts and sciences, assumed a short-lived smile; convincing us they only wanted the

[ocr errors]
« PreviousContinue »