Page:The People of India — a series of photographic illustrations, with descriptive letterpress, of the races and tribes of Hindustan Vol 6.djvu/120

 GHOLAM ALT KHAN AND ATTENDANT. (302)

HE Jekranees have been already noticed in connection with their brethren the Doomkees in position and hereditary crime. Many of them are now peaceful cultivators of their own and Government lands, while others have entered the service of Government as guides and frontier police. They hold a grant of land near the frontier, rent free; and the reform of this mischievous tribe, and its gradual conversion into peaceful subjects, has been already detailed in the preceding article. It is gratifying to consider that in no respect have they gone back into their old pursuits. In former times the chiefs could assemble from 150 to 200 horsemen, and the Jekranee forays were always on horseback. They levied black mail upon all merchants and trading carriers, taxing them by the camel load. Caravans of Mahomedans often resisted and fought their way through the passes, but Hindoos submitted patiently to extortion; and the existing government of the Ameers could assist neither.

Gholam Ali, the subject of the Photograph, may be considered the present recognized chief of the Jekranee tribe, his father, Durya Khan, having been removed as a state prisoner to Aden, in consequence of disloyal conduct in the Indian mutiny. Gholam Ali, when the Photograph was taken, was about thirty-one years of age, of a fine commanding presence and dignified demeanour, and resided at Janadeyra, near Jacobabad, where he has an estate. His height is five feet nine inches; his complexion fair, with dark eyes. His dress is a white turban and clothes, with a handsome scarf of red and green silk. The chief is fully accoutred with matchlock, sword, and shield, and forms another fine specimen of the martial Belochees.

The long wild locks of the attendant are frequently met with among the Belochees, and others of the Sind people. Some of them are curly and magnificent, but they give the vearers a very wild aspect.