servants, who, awaking from their slumbers, ran to obey the vociferated
summons, and were just in time to see a small _dingy_ (or boat) pulling
away to the opposite bank, with the goods, the thief, and his
accomplices, on board!
All who travel by land, should be on their guard never to allow
jugglers, or show-men, of whatever description, to enter their tents;
which they will endeavor to do, under pretence of shewing off their
mummeries, with the intention of ascertaining the posture of whatever
moveables may be within. In this, they are sometimes mistaken; it being
usual to have all boxes, camp-baskets, &c., assembled about the foot of
the tent-pole, at night, and to secure them by means of a chain passing
through their respective handles, &c.; the ends of the chain being
furnished with a padlock.
In fair weather, the safest mode is to have all the things moved out of
the tent, and placed in a heap, under charge of a sentry, who then need
pay little attention to any other object, as the thieves are most intent
on those trunks, &c., which they suppose to contain money, plate, &c.:
as to articles of apparel, they are of little value, and would,
probably, lead to discovery; the handles of swords, and breast-plates,
of officers, being generally of solid silver, may be placed among the
furtive desiderata, therefore, should be placed in a state of security.
When I speak of discovery, it is not to be understood that the same
dread is entertained on that head, as prevails among the thieves of this
quarter of the world. In India, whole villages are inhabited by thieves,
who keep the country around in a state of perpetual terror and of
vigilance: hence, when a _jemmadar_ furnishes _chokey-dars_, he often
does it with great reluctance, under the apprehension of a visit from
some neighbouring gang of notoriety, who act with greater confidence,
from the consideration, that the village, at which the robbery may take
place, will be accountable for whatever property may be stolen.
Hence, a party is always safest when encamped near a village of
professed thieves, who will, ordinarily, forbear to depredate under that
circumstance; conscious that the value put upon the several articles
stolen, must necessarily be, at least, tenfold their value to the
robbers; though not in the least exaggerated by those from whom they
were stolen.
Here it is to be observed, that, in order to render the claim to
remuneration clear and decisive, it is proper that a requisition should
have been made to the _jemmadar_ for _chokey-dars_; otherwise, it may be
argued, that the property was not under his protection. Sometimes, by
way of cavil, a _jemmadar_, of such a description, will find fault with
the position of an encampment, and use many pleas for the purpose of
raising objections, whenever the losses sustained may be laid before the
collector, or judge of the district. If, however, he should refuse to
grant _chokey-dars_, it will be necessary to keep a very sharp look-out;
it being a strong indication of intended mischief.
Almost every _jemmadar_ of character will reprobate the indulgence of
that kind of curiosity which leads gentlemen, on their first arrival, to
pay the smallest attention to the performances of mountebanks, jugglers,
puppet-show-men, &c.; all of whom are notorious thieves, and are
attended by numerous confederates, whose business it is to patrole about
under the semblance of country-bumkins, come to view the camp, and to
take advantage of whatever opportunities may arise, in consequence of
servants, &c., quitting their several charges, to witness the
exhibitions of the attractive portion of the gang.
My memory supplies various instances of the success of this stratagem; a
circumstance not to be wondered at, when we consider the almost
incredible perfection to which _leger-de-main_, the _tour de
passe-passe_, and gymnastic exhibitions, are brought in India. I shall
offer a few of the feats displayed by these people, observing, that,
with regard to drawing yards of thread from the noses and ears of
spectators; cutting their turbans into pieces, and joining them again;
changing eggs to chickens, and mango-stones into growing bushes, bearing
the ripe fruit, making pigeons lay eggs, &c.; all such are considered as
mere common-place deceptions, confined to the lower orders of this class
of vagabonds.
The passing a sword-blade, of about two feet in length, and two inches
in breadth, down the gullet, so as to be distinctly felt by the
application of a hand to the operator’s stomach, is certainly the most
extraordinary part of the exhibition. In this, there is no deception
whatever; the sword is entire, and firmly fixed to the handle; while its
solidity is such as to remove all doubt regarding pliancy or evasion in
any mode: all we can say of it is, that the practice is adopted at an
early age; and that the implement used is gradually encreased, from a
small rattan to that above described.
As to vaulting, the number of somersets, and capers, made, with seeming
facility, while bounding over the backs of elephants, or of camels,
placed side-by-side, are truly astonishing! Throwing spears at each
other, and catching them under the arms, while in the act of mission,
mutually, cannot but cause both dread and surprize: the accuracy with
which this is constantly done, seems to preclude all admiration at the
skill of the celebrated William Tell.
Jumping through a frame that supports several, perhaps a dozen, of
_tulwars_, (cutlasses,) of which the edges are remarkably sharp, and
which appear to preclude the passage of a man’s body through the little
interval left among their points, must be viewed with admiration; as
must also the running bare-foot along a piece of cloth, perhaps ten
yards in length, that is supported, at about a foot from the ground, by
several men, each of whom holds, under the cloth, a sharp _tulwar_, of
which the edge is turned upwards: the astonishing agility with which
this is performed, absolutely requires to be seen ere it can be duly
appreciated!
Some curious performances in balancing are worthy of notice: of these,
the stringing, and unstringing, of eggs, is, perhaps, the most
extraordinary. A man balances, on his head, a kind of platter,
projecting, perhaps, six inches every way, of rather a conical form,
(inverted,) and furnished all around with draw-loops of, perhaps, a foot
in length, and about two inches asunder: their whole number may amount
to twenty, or more. On his left arm he bears a basket, containing as
many eggs as there are loops attached to the platter.
Using one foot for a pivot, he keeps moving round by the aid of the
other, so as make about ten revolutions in a minute, and, while in
motion, successively takes the eggs from the basket, and, with his right
hand only, puts each into a loop, drawing it tight, so as to retain the
egg firmly in an equipoised state.
In this manner he strings all the eggs, and again unstrings and
re-places them in the basket; he always moving the same way. When the
whole are strung, the music quickens its time considerably, and the
operator, conforming to the change, accelerates his pace in proportion,
until the velocity acquired by the eggs is such, as to occasion their
whirling on a level with the platter.
I consider this to be the most arduous of all the exercises in that
branch which depends, principally, on delicacy and caution. If we
consider how many chances of failure exist, whether from a slip of the
foot, a want of attention to the due elevation of the elbow, the aptness
of the unemployed loops to become entangled, the giddiness to be
apprehended from turning full half an hour, with such speed, always the
same way, and the possibility of allowing a newly-laden loop to fall
into its place too suddenly, and the same in withdrawing it, when about
to take out the egg; all these are certainly points very difficult to
compass, or to avoid, and entitle the artist to unlimitted approbation.
I observe, in Cordiner’s Description of Ceylon, some feats of the
jugglers in that island noticed as being beyond compare; but I cannot
conceive any thing more dexterous than that operation, so common in
Bengal, of balancing a bamboo ladder, about fifteen feet in length, on a
man’s chin, and allowing a well-grown lad, or a young woman, to ascend
to the summit, by winding in and out between the steps, (which barely
admit the body to pass,) and ultimately to descend, head foremost, in
the same manner, after balancing, horizontally, with extended arms and
legs, on either standard of the ladder. I have often wondered what the
man’s chin could be made of!!!
Swarming up a stout bamboo pole, of full twenty feet long, balanced on a
man’s hip, or shoulder, and descending again, by first attaching to the
summit by the toes, and measuring a whole length downwards, the back
being against the bamboo; then turning the opposite way, and thus, in
alternate succession; always appeared to me equally dangerous and
astonishing. To perform this, a man must possess unconscionable strength
in his toes and ankles: the first slip would infallibly be the last!
The puppet-shows, called _kaut-pootlies_, (_i.e._ wooden infants,) are
certainly superior to Mr. Punch and his wife, as exhibited by various
renowned persons throughout England. In India, there is to be seen far
greater variety, both in the subject, and in the several dramatis
personæ: there, something like a regular piece is represented, and it
rarely requires a glossary, or interpreter, to define the several
scenes; an aid, without which our artists, in general, make but little
impression on their spectators, whose imaginations are generally set on
the stretch to divine the meaning of various antics, which, though
abundantly ludicrous, seem to proceed from momentary fancy, rather than
from any regular system.
The _kaut-pootly-wallah_, or puppet-dancer, does not confine himself to
a small centry-box-like theatre; on the contrary, when he is to display
before any respectable persons, he makes a point of paying his respects
during the day, and of soliciting the loan of either a small tent, a
_konaut_, a _satrinje_, or some such article, for the purpose of
enclosing and covering in the necessary space, so that he and his
co-adjutors may perform their parts in secresy. It is commonly made a
point that the performance should be by candle-light, and at some little
distance from the line of tents. This is almost a _sine quâ non_ with
this tribe, who, being in league with rogues of all descriptions, rarely
fail to profit by the absence of servants from the charge of their
masters’ property, and, while perhaps both master and man are grinning
at the objects presented on the _proscenium_, are employed in removing
from the tents whatever articles, of a portable description, may be
exposed to depredation.
Sometimes the farce is concluded by a shower of clods, &c., thrown from
a distance, and the whole fly in confusion. This is a device practised
on the liberal, under the representation of the dealer in wood and
wire-work, that some of the _nutkuts_, or frolicksome youths, of the
camp, have battered the whole of the paraphernalia to pieces; in
confirmation of which, some heads and tails of _ci-devant_ kings and
queens are produced. I was once much amused with an imposition of this
kind, that was practised, with admirable address, upon a good-natured
field officer, who actually credited the representation, and, in
addition to the loss of several candle-sticks, and some other small
items, lent to the artists, compounded to pay for various fractures,
simple and compound, sustained by the inanimate heroes!
Among the itinerant amusements of India, we must class the _nuts_, or
tumblers, a people totally distinct from all the other inhabitants of
the country, and who correspond, in a number of instances, with the
gypsies of Europe. The following extracts from a paper furnished to the
Asiatic Society by Lieutenant-Colonel D. T. Richardson, a gentleman of
acknowledged abilities, and who has been remarkably industrious in
obtaining a very complete acquaintance with the customs and languages of
Hindostan, will display this matter in the best manner, and shew that a
greater connection subsists, or at least has subsisted, between the
_nuts_ of Asia, and the gypsies of Europe, than our literati are in
general aware of.
At page 473, of the Asiatic Researches, we have the following passage.
‘Both the gypsies, and the _nuts_, are generally a wandering race of
beings, seldom having a fixed habitation. They have each a language
peculiar to themselves. That of the gypsies is, undoubtedly, a specimen
of _Hindostanee_, and so is that of the _nuts_. In Europe, it answers
all the purposes of concealment. Here, a conversion of its syllables
becomes necessary.’ (_i.e._ in India.)
‘The gypsies have their king; the _nuts_ their _nardar-boutah_; they are
equally formed into companies, and their peculiar employments are
exactly similar; viz. dancing, singing, music, palmistry, quackery,
dancers of monkeys, bears, and snakes. The two latter professions, from
local causes, are peculiar to the _nuts_. They are both considered as
thieves; at least, that division of the _nuts_ whose manners come
nearest those of the gypsies. In matters of religion they appear equally
indifferent; we know that neither the gypsies, nor the _budeea-nuts_,
are very choice on that particular; and, though I have not obtained any
satisfactory proof of their eating human flesh, I do not find it easy to
divest my mind of suspicions on this head. Indeed, one would think the
stomach that could receive, without nausea, a piece of putrid jackal,
could not well retain any qualms in the selection of animal food.’
Colonel Richardson furnishes a number of words in use among the gypsies,
which correspond immediately with others in the language of the _nuts_.
I offer a few, which appear to me best adapted to the illustration of
this point; observing, that the orthography used by the author, though
perfectly correct, would not prove satisfactory to a person unversed in
the Oriental pronunciation of the vowels. As a remedy, or rather an aid,
absolutely necessary towards giving the European reader a perfect
conception of the due intonations, I have, in this, followed my ordinary
plan of spelling the Hindostanee words, in such manner as should enable
a person totally ignorant of that language to pronounce them with
propriety.
GYPSEY WORDS. HINDOSTANEE SYNONYMES. ENGLISH TRANSLAT.
Apra Ooper Above
Bebee Beebee Aunt, or lady
Pownee Pawnee Water
Devus Dewus Day
Rattee Raut Night
Can Caun Ear
Dad Dada Grandfather
Valashtee Belaist Finger
Mutchee Mutchee Fish
Gur G’hur House
Shing Sing Horn
Ballow Baul Hair
Shunalee Soonaie Hearing
Liecaw Leckap Writing
Dai Dhye Nurse
Mass Mass Food
Tod Dood Milk
Boot Bote Much
Nack Nauk Nose
Booro-panee Burrah-paunee Great water
Doriove Derriow River
Lolo Loll Red
Booro-chairee Burra-choory Great knife
Roop Roopah Silver
Saup Saump Snake
Dicken Deckna To see
Loon Noon Salt
Jaw Jow Go
Kali-coe Kul-ko Yesterday
Tschor Choor Thief
Dori Doory String
Rajah Rajah A lord
Ranee Rannee Princess
Raz Raj Principality
Banduk Baundook Musket
Jammadar Jemmadar An officer
Gour Gor Grave
Mul Mool Wine
Dur Door Jar
Jungustri Angootee Ring
Paka Punk Wing
Schut Kuttah Sour
Ker G’hur House
Sapa Savon Soap
Menghna Maungna To want
Pi Pee Drink
Metchana Putchana To know
Me-dikaka My-deckata I saw
Chabben Chabna To eat
Tober Tobula An axe
Starrie Sitara Star
Rashee Rishee Priest
Bocolee Bookap Hungry
Por Poor Full
Geecoa Jee-oo-ka Life, living.
The foregoing will suffice to give much insight into the affinity spoken
of; especially when it is considered that the gypsey words are chiefly
taken from Grellman’s Vocabulary, wherein we are to make considerable
allowances for German intonation, especially regarding the vowel u, and
the dipthong oo, as in _dur_, and _door_; and for _dori_, and _doory_;
the slight differences between which, so far as is connected with
orthography, would probably disappear if the words were spoken by a
German gypsey, and a _nut_, respectively. Add to this, that the natives
of India use the letters L, and N, rather promiscuously: thus, they say
either _leel_, or _neel_, (for _blue_); the capital of Oude is as often
called _Nucklow_, as Lucknow, and the word _noon_, (_salt_,) is very
commonly pronounced _loon_; as in the gypsey language.
If it is considered that the foregoing comparison did not take place at
a time when Colonel Richardson had the opportunity to examine closely
into the particulars, by having access to European gypsies, whose
familiar conversation, when explained, might have furnished numberless
instances of accordance, which, from his accurate knowledge of the
Hindostanee language, might ever have been such as to enable him to
understand a gypsey colloquy; we must admit that strong probabilities
exist, as to the _nuts_ and the _gypsies_ being branches from the same
stock. Colonel Richardson observes, very properly, ‘Should any real
Hindostanee scholars ever investigate this matter _on the spot in
Europe_, their evidence and observations will probably settle the matter
effectually, one way or other, for ever.’ He likewise remarks, that
‘Grellman, from a want of knowledge of the Hindostanee, lost many
opportunities of producing the proper word, in comparison with the
gypsey one’—and again, he forcibly remarks, that ‘It is not the
accidental coincidence of a few words, but the whole vocabulary he
(Grellman) produces, differs not so much from the common Hindostanee, as
provincial dialects of the same country usually do from each other.’
That _cast_, or tribe, of _nuts_, known by the name of _bauzeegurs_,
generally affect to follow the Mahomedan faith, but the _purneah
peeries_, or _budeea_ tribe, follow either that, or the doctrines of
Brahma, just as may suit their purposes, or their locality. Either sect
have so very few religious ceremonies, as to render it doubtful whether
they profess more than may serve to screen them from the imputation of
atheism; a charge which would sink them even lower in the estimation of
every inhabitant of Asia. They inter their relations in a very slovenly
manner, and may often be found lying drunk about the grave: their
marriage forms are extremely simple, the bride and bridegroom mutually
mark each other’s faces with red ochre, after which, they lock their
little fingers together, and avow their union: the ceremony is usually
concluded by a sacrifice to the muddled deity, in which all bear their
parts with great eagerness, and devotion!
It is a rule among the _nuts_ never to go to law, nor to submit their
differences to any arbitrators, except of their own profession: owing to
the extreme jealousy of the men, and the frequent excesses of both sexes
in the use of _gaunjah_, and other intoxicating draughts, such
differences are by no means rare, and contribute partly to the support
of their rulers, who receive a fourth part of whatever is earned, or
perhaps begged, borrowed, or stolen, by the several _sets_ which ramble
over the country, according to their own fancies, or as they may be
ordered.
Such regular debauchery, added to the violent exercise undergone during
their early years, reduce the period of life among these people to a
very short compass. Few live beyond the age of forty, and by far the
larger portion fail of attaining their thirtieth year; the women
generally fall victims after having borne four or five children.
With respect to dancing, which is a part of the duties of a female
_nut_, much encomium cannot be justly bestowed: their style of
performance is vulgar, and they generally study that kind of lewd
display, which renders their performances too indelicate to be
described. Tumbling head-over-heels, walking upon their hands,
Catherine-wheel, &c., &c.; all come within the display afforded for a
trifling gratuity!
The traveller will sometimes be visited by sets of _nautch-girls_, who
either reside in some of the principal towns, and make a point of
offering their services towards the amusement of _gentlemen_ traversing
the country; or who are itinerants, that pick up a livelihood by
rambling about, chiefly among the villages inhabited by Mahomedans,
whose dispositions are more prompt than those of the Hindus to receive
gratification from voluptuous exhibitions. Besides, the latter are
generally more penurious, and are so rigidly tied down, both by tenet,
and by the vigilance of their neighbours, as to have but little scope
for indulgence in those sensualities, which the followers of the
Prophet, who anxiously look forward to the enjoyment of the _houris_,
are less scrupulous to conceal.
The greater part of the individuals composing the _taffah_, or set of
female dancers, are either attached by family connections, such as
marriage with the _oostauds_ and _surmaunjahs_, who are the instructors
and musicians; or they are slaves obtained by purchase during times of
scarcity: some, indeed, are kidnapped when very young, on account of
their promising features; these rarely are able to give any account of
their parentage, and do not always know the districts in which they were
born.
Whatever may be their origin, or their connection, the dancers, who are
likewise vocal performers, are entirely subservient to some person,
whether male or female, who is considered the proprietor of the _set_,
and on whose application to any court of law, or to any _soubah_, or
person in power, any run-away is immediately pursued, and restored to
the _taffah_; whether the obligation be peremptory, such as in the case
of a _baundy_, or actual slave; or merely implied, as in the case of a
_paulah_, or person preserved from famine, &c., and reared in the
capacity of a menial.
The Mahomedan law barely recognizes actual slavery, but makes a great
distinction in favor of those who purchase, or thus adopt, children that
would otherwise, in all probability, perish from want. The latter are
considered to be the property of the patron, until arrived at their full
growth, which is understood to be about the age of eighteen; but this
affords easy evitation to such proprietors of _taffahs_ as feel an
interest in the detention of any particular girls under their authority.
To say the truth, very little cause of complaint seems to exist on such
occasions: the girls are usually well cloathed, and well fed; they are
rarely limitted in regard to paramours, and, on the whole, experience as
much comfort as their habits, and those envious traits ever to be seen
among persons of the same profession, admit. Where these _taffahs_ are
found in the vicinity of our camps, and stations, whether civil or
military, it is common to see the dancers attach themselves to some
particular European gentlemen, of whose friendship they make much boast:
the profits of such a speculation cannot be wholly reserved by any one
of the party; they are supposed to be surrendered, without diminution,
to the proprietor, for the general benefit of the _set_.
That full surrender is not, however, always made; on the contrary, some
contrive to redeem themselves from this species of demi-slavery, by
means of sums accumulated in the course of years, and concealed, with
extreme solicitude, from the scrutinizing eye of the proprietor. When
such a redemption takes place, it is never done overtly, but by the
pretended interference of some gentleman, or opulent native, who, either
from love, or charity, feels disposed to pay the ransom: were the
possession of the property to be acknowledged by the anxious female, it
would instantly be seized as a _droit_, and she would probably undergo
that severest of Hindostanee punishments, the loss of all her _kase_, or
hair!