Page:The People of India — a series of photographic illustrations, with descriptive letterpress, of the races and tribes of Hindustan Vol 5.djvu/66

 A SODHEE. (240)

HE Sodhees are a sect or family, descended from the fourth Sildi Gooroo, or high priest, "whose name was Ram Das. They have multiplied, but the sacred character of their origin still clings to them, and they are reverenced, much in the manner that the Syeds, or descendants of Ally, are among Mahomedans. The Sodhees have in general an evil reputation for immorality, intoxication, and infanticide, the latter being justified by them on the ground that it is impossible to marry their female childen into ordinary Sikh families. On some occasions they act as Sikh priests; but they are not esteemed as such, and their dissolute lives prevent them from receiving the respect of the people. The head of the Sodhee family or clan is possessed of fine estates in the Jullundur Dooab, where they maintain large religious establishments at Anundpoor, Kartarpoor, Manawah, and Kot Hur Sahae; and during the existence of the Sikh government, they possessed and exerted much political influence. One branch of the family settled at Haranpoor, and their descendants became military chiefs and commanders, and were distinguished for bravery in the field during the reign of Runjeet Singh, who rewarded them with estates and valuable gifts. At the siege of Lahore, in 1841, they fought for Maliarajali Sliere Singh, and were attached to the escort of Capt. Nicholson, in the outbreak at Mooltan. Chuttur Singh, the leader of the national war party, in vain endeavoured to induce them to join him, and they remained faithful to the existing Government. By this conduct they suffered severely, their villages, houses, and farms being mercilessly plundered; and at the settlement of the Punjab, in consideration of their loyalty and devotion, the charitable grants made to them by successive Sikh rulers were confirmed in perpetuity, with some of their estates. Their loyalty stood the test of the mutiny of 1857, and their contingents assisted in operations in the field against the rebels. Of the junior branches, some were not so steadfast, and joined the Sikh national forces, which were defeated at the battle of Goojerat. The Sodhees have been described in Vol. IV., No. 219, to which article the reader is referred. The subject of the Photograph resides at Lahore. He has lost an eye, which is covered by an ornament pendant from his turban; and it is a strange peculiarity of this person, that he dresses himself on all occasions in female apparel.