Page:The People of India — a series of photographic illustrations, with descriptive letterpress, of the races and tribes of Hindustan Vol 3.djvu/74

 KHULLEEFA DAOOD. (126)

HULLEEFA DAOOD is a Mahomedan, and belongs to the so-called Buni Israeel, i.e., descendants of Israel; in other words, he is of Jewish origin. His ancestors originally came to Hindostan with the Emperor Allah-oo-Deen Ghoree from Persia, and the tribe have since resided in the city of Coel (Allyghur) for upwards of 800 years. The males of this family were for many generations employed as tutors to the sons of the reigning kings. Since the British accession they have taken service under Government in various capacities in the civil department. They are orthodox Mahomedans of the Soonnee sect, shrewd and clever, with a disposition for intrigue. Their diet is beef, mutton, fish, fowl, vegetables and grain of every kind; and they frequently live to the age of eighty or ninety years. The age of Khulleefa Daood is eighty-seven years; his height five feet two inches; complexion dark, eyes black, though dimmed by age, hair and beard white.