Page:The People of India — a series of photographic illustrations, with descriptive letterpress, of the races and tribes of Hindustan Vol 1.djvu/159

 BHOOTAN AND THE BHOOTANESE.

HE tract of country known as Bhootan, presents a succession of the most lofty and ragged mountains on the surface of the globe: it extends from the southern declivities of the great central ridge of the Himalaya mountains, to the foot of the inferior heights "which form a talus at their base, and constitute the natural northern boundary of the Assam Valley. It is impossible to estimate, with anything approaching to accuracy, the population of a country situate like Bhootan. It was, however, assumed by Pemberton, in 1833, at about 1,452,000 souls—an estimate which is thought very liberal, though it includes the inhabitants both of the high and low lands. The secular head of the Government is generally known as the Deb Rajah; while the spiritual supremacy is vested in another individual known as the Dhurma Rajah, who, like the principal Lama of Thibet, is supposed to be a perpetual incarnation of the Deity. The Deb Rajah is chosen from among the principal officers of the countrv, who are eligible to seats in the Council of State, and by the established laws (they can scarcely be dignified with the name of constitution) of the country, is permitted to hold his rank for three years only. But these regulations do not in practice control either the election for, or the tenure of, the position of Deb Rajah; and are set aside whenever any aspirant after regal honours possesses power to prevent their enforcement. The Dhurma Rajah, like his great prototype of Lassa, is supposed to be Buddh himself, clothed hi human form, who, by successive transmigrations from one corporeal frame to another, escapes the ordinary lot of humanity. On the death or temporary withdrawal of the Dhurma from the sublunary scene of his existence, his office remains vacant for a year, during which time the senior Gylong or priest regulates the religious observances of the country. The first appearance of the Dhurma Rajah is supposed to be indicated by the refusal of his mother's milk, and an evident preference for that of the cow. He is also believed to be capable of articulating a few words distinctly, and of conveying his meaning by certain intelligible signs. The intelligence of these miraculous manifestations of precocious intellect is conveyed to the Court, and a deputation, composed of some of the principal