Page:The People of India — a series of photographic illustrations, with descriptive letterpress, of the races and tribes of Hindustan Vol 4.djvu/84

BHEESTIES. agony of thirst by these gallant fellows, and their devotion and singular coolness under fire has often been very conspicuous. In cavalry regiments a Puldkal Bheestie or Pukkalli, as he is termed, is also on the establishment of every troop, in the proportion of one to twenty-five or thirty horses. It is his business to water them both in stables and after a march, and, no matter how long it may have been, the water is soon brought. The Pukkalli is very fond of his bullock, and takes great care of it. It is generally adorned with bells on its knees, and round its neck, which make a pleasant clashing sound. Its horns have gay tassels, and the leather work of the "pukkal" is ornamented with cowrie shells and brass very handsomely. For the support of the bullock the Pukkalli is allowed a handful out of each horse's daily grain, which forms in itself a handsome perquisite, and with this, and small payments from the families of soldiers, all military Bheesties are in very comfortable circumstances. They are considered fighting men, and receive pensions for wounds and for service.

In the hot weather, city Bheesties, who are not private servants, carry water about for sale, which, for a drink, is served in a bright brass cup, as shown in the Photograph. They supply the purest drinking water to be had, as well as ordinary water for cattle, for household use, and for watering court-yards, or the streets before houses, gardens, and the like, and thus earn very good wages. Indeed, there is never want of work for the class; and, owing to the seclusion of females, the distance at which water may be procurable, and other causes, there is scarcely a family which does not pay more or less for this necessary of life.

In the North- West Provinces Bheesties consort greatly with Hindoos, they have even Hindoo names, and some castes do not scrapie to take water from their skins; thus they are sometimes supposed to be partly Hindoos in caste or belief This, however, is not the case. They are exclusively Mahomedans, and observe the rules and practice of that faith as far as their knowledge of it goes, which is not very great. As a class they are entirely illiterate, and are not likely to improve in this respect. They are not remarkable for any particular costume; but they affect in general a smart jaunty skull cap rather than a turban, and wear a strong red cloth round their loins, covered by a piece of leather at the back to keep out the wet. Their women, who are not secluded, are frequently as hard working as their husbands, carrying water into zenanas, and other household regions where men cannot enter, and taking charge of the mussuk, or the bullock, as occasion needs; but it is only a strong woman who can carry a bag, except for a short distance, and women are therefore more frequently seen with bullocks. As the men are trained from youth to carry the skin, they are usually a fine stout race, capable of great endurance, and frequently very good looking. Though their occupation is a hard one they frequently attain a great age, and are a healthy class in general. In character they are simple, cheerful, and good natured, taking great pride in their