Page:The People of India — a series of photographic illustrations, with descriptive letterpress, of the races and tribes of Hindustan Vol 4.djvu/40

HOOSEIN. The Pachadas are agriculturists, not by choice, but of necessity; since they have no longer those means of supporting themselves by rapine, which they enjoyed in the old troubled times. They are bad farmers, and apparently unimprovable in this respect, as they resent labour in all its forms, yet are too poor to employ labourers on their own account. As Mahomedans they are bigoted and ignorant in a very great degree, and likely to remain so, as they reject our systems of education in a sullen manner. These, and people like them, are bad elements in the general population of the North- West Provinces, and need constant watching. Hitherto they have owned only nominal allegiance to any government, and their hands are literally against every one, while memory of their own actions is kept alive by traditions and tales of successful forays. It may be hoped, however, that under strict but merciful local government, they may, in process of time, be converted into useful and industrious members of the general population.

According to Colonel Tod, in his work upon the Kajpoots, the first of the Bhatti tribes who became Mahomedans, softened the first syllable of their name as a difference. Others say they are named after Jugnaies, a celebrated Bhat or bard of their tribe; or after the city founded by, and named after him, Bhutnair. Others again trace the name to a captain of the immigrants, one Bhutta, who settled on the banks of the Caggar. The dress of the present Bhuttees or Bhutti is very peculiar, and is apparently some tribal or national costume, which has never been changed. They do not wear either trowsers or waist cloths, but clothe themselves in a broad sheet of coarse cloth, plain or checked, which reaches from the neck to the ankles, and is tied at the waist. In the Photograph, however, the figure is apparently dressed in a woollen skirt reaching to the ankles, a short body jacket, and a plaid or checked scarf over his shoulders and chest. His countenance is extremely forbidding, and is perhaps an index to the lawless and unreclaimed nature of his tribe.