Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies - DUBOIS, Abbé Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies, Dubois | Page 66

26
RIOTOUS DISTURBANCES
and pushed to such an extreme of fury that the
presence of a military force has been insufficient to quell
them, to allay the clamour, or to control the excesses in
which the contending factions consider themselves entitled
factions
to indulge.
Occasionally, when the magistrates fail to effect a re-
conciliation by peaceful means, it is necessary to resort to
I have some-
force in order to suppress the disturbances.
times seen these rioters stand up against several discharges
of artillery without exhibiting any sign of submission.
And when at last the armed force has succeeded in restoring
order it is only for a time. At the very first opportunity
the rioters are at work again, regardless of the punishment
they have received, and quite ready to renew the conflict
Such are the excesses to which
as obstinately as before.
the mild and peaceful Hindu abandons himself when his
courage is aroused by religious and political fanaticism.
The rights and privileges for which the Hindus are ready
to fight such sanguinary battles appear highly ridiculous,
Perhaps the sole cause of the
especially to a European.
contest is the right to wear slippers or to ride through
the streets in a palanquin or on horseback during marriage
festivals.
Sometimes it is the privilege of being escorted
on certain occasions by armed retainers, sometimes that
of having a trumpet sounded in front of a procession, or
of being accompanied by native musicians at public cere-
monies. Perhaps it is simply the particular kind of musical
instrument suitable to such occasions that is in dispute
or perhaps it may be the right of carrying flags of certain
Such
colours or certain devices during these ceremonies.
at any rate are a few of the privileges for which Hindus
are ready to cut each other's throats.
It not unfrequently happens that one faction makes an
attack on the rights, real or pretended, of the other. There-
upon the trouble begins, and soon becomes general if it
is not appeased at the very outset by prudent and vigorous
measures on the part of the magistracy.
I could instance very many examples bearing on this
but
fatal distinction between Right-hand and Left-hand
what I have already said is enough to show the spirit which
animates the Hindus in this matter. I once witnessed
;
;