fatting, is about a rupee; but that price has only existed for about
twenty years. Before that date, the common value of a _coarge_ (or
score) was from six to eight rupees; and I recollect, about twenty-nine
years back, when marching from Berhampore to Cawnpore, with a detachment
of European recruits, seeing several _coarges_ bought for their use, by
the contractor’s _sircar_, at three, and three and a half rupees! at the
latter rate six sheep were purchased for a rupee; which, in British
currency, would be _five-pence each!_
It is true, the sheep were not fat; far from it; being driven into the
camp from the flocks grazing in the adjacent plains, and, in general,
taken without much selection. They were the only animal food we could at
times get; for the Hindus would never sell us an ox, knowing it was
intended for slaughter. Notwithstanding the very low rate at which the
sheep were purchased, many proved dear bargains. Some had their livers
in such a dreadful state as disgusted every spectator, and caused an
insuperable objection against the meat: fluke-worms crawled about in
hundreds; while, of many, the stomachs, as well as the intestines, were
completely lined with bots, which stood as close as they could stow,
keeping each other parallel, like pins on a cushion! Strange to say,
some few of which the entrails were thus preyed upon, seemed as though
they would have thriven, provided they had been turned into a good
pasture.
The _Chokey-dar_, or watchman, is a very different sort of being from
such as guard the British metropolis. In India, no man dare undertake
this office, unless he be a professed thief, or in league with the local
chief of all the thieves of the district. Were any person of a contrary
description to assume the protection of a house, &c. he would be
outwitted, and, in all probability be implicated; or he would lose his
life in the Quixotic attempt! This may give but an unfavorable idea of
the police; but, on examination, it will be found by no means so
injurious to the interests of the public, as persons ignorant of the
fact, and of its derivation, might suppose. Thieving is there put on a
par with other speculations; it becomes a monopoly, the invasion of
which carries with it the most fatal effects.
To explain this, I must state, that, in the vicinity of all great towns,
there will be found some person of apparent respectability, whose word
indeed passes with the same validity as other mens’ bonds; and who is
considered the chief of the _chokey-dars_, or watchmen; of which he will
furnish one, or two, perhaps three, according to the extent, and
situation, of the premises to be guarded.
For each person thus supplied, four rupees are paid monthly to the
individual employed; the head-man being responsible for whatever losses
may be occasioned by professed robbers. The _chokey-dar_ attends during
the day, often performing many little offices, in the most willing and
effective manner; at night parading about with his spear, shield, and
sword, and assuming a most terrific aspect, until all the family are
asleep; when—HE GOES TO SLEEP TOO!!!
Thus the matter is compromised; the gang receive a tribute, and the
gentleman is insured from nocturnal depredation: though, by way of
deception, slight feints are now and then made, in order to keep up the
system of terror, and to uphold the _chokey-dar’s_ vigilance. I am
sensible, that instances may be adduced of houses being plundered, and
of the _chokey-dars_ being cut to pieces. These, however, do not confute
the well known fact I have above delivered; on examination it will
always appear, that such robberies were committed either by some gang
from another quarter, or where the premises were in charge of military
guards.
So audacious are the thieves in India, that they have been known to come
into a cantonment with lighted _mosauls_, in imitation of a marriage
procession, or of a religious ceremony, and thus to attack a treasury
where a strong guard was posted. They likewise crawl about in dark
nights, so as to be mistaken for dogs, or other small animals; thus
gradually lulling the vigilance of a sentry, and making their way good
to the interior. On such occasions their bodies are usually well oiled,
thereby rendering it impossible to retain a hold; which is, in most
cases, prevented by a small sharp knife, always carried in a girdle by
these insinuating rogues: that girdle consists only of a stout piece of
twine carried round the waist, supporting a _lungooty_, or clout,
passing between the legs, and as narrow as an exception from absolute
nudity can possibly admit.
When travelling through any part of the Company’s territories, it is
proper to require _chokey-dars_ from such villages as may be in the
vicinity of the encampment: on failure of this precaution, robbery will
very often take place, without the most distant chance either of
recovering the lost goods, or of tracing the thieves. Nor should such
_chokey-dars_ be sent away unpaid for their night’s labor: two annas,
equal to nearly four-pence, should be given to each; otherwise,
intelligence of the _deficit_ will be conveyed to the next halting
place, and no _chokey-dar_ will be forthcoming; unless, indeed, one of
the collector’s peons accompany, or, that his order be sent,
particularly cautioning all the inhabitants to provide whatever may be
wanting. The reader must not imagine himself in England, but transplant
his ideas to a country where there is no public place of accommodation,
no relay of horses, no public conveyance, and perhaps no other Christian
within scores of miles! His fancy may have abundance of scope, in
picturing to him the variety of preparations necessary to be made before
a party, much more a single gentleman, breaks ground, for the purpose of
sporting, or of repairing to some distant station. He will then see how
very necessary it is to adopt the local customs, as well as every means
that prudence can devise; observing particularly, that when a gratuity
is to be bestowed upon any villager, &c. for provisions, or services, he
should never fail to see the full sum paid into the poor fellow’s hand:
otherwise, the servants will at least diminish, if not altogether
withhold, the donation.
In consequence of the great number of servants that sleep within the
houses, and the circumstance of each dwelling having a separate gateway,
where a _durwan_, (or porter,) constantly attends; as well as owing to
the great number of _chokies_ or patrole stations, every where to be
seen; few _chokey-dars_ are employed in the town of Calcutta, unless by
merchants who have warehouses full of valuable commodities; or
_shroffs_, (_i.e._ bankers) residing in that part of the town inhabited
principally by natives: at the _baugeechahs_, or garden-houses, which
generally stand, like our farm-houses, at some distance from other
dwellings, _chokey-dars_ are found to be indispensably necessary. Within
the Company’s provinces no head _chokey-dars_ are to be seen: there the
watchman may perhaps be exempt from the imputation of belonging to the
local gang: though circumstances do sometimes authorize the suspicion,
that he aids the perpetrators of the robbery. Generally speaking,
however, there appears no ostensible person who comes forward to
guarantee the safety of goods under charge of a _chokey-dar_: when this
most desirable assurance is wanting, the greatest vigilance is sometimes
inadequate to the prevention of theft. It is not a very easy matter to
defeat the machinations of a most expert banditti, in a country where it
is necessary to throw open every door, and window, during the night,
lest suffocation should ensue!
I have said that a _Durwan_, or porter, is stationed at the gate, on
entrance into that area, (called the _compound_,) within which most
houses in Calcutta are situated. This servant usually receives from four
to five rupees monthly, and dresses little better than a _cooly_;
though, in some instances, he may be seen more respectably cloathed. So
soon as a palanquin enters the gate, the _durwan_ vociferates lustily;
informing, that a visitor approaches; when immediately some other
servant, such as a _peon_ or _hirkarah_, runs to enquire the name, &c.
which is immediately announced to the master or mistress.
The _durwan_ is always allowed a small lodge near the portal, where he
is in constant attendance day and night. When the family have retired to
rest, he shuts and secures the gates: formerly, it was an invariable
rule to close them during meals, and to retain them in that state, until
notice was sent by the head servant that all the plate, &c. were safe.
This certainly was not a bad custom; and, no doubt, operated as a check
upon many, who, but for such a restriction, would purloin some valuable
article of a portable description: I regret to think it should have been
not only relaxed, but nearly abandoned: probably owing to mistaken
delicacy.
The _Cahar_, or palanquin-bearer, is a servant of peculiar utility, in a
country where, for four months, the intense heat precludes Europeans
from taking much exercise; and where, during a similar term, the
constant state of puddle, in every place not artificially raised, and
drained, at a great expense, utterly precludes them from walking.
Indeed, even in the cold months, it is not always that the palanquin can
be dispensed with: at all events; the _chattah_, or large umbrella, must
accompany. Many gentlemen who arrive during the winter season, find the
sun little more than comfortable; they therefore, very foolishly,
dispense with the _chattah_, and allow themselves to be heated
extremely. So many instances have happened of persons being carried off
suddenly, in consequence of such exposure, that I cannot too earnestly
exhort all visiting India, to be very cautious of placing reliance on
strength of constitution: the strongest are in most danger; on them
fever seizes firmly, giving but little time for the adjustment of
affairs, and even less scope for the exercise of medical skill.
The number of, what is called, a set of bearers, varies according to the
situation, the occupation, and the weight of the employer. In Calcutta,
where there is much visiting, at least seven must be kept, of whom one
stays at home to cook victuals for the rest; and as another of them will
probably be the _sirdar_, or head-bearer, who attends personally when
his master is dressing, and generally has some charge of linen, &c. he
will not, except on emergency, officiate under the bamboo. Thus, in
fact, only five will be left to carry the palanquin and the umbrella;
the man bearing the latter at times relieving one of the four that carry
the vehicle; and they, in exchange, assuming his part of the labor,
alternately.
There are, however, various tribes of bearers, generally provincial, all
of which are to be found at Calcutta; those chiefly employed in that
capital are called _Ooreeahs_, _i.e._ natives of the province of Orissa;
a tract of country lying between the Roopnarain and the northern
_sircars_: this occasions them to be generally designated
‘Balasore-bearers:’ Balasore being the principal town.
Language is scarcely adequate to describe the influence this set of
menials had obtained, throughout those parts to which they extend their
services; which is rarely more than a few miles around Calcutta. They
are, in fact, a commonwealth, governed by one or more of their gang, and
subject to the regulations, from time to time, established by councils
convened, in the most imperious manner, by the old _sirdars_; every
trespass against which is attended with, not only immediate punishment,
by means of ejection from among their society in the town, but
absolutely by a species of out-lawry, even in their own country!
To such a pitch had these gentry carried their audacity, that, more than
once, they withdrew from Calcutta, leaving its inhabitants in the most
awkward predicament, until they thought fit to return, or that their
insolent demands were complied with. If any offence be given to one or
more, especially to a whole set, the matter is instantly submitted to
their superiors; who have, on many occasions, issued their mandate,
interdicting all _Ooreeahs_ from engaging in the offender’s service.
Where real injury is done, they never fail to carry the matter either
before the commissioners of the police, or into the supreme court: the
costs being defrayed by a general assessment. The prudence with which
they proceed, in this mode of prosecution, is by no means unworthy of
notice; if imitated by some of our own litigious spirits, it could not
fail to save infinite vexation, trouble, and expence. They put the case,
very fairly, before a fictitious tribunal, consisting of _sircars_,
writers, &c. who, having been employed by gentlemen of the law, have
picked up a smattering of that profession, and are perfectly acquainted
with all the forms attendant upon most civil causes. These ‘base
epitomes of legal greatness’ possess wonderful shrewdness; and, by means
of two fictitious advocates of a corresponding description, who, with an
acuteness scarcely to be equalled, argue their respective sides of the
question, _i.e._ plaintiff and defendant, are enabled to decide on the
case with strict propriety. The fact is, that this mock court, being
instituted for the purpose of preventing any native, who chooses to have
his cause pleaded before it, from being entangled in that glorious net
of perplexity, the supreme court, every endeavor is made to sift the
several turns and arguments, that may be resorted to by the defendant.
Consequently, it is ever the study of the accusing party to strengthen
his opponent’s side, with every subtlety that can be devised. The sages
give their opinions the same as in our courts; but are very cautious
never to decide in favor of a plaintiff, unless the case appears fully
established.
It is a well-known fact, that, with the exception of a few haughty,
opinionated individuals, who, relying on their own judgment, and
thinking such a resort would degrade them, or perhaps discover that
chicanery on which they rely for success, omit the above very sagacious
precaution, scarcely an instance is to be found where a native, residing
in Calcutta, has failed to gain his cause against an European. To such a
tribunal, as above described, the _Ooreeahs_ almost invariably resort;
when, if its decision is in their favor, the _real_ court soon becomes
arbiter on the occasion.
It is perhaps fortunate for the inhabitants (I mean the European
families) of Calcutta, that, within the last twenty years, great numbers
of _Patna_, _Dacca_, and other _cahars_, or bearers, have resorted to
the presidency, to participate in those services formerly monopolized by
the _Ooreeahs_. The latter, after some struggle, by endeavoring to
intimidate their rivals, and by debarring the _teeka_, or job-bearers,
who were formerly, to a man, of the Balasore tribe, from serving, even
for the day, those who retained Patna, or other _cahars_, were, in the
end, obliged to lower their tone, and rather to conciliate, than to
arrogate, upon all occasions. Not that they are by any means reconciled
to the new system; but they find their mandates of less force, their
influence nearly extinguished, and their numbers considerably decreased:
at least, they bear no proportion to the _cahars_ from the country; who
now ply for _teeka_, _i.e._ job-work, in every quarter.
Still it must not be denied, that the _Ooreeahs_ are, in some respects,
excellent servants: they are very careful of furniture; and being
able-bodied men in general, are capable, even with less numbers, of
proceeding great distances: they are, besides, far more cleanly in their
persons, and neater in their dress; which, however, consists merely of a
_doty_, wrapped round the middle, and tucked in, together with a
wrapper, to be thrown over them in very inclement weather, but usually
folded up, and carried over the shoulder. When their heights are
unequal, they use a small quilted pad, of linen, stuffed with rags, or
cotton, which is suspended from the palanquin pole, or bamboo, and being
placed between it and the shoulder of the shortest bearer of the two,
(they carrying in pairs, two bearers before, and two behind, serves to
bring about an even bearing on each.
The Balasore bearers, _i.e._ the _Ooreeahs_, all preserve but one lock
on the top of their heads, the same as the _sircars_, and other Hindus
in general; they wear no turban, but paint their faces, arms, throats,
and breasts, with sandal-wood and vermilion. Some wear a few small
beads, chiefly of turned wood, about their necks; and, occasionally, a
stout silver ornament, of the ring kind, called a _bangle_, or _kurrah_,
on either wrist, or a pair of tigers’ claws set in silver, back to back,
suspended by a number of black threads from their necks. This is
considered a potent charm against _J’haddoo_, or witchcraft: and a
preventative of various dangerous diseases. It is peculiar, that the
_Ooreeah_ bearers never wear shoes, and that they prefer cloaths of an
almond color. The number of _Ooreeahs_ in a single set, is generally, as
before stated, seven: the head-bearer or _sirdar_, receiving five, or
even six, rupees monthly; sometimes a mate receives, or is said to
receive, five, and the residue about four. Formerly the rates were
generally one rupee less than the above for each rank: but ‘the hay was
made while the sun shone,’ and these gentry did not fail, _while in
power_, to raise their respective wages.
Where there is a lady in the family, three more bearers must be added;
or perhaps five: and a good comfortable building must, at all events, be
set apart for these domineering servants: without that is done, they
will not stay. Nor will they handle a _chillumchee_, (or wash-hand
bason,) after it has been used: though they will officiate in pouring
the water, serving the napkin, laying the shaving apparatus, and a
variety of matters formerly supposed to be repugnant to their tenets;
but which objections are not so much insisted upon since the country
_cahars_ have resorted, in such numbers, to Calcutta, and aided to
overthrow that immense edifice of insolence, imposition, and pride, so
conspicuously rearing its head; whereof, fortunately, the foundation was
thus destroyed. I perfectly recollect the time, and, indeed, the matter
is not yet obsolete, when the _council_, as the _sirdar_ vainly termed
their meeting, used to send their summons to any _Ooreeah_ in an
European’s service; and, in case of refusal, or neglect, mulcted the
party according to their pleasure. Thus, no individual, however attached
to his master, or tired of the noxious and tyrannic mandates of the
_sirdars_ dared to disobey; the smallest relaxation in points of
forbearance, or in the least tending to augment the duties of the whole
class, whether individually or collectively, was certainly followed by
the most severe inhibitions, and by fulminations, perfectly terrific to
those brought up in ignorance, and under the complete domination of a
persecuting priesthood. A few instances occurred wherein the masters
almost forcibly debarred their servants from obedience to the
adjudications of this overbearing usurpation; but it was in vain: the
government, perhaps prudently, discouraged every attempt to change the
system; while the Supreme Court, then newly robed, and panting for the
exercise of power, whereby to shew their extensive authority, and their
sedulous attention to the rights of ‘an oppressed people’, favored every
complaint wherein a native was to be redressed: this was done with the
view to annihilate those multifarious extortions, and severities, not to
say cruelties, under which it was supposed they were groaning. The farce
had its day, like all other good farces; but, in the end, Blacky found
out that law was very expensive, and that it had so many ins and outs,
with which they were then unacquainted, that the disease fortunately
carried its own remedy: the fact, as it now stands, being simply this;
that all are ready enough to complain to a _justice_, but are very shy
of bringing the subject before a _judge!_
Where bearers are not constantly wanted, (a very uncommon case, by the
by,) the best mode is to hire _teeka-bearers_, when occasion may demand:
for ordinary excursions, five are usually employed; each receiving four
annas, or the quarter of a rupee, daily. This has its advantages, and
its disadvantages; for it is not always these job-men are to be had; nor
will they come at the hour appointed; then, again, they must go (the
Lord knows where) to their meals; and they are by no means so careful of
the palanquin, &c. as regular servants; nor will they attend to a
variety of in-door matters, which may be peremptorily requisite. It must
further be obvious, that, if the occasions for employing them be
numerous, they will prove very expensive: consequently, can only suit
those whose incomes are confined, and whose ordinary avocations do not
lead them further than may be walked, without danger, or great
inconvenience, under the shade of a _chattah_, or umbrella. It is
evident, that one _sirdar_ at five, one mate at four and a half, and
five bearers at four each, amount only to twenty-nine rupees and a half
per mensem; whereas five _teekas_, if employed every day at a rupee and
a quarter daily, will amount to thirty-seven rupees and a half. This
would be like riding in a Hackney-coach all day, when an excellent
equipage might be kept for less money.
The Patna, Dacca, and other up-country bearers, in general receive less
wages than the _Ooreeahs_; but require to be more numerous in a set; few
consisting of less than eight, including the _sirdar_, who generally
remains at home. His usual wages are from four and a half to five
rupees, and the rest receive from three up to four rupees monthly;
according to circumstances. When in their own country, they serve for
less wages than when employed elsewhere. Those at Dacca, where
provisions are very cheap, seldom have more than two, of two rupees and
a half; and it is wonderful how reluctant they are to quit that part of
the country, even under a very considerable advance of pay; therefore,
when a corps marches from the Dacca district, every endeavor is made to
procure bearers who are going to the several districts lying in, or
near, the route. This is sometimes attended with considerable
convenience; since it obviates the necessity of exchanging servants
while on the march; it being extremely common for bearers to proceed
only to an appointed town, there to leave their employer, who must use
his endeavors to obtain others in their stead. Thus, in marching from
the frontier to Lucknow, or Cawnpore, it is necessary to obtain a new
set of bearers at either of those places, to proceed to Benares; at
Benares they will engage probably to go no further than Patna, if
proceeding by the river route; or, if by the new road, only to
Hazary-Bang, or perhaps to Rogonautpore, or to Bissunpore; where a final
exchange must be made, for a set that will proceed to Calcutta,
Midnapore, &c. Yet it cannot be said that this occasions any very
serious difficulty; the occurrence being so common, and the prices so
well settled by the ordinary practice, that, unless a gentleman has the
character of using his servants ill, there seldom appears any deficiency
of candidates for employment.
Bearers, of all descriptions, are extremely apt to carry too much
luggage for themselves, stowing it, to an unmerciful amount, on the back
of some poor camel, or on some cart, which their master thinks is very
lightly laden. The mischief is not suspected, until he notices, day
after day, the late arrival of his baggage, or receives a report that
his cattle have sore backs, &c. &c.; which must, of course, prove highly
pleasing in situations where no substitutes for the disabled beasts can
be found!