Page:The People of India — a series of photographic illustrations, with descriptive letterpress, of the races and tribes of Hindustan Vol 3.djvu/41

Rh to have ensured an efficient body of officers. In western India this has been done to a great extent; but it is feared that, under the absence of any regular provision, the Kazis elsewhere have been converted into a discontented class, which has now no incentive to raise itself from a condition of general ignorance. Among such classes it is, that traditions of past Mahomedan power linger more keenly than any others, and are too often turned to bad account. As local law officers the Kazis are not of sufficient standing or education to become valuable; and in any case they could only become available in the administration of Mahomedan law. This is not now needful; but their services in the other capacities already enumerated, and in the furtherance of education, might be turned to excellent account, and thus a class of officers might be maintained in a legal and practically useful state, who otherwise form excellent mediums for the promulgation of political discontent, and that fanatical opposition to all educational progress, which is so strongly characteristic of Mahomedan communities in all parts of India.

The Photograph represents a respectable individual of the Kazi class, who has strong Mahomedan features of the Arab type. He wears a Cashmere shawl, twisted round his head as a turban; another handsome shawl folded round his shoulders; while his tunic is probably of quilted chintz or figured silk. His head is shaved, and the moustache cut away in the orthodox manner. On the little finger of his right hand is his official signet-ring; and the open book before him may be the Koran, or a work on Mahomedan law which he is consulting. Bareilly, where he resides, possesses a large Mahomedan population, among which the Kazi is no doubt a most useful and necessary functionary.