Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies - DUBOIS, Abbé Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies, Dubois | Page 109

THE LAMBADIS
69
customs, and also a different religion and language from
Certain points of resem-
the other castes of Hindus.
blance, however, which are to be found between them and
the Mahrattas, lead one to believe that they must have
sprung from these people in the first instance, and have
inherited from them their propensities for rapine and theft,
and their utter disregard for the rights of property when
they think they are stronger than their victims and are
However, the severe sen-
safe from retributory justice.
tences that the magistrates have latterly passed on them
in several districts have exercised a salutary influence.
They no longer dare to rob and steal openly. But the
lonely traveller who meets them in some lonely spot had
better beware, especially if they have reason to think that
he would be worth plundering.
In time of war they attach themselves to the army where
all
They come
discipline is least strict.
parts, hoping, in the general disorder
swarming in from all
and confusion, to be
They make themselves very
able to thieve with impunity.
useful by keeping the market well supplied with the pro-
They hire
visions that they have stolen on the march.
themselves and their large herds of cattle to whichever
contending party will pay them best, acting as carriers of
the supplies and baggage of the army. They were thus
employed, to the number of several thousands, by the
English in their last war with the Sultan of Mysore. The
English, however, had occasion to regret having taken
these untrustworthy and ill-disciplined people into their
service, when they saw them ravaging the country through
which they passed and causing more annoyance than the
The frequent and severe
whole of the enemy's army.
punishments that were inflicted on their chiefs had no
They
restraining effect whatever on the rest of the horde.
had been attracted solely by the hope of plunder, and
thought little of the regular wages and other inducements
which had been promised them.
In times of peace these professional brigands occupy
themselves in trading in grain and salt, which they convey
from one part of the country to the other on their bullocks
but at the least whisper of war, or the slightest sign of
coming trouble, they are at once on the look-out, ready to
;