Page:The People of India — a series of photographic illustrations, with descriptive letterpress, of the races and tribes of Hindustan Vol 6.djvu/135

 YUROO.—KHOSA. (306)

HE Khosa tribe is very numerous in parts of Upper Sind, Kutchee, find the lower frontier of the Punjab; some, therefore, belong to Sind and some to the Punjab. In Sind, the men are described to be plunderers, cultivators, soldiers, and shepherds, according to circumstances. There are several village communities of Khosas on the Sind frontier, but the tribe for the most part is scattered over the country, and the number on the border of Sind does not exceed 300 men. In the adjoining district of the Punjab, they would appear to be of more importance and more consolidated. Major Minchin's report states, that the tribe has very much improved in conduct during the six years prior to the report, and that there were no outlaws in the hills. In 1860, Government pardoned Pandu Khosa and his followers, and they have settled down as farmers; while Pandu's friends subscribed to buy back his estates which had been confiscated. He has brought a large tract of waste land under cultivation, and is prospering. The family is, however, much divided by disputes, the history of which, though it would not interest the general reader, is yet necessary to be known to the local political officer, in order to arrange them, if possible, before outrage occurs, which not only does local mischief, but is communicated to neighbouring clans, who may espouse the cause of one side or the other. The question of succession to the old Chief, Kowra, appeared at the time of the report to be likely to cause trouble; but Kowra desired that his nephew, Sikundur Khan, whose father is an idiot, might succeed him, and of this person a favourable account is given. Although slow he is a good manager, though a bad leader, a capital shot (flying), and a good sportsman. He has cleared out a branch of the Manka Canal Avithout assistance from Government, and has charge of the papers and general business of the clan. The other pretender, or claimant to the succession, is Gholam Hyder Khan who, restless and flighty, appears likely to give trouble eventually; though from the now settled and peaceful habits of the tribe, no outbreak is probable.

Yuroo Khan, the subject of the Photograph, belongs to Sind; he was a