Page:The People of India — a series of photographic illustrations, with descriptive letterpress, of the races and tribes of Hindustan Vol 2.djvu/150

 MIEZAPORE HILLMAN. (97)

HE inhabitants of the Mirzapore Hills, which form portion of the north-eastern extremity of the great Vindhya range, and overspread the whole southern part of the Mirzapore District, are supposed to be aboriginal, and connected with the Sonthal, Cole, and other similar races. They profess, rather than practise, the Hindoo religion, and while they worship Hindoo gods, address their devotions more especially to their titular goddess of the forest. They live principally on grain and vegetables, as well as on game; or on fish, which they obtain by the proceeds of the sale of firewood in the plains. They are of a mild and inoffensive disposition, of fair character, and attain an average longevity.