Page:The People of India — a series of photographic illustrations, with descriptive letterpress, of the races and tribes of Hindustan Vol 5.djvu/13

KULLAL. what they manufacture, and are a strictly sober people. Kullals worship Kalee or Bhowanee as their goddess in general; but among them each family has its own Lares and Penates, according to the adoption of the worship of one or other of the popular gods by their ancestors. Their profession is probably an extensive and prosperous calling in the Punjab, and especially at its capital, Lahore; for the Sikhs are decidedly a spirit-drinking sect, and many are immoderately addicted to the use, and indeed the abuse, of strong liquors. The Kullal's shop in India cannot boast of the florid decoration and enticing magnificence of the public-houses of Europe. It is for the most part a very humble edifice—an open room in front, cleanly plastered every day with liquid clay, and a stone or mud bench in front, on which are displayed a few brightly kept copper or brass vessels for drinking from, or measures of various sizes; and the customer, who takes his dram standing, or sits down on the floor of the room, if his grade of caste allows him to enter it, soon disposes of his allowance, and goes away as silently as he entered. The back of the house is inhabited by the Kullal's family, and his still, a long copper worm, kept cool by wet cloths, with the cauldrons for boiling the material to be distilled, are in a yard behind all. Kullals have the reputation of being very charitable, and are among the most industrious and peaceful classes of the community. Where the family is under vow, as is not uncommon, not to touch animal food, it is strictly abstained from, and pulse and vegetables, with bread and rice, are only used. Where there is no religious restriction, animal food is used in moderation.