Изображения страниц
PDF
EPUB

The repair of the road from Serinagur to Bhadrinath also appeared an object of some importance as encouraging the resort of a greater number of pilgrims, and thereby promoting the intercourse and traffic between the plains and the immense hills, whence springs the source of the Ganges."*

"In all the capital cities, principal towns, and districts, Mahomedan officers, known in this country by the title of Cadis, are stationed for the purpose of performing the religious duties and ceremonies prescribed by the Mahomedan law, and various other functions, at the public expense; and their appointments are so far independent that they are only moveable for misconduct."✝

66

I cannot see," says C. Buller, Esq., M. P., in his letter to the Honourable Court of Directors relative to Juggernaut, May, 1813, "what possible objection there is to the continuance of an established tax, particularly when it is taken into consideration what large pensions in land and money are allowed by our Government, in all parts of the country, for keeping up the religious institutions both of the Hindoos and the Mussulmans."

"The temple of Deo Ghur is situated on a rising ground, in the midst of a thick forest, and is attached to the Beerbhoom district. Thirty-two villages are allotted for the maintenance of the chief pundit or high priest of the temple at Deo Ghur, granted by Government at the settlement of the Jungleterry district. They are in a very flourishing state of cultivation."§

The conduct of individuals in India, especially when in authority, has too frequently tended to perpetuate idolatry. The following extracts from the late Bishop Heber's Journal appear very exceptionable :—" During my progress through the holy places (at Benares) I had received garlands of flowers in considerable numbers, which I was told it was uncivil to throw away, particularly those which were hung round my neck. I now in consequence looked more like a sacrifice than a priest, and on getting again into the gig

* Ham. Hind. vol. ii. p. 638.

Teignmouth Cons. on Com. to the Nat. of India the knowledge of Christ. p. 62.

Buchanan's Apology for Christianity in India, p. 162.

§ Francklin's Enquiry for the site of the Ancient Palibothra, part i. p. 88.

"This being

was glad to rid myself of my ornaments." the great day of Hoolee, all my Hindoo servants came to pay their compliments and bring presents of red powder and sugar plums. The event was rather costly to me, as I was obliged to make presents in return. But it is the "dustoor," and who in India can transgress that unwritten and common law of the land ? "The Raja offered to return my visit next day; but knowing that Tuesday is, in the estimation of all Hindoos, unlucky, I named Wednesday in preference, telling him my reason. He answered, very politely, he should account every day lucky in which he had opportunity of cultivating my acquaintance, but was evidently well pleased."*

"The Grand Lama is an hereditary living deity, before whom millions prostrate themselves. When Captain Turner was on his embassy to this deity, to gratify his votaries, he made an offering, he says, to the deceased Teshoo Lama; and in addressing the same deity, who had entered the body of an infant eighteen months old, he said to the child: The Governor General, on receiving the news of his (your) decease in China was overwhelmed with grief and sorrow, and continued to lament his (your) absence from the world, until the cloud that had overcast the happiness of this nation was dispelled by his (your) appearance.'+ Does such language comport with the dignity of the British and the Christian character?

Saugur Island, situated at the mouth of the Hooghly River, about 100 miles from Calcutta, is a well known place of pilgrimage. Infanticide was abolished here in 1802, during the administration of the Marquis Wellesley. The Madras Government Gazette, Jan. 13, 1827, contains an account of this pilgrimage; and observes, " According to the pundit an impost is levied by the officers of Government stationed here, of four annas per oar, besides a fee of one anna to the establishment: but the charge, if we are not misinformed, is unsanctioned, except as made by Byragees and Sunyasees, who assumed the right of levying four annas per oar, and eight annas to one or two rupees for each shop. This claim has been so far authorised that the right to levy any charge was withdrawn from the Saugur Society upon the petition of the religious mendicants. The

* Vol. i. p. 297. Vol. ii. pp. 84. 131.

+ Ward's View of the Hindoos, vol. ii. p. 308.

temple of Kapila Muni, on the southern coast of Gunga Saugur, is under the alternate charge of a Byragee and Sunyasee. The latter presides at the Mela in the month of Kartik (Nov.), the former in Magh (Jan.) They levy a tax of four annas on each person who visits the temple, the amount of which is divided among five different establishments of Ramanandi Byragees, in the vicinity of Calcutta." It is hoped inquiry will be instituted into the conduct of these officers of Government, and that the various facts here stated will excite that attention which their importance demands.

[ocr errors]

CHAP. II.

The idolatrous Establishments chiefly supported by the System at Juggernaut, Gya, Allahabad, &c.

"It may be easily supposed," observes Colonel Phipps, "that a very large establishment of priests and others is attached to such a temple as Juggernaut. One of the head men stated the number to consist of 3,000 families, including 400 families of cooks to prepare holy food. The provisions furnished daily for the idol and his attendants consist of 220 pounds of rice, 97 pounds of kullye (a pulse), 24 pounds of moong (a small grain), 188 pounds of clarified buffaloe's butter, 80 pounds of molasses, 32 pounds of vegetables, 10 pounds of sour milk, 2 pounds of spices, 2 pounds of sandal wood, some camphor, 20 pounds of salt, 4 rupees (10 shillings) worth of fire-wood: also 22 pounds of lamp oil for lights at night. This holy food is presented to the idol three times a day! the gates are shut, and no one but a few personal servants are allowed to be present. This meal lasts about an hour, during which period the dancing girls attached to the temple dance in the room with many pillars. On the ringing of a bell the doors are thrown open,

* Asi. Jour. Aug. 1827.

and the provision is removed. The food prepared for sale, or bespoken by the inhabitants, is not brought into the large tower, but collected in the Begue Mundeer, where it can be seen and sanctified by the idol from his distant throne!

"In addition to this food, a very considerable extra quantity is allowed for the great festivals: and, in order to make this superstition as profitable as possible, the priests have decided that nothing can pollute the food prepared in the temple—it may be conveyed to any place—it may be touched by a Mussulman, or a Christian, without becoming unfit for a Hindoo. Nothing can be more convenient than such a belief, as Hindoos in general must eat their food where it is cooked, and a thousand things may pollute it. The consequence is, that the cooks are employed to prepare food for most of the pilgrims, at a price which varies according to the demand, and is always highest during the festivals. It is said that a few days before the festival of the Ruth Jattra food is cooked within the court of the temple for at least 100,000 pilgrims; and it will easily be credited that, on these occasions, the 400 families of cooks have full employment. The potters make earthen pots of three sizes; the food is carried away in them, and they form a kind of standard measure: and, as none but new pots can be used, the consumption is very great, and supports a great many families. The only interruption to this cooking is during the time the idol is travelling in his car to the place where he was formed, and returning to the temple: nine days in all."*

The number of pilgrim hunters must be considerable; the same Gentleman stating,—"One of the principal natives related that a Purharee, in 1821, despatched 100 agents to entice pilgrims; and the ensuing year received the premium for 4,000 pilgrims! He was at that time busily employed in instructing 100 additional agents in all the mysteries of this singular trade, with the intention of sending them into the Upper Provinces of India."✝ This fact

* Col. Phipps' Account of Juggernaut, p. 6, 7.-Missionary Intelligence, March, 1823. (Published in Calcutta.)

In the Parliamentary Papers relative to Juggernaut, May 1813, p. 80, an account is given of the establishment for collecting the Pilgrim Tax.-"Sudder Cutcherry, 19 Officers and servants, monthly salary 260 rupees; Ghaut Athara Nulla, Officers, &c., 26, salary 165 rupees; Ghaut Lokenaut, Officers, &c., 17, salary 111 rupees; at the temple 15, salary 89 rupees. Total 77 Officers and servants, at 625 rupees per mensem.

Colonel P. related to the Author at Cuttack in 1822, and declared he would state it to the Marquis of Hastings on his arrival in Calcutta. A Missionary in Orissa, visiting Kontiloo (or Cooloo), about 90 miles from Cuttack, referring to the pundas, or pilgrim hunters, says "I an informed there are forty of these missionaries of idolatry in Kontiloo. Nov. 1826." Another colleague in Orissa writes under date " Ganjam, Aug. 1826, I inquired how the pundas knew what to expect (of the pilgrims); and he said that some of them would come and stay two or three months in such a place as Ganjam, by which means they became acquainted with different people's circumstances. They subsist by bringing maha presaud (holy food), which they give to different persons, and get what they can in return. Some one says of the bad ones, What a curse to Christendom are the priests of Christendom: surely one may say, 'What a curse to Orissa, and to a much greater extent of country, are the pundas and priests of Juggernaut."

JUGGERNAUT'S ESTABLISHMENT.

The following statement of the establishment of Juggernaut was extracted from Rennell's MS. account of Orissa.* 1. "Maha Rajah Ram Chunder Dev, honorary servant to the idol, to make ultkee chowr, sweep the ruts, and strew flowers on the idols. His son now officiates.

2. "Mood Roth, alias Plenipotentiary, in the absence of the Maha Rajah performs the above duties.

3. "Naik Chattees Neejoy, the head officer of thirty-six different orders of minstrel and other officers, who adorns the idol, and does all other personal services for it; and has full authority to superintend the attendance and performance of the duties of all the other officers.

4. "Pundah performs the ceremonies of the Bhoge (offerings).

5. "Pussopaluk adorns the idol.

6. "Tulchoo, in the absence of the Purchas, accom

European Collector's salary 500 rupees per month, and 1 per cent commission on the amount of the tax collected. The allowance to the Officers was fixed at 300 rupees per month and 2 per cent fon the net collections. Aug. 1809.

* See Friend of India, April, 1822. Asi. Jour. March, 1823.

« ПредыдущаяПродолжить »