Page:The People of India — a series of photographic illustrations, with descriptive letterpress, of the races and tribes of Hindustan Vol 5.djvu/199

 DAOOD POOTRA. (271)

IKE the Tanaolees (ante No. 241) the Daood Pootras, or sons of David, claun descent from the Caliph Abbas, paternal uncle of Mahomed. They are Soonnee Mahomedans, and the head of the tribe now holds the principality of Bahawulpoor, on the left bank of the Sutlej, near the junction of that river With the Indus. In the beginning of the last century, the Daood Pootras were known only as weavers and cultivators, and had displayed no martial character; local convulsions, however, enabled the head of the tribe to establish his clan at Bahawulpoor, where he has since maintained himself On the revolt of Moolraj, at Mooltan, in 1838, he was first defeated in the field by Lieutenant (afterwards Sir Herbert) Edwardes and General Cortlandt, on the 18th and 28th June, and driven into the fort of Mooltan. On these occasions the contingents of Daood Pootras, sent by the Nawab of Bahawulpoor to the assistance of Lieutenant Edwardes, were present in action, but cannot be said to have behaved with any distinguished bravery, nor have the Daood Pootras any local reputation for valour. They are by descent a peaceful and peace loving tribe, content with agricultural pursuits, and, in many instances, following their original occupation of weaving. They are Soonnee Mahomedans, and are probably descended from local Hindoos converted by the early Mussulman missionaries and conquerors, and are found on the right bank of the Sutlej, where they are, for the most part, cultivators, as well as in their own principality of Bahawulpoor. In general, the Daood Pootras are a tall strong race, with good features, though of somewhat dark complexion. They wear their hair hanging upon their shoulders in heavy masses, like the people of Beloochistan and Sinde, In manners and customs they do not differ from other Soonnee Mahomedans, and are esteemed loyal and well affected to the British. The subject of the Photograph, five feet ten inches in height, is dressed in white, with a shawl, or scarf, of white and red check of mixed silk and cotton fabric, thrown over his shoulders. He is armed only with a sword, which has a silver handle. Daood Pootras are said to eat sparingly of animal food, and to be comparatively short lived.