Page:The People of India — a series of photographic illustrations, with descriptive letterpress, of the races and tribes of Hindustan Vol 5.djvu/164

 MEER ALLUM KHAN. ( 259)

NOWRUNG KHAN. (260)}}

MAHOMED GOOL KHAN. (261)}}

HE Photographs represent three chiefs of the Gundapoor clan of Pathans, now settled at and in the vicinity of the town of Koolachee, on the Indus, in the province of Derajat. They are a numerous tribe, who formerly employed themselves in trade between Kabool and India; but, in consequence of quarrels with the rulers of Kabool, they abandoned Afghanistan, and settled in their present locality as cultivators of the soil. They are esteemed as brave as they are now peaceful and well-disposed, and materially assisted Sir Herbert Edwardes in his dashing and independent campaign against Moolraj, in Mooltan, in 1848. He describes Koolachee, their head-quarters, as producing nothing but melons and brave men. The Gundapoors are Soonnee Mahomedans, frank and hospitable, and free from the vices and treachery of the Afghans of the frontier. As yet they have not become infected by Wahabeeism, nor the fanatical desire for a holy war; nor do they much affect military service, though well fitted for it both by their spirit and physique. The chief, Meer Allum Khan, wears a handsome dress of gold brocade over his ordinary garments, and a turban of muslin with gold stripes. Nowrung Khan's dress of silk is not less rich, though not so gaudy as the other, and his turban is equally rich and handsome. They have considerable estates, and are in good circumstances, as befits their rank.