Page:Adam's reports on vernacular education in Bengal and Behar, submitted to Government in 1835, 1836 and 1838.djvu/393

Rh terror of just punishment. His Lordship is fully prepared to sanction the use of judicious measures in aid of the power of the Rajah of Duspullah whenever that chieftain shall have discovered the commission of this crime in any of his villages. Immediate injunctions should be issued, not to him only, but all other Tributary Rajas having nominal authority over a Kund population, expressive of the views of the British Government and of its determination to do all in its power for the effectual repression of this atrocious practice. You will be pleased to report upon every instance in which in your opinion the British power in support of that of the Rajahs themselves may be exerted without the hazard of serious embarrassment and disturbance. The Governor is not disposed to accord his sanction at once to your proposal for the annual progress of a military force under an officer vested with the power of summary punishment for the purpose of suppressing human sacrifices. This point may be considered and decided on before the commencement of the ensuing cold season. Should it appear by the failure of the contemplated measures of interference that the chiefs of the Kunds are either unable or unwilling to exert themselves effectively for the maintenance of order and repression of crime, the expediency of the occupation of the country, or of some part of it, by British troops may become a question for consideration.”

It is here announced to be the expectation of Government that, in addition to the coercive measures contemplated, the cessation of these atrocities will be effected chiefly by the progress of civilization as a consequence of general instruction. But general instruction, especially in the case of these fierce and unruly tribes, can be communicated only by a Government that knows its value and consults large and general interests. If without the employment of direct means for the communication of general instruction, we trust to the unaided progress of civilization, centuries may elapse before it reaches them. Some specific plan, then, must be formed, and some specific provision made to communicate that instruction which is justly regarded by Government as the necessary forerunner of civilization. In the present state of our knowledge respecting these tribes, it seems probable that no one plan would be adapted to them all, but they have several characteristics in common. They have several distinct languages amongst them with affinities to each other, but with no affinity to the dialects that are of Sanscrit derivation and are used by the different Hindu tribes. They have no written character, and consequently no instruction in letters; no caste in a religious sense, although they have numerous distinctions of tribes; and no peculiar prejudices or jealousy respecting their women who mix freely in the ordinary intercourse of life. Their worship is Sabean, and their superstitions rude, unsystematized and often