Page:The People of India — a series of photographic illustrations, with descriptive letterpress, of the races and tribes of Hindustan Vol 4.djvu/102

JATS. loyal, and decidedly on the side of order. The 14th Bengal cavalry is composed solely of Jats, and did excellent service throughout that eventful period, without the faintest suspicion of disloyalty; and, if they had been needed, the tribe in general were ready to assist the British Government to the utmost of its power. Many attempts were made to overawe the Rajah and people of Bhurtpoor, and induce them to join the disaffected movement in progress ; but their allegiance and good faith were proof against all such proceedings, a circumstance which was of the highest importance in the local transactions of that critical period.

Jats are divided into clans, the most important of which are the following:—Poonya, Suisinwar, Nuwokeya, Shang-MuU, Dhaya, and Dallal. They are not restricted in marriage to their own clan, but prefer connections in it, if possible. They marry only one wife, for the most part; but, in case of having no offspring, may, perhaps generally do, marry another. They can also take the wife of a deceased brother, if she has had no offspring, and raise up offspring to him. Jat widows are not restricted from a second marriage, but it is not of so honourable a degree as the first. Most of them, however, as a point of family honour, remain single. In regard to illegitimate children, there is no denial of rights among the Jats. They are received into the tribe, and entitled to shares of the family property, in proportion with others. They have no prejudices in regard to cooking and eating their food, as is the case with most other castes of Hindoos; their fireplaces require no particular purification, nor do they object to eat out of theei precincts, or to use food, as bread, &c., which has been put by. A Jat can take baked bread with him on a journey, for instance, with a little dressed pulse, chutnee, cold vegetables, &c., and eat where he can, or pleases to do so. In this respect their efficiency as soldiers is much enhanced. In all official reports they are described as the best agriculturists in Northern India. They plough and clean their fields efficiently; they understand the rotation of crops; and their agricultural implements, if rude in form, are efficient for all purposes. They understand the qualities of soils, the best methods of developing them, and the application of manures. In short, Jat agriculture possesses a completeness and thorough acquaintance with the local science of the pursuit, which forms a favourable contrast with that of other classes of local farmers. They are excellent cart drivers; and men not wanted at home, or who possess carts and bullocks, hire themselves for journeys, or even for long periods between the rainy seasons, which they usually pass at home. They are the great earners of the cotton, madder, oil-seeds, and other produce of Bundelkund, by which the railways and boats on the Ganges are supplied; and, in return, they bring back salt or British manufactures. In all these transactions they are esteemed perfectly honest, and merchandize is intrusted to them to any extent of value. These cart carriers generally travel in companies, and their hardy drivers not only watch their cart camps at night, but