Page:The People of India — a series of photographic illustrations, with descriptive letterpress, of the races and tribes of Hindustan Vol 5.djvu/180

DOORANEE. the kingdom of Persia, and their connection with India ceased to exist. The two countries, however, have been bound by many ties since the early invasion of India by Mahniood of Ghuzni, in Hosts of Indian captives, men, women, and children, have been mingled with the original population; colonies of Afghans have contributed their quotas to the people of India, Afghan monarchies have ruled over Delhi and founded independent kingdoms, and the descendants of Dooranees, as Pathans, even now form a distinctive portion of the Mahomedan population, preserving the martial spirit with the virtues and vices of their forefathers, but little changed during the lapse of centuries and their strange vicissitudes. The subject of the Photograph has little of the strongly marked Jewish features of the Afghans in general, and they have more of an aboriginal character; but his long curly hair and peculiar head dress, a thickly quilted cap, round which a slight muslin turban is folded, are characteristic of the lower orders of Dooranees. They are Mahomedans of the Soonnee sect, and are strict and bigoted followers of their faith. In diet and habits they are not in any way different from other Mahomedans of the same persuasion. Brave, frank, and often hospitable, the Afghan character is yet deformed by many vices, among which treachery and implacable revenge are but too prominent.