Page:The People of India — a series of photographic illustrations, with descriptive letterpress, of the races and tribes of Hindustan Vol 5.djvu/158

GENERAL SKETCH OF THE FRONTIER AFGHAN TRIBES. that in any junction with others, they would expose themselves to the total loss of their valuable possessions, and could not hope to be received by, or obtain shares of, the lands of the trans-frontier tribes, in the rugged country inhabited by them, which at present barely suffices for the support of its own population. In a general view of the subject, the ordinary danger to be provided against by the Government of India is the disposition to commit raids upon protected tribes and British villages, which, in most instances, arise out of local feuds and love of plunder, to which, in the extreme north-west frontier, is added the religious excitement of the Wahabees of Bijour and Swat. On several occasions, as has been already detailed, the fanatics of these localities have put forth what appeared to be their utmost power, the result of which was complete discomfiture. Such attempts may, however, be renewed under the pressure of religious or political excitement; and the very enumeration of the frontier tribes, and consideration of the fact, that at no period of their existence have they preferred or maintained peace for any long continuous period, and that their traditions and faith excite them to aggression, combine to enhance the anxiety which necessarily exists in regard to their conduct. Along the whole of the frontier, political officers of great experience anxiously and carefully watch the proceedings of the tribes, both within and without the frontier; and, considering the varied duties they have to perform, as statesmen as well as soldiers, their country may well be proud of their efforts to maintain peace since the annexation of the Punjab, and afford them hearty sympathy in the performance of their functions.

In many instances, too, it is seen that the firm and humane efforts of British measures, aided by the personal influence of many officers, have already had a marked effect upon several of the tribes. The Eusofzyes, or Yoosufzyes, one of the most powerful of the border clans, have become farmers and cultivators; others are merchants and traders; others herdsmen and graziers. Lands which were held in doubtful possession, or by force only, have assumed a high settled value; and portions of mountain tribes, feeling and estimating the security afforded to them, have made settlements in the British plains, and are now orderly and industrious classes of the people. Such changes are necessarily slow of operation; but the past experience affords hope for increasing good results, while the condign punishment by which repetitions of former lawless deeds is followed, gradually weakens the spirit which prompted them, and inclines the aggressors to submit to what they find to be inevitable.

To watch the long line of frontier, British troops are stationed at intervals, capable of uniting with each other upon any emergent occasions within a few days. The whole, according to Temple's report, amounts to about 24,000 men, of whom about 12,000 are regulars, and 12,000 disciplined irregulars, many of whom are members of the Yoosufzye, Wuzeeree, and other frontier clans. The chief