Page:The People of India — a series of photographic illustrations, with descriptive letterpress, of the races and tribes of Hindustan Vol 7.djvu/144

MAHRATTAS. where well known: generous too, always to the best of their means. In their food Mahrattas who have taken the bhugat, or vow of abstinence, do not eat flesh of any kind, or even fish, and observe a strictly vegetarian diet; but the ordinary Mahratta eats fish, flesh, except beef; and fowl, as he can get them, and takes spirits also, though not, except upon occasions, to excess. Ordinarily the dress, both of males and females, is studiously plain, the men wearing trousers, or drawers tight below the knee, where they end, and loose above, and an ordinary calico tunic or jacket; the women a simple sari; but both sexes are fond of fine clothes, and at weddings and ceremonies fine clothes and rich ornaments are as profusely displayed as the owners can afford. In every respect we think that the Mahrattas evince more character than any other people of India, except perhaps the Rajpoots; and are at present some of the most useful and loyal subjects of the crown.