Page:The People of India — a series of photographic illustrations, with descriptive letterpress, of the races and tribes of Hindustan Vol 7.djvu/13

PURRIAR MEENAS. native chiefs, to punish the tribe for their lawlessness, and put a stop to their plundering for the future. A severe lesson was taught them by the execution of the ringleaders, and the imprisonment of others. These Meenas are now settled down in their villages, employed in agricultural pursuits, and, being closely watched, are restrained from robbing. Many too have been encouraged to take service in the infantry portion of the Deolee Irregular Force, and have turned out excellent soldiers.

"The height of the figure on the right hand is about five feet eleven inches, with grey eyes and light brown complexion, dressed in a coat of dark green, with a white dhoty or waistcloth, and a red turban. The centre figure is wrapped in a dark green cloth thrown round his shoulders, and tied in front, with a dirty white turban and dhoty. The man standing next him is dressed entirely in white, with green waistcloth. The man sitting down is in a black cotton coat, white dhoty, and turban. The eyes of these three are a deep brown."

The records of the Thuggee and Dacoitee departments abound with accounts of the depredations of the Purriar and other Meenas, and much of their persistence in crime is attributed to the influence of the women, who, while they excite the men to action by reciting legends of old (to them) heroic deeds, despise those who have forsaken the practices of their ancestors. it is evident, therefore, that the very closest watching and care is necessary for the future in the prevention, as far as possible, of this terrible hereditary crime, which is generally attended with murder; but Capt. Beynon, the Political Agent of Haraotee, from whose original report quotations have been made in this article, appears to have laid the foundation of eventual extirpation of dacoity and other crimes, which hitherto have been the glory of the Purriar Meenas.

We find no details or descriptions of any peculiar rites or customs of these Purriar Meenas which would show connection with the ancient Fetish aboriginal belief; nor indeed any trace of aboriginism, except excessive superstition, belief in ghosts' appearances, and spirits, with the normal condition of lawlessness which belong to them. If aboriginal they show little trace of it in their appearance, in which Aryanism is highly developed. The grey or brown eyes, the fair or light brown skins, and tall stature, seem to be identical with Rajpoots, while they profess the same form of Hindooism, though they may be less exact in their religious observances.

It is satisfactory to observe, from the Political Reports up to 1871 and 1872, that the Meenas were perfectly well-disposed and tranquil, and that no serious crime exists among them, or had occurred in that year.