Page:The People of India — a series of photographic illustrations, with descriptive letterpress, of the races and tribes of Hindustan Vol 5.djvu/135

MULLIK ENSAL. more united in good accord than the majority of frontier tribes. They are chiefly armed with sword and shield only; but during an expedition into their territory, they closed on the regular troops without hesitation, and once broke into the English camp, and charged nearly up to the guns. When the English forces were traversing the Bmiarah pass, they drove back two regiments of infantry. Some portions of the Wuzeerees, as already stated, have now submitted, and have become peaceable subjects; but they manifest at all times a sturdy independence, and would be dangerous and troublesome if they rebelled. Over this tribe the Sikh Government exercised no control, and it has only been since the subjection of the country by the British, that their submission has been established, or that the chiefs have been led or constrained to enter into engagements for their several clans and the tribe in general. The old warrior represented has fine manly features. His gun or musket has a very peculiarly shaped stock, and a strange two-pronged bayonet, as it may be called, projects from the muzzle. His costume does not differ from other Afghans, and he wears his winter dress of coarse but warm woollen cloth, which is home made. He also wears sandals instead of shoes. The Wuzeerees are Mahomedans of the Soonnee persuasion, common to the Afghans. They may have particular tribal ceremonials and observances, but they are not known, and outwardly they present no particular features for observation. Their women are said to be very fair and handsome, and owing to their pastoral fife, are not much secluded.