Page:The People of India — a series of photographic illustrations, with descriptive letterpress, of the races and tribes of Hindustan Vol 7.djvu/166

 BHAT. (376)

HE Bhats, or Raos, as they were occasionally called by distinction, share power, and sometimes office, with the Charuns as chroniclers and bards. They enjoy extensive influence among the lower tribes, and assist at all ceremonials, and throughout Rajpootana are considered a sacred order. The difference between the Bhats and Charuns consists in the latter being a more courageous and warlike tribe; they usually form the guard of travellers passing through their country, and any parties or single persons under their escort are safe from robbery or molestation. The Bhats restrict themselves more entirely to the offices of chroniclers and minstrels, and protect nobody; but to kill, or beat, or in any way to offend one of them, is considered sinful and ill-omened. In dress and habits they do not differ from other inhabitants of the countries in which they live.

In Rajpootana every court of every chief; great or little—indeed, every family who can afford to maintain one, has its Bhat, or Bhats. No great person can enter a room, go out, or rise, without suitable proclamation by the Bhats present. No Rajah can go abroad without Bhats to shout forth his titles, achievements, or those of his forefathers, which is done in a very sonorous manner; while, in the expressions used, Bbats vie with each other in composing extravagant epithets, and it is not unusual for them to deliver extempore orations in verse on any remarkable occasions, when their words are chanted to wild measures, which have great effect on their hearers. It has been mentioned in the preceding description, in what manner Bhats as well as Charuns exacted money at marriages and other ceremonies; and, if possible, the Bhats were more difficult to satisfy. Some Bhats have a strong faculty of improvisation, and are much prized for it. The accomplishment is said to be hereditary, while the chronicles of families, legends, and the like, are transmitted from father to son by oral instructions. Bbats occupy the exact position of the ancient bards of Europe, exciting to war, to peace, to love, to generosity, as occasion demands, and thus form a true link in the Aryan chain.