Viewing page 82 of 176

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

BHORAHS.

intoxicating drugs; and on this account some persons have considered them to be descendents of the Rechabites.  They are treated as a society, and in this respect also they resemble the Jews.  The society also subscribes to assist any who have been unfortunate in business, or are in other distress.
    "The tribe is under the jurisdiction of their chief moollah, who lives at Surat.  He appoints agents or moollahs to each town in which Bhorahs are settled, who are changed every two years.  They are supported by dues from each family, according to their means, the amount of which is settled by the chief moolah, who is in turn supported by a collection from each town, the amount being periodically remitted by the town moollahs.  
    "Bhorahs may easily be recognized by their peculiar dress and general appearance.  Their dress consists of a small round turban, white, or of chintz printed muslin of peculiar patterns; a peculiar coat, with very short waist and long skirt, called jamah; and almost invariably paejamas, or drawers, of white, blue, or red chintz, or gingham, cut after a fashion of their own.  They are in general a handsome race of men, with a grave and cunning cast of countenance.  The colour of their beards and mustachios is black, and they never shave the chin, though the head is always closely shaved.  Their complexions vary from dark brown to wheat colour, and their height may be from five feet six inches to five feet nine inches.  Their houses are clean and well furnished, and they have stalls or shops in most of the principal streets, where they deal in perfumes, drugs, hardware, English cloths of all kinds, crockery, and English goods in general.  Many of them make and sell tin articles, pots, vessels, cullenders, and the like.  Their women also are industrious as embroiderers, makers of silk and cotton strings for drawers, tape, &c.  Their food is not different from that of other Mussulmans."
    Bhorahs are strict in their religious exercises.  They pray at the prescribed periods of the day, and attend the mosque services at the usual hours morning and evening.  They also observe the Ramazan fast, but do not join the popular observances of the Mohorum.  They are very bigoted in belief, and despise other Mussulman sects, while they in turn are held to be heterodox in the highest degree.  Whether they have any peculiar ceremonies and creed does not appear to be well known; but they are at least free from the Hindoo superstitions which largely enter into the belief of other Mussulmans of India.  Strong Jewish features prevail among them, and they have no resemblance to Arabs or Persians in general.  On these grounds it has been argued that they are Jews by origin, who became Mussulmans of a peculiar sect, preserving their own habits and exclusiveness.  Although Bhorahs will not sell ordinary spirits, yet they have no objection to sell liquors in bottles, and even wines and brandy, as portions of English or European products, and thus have introduced their consumption into the country at large.