Captain Forsyth, Settlement Officer of Nimar, had a very unfavourable
opinion of the Bhilalas, whom he described as proverbial for
dishonesty in agricultural engagements and worse drunkards than any
of the indigenous tribes. [351] This judgment was probably somewhat
too severe, but they are poor cultivators, and a Bhilala's field may
often be recognised by its slovenly appearance. [352]
A century ago Sir J. Malcolm also wrote very severely of the Bhilalas:
"The Bhilala and Lundi chiefs were the only robbers in Malwa whom under
no circumstances travellers could trust. There are oaths of a sacred
but obscure kind among those that are Rajputs or who boast their blood,
which are almost a disgrace to take, but which, they assert, the basest
was never known to break before Mandrup Singh, a Bhilala, and some of
his associates, plunderers on the Nerbudda, showed the example. The
vanity of this race has lately been flattered by their having risen
into such power and consideration that neighbouring Rajput chiefs found
it their interest to forget their prejudices and to condescend so far
as to eat and drink with them. Hatti Singh, Grassia chief of Nowlana,
a Khichi Rajput, and several others in the vicinity cultivated the
friendship of Nadir, the late formidable Bhilala robber-chief of
the Vindhya range; and among other sacrifices made by the Rajputs,
was eating and drinking with him. On seeing this take place in my
camp, I asked Hatti Singh whether he was not degraded by doing so;
he said no, but that Nadir was elevated." [353]