Page:The People of India — a series of photographic illustrations, with descriptive letterpress, of the races and tribes of Hindustan Vol 3.djvu/137

 RUTTUN GYR GOSAEN. (142)

UTTUN GYR GOSAEN is an inhabitant of Coel, in the district of Allyghur, where his ancestors have dwelt for many generations, and belongs to a sect of mendicant friars, or rather professional beggars, who ask and receive charity from Hindoos only. They are Avorshippers of "Mahadeo or Siva," and "Doorga," to whom they make offerings from the proceeds of their calling, and they are to be found in most parts of India. Their diet is bread, pulse, vegetables, sweetmeats, and milk, but not animal food; and they often attain a great age. They do not use spirits, but eat opium largely, and smoke intoxicating compounds with tobacco.

Ruttmi Gyr Gosaen is a man of sixty years of age, with dark complexion and black eyes; his hair and beard grey. He is about five feet six inches in height. The colom- of his tm-ban, tunic, and waist cloth is a dark orange, termed "Bhugt," which he dyes himself with the bark of the mimosa, combined with other ingredients; nor is any other colour but this jsermissible in his order. The word Gosaen, Goswami, or Gosavi, signifies " control over the senses," and the fratenity is one which extends all over India. In some places the Gosaens inhabit mutts or monasteries, which have a mahunt or abbot, who presides over and regulates them. Many of these mutts are richly endowed, and possess large revenues from miscellaneous sources. Some again are poor, and the members of them support themselves by begging. The person represented in the photograph has his begging wallet hung over his left arm, into which charitably disposed persons may throw flour, rice, handflils of vmgromid grain, or money, all which is separated and sifted on return to the monastery. Gosaens allow the hair to grow: that on the head is twisted round it in braids; and when the individual is not a devotee, it is carefully washed and kept in order. But devotees leave their hair to nature: and it is often seen of surprising length, matted together, twisted on the head like a turban, and smeared with wood ashes, as are their bodies also. Devotee Gosaens often betake themselves to solitary places among mountains, or