Page:The People of India — a series of photographic illustrations, with descriptive letterpress, of the races and tribes of Hindustan Vol 4.djvu/25

HOONA MULL. carefully fattened himself. There are no men of general education among this sect. They affect to despise all knowledge that does not ensure the gain of wealth; and the mixed dialect of Hindi, which they use, has no literature. They are, however, able to read some few translations from sacred books, such as selections from the Purans, Bhugvat Geeta, and the like; though, for the most part, they employ Brahmins to read and expound the holy books to them. Among themselves they are said to be very hospitable, as they are kind and affectionate one to another. When any one of the tribe falls into distress from losses, the rest subscribe and set him up again. It used to be said of the merchants of their original city Ugroha, that when any one failed, each merchant contributed a brick and five rupees (ten shillings), which was enough to set him up again. The Uggurwallas have always a guild among themselves, for the settlement of disputes and regulation of trade, rates of exchange, &c.; and it is a very rare matter, indeed, to find them engaged in what may be called public litigation. They are fond of snug, quiet entertainments, when they collect the best male and female singers (not dancers), and enjoy the best kinds of Hindoo music, especially that of Rajpootana, very heartily.

In Bengal, according to Dr. Buchanan, all Bunneas are reckoned as Vaisyas; but the castes of Bengal are notoriously impure, and are held in little account elsewhere. Nevertheless, the Uggurwallas are the highest class of merchants there, and deservedly respected. They are even admitted among the gentry, while other traders are strictly excluded. They do not permit their widows to marry, and it is said that these persons lead by no means strict or chaste lives, being taken as concubines. Such instances, however, may be exceptions, not rules, and the custom, if it be one in the caste, may be confined to Bengal. They employ Brahmins as purohits, or family priests, in Bengal as elsewhere, and are allowed to learn half the Gayatri, which involves investiture with the sacred thread. Such an investiture would indeed recognize them as Vaisyas; but the rank is much disputed in other localities.

The diet of the Uggurwallas is strictly vegetarian. They eat neither fish nor meat of any kind under any pretence whatever. In this respect they are purer than many Brahmins. Their women are very expert at making vermicelli of various sorts, and other dried pastes, some sweet, others savoury which are dressed as curries, and in ragouts with vegetables, in a skilful manner. Uggurwallas are, in fact, proud of their cookery, and are particularly successful in sweetmeats, of which they are very fond.

In most respects the Uggurwallas, as one of the most distinct and perhaps little understood, are one of the most interesting mercantile sects of India. Occasionally members of it enter the civil service of Government, acting as accountants and clerks, but they are not numerous by any means.