Page:A Geographical, Statistical, and Historical Description of the District, or Zila, of Dinajpur.djvu/104

92 The chiefs of the Muhammedan religion in this district are the Kazis, who have a jurisdiction in all things considered as more immediately connected with religion, such as marriage, circumcision, the eating of forbidden things, and the like, and who act in some measure as notaries public in giving authenticity to contracts. The establishment in this province seems to be very irregular, some persons having under their jurisdiction 11 pergunnahs, and others, only one; and the extent of their jurisdiction has no connection with that of the magistrate. Many of them are not resident, at least within the bounds of their jurisdiction, and act by deputy. I believe, that formerly their office was in general hereditary; although the confirmation of the magistrate is now necessary. Their profits arise from fees. Those of them that I saw were decent persons, who had much more the manners of gentlemen than any other natives that I met in the district.

Under the Kazis area set of priests called Mollas, of whom there is one in general for every very populous subdivision (Mouza), or for every collection of smaller ones, that is called a Diyar. They are generally appointed by the Kazi, according to the wish of the heads of families. Although they are only a kind of deputies to the Kazi; yet as they are usually ignorant fanatics, they are more beloved by the populace. They read, or repeat, prayers or passages of the Koran at marriages, funerals, circumcision, and sacrifices; for no Muhammedan here will eat meat or fowl, over which prayers have not been repeated, before it has been killed; and the animals are frequently killed before the monument of some saint. According to the Kazis, many of these Mollas cannot read, and these only look at the book, while they repeat the passages. Indeed they are in little danger of detection, none of their audiences understanding a word of Arabic. Even these who are able to read very seldom understand this language.

The religious persons, however, who are most respected among the Moslems, are the mendicants called Faqirs. The number of reputed saints who have had monuments erected to their memory, generally over their tombs, is astonishing; and is a clear proof of the ignorance and bigotry that prevailed during the Muhammedan government. It may on an average be estimated, that there is at least one saint’s (Pir’s) monument in each subdivision, and the worship of these by offerings (Sirni) is the principal act of devotion in this district. Many of these monuments have no endowment, but the people of the village unite to keep it in repair, which is easily done, as it is usually a heap of earth, perhaps a little whitewashed; and in the evenings they also in turns light a lamp before it. But to many of the monuments, and at all those of any considerable reputation, there is an endowment in land to support one or more Faqirs, who repair the tomb, light the lamp, receive the offerings, and read or repeat the prayers (Fatya), that should accompany these donations. The mosques too, that have endowments, are usually placed under the charge of a Faqir, who should perform there the same duties; but the first is in general much neglected. He also calls the people to pray at the proper hour; but this part of worship, and the ablutions prescribed by Muhammed, are in general very much neglected by his followers in this district. Some of these Faqirs are no doubt very decent men in their manners; and some families, from their features and appearance, would seem to have preserved their blood free from mixture with the natives of this country: but in general they are very poor creatures, sunk in bigotry and ignorance, and affecting great sanctity and austerity of manners. Several whom I met would scarcely answer any question, but were continually sighing, groaning, and muttering prayers. The common conversation of the more rational among them is concerning the wonders performed by their saint; and while they very seldom