Page:The People of India — a series of photographic illustrations, with descriptive letterpress, of the races and tribes of Hindustan Vol 6.djvu/176

 A PONHAR. (315)

HE Ponliars belong to one of the most ancient, and formerly most powerful, of the local Sindee tribes; but the period of their conversion to Mahomedanism is unknown. It is perhaps a strange feature of these conversions, unknown in India, that each tribe or section of the people has preserved its original distinctions. Thus the Ponhars remain distinct from the Narejas, and have maintained a more military character. The local influence of the Ponhars was destroyed by the Kuloras, with whom they were at feud for many years. In the beginning of the eighteenth century, they and their chief, Kaisar, were driven out of Sontanee by Meer Yar Mahomed, who obtained the aid of the Hind Belochees; and the present principal residence of the tribe is at Mehar and Sehwan in Central Sind.

The dress of the Ponhar shown is very similar to that of the Nareja; but he wears his scarf over both shoulders. The features have not the impressive character of the Belochees, but they have more force than those of the Narejas. The Ponhars at present are not a military class, but are persevering and industrious, and perfectly peaceful subjects.