Page:The People of India — a series of photographic illustrations, with descriptive letterpress, of the races and tribes of Hindustan Vol 5.djvu/88

 TORKHAS, OE TOREES. (244)

HE Toree tribe occupy a portion of the Trans Koorum valley, bordering on the Wuzeeree possessions, and there are constant feuds between them. The Torees can hardly be considered proper Afghans, and their forbidding features and dark complexions point irresistibly to an aboriginal origin, which has been but little modified by time. Their character also is in accord with their appearance, and they are savage and ruthless, acknowledging no law, and notorious for their habits of plunder and robbery. They are Mahomedans of the Soonnee sect, ignorant, superstitious, and credulous in the last degree.

The Torees are nominal subjects of Kabool, but, in fact, are entirely independent. The tribe can muster 5,500 fighting men, and are therefore formidable; and even among the frontier tribes have been distinguished for constant lawlessness, and for raids upon tribes which had formed connexions with the British Government, as the Bungush and Khuttuks of Kohat. As remonstrances were unavailing, one of their caravans, on the way to the salt mines, was seized by the local political officer. Captain Coke, in 1853, which led to submission on the part of the Torees, and engagements for future good conduct, and five hostages were given by them as an earnest of good faith.

In March, 1854, however, they broke out again, and in 1854 attacked a Meeranzye village with 2,000 horse and foot, and this act was followed by other deeds of violence; and, at the time of negotiations with the Ameer of Kabool, which ended in the treaty of Peshawur, in the same year, it was clearly made known to the Ameer's agent that, if the Government of Kabool could not restrain the Torees, the British Government had no alternative but to proceed against them. A further trial of them was solicited, and the successful operations against the Meeranzye territory on their immediate border, seems to have had the desired effect; for they now submitted in earnest, and entered into another engagement to keep the peace towards all British subjects; nor, as they have observed good faith, has there been any necessity to retain their hostages, who have been released.