Observations on the Mussulmauns of India | Page 7

Majoob Soofies.--The poets Haafiz and Saadie.--Character and
attainments of Saadie.--His 'Goolistaun'.--Anecdotes descriptive of the
origin of that work.--Farther remarks on the character and history of
Saadie.--Interesting anecdotes illustrative of his virtues and the
distinguishing characteristics of the Soofies...Page 331
LETTER XXIV
The Soofies continued.--Eloy Bauxh.--Assembly of Saalik
Soofies.--Singular exhibition of their zeal.--Mystery of Soofeism.--The
terms Soofie and Durweish explained.--Anecdote of Shah Sherif.--Shah
Jee and the Paltaan.--Dialogue on death between Shah Jee and his
wife.--Exemplary life of his grandson.--Anecdote of a Mussulmaun
lady.--Reflections on modern Hindoos.--Anecdotes of Shah ood
Dowlah and Meer Nizaam...Page 348
LETTER XXV
Mussulmaun Devotees.--The Chillubdhaars.--Peculiar mode of
worship.--Propitiatory offerings.--Supposed to be invulnerable to
fire.--The Maadhaars or Duffelees.--Character of the
founder.--Pilgrimage to his tomb.--Females afflicted on visiting
it.--Effects attributed to the violation of the sanctuary by a
foreigner.--Superstition of the Natives.--Anecdote of Sheikh Suddoo
and the Genii.--The way of the world exemplified, a Khaunie
(Hindoostaunie fable).--Moral fable.--The King who longed for
fruit...Page 370
LETTER XXVI
Superstition of the Natives.--Fair annually kept by Hindoos.--Supposed
practice of witchcraft by an old woman.--Assaulted by an infuriated

populace.--Rescued by a Native gentleman.--He inquires their reasons
for persecuting her.--Is instrumental in appeasing their
malignity.--Endeavours to remove their prejudice.--Proneness of
Asiatics to superstition.--Opinion of a Mussulmaun on the influence of
evil spirits.--Account of a woman possessed by an evil spirit.--Dialogue
with her during the paroxysms of her affliction.--Means used for her
recovery.--Further allusions to the false notions of the Natives
respecting supernatural agency...Page 387
LETTER XXVII
Memoir of the life of Meer Hadjee Shah.--His descent.--Anecdote of a
youthful exploit.--His predilection for the army.--Leaves his home to
join the army of a neighbouring Rajah.--Adventures on the way.--Is
favourably received and fostered by the Rajah.--His first pilgrimage to
Mecca.--Occurrences during his stay in Arabia.--Description of a
tiger-hunt.--Detail of events during his subsequent pilgrimages.--The
plague.--Seizure by pirates.--Sketch of the life of Fatima, an Arabian
lady.--Relieved from slavery by Meer Hadjee Shah.--He marries
her.--Observations on the piety of his life.--Concluding remarks...Page
400
INDEX...Page 427

INTRODUCTORY LETTER
Actuated by a sense of duty to the people with whom twelve years of
my life were passed on terms of intimacy and kindness, I was induced
to write the principal number of the following Letters as faithful
sketches of the Manners, Customs, and Habits of a people but little
known to the European reader. They were at first designed merely for
the perusal of private friends; who, viewing them with interest,
recommended my bringing them before the public, considering that the
information they contained would be acceptable from its originality, as
presenting a more familiar view of the opinions and the domestic habits
of the Mussulmaun community of Hindoostaun than any hitherto
presented through other channels.
I have found (and I believe many will coincide with me in the opinion)
that it is far easier to think with propriety than to write our thoughts
with perspicuity and correctness; but when the object in view is one
which conscience dictates, the humblest effort of a female pen

advances with courage; and thus influenced, I venture to present my
work to the public, respectfully trusting they will extend their usual
indulgence to a first attempt, from the pen of a very humble scribe,
more solicitous for approbation than applause.
The orthography of Asiatic words may differ in some instances in my
pages from those of other writers--this, however, is from error, not
design, and may be justly attributed to my own faulty pronunciation.
I have inserted in these Letters many anecdotes and fables, which at the
first view, may be considered as mere nursery tales. My object,
however, will I trust plead my excuse: they are introduced in order to
illustrate the people whom I have undertaken to describe; and,
primarily strengthened by the moral tendency of each anecdote or fable
selected for my pages, I cannot but consider them as well suited to the
purpose.
Without farther apology, but with very great deference, I leave these
imperfect attempts to the liberality of my readers, acknowledging with
gratitude the condescending patronage I have been honoured with, and
sincerely desiring wherever anticipations of amusement or information
from my observations have been formed, that the following pages may
fulfil those expectations, and thus gratify my wish to be in the smallest
degree useful in my generation.
[B. MEER HASSAN ALI]

OBSERVATIONS, ETC.
LETTER I
Introductory Remarks.--The characteristic simplicity of manners
exhibited in Native families.--Their munificent charity.--The
Syaads.--Their descent, and the veneration paid to them.--Their pride of
birth.--Fast of Mahurrum.--Its origin.--The Sheahs and
Soonies.--Memorandum of distances.--Mount Judee (Judea), the
attributed burying-place of Adam and Noah.--Mausoleum of Ali.--The
tomb of Eve.--Meer Hadjee Shaah.
I have promised to give you, my friends, occasional sketches of men
and manners, comprising the society of the Mussulmauns in India.
Aware of the difficulty of my task, I must entreat your kind