Page:The People of India — a series of photographic illustrations, with descriptive letterpress, of the races and tribes of Hindustan Vol 3.djvu/188

 SYUD MEER KHAN; SIRDAR BAHADOOR. (154)

EER KHAN, member of a family expatriated from Cabool for their fidelity to us in 1840–42, as his name betokens, is a Syud, or descendant of the Prophet Mahomed. Syuds are of three clans, known as Hussnee, Hosseinee, and Hussun-ool-Hosseinee. AU are descendants of Fatimah, daughter of Mahomed. The first two are the offspring of her sons Hussun and Hossein—the last, that of her daughter Hosseinee. Syuds are very numerous throughout India, the tribe being continually increased from the chcumstance that persons of the Sheikh tribe, born of a Syud mother, also become Syuds. The tribe is supposed to have come to India, not, as might be surmised, direct from Arabia, but through Bokhara and Afghanistan; first with the army sent by the Caliph Omar, next with Mahmood of Ghuzni, and afterwards with Timour.

Syuds are proud of their supposed descent, and wear a green turban in token thereof They intermarry with no other sect except Sheikhs, and look on all unclean animals with especial hatred. They are mostly Shiahs, or believers in the calling of Ali, Mahomed's son-in-law, as his successor. They discourage the jehad, or extermination of infidels, and eat all animals except the pig, provided that they have been lawfully killed—that is, that the throat has been cut by a Mahomedan after a certain form. In this respect they do not differ from other Mahomedans; although at many of then ceremonies, especially at the Mohorum and other festivals, their dissent from popular Mahomedanism is very evident. They drink no wine, and are much employed in Government service. Few of them are cultivators.

Syud Meer Khan is thirty-four years of age, and six feet in height, with a dark olive complexion. He bears the appellation of Khan, probably from Afghan descent, or by special creation; and his services to the Government of India in a military capacity, have gained for him the title of "Sirdar Bahadoor," to which is attached a pension and other privileges. The Syud is a fine specimen of his race: a very powerful man, with a good expression of features.