SUPPRESSION OF INFANTICIDE IN WESTERN INDIA. American Mission Press; T. Graham, PpaNTER. HISTOEY OF THE SUPPRESSION OF INFANTICIDE IN WESTEEN INDIA UNDER THE GOVERNMENT OF BOMBAY; INCLUDING NOTICES OF THE PEOVIXCES AND TEIBES IN WHICH THE PEACTICE HAS PREVAILED. BY JOHN WILSON, D.D., r.RS., HONOEAEY PRESIDENT OF THE BOMBAY BRANCH OF THE EOYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY, AND MISSIONARY OP THE FEEE CHURCH OP SCOTLAND, ETC. BOMBAY: SMITH, TAYLOR AND CO. LONDON : SMITH, ELDER AND CO., 65, CORNHILL. M.DCCC.LV. :j^ '^'r-.^ .^^^ TO JOHN POLLAKD WILLOUGHBY, ESQ., FORMERLY OF THE BOMBAY CIVIL SERVICE, AND NOW ONE OF THE DIRECTORS OF THE EAST INDIA COMPANY, ETC. My DEAR Sir, In the History of the Suppression of Infanticide in Western India, a goodly number of the sons of Britain are associated with devisings and deeds of benevolence, well worthy of remembrance and commemoration by their grateful countrymen. Among them the names of Duncan, Walker, and Willoughby stand conspicuous: of Duncan, who discovered the existence of the horrid systematic child-murder of the Jadejas of Kathiawad and Kachh, and wisely directed and encouraged the first movements towards its discountenance and aboli- tion ; of Walker, who with much ingenuity and ability negociated the first engagement for its abandonment ; and of Willoughby, who ultimately suggested or ad- justed the practical measures of inquiry, registration, review, reward, and punishment which through the di- vine blessing have effected its extinguishment as a cus- tom. To you, as the survivor of these "first three heroes" in this honorable field of Peace with her victories No less renowned than war, I inscribe this volume, in which the origin, progress, and issue of this great work of Christian philanthropy 513172 6 INSCRIPTION AND PREFACE. are fully, though simply, recorded. This I do in all sincerity, and with the respect and deference which are due to the ability, prudence, zeal, and perseverance, which as assistant-resident at the Court of Baroda, poli- tical agent in Kathiawad, chief secretary in Bombay, and a member of the government of the western presi- dency of India, you brought to bear on the cause for upwards of a quarter of a century, during which it made great demands on your observation, vigilance, judg- ment, and administrative capacity. To the public functionaries who have been united with you in this labour of love and duty, I trust that the following pages will also be acceptable, more especially as in framing them I have conscientiously sought to be guided by the maxim of equity, suum cuique tribue ; s-xidhecsiUiie I have made each of them in his turn, as far as possible, his own historian, seeking only to introduce to the read- er the subject under report, and to evolve the analysis, maintain the connexion, and furnish the illustrations and applications which the narrative has seemed to re- quire. Among these distinguished fellow-workers, in late years, specially worthy of their country's approba- tion, are Colonel Lang, in Kathiawad and the Mahikan- tha; Sir Henry Pottinger, Colonel Melvill, Mr. LuMSDEK, and Mb. Raikes, in Kachh ; Colonel Jacob, and Mr. Malet, in Kathiawad and Kachh ; Major Wal- lace in the Mahikantha ; and His Highness the Ra'o of Kachh, who has been as zealous in the cause as any of his European counsellors. The Bombay Government has not failed to mark and encourage their efforts and those of the other meritorious officials mentioned in these pages, as well as those of yourself, for the support and countenance and review of which, from first to last, and under all its governors, it is entitled to the highest credit. Nor has INSCRIPTION AND PREFACE. 7 the Honorable the Court of Directors of the East India Company been less observant. It early expressed its high commendation of the proceedings of the first movers in the cause. It has watched over those of their successors with undiminished attention and interest. In 1815, it enjoined, in the most serious and earnest manner, its representatives in Bombay '' to be unremitt- ing in their endeavours to accomplish the humane ob- ject,'*' of the abolition of infanticide "wherever the British influence can be felt or exerted." It has con- tinued to maintain its anti-infanticide establishments in India at great expence of money and labour. Jt has shown a wise discrimination in the instructions which it has issued on the subject, and in its distinct approbation, in particular, of the measures with the ori- gination and pursuit of which you have have been so intimately connected. Writing to the Government of India on the 16th May 1838, it thus expressed itself: "We think it desirable that you should obtain from the Bombay Government and circulate among your politi- cal functionaries, a clear, and succinct statement of the system which has now been practised for some years with considerable success by that Government for the suppression of Infanticide in Kathiawad, and which conforms in all respects to our conception of the most efficacious means of obtaining the desired result." The reader of the following pages will be at no loss to discover the sources of the narrative which they con- tain. It is derived principally from the official records of the Bombay Government. To a portion of these documents on the subject of infanticide, the public has access in the volumes of Major Edward Moor and the Rev. Dr. Cormack, in which the proceedings of Gover- nor Duncan and Colonel Walker are fully detailed, 8 INSCRIPTION AND PREFACE. and more especially in the Parliamentary Papers order- ed to be printed on the 17th June 1824; 25th June 1828, and 21st June 1843. For those of a later date, I have been directly indebted to the Bombay Government it- self, which, on the kind proposal of Lord J'alkland, for which I beg to express my best thanks, has, under both the administration of his Lordship and that of his suc- cessor Lord Elphinstone, furnished me with copies of them, or given me the use of the originals. For the fa- cility with which I have found access to them individ- ually, I have been much indebted to Mr. R. Hughes Thomas, of whose practical familiarity with the nume- rous and multifarious documents in the political depart- ^ment of the secretariate you need not to be informed. I should have been glad to have included in my work a detail of the measures adopted for the suppression of Infanticide in Rajputana properly so called and Central India, under the Supreme Government ; in the North- West Provinces, under the Government of Agra ; and on the banks of the affluents of the Indus, under the Administration of the Panjab. But I have felt that till these measures, so promising at the present time, are more advanced, the treatment of them would have inter- fered with the unity of this work, and made demands upon me for illustrations of peoples and provinces to which I am an entire stranger, except as an humble student of the general ethnography of this great country. Even in regard to the provinces under the Bombay Gov- ernment actually treated of in these pages, I should cer- tainly have declined to deal with them, had I not per- sonally traversed them all in their length and breadth, and that in the case of most of. them more than once, mingling freely with their inhabitants of all classes, literally from the prince on the throne to the beggar on INSCRIPTION AND PREFACE. 9 the hill of ashes 5 had I not, in the exigencies of my own professional duties, diligently investigated their manners and customs and the religious and historical founda- tions on which they rest ; and had I not enjoyed the ac- quaintance and friendship of most of their British func- tionaries, from Colonel Walker downwards to those who now hold office within their borders. Exterior to India, there is a general belief that the measures of Duncan and Walker for the suppression of infanticide in Kathiawad and Kachh met with a speedy and complete success. This, it will be seen, was far from being the case. The diabolical monster against which these earnest philanthropists contended did not receive from them his fatal blow. They pointed out his existence ; they declared that the influence of Britain must be applied for his taming; they succeeded in soothing him into the promise that he would never again go forth on his career of destruction. But they did nothing more. Events soon showed that as little dependence was to be placed on Rajput honour and veracity as on Rajput humanity. The monster revived and returned to his deeds of blood and pollution. Anew he had to be treated with British skill and deter- mination. He had to be bound by the cords and meshes of political restriction and restraint. The hand of punish- ment had to descend upon his back in strokes which he could feel, and the foot of power had to rest upon his head with such pressure as induced him, li^e the Ka- liya of Hindu fable before Krishna, to murmur out, "Be- hold I am without strength, without poison." The struggle with him has lasted for nearly half a century ; and even now it is scarcely ended. The eye of British vigilance will probably never be safely withdrawn from Rajput sovereignty and society, till those moral influ- 10 Inscription and preface. ences are felt throughout the provinces of India which shall introduce the blessed day in which " the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice den." But, still, as matters at present stand, great and good have been the results of the political wisdom and Christian philanthropy which have been brought to bear on the Rajput states of Western India. The blood of five hundred Jadeja female infants yearly shed by the un- natural parental hand in Kathiawad and Kachh, and of at least a hundred more in the districts of Palanpur, the Mahikantha, and Ahmadabad, no longer defiles these territories, acting wdthin them as a moral pestilence, and crying loud for the vengeance of Heaven. The humanizing influences of the arrangements which have been made, and which are still in operation, have been widely felt. The British Government has obtained credit among millions of people for mercy and disinter- estedness ; and the general confidence in the advantages of its administration has been greatly encreased. The anti-infanticide history of Western India, while in many respects it is of a painful character, is both in- teresting and instructive to the student of human nature and of the religious systems and practices of the East. One fact connected with it is well worthy of special no- tice. While Hinduism has really sought to prevent in- fanticide by express legislation, it has in reality given great encouragement to its origination and continuance, by the status which it has assigned to the female sex and by many of its general ordinances. It is only divine revelation which proves itself adequate to the preservation of the equilibrium of perfect morality. T have only to observe in conclusion that, in the re- presentation of the numerous oriental names of persons INSCRIPTION AND PREFACE. 11 and places occuring in this work, I have, excluding one or two slight inadvertences caused by the imper- fection of my authorities, rigidly followed, as in other publications, the system of Sir William Jones with the few modifications of it which have been adopted by the Royal Asiatic and Royal Geographical So- cieties, the advantages of which are now becoming every day more widely recognized. Had it not been for the purpose of illustrating the claims of the Jadejas for descent from the Yadavas of the Mahabharat and the Jada of Sindh, and other etymological reasons, I should have been content to write of them under their common English designation oiJarejahs and of their pre- sent countries as Kattywar and Kutch, instead of Kd- thidwdd and Kachh, which accuracy demands. Begging you to excuse all the imperfections of this work, in the subject of which you are so deeply in- terested, I am, My dear Mr. Willoughby, Yours with much esteem and respect, JOHN WILSON. BOMBAY, APKIL, 1855. CONTENTS, CHAPTER. I Origin and Prevalence of Infanticide Circumstances unfa- vourable and favourable to its practice in India, .... 17-37 CHAPTER III. Discovery of Infanticide in India, among the Rajkumars near Benares and the Jadejas of Kathiawad and Kachh, by the Hon'ble Jonathan Duncan, 38-49 CHAPTER III. General description, with Historical Notices, of Kathiawad and Kachh British Connexion with these Provinces ^Ma- . jor Walker's settlement of the tribute of Kathiawad His y report on the existence of Infanticide His efforts for its Suppression, 50-86 CHAPTER IV. Results of Colonel Walker's arrangements for the Suppression of Infanticide Efforts of Captain Carnac, in the same cause. 87-1 11 CHAPTER V. Remonstrances of Colonel Walker with the Court of Directors of the East India Company on the evasion of the Jadejas to ' to implement their engagements to abandon Infanticide, and his final Counsels on the subject to British officials, , 112-134 CHAPTER VI. Attempts to procure an Engagement from the Jadejas of Kachh for the abandonment of Infanticide Their success and first partial results The Jadejas ofChorwad and Char- chat agree to discontinue Infanticide, 135-153 ^ 14 CONTENTS. CHAPTER VII. Pages. Measures proposed by Mr. Elphinstone for Kalhiawad ^Neg- lected by Capt. Barnewall Captain Barnewall's returns Formation of an Infanticide Fund Mr. Blane's agency and returns, 154-170 CHAPTER Vin. Mr. Willoughby's report on Infanticide in Kathiawad His plans for its extinction highly approved of by the Bombay Government Consequent proclamation addressed to the Jidejas, 171-201 CHAPTER IX. Conviction and punishment of Jadejas for Infanticide by Mr. Willoughby and Captain Lang Letters to chiefs dissuasive from Infanticide Specimens of replies Mr. Willoughby's removal to Bombay and his services there, 202-221 CHAPTER X. Mr. James Erskine's report on Infanticide in Kathiawad and the estimate formed of it by the Bombay Government, . 222-254 CHAPTER XI. Captain LeGrand Jacob's efforts for the improvement of the Kathiawad census His report on Infanticide, and sugges- tion of instructional measures Foundation of Christian Mission in Kathiawad Views of the Government of Cap- tain Jacob's report ^Additional Notices of measures adopt- ed, 2.55-280 CHAPTER XII. Colonel Pottinger's measures for the Suppression of Infanti- cide in Kachh visit to Kachh of Sir John Malcolm ^Edu- cation of the Rao Desalji and his early desires for the abol- ition of Infanticide and other crimes Reports and exertions of Colonel Melvill and Mr. Malet The vigorous efforts of the Rao, \ . 281-317 CHAPTER XIII. Mr. Malet's reports of Infanticide in Kathiawad and the notice taken of them by iCrOvernment Native essays on In- fanticide, 318-332 CONTENTS. 15 CHAPTER XIV. Pages. Reports of Colonel Lang on Infanticide in Kathiawad Scheme for educational measures Extinction of Rajput Infanticide as a custom in Kathiawad Congratulation of Mr. Willoughby Latest notices of anti-infanticide meas- ures in Kathiawad, 333-354 CHAPTER XV. Report on infanticide in Kachh by Mr. Lumsden His re- marks on the statistics of the population of the Jadejas and of the difficulties of the marriage of their daughters Reports of Colonel Roberts and the review made of them by Government Report of Mr. Ogilvy Reports of Capt. Raikes Remarks by Major Jacob on certain proposals Latest summary of Anti-Infanticide proceedings in Kachh by the Bombay Government, 355-393 CHAPTER XVI. Infanticide in Chorwad and Charchat Infanticide among the Rathorsof the Mahikantha Infanticide among the Kulanbis of Gujarat, . . . . ' 394-427 CHAPTER XVII. Concluding Observations Heinous character of Jadeja Infan- ticide The temptations leading to its commission General Moral Depravity of the Jadejas Infanticide of the Rajputs in general Its imitation by other tribes Benevolence of the efforts of the British Government for the abolition of Indian Infanticide Encouragements to perseverance Prospects of anti-infanticide moral renovation of India Britain's mission in India, 428-441 SIJPPEESSION OF INFANTICIDE, CHAPTER I. ORIGIN AND PREVALENCE OF INFANTICIDE CIRCUM- STANCES UNFAYOURABLE AND FAVOURABLE TO ITS PRACTICE IN INDIA. Murder is the first specific crime brought to our no- tice after the fall of man from his state of innocence and righteousness ; and in its form of in^fanticide ilrhas been more or less practised and approved, from motives of corrupted religion and mistaken social economy, by al- most all the tribes and nations of the world. When the grand objects of sacrifice the earliest pre- scribed rite of religion, the acknowledgement by the worshipper of a guilt deserving suff*ering and death and the foreshadowing of the ofi'ering of the promised Sub- stitute and Saviour, were forgotten or obscurely re- membered, the maxim that the "fruit of the body should be given for the sin of the soul" obtained a wide currency in the human family. Speedily the character of the Divinity was mistaken for that of a Demon ; and in the conceptions formed by man of God, a malevolence thirst- ing for blood was substituted for a love of holiness seek- ing to impress on the intelligent creation the dread of sin by pointing to the great redemption needed for its absolu- tion. Children of tender age became the most manage- able, as well as most precious, of victims. They were 18 PREVALENCE OF INFANTICIDE. not only destroyed to deprecate and avert apprehended evil, but offered up as the price and purchase of desired good. To a few only of the many examples of their dis- posal for these objects can we advert. The Phasnicians and Canaanites made their children " pass through the fire to Moloch " or Baal, for the meaning of the names is the same, the " lord" or sun, of whom fire was the symbol and servitor ; and so firmly had they established this cruel rite in the countries of their sojourn that even the Israelites who were commis- sioned by God to supplant the Canaanites because of their abandonment to wickedness, and who were them- selves forbidden to give their seed to this false god on the penalty of death, ^ were frequently tempted to be- come their imitators in this horrid iniquity. Even Solo- mon, the wisest of men, did not escape its contamination, First, Moloch, horrid king besmear'd with blood Of human sacrifice, and parents' tears Though for the noise of drums and timbrels loud Their children's cries unheard, that pass'd through fire To this grim idol. Him the Ammonite Worshipped in Rabba and her watery plain, In Argob and in Basan, to the stream Of utmost Arnon. Nor content with such Audacious neighbourhood, the wisest heart Of Solomon he led by fraud to build His temple right against the temple of God On that opprobrious hill ; and made his grove The pleasant valley of Hinnom, Tophet thence And black Genhenna call'd, the type of hell. Manasseh actually sacrificed his son to Moloch. f Even after the good king Josiah had defiled Tophet in order to put a stop to the infantile sacrifices there practised,^ the crime was revived, and called forth the solemn de- nunciations of the prophets. * Lev. XX. 1 ; Deut. xviii. 1012. t 2 Kings xxi. 6. J 2 Kings xxiii. 10. Jer. xix. 5; xxxii. 35; Ezek. xvi. 20, 21 ; xxiii. 37, 39. SACRIFICIAL INFANTICIDE. 19 The Carthaginians, who were a colony of the Phoeni- cians, carried with them to the shores of the Mediter- ranean, the religion of the mother country. In all emer- gencies of state, and at all seasons of public calamity, they presented their own offspring to their wrathful God. They had their special festivals, too, for their in- fantile sacrifices. They selected their victims from the most noble and respectable families. " If a person," says Bryant, who has well collected the testimony of antiqui- ty respecting their offerings of blood, ^'had only one child it was the more liable to be put to death, as being esteemed more acceptable to the deity, and more effica- [cious of the general good I Those who were sacrificed 'toKronus [the analogue, according to the Greeks, of Mo- loch] were thrown into the arms of a molten idol, which stood in the midst of a large fire, and was red with heat. The arms of it were stretched out, with the hands turn- ed upwards, as it were to receive them, yet sloping j downwards, so that they dropt into a glowing furnace below. To other gods they were otherwise slaughtered, and as it is implied, by the very hands of their parents." *' Justin describes this unnatural custom very patheti- cally. Such was their blind zeal, that this was conti- nually practised ; and so much natural affection was still left unextinguished, as to render the scene ten times more shocking from the tenderness which they seemed to express. They embraced their children with great fondness, and encouraged them in the gentlest terms, that they might not be appalled at the sight of the hellish process ; begging them to submit with cheerfulness to this fearful operation. If there was any appearance of a tear rising, or a cry unawares escaping, the mother smothered it with her kisses, that there might not be any shew of backwardness or constraint, but that the whole might be a freewill offering ! These cruel endearments over, they stabbed them to the heart, or otherwise open- ed the sluices of life, and with the blood, warm as it ran, besmieared the altar and the grim visage of the idol." 20 SACRIFICIAL INFANTICIDE. " "Would it not," says Plutarch with reference to these very atrocities, " have been more eligible for the Cartha- ginians to have had the atheist Critias, or Diagoras, for their lawgiver at the commencement of their polity, and to have been taught that there was neither god nor de- mon, than to have sacrified as they were wont to the god which they adored." "These people used knowingly and willingly to go through this bloody work, and slaughter their own offspring. Even they who were childless would not be exempted from this tribute, but purchased children, and put them to death. The mother who sacrificed her child stood by, without any seeming sense of what she was losing, and without uttering a groan. If a sigh did by chance escape, she lost all the honour which she proposed to herself in the offering, and the child was notwithstanding slain. All the time of ithis celebrity while the children were murdered there ; was a noise of clarions and tambours sounding before the idol, that the cries and shrieks of the victims might not be heard. ' Tell me now,' said Plutarch, ' if the monsters of old, the Typhous and the Giants, were to expel the gods, and to rule the world in their stead, could they re- quire a service more horrid than these infernal rites and sacrifices. "=^ Though the details of sacrificial infanticide practised by other ancient nations may not be so shocking as those now mentioned, to the eye and ear of that sensibility which has been begotten and nourished among those whose "lines have fallen in the pleasant places," this, it is to be feared, is only because they have not been recorded with so great minuteness. They are still of a most painful and heart-rending character. The Pe- lasg'i, whose wanderings and settlements are known to have been so extensive in Asia and Europe, vowed in a time of scarcity that they would present the tenth of all that should be born to them for a sacrifice. The Greeks^ * Bryant in Annual Register, 1767. SACRIFICIAL INFANTICIDE. 21 both of the peninsula and archipelago and of the adjoin- ing coasts, had their human sacrifices, from which chil- dren were not excluded ; and of thenl .the Spartans whip- ped their children with such severity before the altar of Diana Orthia that they frequently expired under the tor- (ture. The Sahines on one occasion during a famine vowed to sacrifice everything born during the succeed- ing spring, provided it were averted.^ The Romans were scarcely behind, the Greeks in atrocities of this kind ; and Caius Marius, according to Clemens, offered up his own daughter to obtain success in a battle with the Cimbri. The .worship of the Gauls, and Celts, and Germans, and Northerns was peculiarly dark and cruel, both as far as youth and age, of both ruling and subject jfarnilies, were concerned. J'he Persians weie not guilt- jless of shedding innocent infant blood in the name of i religion. Herodotus directly charges them with bury- ing children alive, and mentions the case of fourteen children so disposed of by the orders of Amestris the wife of Xerxes. f The destruction of illegitimate chil- dren by procuring abortion seems to be warranted by the Zandavasta.J The Arabs sacrificed children and bu- ried them under their altars, even when they had no idols. Among the Israelites alone, sacrificial Infanti- cide seems to have been absolutely forbidden. * Smith's Rom. Antiq. quoted in Beck's Medical Jurisprudence, vol. i. p. 378. t Herod. Hist. Polymnia, v. I See author's work on Parsi Religion, pp. 79-82. The tentative command given to Abraham to offer his son Isaac as a "burnt-offering," was issued directly by the Lord of life and death as a simple test of obedience, and not for the purpose of either establishing or supporting a religious ceremony ; and its object was to prove whether Abraham would, in the view of it and his determination to obey it, still believe that the promise of offspring through Isaac would be fulfdled. " By faith Abraham when he was tried, offered up Isaac : and he that had received the promises offered up his only-begotten Son, of whom it was said that in Isaac shall thy seed be called : accounting that God was able to raise him up ; from whence also he received him in a figure." Heb. xi. 17-19. 22 SOCIAL INFANTICIDE. The murder of children from particular views of so- cial economy has not been less extensive and horrid than that in the name of religion. Of this fact many striking and impressive illustrations have been collected by Malthus in his well-known work on Population, and by Dr. Miller of Glasgow in his treatise on the Origin of Eanks ; and referred to by Dr. Cormack in his excel- lent work on Infanticide, and by several writers on Med- ical Jurisprudence. "The motives," says Dr. Cormack, " which led to this crime among different tribes, will be found to vary with circumstances ; but that which gave power and prevalence to any motives whatever, must necessarily be admitted to have been the want of natural affection.''^^ On the cases, so frequently noticed, amongst barbarous or semi-barbarous nations^ it is not necessary particular- ly to dwell. Among them the feeling of obligation to rear their offspring has varied much with the possession or removal of the means of their care and support. Dif- ficulties in procuring sustenance, the approach or appre- hension of famine, the loss of a mother, distress in war, inconvenience in family arrangements, obstacles to mar- riage, and other trials and inconveniences, have been too often viewed as reasons for the neglect, desertion, or destruction of their offspring. "In China,^^ which has made more progress in modern times in economic civil- ization than any other heathen country, it_is said, /"religion and interest concur in favouring the rearing of j children ; for the happiness of deceased ancestors is sup- I posed to be increased by the honor done them by their I descendants ; and the law requires that children shall I maintain their parents in indigent old age. Yet in the great cities of Pekin and Canton, in particular, Sir George Staunton found the exposure of children to be very common. Among the Chinese, however, it is to be ascribed to the extreme poverty, which is so frequently * Cormack on Infanticide, p. 42. SOCIAL INFANTICIDE. gg occasioned, in that vast empire, by a redundant popula- tion, which, even in years of plenty, presses close to the means of'subsistence."^^ Of the crime of Infanticide, even the most civilized * Cormack on Infanticide, pp. 43-4. Late documents shew that in regard to China this statement is not altogether correct, for they accuse the rich, as well as the poor, of the crime, which the Chinese govern- ment now seriously seeks to prevent, as appears from the following in- teresting proclamation of Le, the late Lieut. Governor of the province of Canton, dated 19th February 1838, which we take from the Chinese Repository. "Lieut. Governor Le hereby promulgates his instructions. Whereas heaven and earth display their benevolent power in giving existence, and fathers and mothers exhibit their tender affection in loving their offspring, it is therefore incumbent on you, inhabitants of the land, to nurse and rear all your little infants, whether male or female. On inquiry, I find that in the province of Canton the drowning of female children is com- mon, and that both rich and poor run into this practice. The causes of infanticide are manifestly these ; the poor suppose, that because they have not the means of support, it is unfitting they should nourish a com- modity (female infants) which will become only an increasing source of expenditure ; while the rich affirm, that such slender tenants of the nur- sery can never be raised to any important posts in the household. Surely you forget, that your mothers and wives about you were once female children. Had there been no mothers, whence would you have obtained your own bodies 1 If you have no wives where will be your posterity 1 Being yourselves the offspring of those who were once female children, why cast your own into the field of death 1 Reflect ! Consider what you are doing ! The destruction of female infants, is nothing less than the slaughter of human beings. That those who kill, shall themselves be killed, is the sure retribution of omniscient heaven. " Should the widowed mother ever be left without a son, on whom she can be dependent for maintenance, the husband of a daughter may become the support and solace of her old age : is this a benefit lightly to be esteemed 1 Moreover, that just conduct ensures happiness, and that its opposite leads to misery are two principles of retribution most firm- ly supported by reason. The crying, weeping babe, the moment it comes into being, is entangled in the net of death ! To do this, requires the disposition of a pirate the utter extinction of every generous feel- ing ! To such the hope of numerous posterity, a long line of descend- ants celestial reason will never grant. " Recently an essay on Infanticide has been written by Hwang Wan, a literary gentleman belonging to the district ofYingtih. Therein I 24 SOCIAL INFANTICIDE. nations of antiquity, including those of Greece and Rome their highest type, have not been guiltless. " It is pro- bable," says Malthus, " that the ' practice of infanticide had prevailed from the earliest ages in Greece."^ '' And when Solon permitted the exposing of children, it is probable that he only gave the sanction of law to a cus- tom already prevalent,"! The Spartan lawgiver, in- deed, ordered every child to be examined by the elders of the tribe, and when weak or deformed to be thrown into a cavern at the base of Mount Taygetus, " conclud- ing," as mentioned by Plutarch, " that its life could be of no advantage either to itself or the public, since na- ture had not given it at first any strength or goodness of constitution"^ " The source of the crime with indi- vidual perpetrators," says Dr. Cormack, who has notic- perceive that the reciprocal influences between heaven and man, the basis of success and misfortune, of weal and woe, are delineated with force and light sufficient to unstop the ears of the deaf and to open the eyes of the blind. Copies of this essay I have caused to be sent into all the departments and districts of the province, with admonitions and in- structions, that the practice of infanticide may everywhere be examined into and forbidden. I also issue this proclamation for the instruction of all the inhabitants of the province, both civil and military. Henceforth it becomes the duty of each and all of you to revere the benevolent power of heaven and earth ; to exercise in their fullest extent those kind feelings which fathers and mothers owe their offspring ; and when you have sons and daughters born to you and your hearts are inclined to this most foul and cruel practice of infanticide, then break from your slum- bers, repent and turn from your former misdeeds. And you, elders and gentry, chief among the people, ought likewise continually to endeavour by your exhortations, your support, and your kindness, to prevent the destruction of human life. Hereafter, if any dare to oppose and act in opposition to these instructions, it shall be the duty of the elders and gentry to report them to the local magistrates, that they may be seized, examined, and punished. Assuredly no clemency will be shown to such offenders. Therefore give good heed to these instructions. A special proclamation." * Malthus on Population, 6th ed. vol. i. p. 233. f lb- P- 234. X Plut. Lives, by Langhorne, vol. i. p. 12. SOCIAL INFANTICIDE. 25 ed the facts with a high tone of moral feeling <' was, no doubt apathy and convenience, whilst the object of the state was to check a redundant and unproductive population. Of all the states of Greece, the Thebans are mentioned by ^lian, as the only exception to the general practice of exposing infants at the will of their parents. SchefFerus, in his annotations on the pas- sage of JElian, remarks, that < this conduct of the The- bans was contrary both to the law and the practice of the rest of the Greeks, and particularly of the Athenians.' By the other states of Greece, infanticide was sanction- ed and regulated by law. Some legal provisions, in- deed, for the regulation of this practice, seem to have been thought requisite by the most profound and able philosophers of Greece. In the republics of Plato an d ^nglatle^ accordingly, we find very special enactments suggested on the subject ; and with as much apparent apathy as if parental feeling and natural efFection were unworthy of man. The period of marriage A^ras to be fixed in regard of either sex ; the children of poorer citizens were to be destroyed at their birth ; and the children of parents of whatever rank, who had attained a certain age, were never to be allowed to appear. These two philosophers agreed in one principle, which appears to have been the great political maxim with Greek legislators, that there should be kept up an effect- ive population, proportioned to the wants and resources of the state ; and to this object were to be sacrificed every feeling of humanity, and every thing that renders man worthy of his nature and his name.^ In this res- pect the Romans were not superior to the Greeks. It may be proper here to quote the words of Dr. Miller, who will not be suspected of prejudice against that celebrated people. ' By a law of Romulus,' says he, ' parents are said to have been obliged to maintain their [* Even the Greek poets allude to the prevalent custom without ab- horrence, as Euripides in his Ion and Sophocles in his .^dipus Tyran- nus,} 26 SOCIAL INFANTICIDE. male children, and the eldest female, unless when a child was, by two of the neighbours, called for the pur- pose, declared to be a monster. A regulation of the same nature is mentioned among the laws of the twelve tables ; but there is ground to believe that little regard was paid to it ; and even under the emperors, the ex- posing of new-born children, of either sex, appears to I have been exceedingly common. '=^ ( It is well known also, that, according to the laws and customs of the Romans, the father had anciently an unlimited power of putting his children to death, after they were grown up, and even officially employed by the state, and like- wise of selling them for slaves. To allude, even slight- ly, to the practices of the Romans, on this point, would fill the reader with disgust and horror, and satisfy him that the picture of them drawn by St. Paul is, by no means overloaded. * Vicious habits of every possible kind, preventive of population,' says Malthus, ' seem to have been so generally prevalent, at this period,' that of the Emperors, ' that no corrective laws could have any j considerable influence.'! From these statements it ap- pears that infanticide, in one way or other, has prevail- ed, not in barbarous nations alone, but generally speak- ing over all the heathen world ; and that so far was it from being prevented by the boasted wisdom, civi- lization, and refinement of Greece and Rome, these Very qualities were employed in cherishing, regulating, * Miller on Ranks, 4th edit. pp. 1312. t Malthus, 6th edit. i. p. 247. In a note in the preceding page, he says, " How completely the laws relating to the encouragement of mar- riage and of children were despised, appears from a speech of Minucius Felix, in Octavio, cap. 30, Vos enim video procreatos Jilios nuncferis et avibus exponere, nunc ad strangidatos misero mortes genere elidere sunt qu(B in ipsis visceribus medic aminibus epotis originem futuri ho~ minis extinguant, et parricidium faciant antequam pariant." "This crime," adds he, "had grown so much into a custom in RomCj that even Pliny attempts to excuse it :" " Quoniam aliquarura fecunditas plena llberis tuli venia indigct," lib. xxix. c. 4. PREVENTION OF INFANTICIDE BY CHRISTIANITY. 27 and perpetuating the crime. The conclusion, which seems to be warranted by these facts, is, that we have little security against infanticide, or any other crime against nature, where Christianity is unknown."^ It is remarkable that the laws of Moses do not specifically mention the crime in connexion with any social custom, a sufficient intimation that the people to whom they were primarily addressed were not addicted to its com- mission in this relation. Even Tacitus mentions their peculiar preservation of their offspring.! A similar hu- manity has been claimed for the ancient Egyptians ; but we can never overlook their cruel order to murder all the male children of the Israelites. It is only before the direct or indirect influences of the Bible, as in the well- known cases connected with the South Sea Islands, and those in India, which it is our purpose to narrate in the following pages, that Infanticide has given way. It was Christianity and not philosophy, indeed, that first lifted up its voice against the crime of Infanticide as practised by the Romans. " By Constantine the Great two decrees were issued one for Italy in the year 315, A. D. ; the other for Africa, in the year 322. By these it was ordain- ed that, in order to prevent the exposure, sale, or murder of new-born children, those who were too poor to rear them should receive assistance from the public treasury, in the way of food, clothing and other necessaries. At the same time, he ordered a severe punishment to be inflicted on a cruel father. These edicts are suppos- ed to have been issued under the advice of the celebrat- ed Lactantius."t * Cormack on Infanticide, pp. 44-49. t Nam et necare quemquam ex agnatis, nefas. Hist. lib. v. 5. \ Of the early feelings of Christians in reference to Infanticide, the following illustrations are given in Beck's Medical Jurisprudence. Justin Martyr says, '* But we who are truly Christins, are so far from maintaining any unjust or ungodly opinions, that exposing of infants, which is so much in practice among you, we teach to be a very wicked 28 CIRCUMSTANCES UNFAVOURABLE TO India, when considered from certain points of view, is a country in which the prevalence of Infanticide, and especially Female Infanticide, could scarcely be expect- ed. Though the system of bloody sacrifices is not re- pugnant to the Vedas, and especially their latter or pre- ceptive portion, the Brahmanas, which have been shown by professor H. H. Wilson to sanction even hu- man sacrifice, it is not very reconcilable with the meta- physical tenet, early held and promulgated in the pro- gress of the religious development of the A'rya set- practice ; first because we see that such children, both girls and boys, are generally all trained up for the service of lust, for as the ancients bred up those foundlings to feed cows, or goats, or sheeps, or grass horses, so now adays such boys are brought up only to be abused against nature ; and accordingly you have a herd of these women and effeminate men, standing prostitute in every nation; .... and another reason against exposing infants, is that we are afraid they should perish for want of being taken up, and so bring us under the guilt of murder." Tertullian, in his Apology, thus expresses himself, " How many of you," (addressing himself to the Roman people, and to the governors of cities and provinces) " might I deservedly charge with infant murder ; and not only so, but among the different kinds of death, for choosing some of the crudest for their own children, such as drowning or starving with cold or hunger, or exposing to the mercy of dogs ; dying by the sword being too sweet a death for children, and such as a man woilld choose to fall by, sooner than by any other ways of violence. But Christians now are so far from homicide, that with them it is utterly unlawful to make away a child in the womb, when nature is in delibera- tion about the man ; for, to kill a child before it is born, is to commit murder by way of advance ; and there is no difference, whether you destroy a child in its formation, or after it is formed and delivered ; for we Christians look upon him as a man who is one in embryo ; for he is a being like the fruit in blossom, and in a little time would have been a perfect man, had nature met with no disturbance." To the same effect is the testimony of Minucius Felix. " I see you exposing your infants to wild beasts and birds, or strangling them after the most miserable manner. Nay, some of you will not give them the liberty to be born, but by cruel potions procure abortions, and smother the hopeful beginnings of what would come to be a man, in his mother's womb." ' And these forsooth are the lessons which you learn from your gods ; for Saturn exposed not his children, out he ate them. " Vol, i. pp. 380381. INFANTICIDE IN INDIA. 29 tiers in India from whom the Brahman priesthood ori- ginated, that all life whether in its vegetable or animal, irrational or rational, human or divine, forms, is essential- ly the same essence and substance. In the Institutes of Manu, which in their more ancient portions are held to be prior to the era of Buddha, A. C. 543, this tenet is distinctly announced ; and great tenderness to animal life is professed. Animals and vegetables, according to this authority, have " external consciousness and are sensible of pleasure and pain." '' All transmigrations recorded [in sacred books] from the state of Brahma, to that of plants happen continually."^ "Liberality alone" is the prevailing virtue of the Kali, or present age, while sacrifice was that of the Dwapara, or preceding age.f Bloody sacrifices, which were nevertheless tole- rated by Manu, under certain regulations, were entire- ly forbidden by Shaky a Muni, or Buddha. Though the followers of this sage, who long formed the vast majori- ty of the people of India, were viewed as heretics by those esteeming themselves the orthodox Hindus, yet when Brahmanism was reproduced in its present Paur- dnik or legendary form, after the defeat of the Bud- dhists about the commencement of the seventh century after Christ, the tenderness to animal life which had been inculcated by the Buddhists was still maintain- ed, and remains to this day a characteristic of their re- ligious and civil practice. Infanticide seems to be spe- cifically forbidden in the Puranas under its proper de- signations. The following passages bearing on this sub- ject have been adduced from them by Bhau Daji, Esq., now a licensed medical practitioner in Bombay, whose excellent Essay on Infanticide will afterwards fall to be noticed. 5rqnT if^r ^iff ^s-^-^^pr^^f llj * Manu, i. 49, 50. t Manu, i. 86. X Bhagavata Purana, Skanda, x. 2. 30 CIRCUMSTANCES UNFAVOURABLE AND ^y^^ II* ^ft^r lit ^^^T^rirFT q'lTr^ ^jt^pt jtrtt^tW || f'Tfr n"ir^ % rf=^rr^4- TTcnR-RllJ lt?r^ ^R-f || ^^^^ RTRf^T jrrT^r jr^Trrr^T^ li ^^^r trt^: ^^^k^ ^^^ ^% nil Tirq^ ^?JFr mv^ T^r^r^r^^r^rr: n sr^t ^ ^m =^ 'tk ^ >f^fr ^^ 1 1 IT w iTTR" ^=^ %^ ^^ ^^ m4 II iTT^ RT^ ifrrf ^ ItJ ^Ylr r^^rr: ^Hjf^TF^ ^^ T5r: rt4- fr^R- ^r^ irrq": lift iwirr ^rJTTrlr^^ m-srrq^irJTrTFTJR " Listen to what our sacred laws say. *' The maji, who commits a heinous action, is as the dead while living, and men always speak reproachfully of him, and when he dies he is condemned to the hell called Tamisra." "He who takes pleasure in sin and commits infanticide falls into the great hell called Tamisra." In the Varaha Purana Narayana says to Narad ; "The man, who destroys female infants, |[ || brahmans and cows, has transgressed all law and is condemned to dark hells, as long as the four- teen Indras exist. * Padma Purana. t Varaha Purana. t Naradiya Purana, Narka Mahatmya. Brahma Vaivartha Purana. II Agni Purana, Gayatri Mahatmya. IT Gayatri Panchang, Gayatri Mahatmya. ** Bhagavata, Skanda i. 7. ft Bhagavata, Skanda x. 2. Xt Devi Bhagavata. Yadnyawalkya Smriti, chap. ii. nil [In the original infants only are mentioned.] FAYOURABLE TO INFANTICIDE IN INDIA. 31 "He, who murders an infant or a brahman, is condemned to those hells which are due punishments to such crimes." "He who is the destroyer of women, infants, [cows], orbrahmans, cannot attain bliss either in this world or the next." " He who standing in water repeats regularly the Gayatri, may be freed from all other sins, but not from Infanticide." " By repeating ten crores of Gayatris a man may be freed from the guilt of killing a brahman, or of drinking liquor, but never from that of Infanticide." " The man who loiows his duty, will not kill one who is intoxicated, nor one who is suffering from disease, nor one who is insane, nor one who is asleep, nor an infant, nor one who is inactive, nor one of the fe- male sex, nor one who begs for mercy, nor an enemy deprived of his chariot, nor one who is struck with terror." " Of the female sex, he who murders his sister, his daughter,* or a pregnant woman, his success, his prosperity, and his life-time pass away." " The murder of a female inflicts misery both in this world and the next."t " Those women, who, by administering poison murder their husband, father or offspring, should be seized by the king, and have their ears, nose and lips cut off", and should be trampled to death by bullocks." " Infanticide is reckoned one of the great sins, and is punished by condemnation to the hell Tamisra, which is described in the Garuda Purana to be a copper sheet eight thousand miles square, below which fire is kindled and above fall the piercing rays of the sun." Too much, however, is not to be made of these facts and authorities as inimical to Infanticide in India. They must be considered in connexion with the whole genius of Hinduism, and the general constitution of In- dian society. The worship of demons and ghosts by bloody sacrifices and rites has from the very beginning been a characteristic of the Cushite, or Scythian or Tu- ranian immigration into India, which preceded that of the A'ryas ; and with this worship Brahmanism has made, and is still making, many compromises, as in the demon- worship of the Dakhan and Malabar. Several of the gods and goddesses of the Hindu Pantheon, particularly Shiva in some of his forms, and Devi or Kdlt, are ima- * [The words " his daughter" here are an interpolation.] t [Or rather. The murder of a female is a source of pain, and a destroyer of renown, and most wicked. 32 DEGRADATION OF WOMAN IN INDIA. gined to be of the most blood-thirsty character.^ In one of the groups of figures in the caves of Elephanta, Shiva, in the form of Bhairava, is actually represent- ed, as about to sacrifice a child. This child he holds in one hand, while he has a bare sword to strike the fatal blow in another, a bell to intimate the appointed mo- ment in a third, and a vessel to receive the blood in a fourth, there being altogether eight hands to the mons- ter. f The recognition of the spirit of man as es- sentially of the same nature as the life of the brutes, while it elevates the brutes debases man. Much of the favour shown to woman by the Hindu Shastras, ^when indeed they do show her favour, is founded on the low idea that she is the property of man, as his ox or ass. It is on this understanding, and that she may bear to him a son, without whom, natural or adopted, he can have no salvation, that her life is to be preserved, and that she is to have that degree of comfort which may be allotted to her. Her general debasement, ac- cording to the Hindu Shastras, is extreme. This is a subject, bearing so directly on the estimate which must be ultimately formed of the value of female life in In- dia, that it may be proper for us to enter into particulars respecting it. Of the original constitution of woman, as distinguish- ed from that of man, the Hindu sages and legislators, the authors of the Hindu sacred books, have thus writ- ten: "Falsehood, cruelty, bewitchery, folly, covetous- ness, impurity, and unmercifulness are woman's inse- parable faults." " Woman's sin is greater than that of man," and cannot be removed by the atonements which destroy his. " Women are they who have an aversion to * See translation of the Rudhiradhyaya of the Kaiika Purana, in Asiat. Res. Vol. v. t Dr. Stevenson, in an interesting paper, interprets this group as representing the destruction of the sacrifice of Daksha by Shiva ; but this, with an oversight of some of the figures. Mr. Erskine has cor- rectly noticed the group in the Bombay Transactions, vol. i. p. 230. DEGRADATION OF WOMAN BY THE SHASTRA. 33 good works." " Women have hunger two-fold more than men ; intelligence (cunning), four-fold ; violence, six-fold; and evil desires, eight-fold. "=^ "Through their evil desires, their want of settled affection, and their perverse nature, let them be guarded in this world ever so well, they soon become alienated from their husbands.^ Manu allotted to such women a love of their bed, of their seat, and of ornaments, impure appetites, wrath, weak flexibility, desire of mischief and bad conduct. Women have no business with the text of the Vedas. This is the law fully settled. Having therefore no evidence of law, and no knowledge of expiatory texts, sinful women must be as foul as falsehood itself, and this is a fixed rule. To this effect, many texts which may shew their true disposition are chaunted in the Vedas." f It will be ob- served that it is the sex, and not the race, that is here con- demned. The idea that woman is a "help-meet" for man, seems never to have entered into the minds of the Hindu sages. *They uniformly treat her as a necessary evil, and a most dangerous character. Her position ac- cording to them, is that of a continuous slavery and de- pendence. "By a girl," they enjoin, " or by a young woman or by a woman advanced in years, nothing must be done, even in her own dwelling-place, according to her mere pleasure : in childhood must a female be de- pendent on (or subject to) her father; in youth, on her husband ; her lord being dead, on her sons : a woman must never seek independence. "J The Hindu Shastras have made no provision of affec- tion and regard for a daughter. She is viewed by them, as far as her parents are concerned, merely as an object to be '^ given away,^^ and that as soon as possible. She is declared by them to be marriageable, even in her in- fancy, to a person of any age, and of course without * The original Sanskrit of these and other passages will he given in the second edition of the author's Exposures of Hinduism. t Manu ix. 18, 19. % Manu, v. 158. 34 DEGRADATION OF WOMAN BY THE SHASTRA. her own choice, or intelligent consent. The most trivial circumstances, such as the possession of reddish hair, are stated to be obstacles to her marriage. The candidate for union with her is thus directed : '' Let him choose for his wife one [a girl whose form has no defect] who has an agreeable name ; who walks like the adjutant bird, or like a young elephant ; whose hair and teeth are moderate respectively in quantity and size, [whose body has exquisite softness."] =^ According to the letter of the law, the parents are not to sell their daughter, but they may receive valuable gifts, the equivalent of a price, in her behalf.f Marriages of a character which should be peculiarly disreputable, and which cannot here be particularised, have the sanction, though not the pre- ference, of the Bhastra.% The Hindu wife is placed under the absolute will of her lord, without any reference to moral distinctions ; and even in religious matters he intervenes between her conscience and her god. "A husband," says Manu, " must constantly be revered as a god by a virtuous wife. No sacrifice is allowed to women apart from their hus- bands, no religious rite, no fasting : as far only as a wife honours her lord, so far is she exalted in heaven. " '' Let a wife," it is said in the Skanda Purana, " who wishes to perform sacred ablution, wash the feet of her lord, and drink the water ; for a husband is to a wife greater than Shankar or Vishnu. The husband is her god, and priest, and religion ; wherefore abandoning everything else she ought chiefly to worship her hus- band." The husband is actually cautioned against al- lowing his affections to rest upon her in the degree that is lawful in the case of others of his kindred. " Let not a woman be much loved," it is enjoined ; <'let her have only that degree of affection which is necessary. Let * Manu, ill. 10. The words within parentheses are from the com- ment. t Manu, iii. 51. % Manu, iii. 20-34. Manu, v. 155. DEGRADATION OF WOMAN BY THE SHASTRA. 35 the fulness of affection be reserved for brothers and other similar connexions." "When kindness to the woman is urged, it is recommended principally as calculated to promote the husband's benefit.^ A rope and a rod are expressly mentioned as the ordinary supports of a hus- band's authority.! With the husband the wife is not to have communion and fellowship in eating or travelling, except in particular circumstances. On trivial grounds, even for an unkind word, she may be superseded or di- vorced.}: For polygamy and licentiousness on the part of the husband, there can be pleaded not only certain laxities of legislation, according to which they appear as matters comparatively trivial, but even the alleged ex- ample of the gods themselves. The dishonour of a father' and the dishonour of a mo- ther, according to the Hindu Shastras stand in different categories, though both of them are forbidden. "By honouring his mother, he (the son) gains this world ; by honouring his father, the intermediate (or ethereal), and, by assiduous attention to his preceptor, even the (celes- tial) world of Brahma. " One of the prescribed methods of dishonouring his mother, is that, in certain circum- stances, of igniting -the funeral pile by which the living, as well as the dead parent is to be consumed, and by which he is to be made an orphan in a double sense. Another is by exercising absolute control over her when she is spared after her husband's death. The injunctions laid down in the Hindu " sacred books" respecting the treatment oi^widow^^xe many of them of a harsh and inequitable character. In no cir- cumstances is she permitted to remarry, as a widower may do, though she may have been espoused in merest infancy and never once have been under her husband's roof. II Throughout life she must live deprived of many * See the case of her ornaments, Manu, iii. 61. t Manu, viii. 299. X See Manu, ix. 81. Manu, ii. 233. II Manu, V. 158, compared with 168. 36 DEPRESSION OF WOMAN lawful comforts and harmless enjoymeirts. According to the Shastras, she must be divested of ornaments, and sub- mit even to the mortification of never sleeping on a couch. These statutory injunctions and representations of the Hindu Shastras, are in direct antithesis to the claims of humanity as far as the female sex is concerned. They have not yet become obsolete or ineffective among the Hindu people. They influence the spirit and habits of the whole of Hindu society. They overpower the special legislation for the preservation of woman's life. How few Hindu female children, in consequence of them, receive on their birth a cordial welcome into this world ! How many of them, instead of being reared with care and tenderness, are consigned to neglect, issuing in death ! How averse is the community to all female education directed to the culture of the mind and the regulation of the moral affections ! How numerous are the pre- mature and foolish and unsuitable marriages, especially on the female side ! How many spouses are treated as prisoners by the higher classes, and by the lower, as slaves ! How incapable are mothers of devoting them- selves with intelligence and prudence to the intellectual and spiritual training of their offspring and of winning it to the love, acknowledgement, and practice of what is good ! How destitute are widows of that sympathy and support which their bereavement requires, even when they escape the Sail, or method of purity, which the Shastras require when they recommend the bereav- ed wife to surrender herself to consumption on the fu- neral pile of her husband ! The recommendation of Sati alone may account for the practice of Infanticide. If to preserve a widow's chastity, she may be burned, a daughter, of whose marriage in the line of caste and dignity of family there is but little prospect, may be destroyed. Farther than this we have still to go in discovering the responsibility of Hinduism for the Infanticide which IN INDIAN SOCIETY. 37 exists. Poverty and hunger, according to Manu, author- ize the breaking of the general law as to filial life : <^ Ajigaritu, dying with hunger, was going to destroy his own son (ShumihsMpha) ; yet he was guilty f no crime since he only sought a remedy against famish- ing."^ None of the moral precepts of the Hindus are absolute. Even truth, the pillar of the universe^'may'be violated with impunity. " A giver of false evidence from a pious motive, even though he knew the truth, shall not lose a seat in heaven : such evidence men call divine speech." " In the cause of courtezans, of mar- riages, of food eaten by cows, of fuel for a sacrifice, of benefit or protection accruing to a Brahman, there is no sin in an oath."f While such licenses as these are, given, where, it may be asked, is there any absolute moral security in the land ? ' * M&nu, X. 105. Sir William Jones, after tli words "destroy his own son," adds on the authority of the commentator, the clause " by setting him for some cattle;^' but this interpretation is not warranted either by the original, or by the story of Shunahshe'pa, which has been lately investigated by professor H. H. Wilson. t Manu, viii. 103, 42. For further explanations of the moral licen- tiousness of Hinduism, see author's <* Exposures of Hinduism." CHAPTER II. DISCOVERY OF INFANTICIDE IN INDIA AMONG THE RAJKUMARS NEAR BENARES AND THE JADEJA'S OF KATHI'AWA'p and KACHH by the HON. JONATHAN DUNCAN. Sir John Shore, afterwards Lord Teignmouth, a name famous alike for the maintenance of peace in Ijidia during his administration as Governor General, and for the dissemination throughout the world of the Bible, the grand source of peace, and of national as well as per- sonal reformation, after his retireinent and settlement in Britain, writes as follows : " That the practice of Infanticide should ever be so general as to become a custom with any sect or race of people requires the most unexceptionable evidence to gain belief : and I am sorry to say, that the general practice, as far as regards female infants, is fully substantiated with respect to a parti- cular tribe in the frontiers of Juanpur, a district of the province of Benares, adjoining to the country of Oude (Audh). A race of Hindus called Rajkumars, reside here ; and it was discovered in 1789 only, that the cus^ tom of putting to death their female offspring by causing the mothers to starve them, had long subsisted, and. did ;^ctually then very generally prevail amongst them ; the Resident at Benares, in a circuit which he made through the country where the Rajkumars dwell, had an oppor- tunity of authenticating the existence of the custom from their own confessions ; he conversed with several ; all unequivocally admitted it, but all did not fully INFANTICIDE AMONG THE RAJKUMARS. 39 acknowledge its atrocity; and the only reason which they assigned for the inhuman practice, was the great expence of procuring suitable matches for their daughters, if they allowed them to grow up."^ The Resident of Benares, here referred to, was Jonathan Duncan, of the Bengal Civil Service, a singularly shrewd Scotch gentle- man, well acquainted with the Hindustani, the popular language of the province, and the Persian, long the lan- guage of the Indian courts, who for the effective dis- charge of his official dutfes made the native customs and character his study, even before the curiosity of Britain in the East was awakened by the disquisitions and re- searches of a Jones and a Colebrooke. When reporting on the Cessions to the East India Company in the neighbourhood of the "holy city" of the Hindus, he gave what was called, ''not an absolutely flattering, but a cer- tain degree of favourable description of the general state of the country ;" and, in the spirit of accuracy and fidelity which he cultivated through life, he failed not to "describe the principal exceptions" which he found in the district now mentioned. Of that district the most consequen- tial inhabitants were the Rajkumars originally deno- minated Rajputs, for the names are synonymous, sup- posed to be about 40,000 in number, and claiming royal lineage and direct descent from Raja Pithaura, the last of the Chohan dynasty of Delhi. They were re- presented as exceeding their connexions in Rajputana, the great seat of the Rajputs, in the "wildness of their notions and peculiarity of their manners," being insubordinate and revengeful, though not without their " point of honour" in adhering to such engagements as they were " pleased to enter into." In a latter com- municationf it was stated of them, that it was " no un- frequent practice among them" " to put their daughters as born to them to death, by immediately causing their * Asiatic Researches Svo. edit., vol. iv. pp. 338, 339. t Dated 21st October 1789. V 40 THE RAJKUMARS AT THE INSTANCE OF MR. DUNCAN mothers to starve them," and that consequently, from necessity, they married into other Rajput tribes. So generally was this inhuman custom prevalent among them, that the only exception which could be brought to notice was this, " that now and then the more weal- thy Rajkumars, will sometimes spare and bring up their female issue, especially when they happen to have none of the male line." " This horrid custom," it was added, "is said to exist also among some other tribes, more especially in the Wazir's dominions,^and is thought to be founded in the Rajkumar tribe on the inherent ex- travagant desire of independency entertained by this race of men, joined, perhaps, to the necessity of procur- ing a suitable settlement in marriage for these devoted females, were they allowed to grow up ; and the dis- grace which would ensue from any omission in that respect. Nor is this species of atrocity of a, novel in- stitution, for a similar principle as existing among the Indians, was known by the ancient Greeks and Romans, and is still to be found noticed in their relations of this quarter of the world :" This information, which at the time it was conveyed to the authorities must have been very startling, was afterwards found to be substantially accurate. Infanticide was practised to a great extent at this time, by other tribes besides that of the Rajkumars, -^by the Rajput tribes in general, forming all the chivalry so-called of India. The notice of the crime by the Greeks and Romans, however, as existing in India, rested only on the authority of Captain Wilford, more remarkable for the wildness and ingenuity of his conjectures than the patience and accuracy of his historical deductions. . Mr. Jonathan Duncan was a man of action as well as ' of observation. A few months after his discovery of the general prevalence of the horrid crime of Infanticide among the Rajkumars, he was able to say that he had brought those of them who were under British authority [* Those of the king of Oude (Audh), th6 nominal Wazir of the Grejit Moghal.] AGREE TO SUPPRESS INFANTICIDE. 41 to enter into a covenant for its abolition. Of the kind, or measure, of persuasion by which he effected this happy arrangement, he has given us no information. It was brought about by him after he made a tour in the districts in which Infanticide prevailed, and after he had found that the Rajkumarshad, in palliation of their crime, "only to plead the great expence of procuring suitable matches for their daughters, if they allowed them to grow up." The form of ^A.greement according to which the Rajkumars pledged themselves to abandon Infanticide, was dated the 17th December 1789, and ran in the fol- lowing terms : "Whereas it hath become known to the Government of the Honourable English East India Company, that we of the tribe of Rajkumars do not suffer our female children to live, and whereas this is a great crime, as mentioned in the Bretino Bywunt Pooran, (Brahma Vai- vartta Purana) where it is said, that killing even a foetus was as criminal as killing a brahman ; and that for killing a female or woman, the punishment is/to suffer in the nerk [ndrka) or hell called Kal footer y{JKdla-Sutra^) for as many years as there are hairs of that female's body ; and that afterwards that person shall be born again, and successively become a leper, and be afflicted with the zakham : and whereas the British Government in India, whose subjects we are, have an utter detestation of such murderous practices, and we do ourselves acknowledge that, although customary among us, it is highly sinful, we do therefore hereby agree not to commit any longer such detestable acts ; and any among us who (which God forbid) shall be hereafter guilty thereof, or shall not bring up and get our daughters married, to the best of our abilities, among those of our cast, shall be expelled from our tribe, and we shall neither eat nor keep society with such person or persons, besides suffering hereafter [* The hell of heated and burning copper, one of the twenty -oner hells of the Hindus.] 42 RAJKUMARS EVADE THEIR ENGAGEMENTS, the punishments denounced in the above purana and shastra." This agreement, as far as the prevention of Infan- ticide is concerned, is thoroughly satisfactory ; and its reference to the sinfulness and inhumanity of the crime is appropriate. It is to be regretted, however, that, as proposed by a Christian and British functionary, it should lay the gravamen of the charge against that horrid practice on the supposed violation of the Shastra, however interpreted. The greatest caution is required in the use of arguments ex concessu in dealing with the living false systems of religious faith. The resolu- tion to visit offenders with exclusion from caste, must appear to all acquainted with the peculiarities of that institution, which has more to do with the ceremonial than the moral, to have been impracticable and nugatory. ^' Mr. Duncan's success with the Rajkumars led him to direct his best attention also to the Raghuvanshas, another sub-division of Rajputs, inhabiting Chandwaj and Mogra; but the result of his correspondence with them is not mentioned in the government papers. The Governor-General approved of what he had done in re- ference to the Rajkumars, who were British subjects ; and by various Regulations made the offenders among them in cases of Infanticide amenable to the Company's Court for murder, under the penalty of its highest punishment. Mr. Duncan's name, in consideration of his benevolent exertions in the case, was deservedly enrolled in the list of distinguished British philanthropists ;fand for several years it was imagined, that in consequence of the ex- press covenant which had been made, and the fear of punishment, the crime had altogether disappeared among the Rajkumars.! The melancholy truth, however, was by and bye discovered, that though somewhat concealed, it was still perpetrated to a large extent. On information ^by Messrs. Fortescue, Smith, and Shakespeare, local offi- cials, the Governor-General in Council expressed the sad truth, on the 30th August 1816, that the measures of Mr. SUPPRESSION OF INFANTICIDE AMONG RAJKUMARS. 43 Duncan and the Regulations of government, had " failed to prevent the inhuman practice," and " that although a greater degree of precaution was observed to prevent detection, there was too much reason to fear that the crime itself had not in any degree diminished." At this period, the general demoralizing effect of the crime was appa- rent to the British authorities in the provinces. In al- luding to the insubordination, and violence, and savage cruelty of the parties among whom it prevailed, Mr, Fortescue, rightly observed, that "the jealous and hasty pride which induces them to become the murderers of their own female offspring has probably a considerable effect in blunting their feelings against a sympathetic sense of the pains they inflict on one another on the smallest pretence of right or offence, and in rendering the dread of public justice of light or no collective influ- ence." lYet, in the absence of moral enlightenment, this dread of public justice, was the principal motive, in the first instance, on which the government could rest for enforcing from the Rajkumars obedience to their own engagements and the authority under which they were placed. This view of matters was taken by the Superintendent of Police in the Western Provinces in 1819. In referring to a letter of Mr. Cracroft, the ma- gistrate of Juanpur, who proposed various economical arrangements which might be subsidiary to the exertion of the civil power in dealing with Infanticide, he thus ^wrote : "The practice being .declared to be a crime, it is the duty of the magistrate to do his utmost to convict those who still persist in it." It was the long neglect of this principle, as we shall afterwards see, which was the cause, in several provinces of India, of the continued shedding of innocent blood warm from the womb. It ^as its adoption, which, in late years, has so much tended to the suppression of Infanticide not only in the Juanpur districts btit in the Rajput states in general. ^ But these notices of the attempts to suppress Infant- 44 MR. DUNCAN APPOINTED GOVERNOR OF BOMBAY* icide near Benares we cannot extend.^ We have refer- red to them at present, only because it was the discovery of Infanticide at Benares which led to the discovery of its existence in the important provinces under the poli- tical superintendence of Bombay, where it had been long practised to a fearful extent. Mr. Jonathan Duncan, on the appointment of the East India Company, which had formed a high idea of his talents and probity, was transferred from Bengal, to the office of Governor of Bombay in 1795. His habits of mind and his former experience led him, when he came to the Western Presidency, to indulge the inquisitive- ness which was natural to him, and which he had else- where cultivated with so much advantage to himself and the people placed under his authority. He was not only accessible to the natives ; but, with due restrictions, he systematically sought to maintain with them regular intercourse. He personally conversed and corresponded with them, whenever he found them capable of giving him useful and practical information. When he was on his first visit to Surat in 1800, he asked Kripa Rama, the minister of the Nawab of that city, whether any traces of Infanticide were found in his locality, so con- tiguous to Baroch, the ancient Barygaza, where Captain Wilford had imagined it to exist in the days of the Greeks. The reply which he received was this: *' Heretofore I have heard people say that among the tribe of Rajput, and especially among the Rajas of that class, the birth of a daughter in their houses was consi- dered as disgraceful; on which account their women refused to let their newly-born daughters have access to their milk, and put them in any way to death; but this practice is not general through all the sub-divisions of their tribe, though in several places they do thus stony-heartedly kill them." Mr. Duncan, to abridge his own narrative which * See ParUamentary Papers on Hindu Infanticide : 1789-1820. DISCOVERY OF INFANTICIDE IN WESTERN INDIA. 45 here commences, returned to Bombay in July 1800. He had no farther opportunity of prosecuting his in- quiries into what foundation there might be for believ- ing the practice of female Infanticide to obtain in any places of the West of India, till the fact was again in- cidentally brought to his notice, between two and three years afterwards, by a native lady, her name is worthy of remembrance, Gajra Bai, a descendant of one of the Gaikawad Rajas of Gujarat, who had repaired to Bom- bay on political grounds. "In view to the farther investigation of the grounds of Gajra Bai's information, Mr. Duncan entered into a correspondence on the subject with Captain Seton, then on a political mission at Mandavi, the chief port of the country of Kachh, a territory situated to the north-west of the province of Gujarat, the gulf of the same name in- tervening, and constituting the line of division between the two states."^ Mr. Duncan, writing to Captain Seton on the 8th January 1804, says, "I send you a memorandum from Gajra Bai (the daughter of Fatteh Singh, one of the Gaikawad princes in Gujarat) or rather the result of what she related to-day in conversation; and request you will make every inquiry in your power into so curious a subject, as the alleged custom of your Kachh friends killing their female infants. I have heard Cap- tain Wilford of Benares, say, that in some old Greek author in his possession, he has read of the same thing being a practice in his time in that quarter of India." Captain Seton's reply to this communication, which was dated the 23rd March, 1804, corroborated the mournful information which Mr. Duncan had previously received, and brought additional facts and surmises to light. y^ "The custom mentioned in Gajra Bai's relation is in force to this day ; every female infant born in the Raja's * Moor's Hindu Infanticide, pp. 18-19. 46 MR. DUNCAN .S FIRST CORRESPONDENCE ABOUT family, of a Rani or lawful wife, is immediately dropped into a hole dug in the earth and filled with milk, where it is drowned. "^ "Dhan-kuwar Bai, who is now alive at Bhuj, the capital of Kachh, is the daughter of Rao Lakhpat, by a patar or Gujarat kanchani (strolling dancing-girl) sister to Rao God, the last Raja and aunt of Rao Raydhan, the present Raja. The latter has a son and a daughter by a slave of one of the Ranis, now ten or eleven years of age ; the custom in question not extending to them, but only to the Raja's children by his Ranis, or consorts. Neither does it necessarily extend to the Jadejas, or col- lateral descendants of the Raja's family, though most of them, through choice, adopt it, there being but two men of this cast of any note who have brought up their daughters; and these are Vridraji and Nathji, who will be again noticed. Vridraji Jadeja's daughter is married to the son of the Bhawanagar Raja. \ "This custom of drowning female infants is not pecu- liar to Kachh, but is common among the heads of the Khatri or Rajput tribes.^ It is practised in the family of the Jam of Nagar, in the peninsula of Gujarat ; and in that of the Miazah, or Kaloris of Sindh, and in others. The Rajputs of Kachh are originally from Sindh, and are called Sindh Samma, and Sindh Sumra. They fell back on Kachh before the Muhammadans, driving out the Kathis, who had before driven out the Sat Sinhas or Seven Lions. f Those that remained in Sindh were converted to Muhammadism, and have been since driven out by the Talpuris. Part of them here (in Kachh) form the cast of Jamadars, mentioned in my official corres- pondence as forming the third party in this government. They marry Rajputs' daughters, but do not give their * The Rajput tribes in general claim descent from the ancient Kshatlriya, or warrior caste, t This popular allusion to the dynasty of the Sinhas in Gujarat, which will be afterwards referred to, is worthy of notice. INFANTICIDE IN KACHH AND KATHIAWAD. 47 own, it being contrary to the Muhammadan religion. The Rajputs eat what is dressed by Muhammadans, but not from the same dish or plate, and of every thing except beef and fowls, which latter are, in a manner, forbidden ; as none in whose family a Deva (or incarna- tion) has been are allowed to eat them; and as they all pretend to this honor, it would be an affront to make them such an offer. Game is preferred to tame animals. They drink spirits, but this does not imply an impurity of caste, neither does the license extend to the women ; who in every respect, live as the highest caste of Brah- mans. The Rajas of Kachh and Nagar are descended of two brothers ; the elder, of Kachh, named Maha-Rao, the younger Maha-Raj.^ The Murvi chieftain, within the peninsula of Gujarat, is of the same family; and the history 'of all is contained in the History of Khengar and Raeb the two brothers above alluded to, which I shall get and translate. The next great man in their history is Raja Bhara, who was driven from Sindh, and the most powerful in Sindh was Raja Unad. "I have already intimated that the Jadejas destroy their daughters ; and though Vridraji and Nathji had, from the fear of having no sons, and thereby wanting heirs of any sex, saved theirs, it is by no means a gene- ral practice. The Jamadars, whose origin has been be- fore adverted to, take in marriage the daughters of the Sodha Rajputs,! who rear their female children for sale, and also destroy their infant female progeny. The expense, and difficulty of procuring suitable husbands, is the excuse usually made ; the Raja's pretext is that he considers it beneath him to match his daughter with any man." On a subsequent occasion, in the same year. Captain Seton added, " The family of the Jam, adverted to in my preceding letter, also take their wives from the tribe * The Sodha Rajputs reside in Parkar, north of the Great Ran. t The Kachh family is commonly held to be of the younger branch. 48 MAJ. WALKER REQUESTED TO SEEK THE SUPPRESSION of Sodha, who are at present living between Sindh, Mul- ^ tan, and Jaudpur. It might be supposed that the women would be averse to the destruction of their daughters ; but from all accounts it is the reverse, as they do not only assist in destroying them, but when the Musalman prejudices occasionally preserve them, they hold these daughters in the greatest contempt, calling them Maha- jan, thereby insinuating that their fathers have derogated fjom their military cast, and become pedlars." The information communicated by Captain Seton was in the main confirmed by Mirza Mortiza, a descendant of the stationary Moghal officers of revenue for the pro- vince of Gujarat; by the inquiries of Mr. S. Halliday, the superintendent of Police in Bombay ; and by Sun- darji Sivaji, a respectable native employed in the pur- chase of horses in Kachh and Kathiawad for the British Army in India. The last mentioned informant verbally mentioned to Mr. Duncan, in a conference held with him in April or May 1805, "That throughout all the country of Kachh, there may be six or eight houses where- in the Jadej a masters of families bring up their daughters ; but otherwise the practice of killing them is general : and, besides what happens within the limits of that country, the Jadeja chieftains of Murvi, Gondal, and Jamnagar in the peninsula of Gujarat do also kill their female infants." Possessed of this information the Bombay Govern- ment, at the zealous instigation of Mr. Duncan, resolved to use its best endeavours for the suppression of the bar- barous crime to which its attention had been directed, even though the states in which it was practised were not under its immediate jurisdiction. On the 27th of May 1805, it issued its instructions to Major Alexander Walker, the Resident of the Court of the Gaikawad in Gujarat, to whom, and the Peshwa of Puna, the terri- tory of Kathiawad was tributary, to communicate with Shivaji Sundarji then on his way from Bombay to Baroda, and " to endeavour to prevail on him to take an OF INFANTICIDE IN KATHIAWAD AND KACHH. 49 active part as the agent of the British Government for effecting the abrogation in that quarter of a system so revolting and detestable." This movement, considering its benevolent and disinterested object, and the circum- stances in which it originated, was in the highest degree creditable to the Bombay Government. Major Walker, an officer of great ability and experience and knowledge of native character, at once discerned its importance ; but on intimating the receipt of the communication which had been addressed to him respecting it, he plain- ly declared that difficulties of no ordinary kind lay in the way of a favourable issue. "I fear," he said, "the humane attempt of the Honourable the Governor in Council will not be successful, to any great extent, in restraining the superstitious and religious prejudices of a tribe so far removed from the authority of the British Government, and so little acquainted with the principles of improved society.^ In Mr. Duncan he had a promp- ter and counsellor who could not be easily discouraged. * Letter of Major Walker to F. Warden, Esq., Secy, to B. Govt. 1st Sept. 1805. CHAPTER III. GENERAL DESCRIPTION, WITH HISTORICAL NOTICES, OF Ka'tHIa' Wa'p and KACHH BRITISH CONNEXION WITH THESE PROVINCES MAJOR WALKER's SETTLEMENT OF THE TRIBUTE OF KATHIA'wa'd HIS REPORT OK THE EXISTENCE OF INFANTICIDE HIS EFFORTS FOR ITS SUPPRESSION. -^ The provinces of Kathiawad and Kachh, in which the existence, to-a large extent, of systematic Female Infan- ticide had been certified to the Bombay Government, are both marked and distinct in their character, and of great interest in a geographical and historical point of view. Both of them are peninsular, and separated from one another by the small Gulf of Kachh ; and in the rainy sea- son they are almost insular. Kathiawad, or the Peninsular Gujarat, is bounded on the north by the Gulf of Kachh, and the Ran^ or desert of mud and sand with brackish water, which forms the continuation of that Gulf; on the east, by the Gulf of Cambay and a line drawn from its northern extremity to the eastern corner of the Ran; and on the south and west by the Indian Ocean. It lies between 20 40' and 23 10', north latitude ; and 69 2' and 72 25', east longitude . It is, when cut diagonally, about 160 miles from west to east, and about the same extent from north to south. It has been roughly estimated by Major LeGrand Jacob, who has published an able and valuable geographical and statistical paper respecting it in the Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society,^ at 22,000 square miles. * Trans, of Bombay Geo. Society, vol vii. pp. 1-96. DESCRIPTION OF KATHIAWAD. 51 Its larger portion is of a level and undulating character, not greatly elevated above the sea, and sloping to the coasts ; but it has a few remarkable elevations and clusters and ranges of hills and mountains, from which descend, in all directions, numerous rivers, or rather rivulets, to the sea. The larger and central portion of it is of the trap or basaltic formation, overlaid in some places with freshwater sandstone. Its western margin is of oolite, and its eastern of newer sandstone. Its highest elevations, which are in the Girnar cluster of mountains, are of primitive formation. Its soil is in general admir- ably adapted for pasturage, and grain; and much of it is suitable for cotton. Its wildest parts, naturally and so- cially, lie to the south, the habitat alike of the beasts of prey and semi-barbarous men. Exclusive of the eastern portion, which has been placed under the British Ah- madabad CoUectorate since the British conquest of the Peshwa in 1818, it contains the following ten provinces, the number of the inhabitants of which we give on the authority of Major Jacob. Lihabitanta. Okha'mandal, the district of Okha , forming the north-west corner of the peninsula, now under the Gaikawad .... 12,500 Haldd, principally the property of the Ja'deja's, and named from Jam Hala, of Kachh, the third from Raydhan, the first mentioned by name in connexion with that province. 358,560 Machu-Kantd, on the banks of the Mac^w (fish) river, principally, like the preceding, the property of the Jadejas. 28,749 Jha'la'wdd, so named from the present principal proprietors of its soil, the Jha'ld Rajputs 240,325 Bardd, in which the Jaitwd Rajputs are settled 46,980 Kdthidwdd, the province of the Ka'thi's properly so-called. 189,840 Sorath, in which we have the remains of the name Saura'sh- tra, anciently applied to the whole peninsula 320,820 Gohilwa'd, in which the Gohil Rajputs are settled 427,980 f/nJ -Sart/;aii/a, imbedded in the preceding , 11,373 Bdbridwdd and Jdfardhdd, the country of the Bdbrias, and the district of the town oiJdfarabdd 18,468 Total Population 1,475,685 52 TRIBES OF KATHIAWAD. Colonel Walker, says Major Jacob, "estimated the population, not including Babriawad, Jafarabad, and Okhamandal, at 1,975,900 souls. In 1831, Mr. Blane's census, [the details of which, with much valuable infor- mation by its director, are in the office of the political agent at Rajkot] exclusive of the two last districts, gave an estimate of 1,759,277, and of 4030 towns and villages. My inquiries have produced a lower result, viz 1,475,685 for the whole of the peninsula under the political agency, inhabiting 3794 towns and villages." To this popula- tion of 1,475,685, however, we have to add 90,536 for the district ofDhanduka, and 60,361 for that of Gogha,^ both belonging to the English Government and under the Collectorate of Ahmadabad, making a grand total of 1,626,582 for the peninsula. The population of this province is of a very varied character. " For diversity of races, exotic and indige- nous," says Colonel Tod, " there is no region in India to be compared with Saurashtra, where they may be seen of all shades, from the fair, and sometimes blue-eyed Kathi, erect and independent as when his fathers opposed the Macedonian at Multan, to the swarthy Bhil, with keen look, the offspring of the forest." f Though its multi- farious immigrations from early times cannot be minutely narrated, various traces of them and of the dynasties to which they were subjected can yet be found. Hindu tradition, or rather invention, has hal- lowed the land by associating with its western shores many legends of Hanuman, the monkey-assistant of Rama, and of the exploits of Krishna after his flight from Mathura to the west ; but this it has done without any countenance from the Ramayana or Mahabharata, the ancient epics of the Hindus, inventing, in violation of their geography, its cities of Sudhamapur identified * Fawcett's Report on Collectorate of Ahmadabad, in Bombay Govt. Records, No. V. New Series, p. 1. t Tod's Travels in Western India, p. 257. TRIBES OF KATHIAWAD, 53 with Porbandar, and Dwaraka now thus denominated, to promote a gainful and delusive pilgrimage. The Buddhist edicts of the great emperor^ls/ioA^a, of the third century pre- ceding the Christian era, however, are engraved with an iron pen on the granite rock of Girnar near Junagad. In juxtaposition with the same commemorative tablets, are notices of the charitable deeds of succeeding kings. The Sah or Sinha^ kings of Saurdshtra, probably the re- vivors of a more ancient dynasty of the same desig- nation, who perhaps gave that name to the country, which is found in Ptolemy's Geography and which it would have been most convenient to retain, possessed it as the seat of their sovereignty from about the Christian era, or the century following, their capital in all proba- bility being Sihor, anciently Sinhapur, now the se- cond town in Gohilwad. f The Walabhi dynasty, the era of which dates from the overthrow of the preceding dynasty, A. D. 318, to A.D. 524, according to Col. Tod, or according to a Chinese traveller rather more than a century later,J was formed by the declaration of inde- * Professor H. H. Wilson derives sa'h from sadhu', a saint; but the learned natives of Western India, as Vishnu Shastrf, with more pro- bability, get it from sinha, a lion. Mr. Thomas, too, who has written a valuable essay on its coins in the Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society, gives it this origin also. t *' About two stages to the southward of Walabhi lies the town of Sihor, also mentioned as a place of great antiquity by Col. Tod. Our visit to it convinced us that the Colonel has not formed a mistaken judgment respecting it. The ancient name of the place was Sinhapur, from which the modern name is obviously derived. We are disposed to consider it the capital of the Sinhas who made the first Aryan in- vasion of Ceylon from which it, perhaps, received the name of Sin- haldwip, and the seat of whose authority, we concur with Professor Lassen in thinking, must have been in Gujarat. We make another conjecture respecting it. It was probably the capital of the Sa'h kings. {Sinha, as Mr. E. Thomas supposes) of Soura'shtra.'^ Author's Second Memoir on the Cave-Temples and other Antiquities of Western India, in Journal of B. B. R. A. Society, Jan. 1853. I See prof. Wilson's Ariana Antiqua, p. 408. 54 TRIBES OF KATHIAWAD. pendence of Vijaya Sena, one of the Sah commanders- in-chief, and had its capital at the now ruined town of Wala, formerly Walabhipur in the modern Gohilwad; and its members, though followers of Shiva, were the patrons of the Jainas, or Buddhist Seceders, yet nume- rous in the province, two of whose most renowned high- places, with wondrous temples and religious structures, are at Girnar, the highest mountain of the peninsula rising 3,500 feet above the level of the sea, and Pali- tana about six marches from Wala and half that dis- tance from Sihor. The Kulis, whose denominations are numerous, are probably the Aborigines of the country. The Ahirs of the peninsula are a pastoral tribe, the Abhirs of the ancient Hindu writings, originally inhabi- tants of the country about the mouths of the Indus, de- nominated in Ptolemy's Geography, Ahiria. Among the earliest so-called *' Rajput" inhabitants of the coun- try are the JaitwdSy who notwithstanding their claims of kindred with the monkey god, are probably a branch of the Scythian Getce, now occupying the north-western portion of the province, and who, as will be afterwards seen, have to a considerable extent practised Infanticide ; the Chordsdinds, whom we agree with Major Jacob in supposing to have proceeded from the Chdwadds who long reigned at Anhilwada, or Piran Pattan ; the So- lankis who are supposed by Colonel Tod to have suc- ceeded the Chawadas at Anhilwada^ about A. D. 931; the Jhdlds, whom we take to be a branch of the Mak- wdnd Kulis converted to Brahmanism ;f the Wdlds, pro- bably reputed descendants of the Walabhi princes ; the * In a copper-plate charter lately presented to the Bombay Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society by Mr. W. E. Frere, C.S., and now before me, this town is denominated Anhi'lpa'tak. This charter, granting a piece of land to a Brahman, bears the date of Samvat 1086, or A. D. 1029. It is that of Raja Bhimde'va, of the Salanki Dynas- ty, which succeeded the Chawadd. t So we have heard the Makwa'na's declare them to be ; while we bave found some of the Jhdla's admit the relationship. THE JADEJAS OF KATHIAWAD AND KACHH. 55 Surwaiyas, and Razddas obscure representatives of the Satiryas or Sinhas, and the kindred of the Rao of Junagad conquered by Mahmud Shah Begada about A. D. 1472 ; and the Gohils^ who entered the country on their expulsion from Marwad about the end of the twelfth century. The Pramars, a detachment from the Agnikula tribes of mount Abu, like the others under the same denomination, are probably descendants of Kulis. The Mujiammadans are principally the offspring of inva- ders of the province, from the time of Mahmud of Ghazni, A. D. 1024 to that of Mahmud Begada, A. D. 1472, as now mentioned, and of subsequent adventurers. ^ The Kdthis, from whom, in consequence of the terror which they inspired in the predatory Marathas when they first vi- sited the province, the whole peninsula has in late times been denominated, are undoubtedly of Scythian origin, as indicated both by their name and physiognomy. f They entered the country from the banks of the Indus, but at what time cannot be definitely ascertained. The Jats found also in various parts contiguous to the Indus are admitted to be also Scythians, corresponding with the Getoe, with whom we have already connected the Jaitwas. The Jadejds, with whom these pages have- most to do, entered the country from Kachh. They are the descendants of the Rajputs of Sindh, and allege that they are the representatives of the Yddavas of the Mahabharata. The accounts which are current of their entrance into Kachh and Kathiawad are very contradicto- ry ; but the following statement, founded on various ma- * See Major Jacob's Report, pp. 17, 18, for a notice of the Muham- niadan movements in the province of Gujarat posterior to Mahmud. Its northern and western shores were occasionally visited by the Arabs during their early invasions of Sindh. See the "Appendix to the Arabs in Sindh," vol. iii. part i. by Sir Henry Elliot. t The Kathi horse is exactly the type of what we see on the Indo- Scythic coins. The Kathis are mentioned in connexion with the force of Silah-ed-Din who seized T9,tta in 1520. Erskine's Hist, of India, vol. i. p. 368. 56 JADEJAS OF KATIAWAD AND KACHH. nuscripts which we have examined and inquiries which we have pursued with intelligent natives, and on Euro- pean tables of chronology, may be received as an approx- imation to historical precision. Sindh was first seriously invaded by the Muhammadans about the year of Christ 711. It was a possession of the Ummyad Khalifs in 750. In 1025 it was conquered by Mahmud of Ghazni. The Sumrds, a native tribe, converted to Muhammadism, at- tained to power within its boundaries about 1054 ; and they in their turn were overthrown in 1340^ by the Sammds, another native tribe also converted to Muham- madism. Some of the Sammas, probably before this time, had spread into the adjoining territory of Kachh, where they partly maintained their Muhammadism, and partly returned to Hinduism, which their forefathers had been driven by violence to embrace. The Sammas in Sindh were overcome by Shah Beg Arghun in 1521 ; and numbers of them, after that event, fled to and settled with their brethren in Kachh. Of these fugitive Sammas and the elder Samma settlers in Kachh, the Jadejas are the descendants. Their chief had the title of Jam, formerly borne by the head of the tribe in Sindh. He seems to have been descended from the earlier Samma settlers ; for, in the genealogical tables, we find Raydhan, the first Jam in Kachh, mentioned as being there A. D. 1464. The thirteenth Jam after this Raydhan, through his eldest son Gajanji settled at Vinjan, the younger being Udoji, from whom tha Rao of Kachh is descended, passed into the peninsula of Gujarat, and established himself at Nawanagar or Jamnagar in Halad, and conquered that, and the neighbouring territory, in Samvat 1596, or A. D. 1539. This was the origin of the establishment of the * This is the date given by Mr. Erskine in his History of India vol. i. p. 358 Mr. Postans in his Personal Observations in Sindh (see Dry Leaves from Young Egypt, p. 378) gives it as 1351. On the Sindhian dates, see the work of Sir Henry Elliot already referred to. Sir Henry thinks that the Su'mras were not Moslems during the early period of their sv^^ay. See p. 186. JURISDICTIONS OF KATHIAWAD. 57 Jadejas in Kathiawad. The Jadejas got wives princi- pally from the Sodha rajputs of Parkar on the borders of the Ran or desert of Kachh ; and most of them returned to Hinduism. Most incorrect estimates have at various times been made of their numbers in that locality. Their male population, according to a careful census of Colonel Lang, amounted in 1849 to 7353. According to religion they are still Hindus, rendering special homage to Vishnu, to the Sun, to Shiva, and to Devi or Mata, whom they sometimes denominate Hinglaj and Ashdpuri, and reverencing all the legends of the Puranas, and giving them an absurd local application. They occasionally practise bloody sacrifices. Many of them do not scruple to drink spirits and other intoxicants ; and they use con- siderable liberty in the matter of food. They have Raj- gurs, or Rajgors, or royal family priests, distinct from the ordinary Brahmans ; and they have great respect for Bhdts or Bhdrais^ and Chdrans^ their family bards and chroniclers. Of their connexion with Persia, as alleged by Walker and Moore, there is no evidence, though the word Jam may have some relation to the Zand YimOy or Jamshid Yimo-Kshaito. The sovereignty of Kathiawad is greatly divided and impaired. At present, even after many encroachments of the Marathas, there are within the province nominally 224 separate jurisdictions, which are actually divided, in the case of the minor Rajput and Kathi States, into many other "sovereignties" so-called. f The province is tributary to the Gaikawad and British Governments, the latter of which now maintains within it the rights of the Peshwa as well as collects the whole of the tribute. On various portions of it, the Muhammadan chief of Junagad has claims for Zortalabi, or compromise for * Bhdta, related to the Sanskrit, ft^afta orbhattas, suggests the Latin vates. The Cha'rans are so denominated from their secular occupa- tion of graziers, united with their poetical engagements. t Sec Jacob, p. 21, 22. 58 DESCRIPTION OF KACHH. black mail. Education, even in its simplest elements, is but little diffused in the province ; and the principles of civil and criminal law are but slightly understood by its people, the country, till lately, having been quite remark- able for its turbulence and violence. Generally speak- ing, its people are not more immoral than those of other parts of India. They are distinguished for their hospi- tality especially to Hindu and Jaina pilgrims, who swarm through the province. The Brahmans have but little influence in the land ; and the most important por- tion of them, the Nagars, are completely secularized as managers and clerks to the native Rajas. The Chdrans and Bhdts are sacred characters and genealogists, the bards of the chiefs, occupying themselves, too, in the rearing of cattle. They are sometimes Rajgurs, family priests, to the chiefs, as well as the Brahmans, professing to bear the sins of their representatives. The Jainas, to whom most of the merchants and money-lenders belong, are haughty and intolerant to the full extent of their power, which is not inconsiderable, as they contrive to bring most of the chiefs into their debt. To most, or all, of the tribes now mentioned, references are made in the subsequent progress of this narrative. Kachh (Cutch) is in many respects similar to Kathia- wad. It is a narrow neck of land, bounded on the north by a small frith into which formerly the Kori, or most eastern embochure of the Indus, emptied itself, and by the northern division of the Ran, a large portion of which is covered with brackish water during the rainy season. It is separated from Kathiawad on the south by the Gulf of Kachh, which is not above thirty miles in its greatest breadth. The curve formed by the peninsula is a hundred and fifty miles in length. Its greatest breadth is about fifty miles. It is principally of sandstone, and nummulite limestone, elevated by marine volcanoes. Its soil is of a light character, its most fertile portion being that of the district of Abrashia. Its population amounts to about half a million. Its highest tribe is the Jddejdy DESCRIPTION OF KACHH. 59 the chief of whom, and the first ruler of the province, is His Highness the Rao, at his capital Bhuj. The other Ja- dejas with himself form the Bhaiyad or brotherhood of that community. The Jadejas of Kachh, the male popu- lation of which ranges between six and seven thou- sand, and those of Kathiawad as we have just seen, have the same origin, and are intimately connected with one another, though separated by the Gulf now men- tioned. Brahmans are numerous in Kachh ; but they have no great influence in the province. Its merchants, like those of Kathiawad, are famous throughout India. Its agriculturists are remarkable for their skill and in- dustry. A good many of its people follow pastoral pur- suits. Kachh, like Kathiawad, is sadly in want of edu- cational appliances, though the present Rao in point of information and culture is far superior to his prede- cessors.^ He is the descendant of Udoji, the son of Raydhan already mentioned. Hamirji, the seventh from Udoji, had four sons, Khengar, Sahib, Raeb, and Aliaji. Khengar, who had for some time been resident with his mother near Ahmadabad, as a fugitive from one of his brothers, having there attracted the notice of Ahmad Shah, received from him military assistance ; and return- ing to Kachh, took Bhuj, since made the capital, in Sam* vat 1594, or A. D. 1537, and founded the present dy- nasty. f ^ At the time of the discovery of Infanticide in Kathia- wad, the relations to it of the British Government were of a very limited and remote character, and such as ren- * For a general classification of the population of Kachh, see Oriental Christian Spectator, 1835. t The succession from Raydhan, according to the principal Won- sWvaZt' which we have used is the following: Bharmalji,Samvatl642; Rao Bhoj, 1688; Rao Khengarji, 1702; Rao Shri Megh, 1711 ; Raa Raydhanj 1,1722; Rao Pragj{, 1754; Rao Godji, 1772; Rao De'salji, 1775; Rao Lakhpat, 180S; Rao Godji, 1817; Rao Raydhan, 1835; RaoBharmalji, 1870; Rao De'salji, the present Rao, 1375. By sub- tracting 57 from each of these dates, the Christian year is ascertained. GO CONNEXION OF THE MARATHAS AND BRITISH dered it extremely difficult, for British officials, however disinterested and humane in their motives, to deal with tlie atrocious crime in an effective manner. The claims of the paramount power in India to international inter- ference with the inferior states, were then but partially realized. The province was merely tributary to the Gaikawad of Baroda and the Peshwa of Puna, two of our Maratha allies, whose independent sovereignty we duly admitted. Kachh was even more remote from our influence, as the connexion of the Marathas with that province was of the slightest character ; and it did not even touch on our own territory. The first inroad of the Marathas into Gujarat, it is here proper to observe, took place under Shivaji the founder of their empire, and was as entirely unprovoked and unjustifiable as any of their other movements ex- terior to their own country. Its issue was the subjection of a part of that territory to the tribute of the chauth, or portion of the fourth, which was levied under the pre- tence of a protection which was neither needed nor de- sired. Trimbak Rao, Dhabadi, the Senapati, or comman- der-in-chief of the Maratha Forces, was in his day, the instrument of further aggression in Gujarat. About the year 1724, he quarrelled with the Peshwa Bajirao, who had usurped the principal power of the Marathas from the nominal Raja in the succession of Shivaji ; and taking the field he was defeated. His widow Amba Bai remained at Talegaum, the family seat, while her son Yeshwant Rao fled to the Muhammadans. Pilaji Gaikawad, was a general in the service of the Dabadi ; and in 1726 he led an army in the name of Amba Bai into Gujarat, then governed for the Moghal by Shujait Khan. He conquered a large portion of the province, the half of which, on the continental side, was ceded by the Muhammadans, and reverted to himself on his adop- tion by Amba Bai, on the loss of her own sons. His title to its sovereignty having been confirmed by Shahu Raja of Satara, the nominal head of the Maratha empire, he WITH GUJARAT AND KATHIAWAD. 61 became the founder of the Gaikawad dynasty. Con- tinuing his successes, he took Baroda in 1731 ; and dy- ing in the following year, he was succeeded by his son Damaji, who, actuated merely by motives of self-aggran- dizement, carried his arms into the peninsula of Ka- thiawad, a small part of which he subjected to his own sway, and the larger portion to tribute. He even en- tered the province of Kachh, where at Bhuj, he received as an addition to his haram, a daughter of Rao Lakhpat, the chief Jadeja of that province, by one of his concu- bines. About 1748, the Peshwa, having effected a rup- ture with him, and caught him, forced him to cede to him about half the revenues of his country, as the price of his liberty, and to keep a large contingent, said to be of 10,000 horse, for the use of the Maratha state. Da- maji died in 1768. Four sons, Sayaji, Fatteh Singh, Govind Rao, and Manaji survived him. Of these the two first-mentioned were the eldest, Sayaji being blind and incapacitated from rule ; but Govind Rao was by a superior wife. Fatteh Singh, after large contribu- tions to the Peshwa Madhavarao, got Sanads or War- rants for Gujarat ; but others, in favour of Govind Rao, and in consideration also of large bribes, were after- wards issued by Raghoba, the brother of Madha- varao who had usurped the Peshwaship, after the murder of his nephew and ward Narayan Rao, the rightful heir. Raghoba, when forced to leave Puna, in consequence of the righteous indignation of his countrymen, who called for the posthumous child of Narayan, Madhava Rao, to occupy the Gadi of that state, went from Bom- bay to Gujarat, expecting Govindrao to make common cause with him. Nana Farnavis, the noble minister of the youthful Peshwa Madhavarao, however, was more than a match for them both ; and by the treaty of Purandar he got the English to concur in the recognition of Fatteh Singh as the chief of Gujarat, who reigned at Baroda till 1789, when he died and was succeeded by Manaji his half-brother, who by his decease made way 62 BRITISH RELATIONS WITH KACHH. for Govind Rao, who on his death in 1800 was suc- ceeded by his son Anandrao, with whom the British Government entered into special alliance in 1802.^ A word on the origin of the British relations with Kachh is here necessary. Rao Raydhan who squatted himself on the cushion of that province in 1778, through his own licentiousness and, cruelty brought on madness ; made a show of conversion to Muhammadism ; and greatly oppressed his subjects, principally through means of Africans and foreigners employed by him as slaves and servants. When the long-suffering patience of his people was exhausted, and they had seized him and put him into confinement, his brother Bhaiji, his lawful suc- cessor in the conduct of affairs, for he had no legal son, was unable to manage them on account of his minority ; and the direction of the State fell into the hands of twelve Musalmans, commanders of mercenary troops, of whom Dosal Ven was the acknowledged head till 1792, when he was expelled from office by Fatteh Muhammad, another of their number, a native of Sindh, possessed of considerable administrative ability, which he continued to exercise after Bhaiji became of age. The rival of Fatteh Muhammad was a Hindu, named Hansraj, the governor of Mandavi, the chief seaport of Kachh, whose partizans gave him possession of Bhaiji, alias Prathiraj, who was carried off from Bhuj during the temporary absence of Fatteh Singh. Hansraj, to bring the dis- sensions between himself and the other functionary to a close, proposed to the Bombay Government in lSOl-2, to cede Kachh to its management, on condition that Bhuj, the capital, should be reserved for the Rao. Bhaiji died in 1802 ; and a similar proposal was made in 1804 both by Fatteh Muhammad who had charge of the person, of the Rao Raydhan at Bhuj and also command of An- * The names and dates here are given from a comparison of docu- ments both native and European, and from a memorandum of Mr. Jon- athsui Duncan. BRITISH RELATIONS WITH KACHH. 63 jar the second seaport of the province, and by Hansraj, now restricting his administration to Mandavi. The Bom- bay Governmentj however, declined to form at this time a closer alliance with Kachh than what was required for the protection of its own subjects and allies; and rested satisfied with securing, in 1809, an agreement from Kachh for the suppression of piracy, very abundant near Kachh, and the confinement of its troops to its own terri- tories ; with warning the Sindhians against the invasion of Kachh ; and with promising to aid the darhar, or court of Bhuj, in the settlement of some of its claims on the Jam of Nawanagar. The Kachh government did not fulfil its stipulations. Piracy by sea, and plunder by land, continued to exist on the borders of Kachh. This called for the interference of the Bombay Government through Captain MacMurdo, its agent in that province. His measures were for some time retarded through the death of Fatteh Muhammad, of Hansraj, and of the in- sane Rao Raydhan, and the disputes which followed about the succession. When Rao Bharmalji, a son of Raydhan by a slave-girl, ultimately called to power, sat down on the royal cushion, he was only eighteen years of age ; and by factions prevalent both among Hindus and Musalmans, he was greatly restricted in his administra- tion. The greatest disorder, confusion, and cruelty pre- vailed throughout the province and its borders. Bharmalji ere long sympathized with the disturbers of the peace, and sought to profit by their plunder. His government became very unpopular, particularly among the Jadejas forming his own hhaiyad, to whom he was under great obligations. He placed himself even in indirect hosti- lity to the British Government ; for, when a British and Gaikawad force was reducing Juria in Kathiawad, his minister Shivaraj, the son of Hansraj, supplied the re- bels at that place with ammunition and other assistance. On the fall of Juria, he made a show, from fear, of put- ting down robbery in his own district of Wagar, parties ^rom which had committed great depradations in Ka- 64 BRITISH SETTLEMENT OF KATHIAWAD. thiawad ; but he soon returned to Bhuj with his troops. The robbery and plunder in Kathiawad were again re- sumed without effective resistance on his part ; and the British and Gaikawad Governments, which had been put to an expence, from first to last, of about ten lakhs of rupees for their suppression, made a requisition on Bharmalji for reimbursement and a guarantee against future incursions. Bharmalji having permitted the time allowed for his answer to pass unimproved, the British troops entered his territories, took Anjar and Tuna, and advanced on his capital, when he was obliged to com- ply with the demands made upon him, now raised to twenty lakhs of rupees ; to furnish an yearly tribute of two lakhs of koris, less than two-thirds of a lakh of rupees, and to enter into a general treaty of peace and alliance. This brings us to 1816, much in advance of our general narrative, which, however, would be unin- telligible without these notices.^ No one who sees the quiet and order of Kachh at the present day, can imagine what it was in the past generation, or understand the difficulties encountered in dealing with it in questions of political expediency and philanthropic interest. But to return to Kathiawad. The usual method of realizing the tribute exacted from the peninsula in be- half of the Gaikawad and Peshwa, was by periodical circuits enforced by military array. One of the amel- iorations proposed under the alliance now referred to, "was," to use the words of Mr. Duncan, "to avoid the necessity for the ever-recurring and coercive progress, by inducing the dependent local rulers in Kathiawad, chiefly through an appeal to their own interests, to ac- cede to an equitable permanent accommodation ; as- certaining the amount of their future pecuniary acknow- ledgments, without the concurrence of force for their * On the history of the British connexion with Kachh, see Sketch of the History of Kachh, appended to Dr. Bumes's interesting narrative of his Visit to the Court of Sindh. I BY MAJOR ALEXANDER WALKER. 65 realization. Toward the attainment of these salutary ends, it was deemed expedient that one general circuit should be made through the peninsula assisted by the appearance of a detachment from the British subsidiary force ; and it was thought a duty of humanity to aim also, on this occasion, at the suppression of female Infanti- cide." The plans of the Bombay Government in re- ference to these matters were approved of by the Supreme Government of India, though in a somewhat cautious form as far as the attempt to suppress Infanticide was concerned. '' We cannot but contemplate with approbation," it was intimated by that government, "the considerations of humanity which have induced you to combine with the proposed expedition, the project of suppressing the bar- barous custom of female Infanticide. But the specula- tive success even of that benevolent project, cannot be considered to justify the prosecution of measures which may expose to hazard the essential interests of the state ; although as a collateral object, the pursuit of it would be worthy of the benevolence and humanity of the British Government."^ The proposed expedition to Kathiawad was com- mitted to Major Alexander Walker, the Resident at the Court of the Gaikawad, an officer highly fitted by his character and talents for the efficient discharge of its delicate and important duties. It was commenced by him in 1807 ; and he held both its political and military command. He was successful in accomplishing the revenue settlement of the province on a basis which has been but little disturbed since his day ; in collecting and arranging an immense quantity of curious and valuable information connected with its diversified tribes; in suggesting many measures calculated to secure its peace and tranquillity ; and above all, after no long interval, in inducing its Jadeja nobles to enter into engagements for * Letter dated Slst July 1806. 4 66 MAJOR avalker's report on infanticide. the total supression of the crime of Infanticide, the syste- matic commission of which had for so long a period con- stituted their sin, and shame, reducing them in matters of humanity below the level of the most barbarous tribes. His various reports on Kathiawad, presented to the Bom- bay Government, are among the most able and interest- ing documents which the British administration in India, greatly less appreciated than it should be for its talent and industry, can furnish. That which narrated his endeavours for the suppression of Infanticide is dated the 15th March 1808. Though it is somewhat discursive, and contains not a few unnecessary digressions, and re- petitions, not to say misapprehensions, it is possessed of extreme interest both in a literary and philanthropic point of view. We shall either extract its most important por- tions, subjoining to them such remarks as may be neces- sary for the elucidation of our narrative, or make such an abridgement of it, with additional notices, as is re- quired by the subject of which it treats. On the origin of Infanticide Major Walker thus writes : "TheJadejas relate, that a powerful Raja of their caste, who had a daughter of singular beauty and ac- complishments, desired his Rajgur, or family Brahman, to affiance her to a prince of desert and rank equal to her own. The Rajgur travelled over many countries, without discovering a chief who possessed the requisite qualities ; for where w^ealth and power were combined, personal accomplishments and virtue were defective ; and in like manner, where the advantages of the mind and body were united, those of fortune and rank were wanting. The Rajgur returned, and reported to the . prince that his mission had not proved successful. This intelligence gave the royal mind much affliction and concern, as the Hindus reckon it to be the first duty of parents to provide suitable husbands for their daughters; and it is reproachful that they should pass the age of puberty without having been affianced, and be under the necessity of living in a state of celibacy. The Raja, ORIGIN OF JADEJA INFANTICIDE. 67 however, rejected, and strongly reprobated every match for his daughter, which he conceived inferior to her high rank and perfections. In this dilemma, the Raja consulted his Rajgur ; and the Brahman advised him to avoid the censure and disgrace which would attend the princess remaining unmarried, by having recourse to the desperate expedient of putting her to death. The Raja was long averse to this expedient, and remonstrat- ed against the murder of a woman, which, enormous as it is represented in the Shastra, would be aggravated when committed on his own offspring. The Rajgur at length removed the Raja's scruples, by consenting to load himself with the guilt, and to become in his own person responsible for all the consequences of the sin. Accordingly the princess was put to death ; and female Infanticide was from that time practised by the Jadejas."^ This is obviously an ex post facto explanation of the origin of the Jadeja Infanticide. " It resembles," says Major Walker himself, ''- the tales of infancy, rather than the grave history of a transaction, involving the fate of a numerous portion of the human race." He /"^adds, " Whatever may have been the motives that led the Jadejas to embrace the extraordinary practice of des- troying their daughters, conveniency and policy have contributed to continue and extend it. The scruples of "religion were lulled and quieted, by the ideal security of another race being responsible for the crime. Opinions and habits, from which at first we have an aversion, as they grow familiar rise into consideration and establish their ascendency. The superstition of the Jadejas easily reconciled them to the expedient proposed by the Raj- gur ; which freed them from the fear and consequences of sin and undermined their compassion and affection for their offspring. The sentiments of nature and humanity were supplanted by the passions of avarice and pride ; for the right of destroying their daughters * Walker's Report, paragraphs, 9-16. 68 CONTINUANCE OF JADEJA INFANTICIDE. grew into a privilege, which they regarded as a distinc- tion and honor peculiar to their caste. The Hindu precepts and customs concerning marriage are full of family distinctions, exact so many observances and im- pose so many restraints, that a military tribe, like the Jadejas, might not be reluctant to receive a dispensa- tion. These restraints, when their operation is strictly enforced, occasion many inconveniences, and in some situations they may prove insurmountable. All these difficulties are felt more in the cases of women than of men ; and the expense attending their marriage is an obligation which the Jadejas consider it for their interest and advantage to be exempted from." To the conquest of Sindhby the Muhammadans, too. Major talker refers, as explanatory of the origin of Infanticide among the Hindus who wandered from that province. "The Jadejas, finding themselves surrounded by tribes who had embraced a new faith, and precluded thereby from marrying their daughters to those among them among whom they were formerly accustomed to contract ma- trimonial engagements may, under such circumstances, have preferred the expedient suggested, and encourag- ed by superstition, of destroying their female offspring." On the consideration here adverted to, much stress is to be laid, though it be a fact that other Rajput tribes less oppressed by the Muhammadans than the Jadejas have fallen into the habitual commission of the same crime. On the continuance of the practice of Infanticide by the Jadejas after their emigration from Sindh to the south. Major Walker thus comments. "We know that the Jadejas maintained their independence in Sindh for a long period, and resisted their invaders with spirit and fortitude." "In subsequent times, when the emigration of the Jadejas into Kachh and Gujarat, inhabited by Raj- puts, offered abundance of husbands for their daughters, and removed the plea for their destrution, the custom had been established, and was considered as one of their inalienable rights. The Jadejas had also conceived METHODS OF JADEJA INFANTICIDE. 69 many barbarous notions of their own superiority, and they undervalued or despised the tribes amongst whom they had obtained a compulsory settlement. The cir- cumstance of conquest, under which they settled in Kachh and Gujarat, confirmed this sentiment of superiority." These explanations are probably to a good extent correct. "^Still, Major Walker, formed a right judgement, when he added, "The great cause for their destroying their children is avarice, and that they may not be exposed to the cares and expence attending their establishment in life." ^' Considerable weight must be given to the apathy and indifference with which it has ever been received by the rest of the Rajput families and the Brahmans, who are numerous in this country. It does not appear that any effort has been made for the general suppression of this crime, for which they possessed a simple and effectual remedy by refusing to affiance their daughters to the Jadejas, unless on the condition of rearing their female offspring. Such an idea never seems to have occurred to the other Rajputs; on the contrary they appear to have countenanced the practice of Infanticide not only by in- termarrying their daughters with the Jadejas, but by al- lowing them to become the instruments of murdering their own offspring. These Rajputs were led to this un- natural compliance from the ease and facility with which their acquiescence enabled them to marry their daugh- ters. To this interested motive they appear to have sa- crificed the sentiments of religion and humanity with- out any repugnance. They excused, however, to me, and endeavoured to palliate their want of sensibility by pleading the immediate usages of caste, and the impro- priety of interfering in those of the Jadejas." About the methods of the destruction of their infant daughters by the Jadejas, Major Walker's inquiries were probably as successful as could have been expect- ed. They were reluctant to speak on the dikri marawa- ni dial, "the custom of killing daughters," remarking that it was an "affair of the women." It was well as- 70 EXEMPTIONS FROM JADE J A INFANTICIDE. certained, however, that it was especially " an affair of the men;" as it was according to their hints or orders that the crime was perpetrated by the women. They ^^appeared, it was found, to have had several methods of destroying the infant ; but two were commonly prevalent. Immediately after the birth they put into the mouth of the infant some opium, or drew the umbilical cord over its face to prevent respiration. The destruction of such tender objects was not difficult. In some instances death followed neglect, without violence. The mother ^ was said to be the usual executioner in Kathiawad, and the female Rajgur in Kachh. When an inquisitive per- son asked a Jadeja, the result of the pregnancy of his wife, he would, if it were a female, answer *' nothing," an expression in the idiom of the country sufficiently sig- nificant, and used with the utmost levity. Only a few in- stances were known of any of the Jadejas of Kathiawad having preserved their daughters ; but by doing so, they rather lost than gained repute. Most of the Jadejas in Kachh who had become proselytes to Muhammadanism saved the lives of their daughters. "I endeavoured," says Major Walker, ''to ascertain the motives of the Ja- dejas who preserved their daughters; and by their own confession this act of humanity did not proceed from parental feelings. It appeared to be inspired, not by mo- tives of affection for the object so much as by personal considerations, arising from the ideas of the metempsy- chosis, which are so universally and rigidly observed by the Shravak banias, who are the followers of Jina. These people consider it a sin to deprive any being or creature, however, mean or noxious of life ; and their doctrines are said to have made an impression on a few of the Jadejas.'^*^ Any argument against Infanticide * In another portion of his report Major Walker notices all the in- stances which had been brought to his notice of Jadejas who had saved their daughters. Makaji of A'nandagad, who had embraced the eclectic views of the Hindu reformer Kabir, renounced for a time intercourse with his wife, lest any daughters should be born to him, whom, as a Jadeja, he EXTENT OF JADEJA INFANTICIDE. 71 which might be supposed to be derived from the doc- trine of the metempsychosis, is available in reason equal- ly in the case of a Brahmanist as in that of a Jaina. Yet it is a fact that the Jainas in the peninsula of Gujarat are the most ostentatious in their professed regard for the preservation of life, especially that of the brutes, which, they say, are incapable of asking the aid of man whose fellows they may have been in former births. To the preservation of life, however, the doctrine of the me- tempsychosis is not, logically speaking, favourable. As every creature has a certain number of births to go through before absorption in the case of the Brahman- ists,^ and before liberation or extinction in the case of the Jainas, death would appear rather to hasten than delay these grand results. It is a feeling of simple brotherhood, as far as life is concerned, with the unfor- tunate brutes which makes the Jainas so tenderly pre- serve them. For the life of man, this feeling is by no means so strong among them as for the life of the brutes. While the slaughter of a cow in one of their towns would well-nigh produce rebellion, the slaughter of a helpless infant would scarcely excite among them a feeble dis- satisfaction. Major Walker's inquiries into the statistics of Infant- would have been required to put to death. When by the commands of his chief, and to avoid scandal, he returned to his wife, and four daughters were born to him in succession, he alloAved his religious principles to triumph over the prejudices of his tribe. The chief of Karsora preserved a daughter, ultimately married to the Raja of Bhawanagar, the highest chief of the peninsula, in deference to the oifer of an Arab Jamadar to remit his arrears of pay, on condition that he saved her life. Dadaji, the brother of the Thakur, or Baron, ofRajkot, preserved a daughter from natural affection. Hutaji, a professed robber, saved two daughters, it was thought from the same motive, but probably as an ''atonement'* for his numerous crimes. These girls he dressed and habited like boys; and to Major Walker they denied their sex. The chief of Malia reared one daughter in deference to the entreatiesof his wife. Report, 117-140. * The number of births, according to the Shastra, which must pre- cede absorption is 8,400,000. 72 INFANTICIDE PREVALENT AMONC icide were not much to be depended on. One account which he received, he was aware, had the appearance of exaggeration. It estimated the Jadejas in Kachh and Kathiawad at 125,000, and the number of female infants annually destroyed at 20,000. Another estimated the yearly infanticides in the latter province at 5,000, and those in Kachh, making allowance for the families which, it was supposed, had discontinued the practice, at 25,000, being in all 30,000 infantile murders in the space of twelve months. A third, which he considered as much below the truth as the preceding was above it, gave the annual infanticides south of the gulf of Kachh as rang- ing between 1,000 and 1,100, and those north of that gulf at about 2,000. Even this last estimate, to the credit of human nature be it said, was greatly in excess of the reality. It is evident from the statistical tables, now care- fully prepared, that the annual number of ascertained female births among the Jadejas in Kathiawad may be stated at about 250, and in Kachh at about 225. The infanticides among the Jadejas alone, then, did not fall much short of 500 annually. Taking them at this es- timate, for we must make some allowance for births still concealed how horrid does the practice appear. Five hundred murders a year among the princes and nobles of a community of no great extent ! How pro- vocative of the indignation of God this fearful shedding of innocent blood ! How hardening to the hearts of all concerned in its perpetration or connivance ! How des- tructive of all tender and gentle feeling in families, must the total absence of a sisterhood have been in their education and training ! Of the existence of the practice of Infanticide in another Rajput tribe in the peninsula of Gujarat, Major Walker received certain information. It was that of the Jaitwds of the province of Barda, the capital of which is the considerable town of Porbandar on the western coast. They neither avowed nor defended the practice when it was laid to their charge ; but the fact that their MANY RAJPUTS TRIBES. 73 Ranas, or chiefs, had no grown-up daughters for rnoie than a hundred years was decisive evidence against them.=^ y The practice of Infanticide could never have been established among the Jadejas had the neighbouring Rajputs refused to give them their daughters in mar- * Of the existence of Infanticide among more, remote tribes of Raj- puts, too. Major Walker was well aware. " The practice of female In- fanticide prevails with the Raj Kumars, and other tribes in Bengal; where it has been [as was then supposed] happily abolished. The custom of putting their infant daughters to death, has also been dis- covered to exist with the Ratod Rajputs of Jaypur and Jaudpur, but this fact when reported to Europe was doubted and denied to be pos- sible. It is confirmed, however, by every intelligent and well-informed native of that country ; nor does there appear any grounds whatever for questioning its existence. The existence of the custom is traced to other tribes of Hindustan, and in particular to the Jats and Mewuts ; which latter are a sect of Musalmans. I am indebted for this informa- tion to Nizam-ud-din Husain ; and the following is the translation of a memorandum which he gave me on the subject. ' The Jat chiefs of Bhartpur are stiled Sensuiwal? (sic) ; those people, or the Sensuiwals, are in the habit of putting to death their daughters at the moment of their birth, by opium, or by strangling. The cause of their doing so pro- ceeds from a supposition which they entertain, that it is a great disgrace to give their daughters, even in marriage, to any person. And many Mewcits who are Muhammadans , but who are known under the appel- lation of ikfeiyfW, whose country is near that of the Jats, kill their daughters from the same cause. I suppose the governors of Hatras and Mursdn follow the same practice. These people are all of the Jat caste.' I have learnt from other sources of information on which I rely, that some of the Ratod,, the Hari of Bundi Kotd, the Waish in the Pur ah, the Jats in Hindustan, and some oi [he Kachhwas of Jaypur, and other Rajput tribes kill their daughters. The Jadejas are aware that the custom of Infanticide is practised by many other tribes besides their own; but although it is probable that they have a common origin, I could not discover the traditionary motive that had led to the introduc- tion of Infanticide amongst so many people of Hindustan. The prac- tice, however, appears to be maintained among them by the same causes which operated with the Jadejas. Pride, avarice, the cares of a fam- ily, the disgrace that would attend the misconduct of their women, the difficulty of establishing them in life, and apprehension of exposing their, daughters to ill-treatment, were assigned in variably by every person acquainted with this subject as the cause that induced these tribes to commit Infanticide." Report, 197-203. 74 MAJOR walker's efforts for riage. No such virtue, however, was found among ,-diem. '' They marry apparently," wrote Major Walker, ^'into any of the Rajput tribes." The Jhalas, Waghelas, Gohils, Choi'asamas, Pramars, Sodhas, Sarwaiyas, Jait- was, Wdlds, Waddls, were ever ready to furnish them with wives, for the usual considerations of money and family alliances, even though they knew that their female offspring must be destroyed. Instances were not wanting of Jadeja chiefs living even in a state of polygamy and concubinage with women of va- rious castes and creeds, who alleged that they were too poor to rear a single daughter. Their female children by their concubines they did not generally destroy, spar- ing them " rather from a contemptuous opinion of their inferiority, than from humanity." Their concubines or rdkhelis they encouraged to burn themselves on their funeral piles, even though they held that their wives might spare themselves from the right of Sati. The ex- emption in favour of the latter, it was thought, originat- ed in the custom of the lowest castes of the people to burn themselves with their husbands, to the detriment of the feasibility of the rite itself. It is due to the memory of Major Walker, to give in detail his own narrative of his ingenious efforts for the abolition of the practice of Infanticide, with the extent and nature of which the reader has now been made ac- quainted, principally on his own authority. " I entered on this undertaking," he says, " with san- guine expectations of success, but which were, for a long time, disappointed ; and I must own that the na- tives had formed much more just opinions on the sub- ject, when they foretold the difficulties that would at- tend the attempt ; which few of them thought could be overcome, but by the Company making a conquest of the country. I conceived that reason and feeling would effect the relinquishment of a barbarous custom uncon- nected with the principles of society ; and which all the passions of the human mind, and all the forms and THE ABOLITION OF INFANTICIDE. 75 maxims of religion, were combined to destroy. As it was evident also that the most disinterested humanity had led the Honourable Company to interfere for the abolition of female Infanticide, I conceived that this reflection, and the respect due to their mediation, would have disposed the Jadejas to comply with a request, which it was scarcely to be supposed could be at vari- ance with their own sentiments. But sentiments of na- ture and humanity have no influence with the Jadejas ; and I was soon, however reluctantly, obliged to re- linquish the favourable expectation I had formed of success. The difficulties were many and formidable. I had been for several years in habits of friendly corres- pondence with Jehaji, the chief of Murvi, and he had continually expressed a strong desire to cultivate the favour of the English Government. The artifices of this chief, and his vakil (agent), who resided in my camp, deceived and amused me for some time with promises, which proved fallacious. I availed myself of the agency and influence of Sundarji Shivaji ^ after his arrival in camp, but with no better success. At last Jehaji trans- mitted a paper, in which he offered to accede to my wishes by preserving his daughters, provided I would reduce Malta, and restore the village oi Karala, of which he had been deprived by the Gaikawad Government. The possession of this paper I considered of import- ance, as it discovered the selfish and mercenary motives, that attached the Jadejas to Infanticide. I preserved it as a testimony which refuted their pretences of the inviolability of the practice, as a custom of the caste ; and destroyed every argument which they attempted to found on principle. When Jehaji peiceived the disad- vantage which attended the possession of this paper, he made several applications to induce me to restore it, with which I did not comply. As my intercourse and knowledge of the Jadejas increased, every circumstance * [See above, p. 48.] 76 MAJOR WALKER S EFFORTS FOR tended lo shew that they followed Infanticide from mean and interested motives only. It was also evident that it would be very difficult to awaken their natural feelings ; and that the same motives of conveniency and interest, would have more influence in inducing them to relinquish the practice, than any arguments derived from humanity, morality, or religion. It appeared like- wise from the communications of Jehaji and others, that the reproach and odium of being the first to renounce an ancient practice operated as a considerable motive. The weight and authority of this example could not be complete, unless it was set by a chief of acknowledged rank and superiority. The Rao of Kachh seemed to possess these qualifications, from his family, and extent of territory. I was induced, therefore, to select this chief- tain ; but addressed myself principally to Fatteh Mu- hammad, whose authority is paramount in that country, and from whom as a zealous Muhammad an, I was led to expect the exertion of his influence for suppressing a crime against nature and religion. The answer how- ever of Fatteh Muhammad destroyed every hope of suc- cej?s from that quarter.^ This Jamadar, who rose from * The letter here now referred to by Colonel Walker was without date, but received on the 21st October, 1807. As it is of a very curious character, it may be here inserted, (After compliments). "It is notorious that since the Avatara of Shri Krishna the people, the Jadejas, who are descended from the Jadus, (Yadavas) have, during a period of 4900 years, been in the habit of killing their daughters ; and it has no doubt reached your knowledge, that all of God's creation, even the mighty Emperors of Hindustan, Shah Jehan, Aurangzib, and Akbar, Avho have successively reigned in Hindus- tan; those of Khorasan, and Iran, and the Rajas of the four quarters of Hindustan ; besides all others the conductots of the affairs of this world, who have existed from time to time, have always preserved friendship with this Court, and never acted in this respect, female In- fanticide, unreasonably. *' Even the King of the world, who is protected by God, the King of Rum [the New Rome or Constantinople], descended from a long line of illustrious ancestors who have reigned over that country from the earliest times and in whose dominions is situated the inestimable and THE ABOLITION OF INFANTICIDE. 77 the humble station of a goatherd, and is extremely illi- terate, had the sentiments of his letter probably dictated to him; and by the hand of his writer, transmitted, in an inflated and ostentatious style, an elaborate defence of the practice of Infanticide ; such as could be expect- ed to proceed only from an infuriated and bigoted Ja- deja. It may not be unworthy of remark that this de- fence of Infanticide was written and composed by a Nagar Brahman^ and promulgated in the name of a Muhammadan whose religion inspires them with horror against these murders. In the meanwhile every effort and endeavour was continued to prevail on the Murvi chief to abandon Infanticide, which the long detention glorious Mecca, never once thought of putting a stop to the custom which prevails among the Jadejas of killing their daughters, but on the contrary has preserved friendship at all times with this darhar : and merchants possessing lakhs of wealth belonging to his country reside here, and people of equal wealth of this country reside there, but he never once uttered any thing on the subject. But you, who follow the paths of the King, and who are an amir (noble) of the great Sirkar, the Honourable Company, having written me on the subject, I have derived much uneasiness, for it does not accord with your good character. "You should reflect, that though the authority of many kings and rajas, the King of Rum excepted, has decayed, or passed into the hands of others, still the Government of this country has remained un- moved from the period of the avatara of Krishna unto this day, and this country contains so many brothers of one heart, descended from a common parent, as is not to be found in any other quarter; but they have not to this day departed from the habit of female Infanticide; they have however approved of two good customs. First, in this country neither birds nor animals are killed, goats excepted; and but few even eat them. Secondly, charitable places for fakirs [religious beggars] going and coming from Mecca, and Hindus performing pilgrimages, are so strongly planted that the pilgrims suffer no annoyance. "This darbur has always maintained friendship beyond bounds with the Sirkar of the Honourable Company; and notwithstanding this, you have acted so unreasonably in this respect, that I am much distressed. God is the giver, and God is the taker away; if any one's affairs go to ruin he must attribute his fortune to God. No one has until this day wantonly quarrelled with this Darbar who has not in the end suffered loss. This Darbar wishes no one ill, nor has ever wantonly quarrelled with any one. Every thing that may happen is from God. I bow obedient. Do not again ad.lress um on this subject." 78 MAJOR walker's efforts for of the detachment in the vicinity of that city afforded. It was the daily subject of letters, messages, and con- ferences. The humanity and tenderness congenial to the sex induced me to expect the assistance of the wo- men of Jehaji's family. The preservation of their off- spring appeared naturally and peculiarly their business. I conceived that my appeal to wives and mothers, and to women who came from tribes that rejected Infant- icide, would be attended with every advantage. I was farther led to entertain great hopes from this plan, on account of the high character of the mother of the chief of Murvi, for prudence, propriety of conduct, and a be- nevolent disposition. As this lady possesses consider- able influence over her son, I expected that she would exert it in favour of a measure, agreeable to her own feelings. The embarrassed state of Jehaji's affairs, and the countenance which he stood in need of from me for retrieving them, were circumstances which I conceived would occur to the discretion of his mother ; and urge her to obtain from her son a concession which might give the family a claim to my support. My overtures to this lady were at first received with the feelings na- tural to her sex ; and she seemed disposed, with the rest of the women, who held several consultations together on the subject, to unite their influence for the abolition of Infanticide. But these ebullitions were of short duration : the Jadejas were alarmed, and the women contended for the ancient privilege of the caste ; they were led away from the path of nature and humanity by the example and influence of their husbands. The mother of the chief of Murvi requested that she might be excused soliciting her son on this head, and referred me for any farther information to Jehaji. At this period my prospect of success was very obscure and distant : but although these efforts had failed of their desired effect, they were notwithstanding, useful ; and paved the way for success, by turning the attention of the country to a subject, which, it would appear, had never THE ABOLITION OF INFANTICIDE. 79 before attracted any public notice. By discussing the subject frequently in the public Kacheri, and exposing the enormity of the practice, as contrary to the precepts of religion and the dictates of nature, every caste came to express an abhorrence of Infanticide ; and the obsti- nate prejudices of the Jadejas began to be shaken. The maxims and passions which favoured Infanticide, were probably for the first time canvassed, and censured with freedom. The progress of this system was slow, but it was insensibly spreading its influence, and became a subject of universal conversation. The novelty of the attempt, and the extraordinary nature of the subject, also attracted general attention. But whatever influ- ence these circumstances might produce, as Jehaji was the first chieftain that I had addressed on the subject, it was of the utmost importance to make some impression on him. I bent every exertion, therefore^ and tried va- rious expedients to reclaim this chief, who had already destroyed two of his daughters, from the practice of In- fanticide. At last I obtained from Jehaji a conditional writing to the following eff*ect: 'From motives of friendship the Honourable Company have urged me to preserve my daughters ; to this I consent, if the chiefs of Nmvanagar and Gondal agree.' This was the first considerable step towards the attainment of this great object ; and the writing appeared to reduce the qiiestion to a kind of point of honour, or respect for antiquity, in setting the example of sanctioning an innovation on a general habit. From the character and behaviour of the Jam, I could have no hopes that he would set this ex- ample ; but as the family of Dewaji of Goridal had already preserved several of their daughters, I was led to entertain the most favourable expectations from the general disposition of this chief, and his reputation for humanity. It may be proper to mention, that Jehaji first proposed to insert the names of the Rao of Kachh and Jam of Nawana^ar in his writing ; but I positively refused to receive the paper unless it comprised Dewaji 80 THE JADEJAS OF KATHIAWAD of Gondal. The compliance of Jehaji with this request it may be but fair to consider as a favourable indica tion of his sentiments ; and that he was secretly not ex tremely averse to agree to the abolishing of Infanticide It may be presumed he was acquainted with the dispo si tion of Dewaji, and of the general opinion that this chief, when pressed, would renounce the practice of killing liis daughters, FromDosaji of Malia I obtained a similar writing to that received from the chief of Murvr. I had conceived great expectations from Dosaji, who had preserved a daughter, and had by his vakil (agent) afforded repeated assurances that he was ready to renounce Infanticide ; but it is remarkable that this chief used every evasion and delay to avoid executing a formal deed in renunciation of the practice. It is ne- cessary to notice here, that there were several petty Jadeja chiefs in my camp, whose distressed and depend- ant circumstances rendered them obsequious to any measure proposed by Government ; ^ and they were ready to bind themselves by any engagement to re- nounce Infanticide : but I conceived that their early formal acquiescence would not have the force of ex- ample with any of the superior chiefs, and would rather prejudice the cause. Under these ideas, I declined for the present entering into engagements* with the petty chiefs who followed the camp. The narrative must now accompany the operations of the Detachment, which traversed the country of Jam and arrived at Kandorera. I employed this time, as often as circumstances and opportunity permitted, in favour of the design for abol- ishing Infanticide. Wasanji Ishwarji, the vakil of the Gondal chief, residing in camp, enabled me frequently to converse with him on the subject ; and this sensible and respectable Brahman was easily persuaded to unite his influence with mine, to prevail on his master to enter into a formal obligation for discontinuing Infanticide. During these events, Wasanji had occasion to proceed to Gondal on some revenue affairs ; and before his de- AGREE TO ABANDON INFANTICIDE. 81 parture he privately gave me such assurances, as I con- ceived might be confided in, that he would, on his re- turn, obtain authority from Dewaji, to enter into any engagements which might be required, for preserving the daughters of the Jadejas, residing in that part of the country. In this, and every endeavour for suppressing Infanticide, it is with great pleasure that I mention the cordial and zealous assistance of Vithalrao Diwanji, the commander of the Gaikawad army. This officer, with the peculiar ardour of his character, embraced every occasion of exposing the enormity of the crime, and of promoting, by his arguments and influence, a de- testation of the practice. The mission of Wasanji Ish- warji was entirely successful ; and on his return to camp, after expressing the reluctance of his master to set an example which might bring on him the reproach of his caste, a deed of the most solemn, effectual, and binding nature was executed, renouncing for ever the practice of Infanticide. '< The following is a translation of this instrument : < Whereas the Honourable English Company and Anand' rao Gaikavmd Sena Khdskhel Shamsher Bahadur^ having set forth to us the dictates of the Shastras and the true faith of the Hindus ; as well as, that the Brahma- Vai- varttaka Purana declares the killing of children to be a heinous sin ; it being written that it is as great an oiFence to kill an embryo as a Brahman ; that to kill one woman is as great a sin as a hundred Brahmans ; that to put one child to death is as great a transgression against the di- vine laws, as to kill a hundred women ; and that the perpetrators of this sin shall be damned to the Hell Kd- la Sutra, where, he shall be infested with as many mag- gots as he may have hairs on his body; be born again a leper, and debilitated in all his members : We Jadeja Dewaji and Kuer Nathu, Zamindars of Gondal, (the custom of female Infanticide having long prevailed in our caste) do hereby agree for ourselves, and for our off- spring ; as also we bind ourselves in behalf of our rela- 5 82 ENGAGEMENTS TO ABANDON INFANTICIDE. tions, and their offspring, for ever, for the sake of our own prosperity, and for the credit of the Hindu faith; that we shall from this day renounce this practice ; and in default of this, that we acknowledge ourselves offen- ders against the Sirkars.^ Moreover, should any one in future commit this offence, we shall expel him from our caste, and he shall be punished according to the pleasure of the two governments, and the rule of the Shastras. The above writing is duly executed." ' This form of engagement, it will be seen, is similar to that into which the Rajkumars entered under Mr. Jonathan Duncan, on which we have already remark- ed,! that while it is perfectly satisfactory as far as the interdiction of Infanticide is concerned, it makes the English Government the patron and teacher and aven- ger of the Hindu faith. At the time it was prepared little comparatively was thought, even by the wisest and best of our countrymen residing in India, of the moral rela- tions of the measures of our administration, on which the greatest stress is ever to be laid. The great ambition of our politicals was too often to please and gratify, even by religious concession and flattery. It is with painful feelings that we now read such an exordium as we find in one of Major Walker's letters written about this time to Shivaji Sundarji on the great theme of hu- manity which was so near his heart : " I have received your letter, and I understand its contents ; but to-day being Vitipat^X which is an unlucky day, I therefore am unable to write a particular answer until to-morrow ; I beg you to wait." Even though the inability here re- ferred to may have originated in the absence, from su- perstitious reasons, of a principal clerk, it should not have been announced in a manner seemingly defer- ential to superstition. * The British and Gaikawad Governments. f See above, p. 42. X Sanskrit vyatipat, the seventeenth day of the Yogas, considered by the Hindus particularly unlucky. ENGAGEMENTS TO ABANDON INFANTICIDE. 83 "With the exception of the Jam every Jadeja chief readily and without offering a single objection, subscrib- ed to a counterpart of this instrument." Every other Ja- deja possessed of the least authority or influence in the country did the same. The Jam, who was the first in rank of the Jadejas of Kathiawad, opposed it by every art and subterfuge as long as he could. He attempted to prevent Dewaji of Gondal from signing it, but fortun- ately ineffectually. He requested, with reference to his own family, that neither he nor his own offspring should be included in the engagement, but that he should only bind himself for his other relations and their offspring. No exception, however, could be made in his favour. " It is sufficient, to expose the unworthy motives of this chief," wrote Major Walker, " to mention that after he had agreed to the engagement for renouncing Infant- icide, he had the effrontery and meanness to solicit an abatement of his revenue, in order to re-imburse the expence, which, as he alleged, he would in future be liable to in consequence of bringing up his daughters." If the truth had been fully known, it would have been found that not another Jadeja who signed the engage- ment was actuated at the time by nobler or more disin- terested motives. It was deference to the will of the English Sirkar, and not to the will of God or the voice of humanity, which led them to its adoption. It was received to get rid of a disagreeable importunity, and doubtless in the hope that it might be violated with comparative impunity, as the Jadejas themselves were to be the executors of its highest penalty, that of ex- pulsion from caste, and as additional punishment was rather obscurely prescribed, to be inflicted " according to the pleasure of the two governments [the British and Gaikawad] and the [indefinite] rule of the Shastras." Still, as a primary measure, it had very high import- ance. Major Walker's estimate of the advantages of the en- gagement was doubtless formed in all sincerity. It was 84 MAJOR WALKER S ESTIMATE OF thus expressed. " The instruments ascertain with pre- cision what the parties have stipulated to perform ; and besides inflicting the penalties derived from caste and religion, those deeds confer on the Company and the Gaikawad, a clear and legal right of punishing the of- fenders. It seems to be incontrovertible, that, whatever may have been its origin, the Jadejas continued Infant- icide from motives of interest or convenience ; and the same motives are now^ brought into operation to coun- terbalance their former prejudice ; for if they were to relapse, and again kill their daughters, they would be liable to the disgrace of expulsion from their families, and to arbitrary punishment ; exposing themselves evi- dently to much greater disadvantages and vexations, than can possibly arise from preserving their children. The illiterate condition of the Jadejas, the confined state of their information, and the acquiescence of suc- cessive generations, had shut their eyes to the atrocity of Infanticide ; but it is not too much to expect, that the instruction and lights they have lately received, may produce a beneficial change in their sentiments. The crime of Infanticide has been exposed to the communi- ty ; and many men who never reflected upon it before, will now, under the impression of its enormity, insensi- bly impart their sentiments to the Jadejas who live amongst them. The intercourse of life, and the equal state in some points of the members of their society, af- ford abundance of opportunity for this communication ; and it will produce that influence which is generally the consequence of a free exchange of correct opinions. Among the causes also which are likely to maintain the observance of these engagements, superstition may be mentioned, which was before acting in favour of In- fanticide. The Jadejas now understand the punishment denounced by the Shastras for the crime ; and the same spirit of religion which transferred the sin to the Rajgur will be equally disposed, by a kind of retributive jus- tice, in consequence of their own voluntary deed, to i THE JADEJA ENGAGEMENTS. 85 make them in future answerable for every violation of their contract. Even a temporary disuse of Infanticide would assist towards its entire abolition, by allowing reason and natural feelings to recover their ascendancy. The great satisfaction of the country, and the general contentment of the Jadejas themselves, after they had signed the instruments for abolishing Infanticide, what- ever repugnance they had before expressed to the meas- ure, appeared to me to afford strong grounds for be- lieving that the engagements would be permanent. The efficacy, however, of these engagements, and the entire suppression of this vice, must be maintained by the vig- ilance and vigour of the Company's and the Gaikawad Government. Their power or influence must be exert- ed to punish the first instance of transgression. It may appear to have been desirable, but it was not easily practicable, to have defined the nature of the punish- ment to be inflicted on future offenders. The great in- equality in the power and rank of the Jadejas, render- ed it difficult to fix with any advantageous precision, on a common standard of punishment." To this it may be added, also in the words of Major Walker, " It is remarkable that none of the Governments [except that of .lehangir on a particular occasion^] who have ac- quired an ascendancy in India have ever been induced to attempt the abolition of Infanticide ; and that a cus- tom so repugnant to every principle of reason and na- tural affection should have been permitted to exist and be tolerated, even at the very walls of the capitals of the Muhammadan sovereigns of Delhi and Gujarat, with- out an attempt to abolish it." The honour of the sup- pression of all the great inhuman rites of India has been reserved for a Christian nation. With his distinguished success in Kathiawad, Major Walker was quickened in his endeavours in behalf of * This interpolation we insert on the authority of the Akbal-Namah, as quoted by Colonel Walker himself on the 27th August, 1819. 86 FAILURE OF NEGOCIATIONS WITH KACHH. the province of Kachh. These endeavours, however, were at this time wholly unsuccessful. His renewed appeal to Fatteh Muhammad, the minister of the Rao, merely called forth a second defence of Infanticide, with the declaration that it was improper for him to say more to the Jadejas on the subject. The fact was, that this wily Jamadar feared the subversion of his own power by the Jadeja brotherhood, and did not like to offend that body. Major Walker came to the conclu- sion, which was unhappily proved to be a sound one, that no strong hope could be entertained that Infant- icide would be soon abolished in Kachh. CHAPTER IV. RESULTS OF COLONEL WALKER's ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE SUPPRESSION OF INFANTICIDE EFFORTS OF CAP- TAIN CARNAC IN THE SAME CAUSE. Major Walker's success in negotiating the agreement with the Jadeja chiefs of Kathiawad for the suppression of Infanticide met, as it well merited, with the cordial approbation of the Bombay Government, the minute of which on the occasion, on account of the important counsels and suggestions which it contained, is well worthy of being recorded in full. '' In acknowledgment of the letter above recorded from Major Walker, and of its several accompaniments, he is to be advised, in addition to the approbation al- ready expressed under date the 8th of March, on the success of his exertions in putting, (it is hoped) an effectual end to the horrid practice of Infanticide in and throughout the Peninsula of Gujarat, that Govern- ment have perused, with the interest arising out of the extraordinary nature and great importance of the sub- ject, the more particular details furnished by his present address, of the probable rise and progress, and the too certain prevalence of this nefarious system amongst the Jadejas ; and, in one instance at least, among Jaitwa Rajputs ; and whilst we cannot sufficiently commend that solicitude, perseverance, and ability, to which is to be ascribed the procuring of the obligations entered into by all the chieftains to abandon it, we are sensible 88 APPROBATION OF COL. WALKER's ARRANGEMENTS. that it must require the vigilant and concurrent atten- tion of both the government of the Gaikawad, and of the Honourable Company to ensure, especially during the first years, the faithful adherence of the several par- ties to the salutary stipulations to which they have thus been brought to subscribe. But we rely on the zeal of the Resident, who will not fail to stimulate the native administration of Baroda, and through it, their officers in Kathiawad, to attend to and make periodical reports of the new system thus happily introduced ; which if allowed to operate, must soon become manifest in the number of female children which every Jadeja house may soon be known to contain ; while on the other hand the want of such indication will constitute proof suffi- cient of the influence of the old prejudice, and of that disregard to engagements, which, in the present in- stance, ought not to be treated with much indulgence, but rather punished by a moderate fine, to be always imposed with the privity of the British Government through the Resident; and the amount of which to be applied to the relief of those among the more indigent classes of the Jadejas who shall be known to fulfil and adhere to the letter and spirit of their engagements; or, therwise, by the infliction of such other penalty as the local authorities may deem the most impressive, and likely to ensure the attainment of an object so highly salutary and indispensable in all respects, as is the ex- tirpation of the baneful practice of Infanticide from all the districts of Kathiawad, with an ultimate view to the same humane object in Kachh. <' It is accordingly desired that the Resident will concert with the Gaikawad Government the best means for obtaining periodical notices of the obligations ; mak- ing it also a rule to submit (exclusive of such intermed- iate reports as may become necessary) one general statement on the last day of each year, how far the amended system has been acted on and observed, what deviations are known or suspected to have been made RESULTS OF COL. WALKER*S ARRANGEMENTS. 89 from its rules, and what measures pursued for their en- forcement ; the whole to be accompanied with an es- timate of the number of lives that may, under the bless- ing of Divine Providence, be thus ultimately saved to the community." The Court of Directors of the East India Conipany were not less hearty in their approbation of the proceed- ings of Colonel Walker, as shown by their dispatches of the 30th August 1809 and 29th August 1810, in the latter of which they acknowledged that his perseverance was entitled to their " highest commendation." The first intimation of the practical working of the Engagement of the Jadejas, was conveyed in an official letter from Colonel Walker dated from the Residency of Baroda, 16th December 1808. It certified, on the au- thority of the native agents of the Gaikawad in Kathia- wad, the preservation of the lives of twenty Jadeja fe- males, the natural death of two, and the murder of three, one of whom was the granddaughter of the Gondal chief, of whom, however, no person would act as the public accuser. Among the parties who had saved a daughter was an individual of the Dharol Bhaiyad, who had been formerly instrumental in the death of three of his daughters in succession. Colonel Walker esteem- ed these results of great importance ; and doubtless they had this character. They were shown by a very limit- ed portion of the Jadeja territory ; and other districts, it was thought, would furnish similar evidence of the respect shown to the Engagement. The inference drawn from them was that " the practice is decreasing, or that public opinion now views it in a different light than formerly." The general results, however, it is to be no- ticed, had only been partially ascertained. Had more strict and extended inquiry been made, it would have been found that the instances of the evasion of the En- gagement, even at first, were more numerous than those of compliance with its requisitions. With no adequate arrangements for the supervision of the Jadejas, it was 90 RESULTS OF COLONEL WALKEr's ARRANGEMENTS. scarcely to be expected, in the view of their former habits, that they would all at once prove true to the dic- tates of humanity which they had so long set at defiance. It was dangerous, indeed, to allow a treaty, deliber- ately formed between national governments, to de*- pend principally on the influence of <' public opinion," for its execution, especially when that "public opi- nion" had never formerly been instrumental in prevent- ing in a single instance the crime which it was de- signed to suppress. A " moderate fine," it will have been noticed, was the specific punishment, recommended by the Bombay Government to be applied in the case of offenders ; and with this punishment Colonel Walker requested the Gaikawad Government to visit the parties who, it had been ascertained, had actually violated their engage- ments. It was a punishment which required a firm hand for its infliction ; but of the use of such an instru- ment for its application we have but little evidence. On the expulsion from caste, the most formidable penalty adverted to in the Engagement, nothing was said. Such a punishment as that, in fact, in connexion with which the British Government could not properly interfere, ought never to have been one of the stipulations. In 1809, Kathiawad was revisited by Colonel Walker. On his return to Baroda, he addressed the following letter to the Bombay Government. It is dated the 29th December 1809, and takes a more sanguine view of the progress of the cause which he had so deeply at heart than was warranted by the facts of the case ; though the incidents to which it adverts were of the most gratify- ing nature. " During the recent expedition into Kathiawad I was not unmindful of inquiring into the success of the humane arrangements introduced under the influence of the Honorable Company's Government, for the abolish- ment of female Infanticide among the Jadeja Rajputs; and I am happy to report that this reform has com- pletely taken root. RESULTS OF COLONEL WALKEr's ARRANGEMENTS. 91 <'I have the honor to enclose a list of those Jadejas [32 in number] who have preserved their female chil- dren, which fell under my own direct observance. On my halt at Dharol, I had all those in the immediate neighbourhood who were capable of attending brought to my tent ; and many were too young to be brojight from any distance. It was extremely gratifying, on this occasion, to observe the triumph of nature, feeling, and parental affection, over prejudice and horrid supersti- tion ; and those who, but a short period before, would, as many of them had done, have doomed their infants to destruction without compunction, should now glory in their preservation, and doat on them with fondness. " The whole of the instances submitted in the accom- panying list have occurred since the execution of the engagements renouncing the practice of Infanticide. Among these the Honourable the Governor in Council will observe the name of the Raja of Murvi, Kuer Da- daji of Rajkot, and Kuer Wakaji of Dharol, and of se- veral other men of rank and influence, whose example must have a most beneficial effect. " The list of lives which have been saved to the com- munity by the humane interference of the Company's Government might be very considerably increased by extending the inquiry into the Jadeja villages ; but this will be sufficient to show that the preservation of female children has now become general. There is no reason to doubt of the final abolishment of this inhuman practice. When once the natural emotions of parental affection have resumed their sway, it may reasonably be expect- ed that this cruel and barbarous prejudice will be con- demned by those who formerly most strongly sup- ported it. " I respectfully beg leave to submit to the considera- tion of the Honourable the Governor in Council, a me- morandum of a disbursement made in presents to those Jadejas who had preserved their daughters, and who visited me at Dharol. The fund whence this disburse- 92 RESULTS OF COLONEL WALKER's ARRANGEMENTS. ment is to be defrayed is from the nazarana, exacted from the chieftain of Gondal, and which the Honoura- ble the Governor in Council is already apprized, includ- ed an amercement for the destruction of the female in- fant of that chieftain's son. This arrangement is in conformity to the instructions of the Honourable the Go- vernor in Council, and I respectfully trust it will be honoured with their approval and sanction." This, we believe, was the last communication ad- dressed to Government by Colonel Walker, on the sub- ject of Infanticide during his residence in India. How with his ideas of the number of Jadejas in Kathiawad, and with the means of information which he possessed as the adviser of the Gaikawad's Government and the head of an expedition to that province, he could be sa- tisfied with the meagre list of parties who had saved their female children which he forwarded to the Bombay Government, it is difficult to see, unless we suppose that he was really trusting more to public opinion, to time, and to example for the suppression of Infanticide than to the Engagement which he had laboured with so much zeal and ability to procure. The benevolent feelings of Colonel Walker must have been highly gratified by the presentation to him in Kathiawad of some of the individuals who had actually been spared from destruction in consequence of his own endeavours. How affecting it must have been for him to hear, as he actually did at Dharol, the tender Rajput daughter rescued from the murderous hand of the paren- tal destroyer, exclaim with infantile voice. Colonel Walker saved me ! This must have been more precious to his generous heart than the approbation of his country, which he afterwards cordially received, especially after the publication of the narratives of Moor and Cormack. Encouraged by what he witnessed, he divided the sum of Rs. 1,400 as presents among seven of the daughters of the Jadejas who were presented to him. Though liberality of this kind is in fact a rebuke of the parents CAPT. CARNAC S FIRST LETTER ON INFANTICIDE. 93 into whose hands it would come, it was wisely admin- istered. The uncivilized and uninstructed mind, like that of a child, must be wooed to good by reward, as well as deterred from evil by punishment. Captain James Rivett Carnac, formerly the assistant, was the successor of Colonel Walker, as Resident at Baroda. His first communication to the Bombay Go- vernment on the subject of Infanticide was dated the 24th November 1811. He was then in Kathiawad, heading an expedition against the Jam Jasaji of Nawa- nagar, against whom he had four days previously urged the following complaints from his camp. *' Previous to my departure from Baroda, I communi- cated with you on some particular points, to which I received no satisfactory answer; and though your con- duct on this occasion has not been becoming your situation, I shall at present dispense with your over- sight, and apprize you of the reasons which have made me come to this quarter. " The first is to require from you the discharge of the just demands of the Government of Rao Raydhan [of Kachh] ; and on this head I suppose you will conform to what justice may dictate. "The second object of my journey is to require from you the persons who committed the barbarous act of wantonly wounding an English gentleman, convinced that if reason guides your conduct, and you regard your character, no difficulty will be experienced on this score. " Lastly, the infringement of your engagement res- pecting Infanticide will be fully investigated. It was the hope of the British Government that your rank and situation in this country would have impelled you to be foremost in showing a good example, as well in the strict performance of your public obligations, as in re- nouncing a practice hostile to humanity, and contrary to the tenets of the sacred shastra. "On this point I shall expect particular satisfaction 94 CAPT. CARNAC'S DEMAND ON THE JAM FOR THE from you ; and the instances of misconduct to the Gai- kawad Government will be made known to you by the orders of the Maharaja, Futteh Singh. " In order to discuss these several points I beg you will send with despatch Mukhtiar Wakils (authorized agents) to this camp." Before this communication reached Bombay, Mr. Dun- can had ceased to be the head of its Government, hav- ing died on the 11th August 1811. His successor, pro tempore, was Mr. George Brown. He did not approve of this early reference in the negociations with the Jam to the affair of Infanticide. Of that reference, however, Captain Carnac gave most satisfactory explanations. "The abolition of this inhuman practice in this country could not be accomplished until Lieutenant Colonel Walker, became enabled to obtain the assent of Jam Jasaji, whose example was declared indispensable by the other Jadeja chiefs, for their concurrence. On these grounds it appeared to me of some importance that the earliest notice should be taken of the acts of the Nagar chief in violation of his engagement. It was consistent with the prompt measures adopted by Lieutenant Colo- nel Walker, with the Gondal chief in 1809 ; but the recognition of this deviation in the instance of the Jam was not required, exclusively, as it affected the act it- iself, but principally to deter others from imitating it, either from the belief that we had deserted an object so strongly supported by every consideration of common humanity, or that we were unwilling to insist on the fulfilment of the stipulations with the most powerful chief in the country. It also occurred to me that the introduction of any subjects for discussion at a more advanced period of my negotiation might create distrust in the mind of Jam Jasaji, (notoriously suspicious in his disposition) as to the limits of our demands. In submitting, however, this explanation, I am aware that the subsequent exposition of the hostility of Jam Jasaji to each of the demands contained in my address to him VIOLATION OF HIS INFANTICIDE ENGAGEMENTS. 95 of the 21st November renders it superfluous, except in justification of my measures." These explanations ap- pear to have been viewed as satisfactory. " The Gov- ernor in Council," it was afterwards officially stated in a letter to Captain Carnac, " is extremely solicitous to persevere in the efforts already made for the attainment of the humane and beneficial object of extirpating the horrid practice of Female Infanticide from Kathiawad. The disavowal of Jam Jasaji of his engagements for that, and for the other purposes for which he had afforded security, is an indisputable indication of the unprincipled character of that chieftain, as described in the following emphatic terms by Colonel Walker. 'The character of this chief exhibits an extraordinary contrast of great arrogance and extreme submission, of insolence and timidity ; and the treachery and cruelty of Jam, are only restrained by the cowardice of his dis- position.' " The issue of Captain Carnac's prompt interference with the Jam on this occasion was, that he demanded and obtained from him a fine of 5,000 rupees, paid in two instalments, for his breach of his Infanticide En- gagement, and induced him to sign a new engagement dated the 25th February 1812, the tenor of which was as follows : " It has been a practice among the Jadejas of my caste not to permit any female infants to live. The two Sirkars [the English and Baroda] have pointed out to me the true Hindu religion, and that the Brahma Wai- wartta Purana declared it to be a horrid crime, and that killing an infant is the same as killing a Brahman and also that the murder of a woman is equal to that of 100 Brahmans. " In this case both the murder of an infant and wo- man occur, for which crime the perpetrator will receive as many punishments as there are hairs on the woman's body, and will be born a decrepit leper in the next trans- migration. The Sirkar in the year 1864, (A. D. 1807) 96 CAPT. CARNAC'S SECOND COMMUNICATION having explained this to me, I agreed not to commit this crime, or to allow it in my hhaiyad^ and passed a writing to that effect. " I did not give proper information to the Sirkar's mehta, (clerk) who came to inquire into the business, on which account I again engage to Government that neither myself, descendants, nor bhaiyad, will commit this act; and if we should, we are guilty before the Sir- kar. If I know of any of my caste having committed this act, I will turn him out of the caste, and answer to Government as they may choose. '' I also give Bharot Meru, mehta of Viramgaum, and Bharot Ramdas Nathu of Jalsan, as securities for the above. Ja'm Jasa'ji'." Nothing further was heard from Captain Carnac on the subject, till a letter dated the 18th July 1816 was received by the Bombay Government. It contained the following statements. <' I should have been happy to announce that female Infanticide was entirely eradicated from the Peninsula of Kathiawad. Although there has lately been no evid- ence afforded to me, either by my assistant, or the Gai- kawad local authority, of any Jadeja having destroyed his offspring since the accession to the engagements by the means of Colonel Walker, I have been disappoint- ed in the result of the statement of those children who have been reported as preserved. The accompanying letter from Captain Ballantine [one of Captain Carnac's assistants] seems to vouch only iox fifteen, the disparity of which number is very great according to the ordina- ry progress of population. I am persuaded, however, that there could have been no want of exertion in the public officers in Kathiawad for ascertaining those per- sons who may have departed from their engagements. The difficulty of discovery, by the interspersed state of the Jadejas over a considerable tract of country, and the pervading principle among these people not to de- stroy the practice which their own prejudices approved, . ON JADEJA INFANTICIDE. 97 will account for the continuance of female Infanticide in defiance of any public obligations for its suppression. " It is important that our humane endeavours have preserved some victims, and that the act [of preserving daughters] is not now considered disgraceful to the fa- milies which have given this laudable example. The general adoption of the practice among the Jadejas ex- tenuated the crime, and apologized for this violent per- version of the instinctive feelings of human nature ; but as children are now preserved, it is natural to believe that the Jadejas must gradually return to the influence of those natural feelings which are the best security for the success of our interference. " Among those who have given the example, the Right Honourable the Governor in Council is aware that the Raja of Murvi is included. He has now two daughters, who will shortly be offered in marriage ; and I submit, with great deference, that nothing would better conduce to the suppression of Infanticide in this part of India, or be considered a more honourable proof of the regard of the British Government to the Raja, than the nuptials of his daughters being conducted at the public expense. ^' With a view of relieving us from the charge, I would propose that Captain Ballantine should be sedu- lous in his inquiries after those Jadejas who may have sacrificed their female children subsequent to their en- gagements, and that he e^act a pecuniary fine, confor- mably to the penalty prescribed when those engage- ments were contracted. I would also propose that the means to be given to the Raja of Murvi should not be delayed until we have realized the fines from the delin- quent Jadejas, but that he is apprized immediately of the intention of the Company's Government to perform at its own expense the nuptials of his daughters, in a manner consistent with the honour of the family." It is apparent from these representations, that the cause of the abolition of Infanticide in Kathiawad had actually made no progress since the departure from 6 98 CAPTAIN CARNAC'S PROPOSALS DISALLOWED India of Colonel Walker ; and that even the progress made towards its suppression in the time of Walker, had been much over-estimated. Only fifteen Jadeja females, after an interval of eight years from the ratifi- cation of the Engagement, are as yet known to have been saved ! The anarchy and confusion which had existed in Kathiawad from the feeble efforts of the Gaikawad and Peshwa governments to follow up the general settle- ments made by Colonel Walker for the pacification of its tributaries there, afforded some explanation, but no justification, of this lamentable fact. The Bombay Government of the time did not see fit to comply with the specific recommendations of Captain Carnac, which had been suggested to him by Captain Ballantine his deputy in Kathiawad. It passed the fol- lowing Resolution : " The Governor in Council does not approve of Capt. Carnac's entertaining an establishment for the purpose of suppressing female Infanticide, which, even admit- ting its formation to be essential to eff"ecting that desir- able object, we are not at liberty to sanction without the authority of the Honourable Court ; nor does it appear advisable to adopt the other proposition, of defraying the expenses of the marriage of the children of a Jadeja. " Captain Carnac must, therefore, be informed that neither of his propositions are admissible, especially the last, because, if the Honourabie Court should undertake to defray the expense of the nuptials of the female chil- dren of one of the Jadejas, the rest of the fraternity would expect the same consideration, to which they would be equally entitled with the Raja of Murvi; the introduction of such a practice, independently of the great expense attending it, would also be liable to be abused. ** The Governor in Council is desirous, however, to be informed what would be the probable amount of the ex- pense attending the marriage of a female of this class, in case the Honourable Court should view the subject BY THE BOMBAY GOVERNMENT. 99 in a different light, and should authorize the incurring it on the present, or on any future occasion. ''With respect to the retaining the establishment sug- gested by Lieutenant Ballantine, Captain Carnac is to be instructed to acquaint him that his proposition can- not be sanctioned, and to be called upon to report when the mehtas were employed by the native governments, as alluded to by Lieutenant Ballantine, as also the causes which led to the discontinuance of that establish- ment. Captain Carnac is at the same time to be re- quired to exert his utmost vigilance in ascertaining how far the engagements entered into by the Jadejas with Lieutenant Colonel Walker, have been fulfilled; and on discovering any breach of such engagements he should rigorously enforce the penalties. Had the annual re- ports required by the instructions of Government of the 31st of March 1808 been regularly attended to, the chieftains would have observed a continued anxiety on the part of the British Government to enforce the en- gagements they had contracted ; and the formation of those reports would also have led to a spirit of inquiry, and ensured in a certain degree the fulfilment of those engagements, inasmuch as it would have proved to the chieftains of Kathiawad the anxiety felt by the British Government on the subject. The Governor in Council relies on Captain Carnac's attention to the re- gular transmission of those returns in future ; and if, as directed in the last paragraph of the instructions advert- ed to, no measures have been ' concerted with the Gai- kawad government in respect to the best means for ob- taining periodical notices of the operations, making it also a rule to submit (exclusive of such intermediate reports as may become necessary,) one general state- ment on the last day of each year, how far the amended system has been acted on, and observed ; what devia- tions are known, or suspected to have been made from its rules ; and what measures pursued for their enforce- ment; the whole to be accompanied with an estimate 100 HINTS FROM GOVERNMENT TO CAPTAIN CARNAC. of the number of lives that may under the blessing of Div- ine Providence be thus ultimately saved to the com- munity'. Captain Carnac will immediately enter upon a consideration of this extremely interesting subject with the Gaikawad government, and report the result to the Governor in Council. " If penalties to any extent should be recovered, it will then be matter for consideration how far the sum thus raised should be rendered applicable to the affording assistance to any of the Jadejas who may stand in need of such assistance, in the manner contemplated by Col- onel Walker, in his Report of the 15th of March 1808, nor is the Governor in Cound and the last day, and doth that which is right, they shall have their reward with their Lord, there shall come no fear on them, neither shall they be grieved." This passage has given rise to much controversy, though the majority of the Musalmans hold that it was afterwards repealed. See Sale, in he.'] MR. Duncan's final letter to kachh. 137 me, who have been cherished by his Highness, to discuss this question with the Jadeja people : in concurring with the following divine command, 'It will not be competent to you to bring into the right path every per- son to whom you may be attached, though the Almighty be able to direct in the way of truth whomsoever he wishes.'^ This point therefore excepted, I request you will unreservedly command my services in this quar- ter, on all suitable occasions ; and I shall discharge the duties of a good-wisher in the accomplishment thereof; not doubting at the same time, that you will always consider me as one of those who desire you well, and afford me the pleasure of your correspondence, such as I shall esteem the height of human felicity." Mr. Duncan, undiscouraged by this evasive, though polite, declinature, renewed his remonstrances with Fatteh Muhammad, in the following epistle dated the 25th March, 1811. It is obviously penned in the native style ; and it is somewhat indicative of the '' brahman- ized mind," which Sir James Mackintosh, the Recorder of Bombay, who in his philosophical and judicial dig- nity and decorum had but little sympathy with his frequent oriental accommodations, was jocularly wont to attribute to Mr. Duncan. ''I have of late had the pleasure of receiving a letter from you, on the subject of the fortunate consequences that attended the deputation of the late most worthy character, Captain Greenwood, to Mandavi, and re- specting your reluctance to interpose for the prevention of the nefarious observance of female Infanticide, as being a long-established custom that has prevailed among the Jadejas of your quarter, and of which although you cannot yourself but disapprove, you wish to decline in- terfering in for fear of giving offence to your superiors. You should, however, consider what a high religious merit you must acquire in the sight of the Almighty by proving the happy means of putting an end to so im- [* This passage is conformable to the doctrines of Islam.] 138 MR. Duncan's final letter to kachh. moral and detested a practice, as must by all the world be acknowledged to be the one here alluded to, and which might gradually be repressed, and in time entirely rooted out, by pursuing the same conciliatory means for that purpose as were followed three years ago in Kathi- awad, by the respectable Colonel Walker, who after some amicable discussion, obtained, under the instruc- tions of this Government, written engagements and ob- ligations from all the Jadeja chieftains in that region to abandon so abominable a custom, in like manner as I had previously done two-and-twenty years ago from the Rajput tribe of Rajkumars in the Zillah of Juanpur, in the province of Benares ; since which, the acts of these Rajkumars have remained unsullied with such barba- rous and unnatural deeds as the murder of their own offspring. I enclose a translation of the engagement which these Rajkumars on that account entered into, under date the 17th of December 1789, and the respect- able Captain Carnac, Resident at Baroda, will forward a transcript of the engagement to the same effect entered into with Colonel Walker by the Jadejas of Kathiawad, both which writings I recommend your confidentially imparting, together with copies of my former and present letters to you on this important subject, to some of the most discreet of the head men of that tribe in Kachh, and on whom I cannot doubt the perusal and consid- eration thereof will produce a salutary effect, and awake their feelings to a sense of the murderous habitudes to which they and their ancestors have been thus long inured ; such as I cannot suppose they will desire to persevere in after knowing that it has been relinquished by so many of their brethren both in the west and in the east, when they can, I trust, no longer desire to con- tinue the solitary instance of such atrocity ; in which case the Almighty will no doubt forgive the past, as being founded in their ignorance, and in those prejudi- ces of education which it is so difficult in all countries to get the better of; whereas if they wilfully persist thus to put their own infants systematically to death, in DEATH OF MR. DUNCAN. 189 defiance of the salutary example set to them by their brethren, it is to be dreaded that the Divine vengeance may one day overtake them and their country, in like manner as the history of other nations contains marked manifestations of, such as I hope they will avert in time, and seasonably shield themselves from, by the renuncia- tion thus solicitously desired of them ; nor can you in particular perform a service so agreeable to me as by contributing, by all the weight of your own influence, to the attainment of an object so highly interesting to humanity, respecting which I shall therefore wait your further report, with an anxiety proportionate to the im- portance of the reformation thus in view." This, it is believed, was the last communication on the subject of Infanticide written or prompted by Mr. Dun- can. He died on the 11th August following, greatly lamented by the Bombay community, of which, for the long period of sixteen years, he had been the honoured and efficient head.^ * The following is the inscription on the handsome and tasteful mon- ument to Mr. Duncan in the Bombay Cathedral. IN MEMORY OF THE HON'BLE JONATHAN DUNCAN GOVERNOR OF BOMBAY, FROM 1795 TO 1811. EECOMMENDED TO THAT HIGH OFFICE BY HIS TALENTS AND INTEGRITY, IN THE DISCHARGE OF VARIOUS IMPORTANT DUTIES IN BENGAL AND BENARES, HIS PURITY AND ZEAL FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD WERE EQUALLY CONSPICUOUS DURING HIS LONG AND UPRIGHT ADMINISTRATION AT THIS PRESIDENCY. WITH A GENEROUS DISREGARD OF PERSONAL INTEREST, HIS PRIVATE LIFE WAS ADORNED BY THE MOST MUNIFICENT ACTS OF CHARITY AND FRIENDSHIP, TO ALL CLASSES OF THE COMMUNITY. TO THE NATIVES IN PARTICULAR HE WAS A FRIEND AND PROTECTOR TO WHOM THEY LOOKED WITH UNBOUNDED CONFIDENCE, AND NEVER APPEALED IN VAIN. HE WAS BORN AT WARDHOUSE IN THE COUNTY OF FORFAR IN SCOTLAND ON THE 1st may 1756, CAME TO INDIA AT THE AGE OF 16; AND, AFTER 39 YEARS OF UNINTERRUPTED SERVIJiJE, DIED AT THIS PLACE ON UtH AUGUST 1811. INFANTICIDE ABOLISHED IN BENARES AND KATTYWAH. 8EVEHAL OP THE BRITISH INHABITANTS OF BOMBAY, JUSTLY APPRECIATING HIS DISTINGUISHED MERITS IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE LIFE HAVE RAISED THIS MONUMENT, AS A TRIBUTE OF RESPECT AND ESTEEM. M,D,CCCXVir. 140 CONTINUED DIFFICULTIES WITH KACHH. With the immediate effect of Mr. Duncan's letter, we are unacquainted. It would appear, however, that as the position of Fatteh Muhammad as prime minister in Kachh became more insecure, and his dependence on the Bombay government, which espoused his claims par- ticularly as against Jam Jasaji of Nawanagar, became more imperative, he and the Jadejas seem to have made some expression, or other, of deference to its repeated entreaties. The promises given, of whatever nature they might be, w^ere long kept in a state of abeyance ; and the Bombay Government, with the growing disturb- ances in Kachh before its view, possessed no power of enforcing them. It wrote thus to the Court of Directors on the 22nd August, 1815 : " The events which have , recently occurred in the province of Kachh, and led to the termination of all intercourse with that government, have deprived us of the means of encouraging the native chiefs in an adherence to their laudable resolution to abandon the inhuman practice of female Infanticide. "We have, however, called on the Resident at Ba- roda to ascertain and report whether the practice has been discontinued wholly or in part in Kachh, and whether it has entirely ceased within the province of Kathiawad." Noticing this communication, with the unfaltering loyalty to the cause of the abolition of Infanticide which, to their credit be it said, they have never failed to evince, notwithstanding their long hesitation about interference in Sati and other matters of humanity, the Court of Directors replied : " We must again enjoin you, in the most serious and earnest manner, to be unremit- ting in your endeavours to accomplish this humane ob- ject i;i the countries wherever the British influence can be felt or exerted." On the 16th of August following, we find the Bombay Government, then under Sir Evan Nepean, detailing its further proceedings, in a despatch to the Court at home. CONTINUED DIFFICULTIES WITH KACHH. 141 " In our instructions to Captain Carnac on the occa- sion of renewing our negociations with the state of Kachh, your Honourable Court will observe we apprized that officer, that 'the suppression of female Infanticide was, as he was aware, an object, for the accomplishment of which the British Government was extremely solici- tous ; and that the late Fatteh Muhammad having pledg- ed himself to promote the entire suppression of that horrid practice, we trusted that Lieutenant MacMurdo would feel no difficulty in obtaining an obligation from the Rao [Bharmalji] to use his influence in prohibiting so unnatural and so inhuman a practice.' " Captain MacMurdo has not yet acted upon that part of his instructions, having, in a private letter to our chief secretary, dated the 22nd of January last, explained that 'he could not touch on Infanticide just now; it would have needlessly irritated and alarmed the Ja- dejas, and we shall have time to go to work slowly and methodically with greater prospect of success.' " We have only within these few days received Cap- tain Carnac's reply to our reference of the 22nd of July 1815, which has been noticed by your Honourable Court, a copy of which, and of our Chief Secretary's letter in answer thereto, we have the honour of forwarding for your information. " The impaired power of the Rao, and the internal re- volutions in Kachh, Captain Carnac states, have been made a pretext for paying no attention to the execution of our wishes ; and under these untoward circumstances we have not been enabled to carry our views for the abolition of female Infanticide in that province beyond measures of representation ; and now that we have ob- tained a political establishment in Kachh, we fear it may require no slight degree of exertions before any sure progress be made in the successof our object. Cap- tain MacMurdo's attention, however, has been directed to the impressive injunctions of your Honourable Court; and as we have directed periodical reports to be submit- 142 CONTINUED DIFFICULTIES WITH KACHH. ted to us of the success of our exertions, we entertain a hope that by the vigilant and persevering efforts which will be bestowed on this interesting subject, this humane object will be ultimately accomplished," Writing to Captain MacMurdo on this occasion the Bombay government said, " As the practice is not in Kathiawad connected with any ' religious feelings,' the Governor in Council is desirous of being particularly in- formed if it be so within the province of Kachh, as, in- ferrible from an expression made use of in the 4th para- graph of Captain Carnac's letter, the custom in Kathia- wad was followed through selfish and mercenary mo- tives ; and its abolition was represented by Colonel Walker as one of the most popular acts of the Com- pany's Government in Gujarat, even with the Jadejas themselves ; the Governor in Council entertains therefore every hope, that by judicious management you may prevail on the chieftains of Kachh to abandon this abo- minable practice. No time would be more advantage- ous for your preferring your application, considering the pecuniary concessions which the British Government has rtiade to the State of Kachh ;^ and you are authoriz- ed to inform the Rao that his highness could not make a more acceptable return than by following the praise- worthy example of the chieftains in Kathiawad, in en- gaging to promote the highly interesting object of abol- ishing the inhuman custom of female Infanticide." Cap- tain MacMurdo was at this time appointed the govern- ment agent at Bhuj. The instructions delivered to him were approved by the Court of Directors. [* "Of the twenty lakhs of rupees claimed in name of indemnifica- tion and expenses, the British government shortly afterwards remitted their own portion, amounting to above eight hundred thousand, together with the yearly tribute of two lakhs of Koris ; a liberality which at first equally surprized and delighted the Rao, who found no great difficulty ^ in raising the remaining balance by fines on his refractory chieftains, Hj and demands, under the title of voluntary contributions, from those who had long enjoyed the revenues of the country." Barnes's Sketch of the History of Cutch, sect, iii.] CONFUSION OF AFFAIRS IN KACHH. 143 The affairs of Kachh during the next three years got more and more into confusion and disorder. Husein Miyan and Ibrahim Miyan, the Sonsof Fatteh Muham- mad and his successors in the administration of affairs, did not well consort together ; and various factions were formed by them for no very commendable purposes. Man Singh, or Bharmalji, the son of Raydhan by a slave- girl, who had been seated on the cushion through the influence of Ibrahim Miyan aided by a Muhammadan chief named Miyan Sotah and with the connivance of the Jadejas in preference to Ladoba the lawful son of Bhaiji Bawa the brother of Raydhan and the lawful heir, devoted himself to intemperance, debauchery, cruelty^ plunder, and murder, in which he was but too much en- couraged by the example of his ministers and com- panions. He was by no means well affected to the British authorities, however disinterested they were in the advice which they tendered to him for the regula- tion of his own behaviour and the conduct of public affairs. Encouraged by the sympathy of the Amirs of Sindh, and the vauntings against the British for their entrance into Kachh of the King of Kabul who had ab- solutely no rights in that province, he sought, but in vain, to eject the British from Tuna and Anjar in Kachh, which they held as a material guarantee for the pacification of the province and reimbursement for a portion of the ex- pences which they had incurred while seeking to pro- mote that object. Among other atrocities, he directed the assassination of his nephew Ladoba, even though, at this time, there was no wish either on the part of his bhaiyad or the British Government to disposses him of the authority which he himself enjoyed. He alienated the Jadejas from his person and darbar. When asked by the Bombay Government to treat with kindness the widow of Ladoba, and her expected offspring, for she was preg- nant when her husband was murdered, he became in- furiated, on account of their interference, and collected his soldiers with a view to proceed against Anjar. The 144 MOVEMENT OF ENGLISH AGAINST BHARMALJI. most vigorous remonstrances of Captain MacMurdo were unavailing for his correction on this occasion, and though ultimately afraid to attack Anjar, which had been re-inforced by British troops, he moved against Adisir in the east of Kachh, for the express purpose of causing a breach of the peace. In the course of these proceedings the treaty of 1816 was both suspended and violated. The Marquis of Hastings, the Governor General of India, on due in- formation from the Bombay Government, declared Bhar- malji a public enemy, and gave instructions to proceed to the extremity of war against him. The sequel we cannot better notice than in the words of Dr. Burnes. " Orders were issued to accept the spontaneous and long proferred co-operation of the Jadejas for his dethrone- ment, as well as to request that body of noblemen to elevate to the masnad whomsoever they considered the lawful heir to that dignity. To give full effort to these instructions, a British army was forthwith assembled, under the command of Sir William Grant Keir, at An- jar, where it was joined by (Vijirajji) the two Pragjis, Alyaji, and Meramanji, the five principal Jadeja chiefs in Kachh, who expressed their readiness and anxiety to co-operate in the measures to be adopted. The Rao, who had during this interval entered into a compromise with the chief of Adisir, quickly returned to Bhuj, where he was seized with a violent illness. He was consequently unable himself to make any preparations, or give orders in person ; but his partisans and favourites collected a considerable force, and on the approach of the British army to the capital, some skirmishing took place. Captain M'Murdo then intimated to Bharmalji the intention of his government to organize anew the affairs of Kachh, in concert with the Jadeja Bhaiyad ; and called on him either to stand by the consequences of resistance, or to surrender himself, promising, in the event of his adopting the latter alternative, that he should meet with safety and consideration. This proposal was CALL TO THRONE OF BHARMALJi's INFANT SON. 145 not attended to till the Hill-Fort of Bhujia, which over- looks the city of Bhuj, was taken by escalade on the fol- lowing day ; upon which through the negotiation of the minister, Lakhmidas, Rao Bharmalji was brought to the tent of the resident, and placed under a guard of British troops. Every respect was paid to him, consistently with the safety of his person, and the kindest attention shown to his health, which, from constant intemperance, and his recent indisposition, was now so completely broken, that he was scarcely able to walk or articulate. ''A few days after his surrender, Rao Bharmalji was formally deposed, and placed in a palace built by Fat- teh Muhammad, which was selected for his residence. The Jadeja chiefs were then left entirely to themselves to choose his successor ; and it was generally expected that the election would have been in favour of the in- fant son of the murdered prince Ladoba ; but strange as it may seem, the only son of Bharmalji, a child of three years of age, received the unanimous votes of the Bhai- yad, and was accordingly raised to the throne by the name of Rao Desal.^ The minister, Lakhmidas Mehta, is understood to have secured, by his influence, this de- cision in favour of the offspring of his fallen master. Necessary as was his dethronement, several of the Ja- dejas, acting from the same impression, still wished, after that decided step, that the government should be carried on in his name ; and when they found that the proposal was objected to, they evinced their respect for his failings and misfortunes, by entreating that kindness should be shown him in his confinement, and that the succession should remain in his family. The election of the Bhaiyad proved in the end more fortunate than if it had fallen on the weakly child of Ladoba, (whom, however, they declared the next heir to Desalji, in the event of his not living to have issue,) as he died a few weeks after, and the race of Bhaiji Bawa, the legitimate branch of the royal family of Kachh, became extinct. * [The present Rao of Kachh.] 9 146 APPOINTMENT OF A REGENCY IN KACHH. *' The next requisite step towards the settlement of affairs, was the appointment of a regency, to carry on the government during the minority of his Highness Rao Desal ; and the Jadejas were again requested to no- minate a sufficient number of persons for the purpose. Their choice fell on Jadejas Viraji of Roha, and Pri- thirajji of Nangarcha, the two most powerful chiefs in Kachh, Udanji, a Rajgur Brahman, the minister Lakli- midas Walabji, and Shet Ratansi Jetha. The name of the British resident was also included ; but as the object of the Governor-General was to render Kachh, as far as possible, an independent state, the arrangement was at first objected to ; and it was only through the earnest so- licitations of the Jadeja Bhaiyad, combined with those of the existing members of the regency, that his lordship at length consented to the appointment of Captain Mac- Murdo as president of the latter body. Matters being now settled on a firm basis, the regency proceeded to correct the innumerable abuses in every department of the state, and to discharge the useless and expensive levies of troops which Bharmalji had maintained. A British force was subsidized for the defence of the coun- try and the support of the government ; and the honour of guarding the Rao's palace was given up entirely to the Jadejas, to the perfect exclusion of the low-born wretches whom the late Rao had introduced to that re- sponsible duty. " In conformity with the spirit of the measures which have been detailed in these pages, and, as better calcu- lated to maintain a firm and honourable alliance be- tween the two states, a new treaty, containing, in addi- tion to most of the articles of that of 1816, many others, adapted to the improved condition of affairs, was short- ly after concluded between the governments. It will be seen on a reference to it, that the British government wished carefully to abstain from all interference in the Rao's internal authority ; whilst it agreed to guarantee his power and the 'integrity of his dominions' from all enemies, foreign and domestic. A boon of a similar TREATY WITH KACHH. 147 description was extended to the Jadeja chiefs, who had established a claim on us by their conduct during the late revolution, and whose possessions were also secur- ed to them on their consenting to preserve their female children. In return for these important concessions, the advantages derived by the British government are almost nominal ; for, with the exception of an annual subsidy of two lakhs and eighty thousand rupees equal to the support of one-half of the force which has been generally required, we receive nothing from the Bhuj darbar, to which Anjar audits dependencies have since been restored. In enumerating the benefits of the alli- ance, we must not omit, however, the grand victory in favour of humanity in the abolition of Infanticide ; a horrid practice, which it has been our object, ever since our connexion with Kachh and Kathiawad, to put a stop to, and which we have certainly succeeded in diminish- ing in these countries."^ The treaty now alluded to was concluded on the 13th October 1819. It was entitled "Treaty of Alliance be- tween the Honourable the East India Company and His Highness Maharaja Mirza Rao Shri Desalji, his heirs and successors, concluded by Captain MacMurdo., on the part of the Honourable Company ; and by Jadejas Pri- thirajjijVijiraji, Meramanji, Pragji, Pragji, Mokaji, Alyaji, Naughanji, Bhanji, and Jaymalji, by virtue of full pow- ers from their respective governments." The portions of it which referred to Infanticide were the following. Article 10. " The Honourable Company engages to exercise no authority over the domestic concerns of the Rao, or of those of any of the Jadeja chieftains of the country. That the Rao, his heirs and successors, shall be absolute masters of their territory, and that the civil and criminal jurisdiction of the British Government shall not be introduced therein. Article 17. " His Highness the Rao, his heirs and * Abridged from Dr. Burnes's Sketch of the History of Cutch, with the change of some of the names, pp. 215-221. 148 AGREEMENT OF JADEJAS OF KACHH successors, at the particular instance of the Honour- able Company, engage to abolish in their own family the practice of Infanticide; they also engage to join heartily with the Honourable Company in abolishing the custom generally throughout the Bhaiyad of Kachh. Article 18. '' Previously to the execution of the deed of guarantee in favour of the Jadeja Bhaiyad according to the tenor of the 16th Article, a written engagement shall be entered into by them to abstain from the prac- tice of Infanticide ; and specifying, that in case any of them do practice it, the guilty person shall submit to a punishment of any kind that may be determined by the Honourable Company's Government and the Kachh Darbar."^ The Court of Directors in reference to these articles, * This written engagement was dated the 9th October 1820. It is thus with accompaniments recorded in the "Treaties, Agreements, and Engagements" accurately collated with the originals, published by Mr. R. H. Thomas of the Bombay Secretariate in 1851, from which (pp. 271-272) we have taken the preceding articles. "We, the Jadejas Sugramji, Jiwanji,andSumraji,of Patri, do hereby engage for ourselves, our heirs and successors, to abstain from the practice of Female Infanticide, and in the event of our continuing this practice, do consent to submit to any punishment that the allied Governments may think proper to inflict upon us, as stipulated in the 18th Article of the Treaty of Alliance, dated the 13th October 1819, between the Honorable East India Company and Maha Raja Mirza Rao Shri Desalji. Bated 9th October 1820. (True translation, G. J. Wilson, 1st Assistant Resident.) Memorandum. The above engagement was subscribed by the follow- ing Jadeja chiefs. Jadeja Vijirajji, and Bhaiyad of Roha. Jadeja Kathiji, and Bhaiyad of Nalyu. Jadeja Hothiji, and Bhaiyad of Darsari. Jadeja Kaioji, and Bhaiyad of Wainoti. Jadeja Bhimani, Mansinghji, and Bhaiyad of Khe'doi. Jadeja Pragji, and Bhaiyad of Mhawa. Jadeja Chandoji, and Bhaiyad of Nangarch^. Jadeja Naughanji, and Bhaiyad of Kothara. Jadeja Meramanji, and Bhaiyad of Suthdi. Jadeja Mokaji, and Bhaiyad of Tera. Jadeja Alyajf, and Bhaiyad of Vinjan. TO ABANDON INFANTICIDE. 149 which are both express and satisfactory, thus wrote on the 22nd November 1822. " We shall be much gratified to hear that the stipula- tions contained in the ISth article relative to the abolition of the practice of Infanticide have been observed: We are not, however, very sanguine in our expectations on this head, unless these stipulations are enforced by in- terference on the part of the Resident, which would not be reconcileable with our engagement in the 10th ar- ticle, ' to exercise no authority over the domestic con- cerns of the Rao, or those of any of the Jadeja chieftains of the country.' " The Court seems in this instance to have forgotten, that any subject whatever, specifically embraced in the treaty, ceased to be a mere domestic concern, and was brought within the category of political exigency. It was to the disadvantage of the speedy implement- ing of these provisions that Capt, MacMurdo died shortly after they were agreed to. When Mr. Charles Norris of the Civil Service was resident in Kachh in 1822, the town and district of Anjar, for some time occupied by the English, were restored to the authority of the Rao, on the agreement by the regency to pay the annual sum of eighty thousand rupees as an equivalent; and the British subsidiary camp was re- moved from the hill-fort of Bhujia, in the neighbourhood of the capital, to the ground which it now occupies in its vicinity. On the occasion of these transactions, how- ever, no notice was taken of infanticide. The first information of the effects of the Treaty with Kachh on the subject of Infanticide received by the Bombay Government was conveyed to it on the 23rd '*The Jadejas Sugramji, Jiwanji, and Sumraji of Patri, having en- tered into a written engagement to abstain from the practice of Female Infanticide, as stipulated in the 18th Article of the Treaty of Alliance between the allied Governments, the Guarantee of the British Govern- ment is hereby given to the aforesaid Jadejas that they and their heirs and successors shall be in the full enjoyment of their possessions and rights, they on their part performing the services due from them to Hi? Highness the Rao's Government. J. Williams, Resident." 150 FIRST EFFECTS OF KACHH TREATY March 1823 by Mr. T. G. Gardiner of the Civil Service, then the resident at the Darbar of Bhuj . Noticing a tour which he had made in the province, he thus writes : '' I found, the chiefs and their bhaiyad hospitable, manly, open and liberal in their opinions, willing to listen to advice, pleased with the smallest atten- tion, fond of their children, (the majority having two, and often a greater number; I mention this circum- stance, as I have seen it started that the Jadejas are in the habit of poisoning their male, as well as destroying their female offspring, in order that their estate might descend entire,) kind and conciliatory to their servants and dependents. " T took every opportunity of inquiring of my visitors, the number, age and sex of their children, and where I could get information of a female infant existing, be- longing to any of the chiefs, I requested, when practica- ble, that it might be brought to me. I am not aware of the expectations the Government may have formed on this subject, but considering the short period that has elapsed since the guarantees were given and accepted, I am not disappointed in discovering the fact, of little short of 100 female infants being alive, belonging to the tribe in Kachh and Wagar ;^ the list is of importance, as it will form the basis for future inquiries, and is much more satisfactory than vague numbers, founded on un- certain data. "Among the chiefs, I believe the feeling is pretty ge- neral, that it is become their duty as well as their in- terest to preserve their female children, for the penalty being undefined, any infringement of the agreement might be visited in the severest manner, by a pecuniary mulct ; on the other hand, the inferior bhaiyad having little to lose, are not under the same apprehension, and no doubt the practice is still continued to a lamentable extent among them." * [Wagar is the eastern district of Kachh. The actual number of female Jadeja children alive, as certified by the list forwarded by Mr. Gardiner was 91.] ON THE ABANDONMENT OF INFANTICIDE. 151 The proceedings of Mr. Gardiner, as thus reported by himself, were approved by the Bombay Government, which in noticing them to the Court of Directors at home, on the 27th November 1825, added this further in- telligence. "We have much pleasure here in referring to a subse- quent letter from Mr. Gardiner, bringing to our notice the case of Jadeja Raydhanji, residing at the village of Dhamarka, who had some years since voluntarily pre- served two of his female children, owing to the casual circumstance of meeting with Lieut. Col. Walker at Murvi, when that officer was endeavouring to stop the practice in Jhalawad. Disappointed in obtaining any satisfactory arrangement in regard to some giras dues of his family, which had been seized by the Government during the time of Fatteh Muhammad, this person and his family had been living at his village, on the produce of their own labour and exertions, but from a wish to preserve appearances, and to maintain his daughters suitably to their rank and birth, Raydhanji had incurred expenses, which obliged him at length to appear at Bhuj, and to apply to Mr. Gardiner's predecessor for relief, when a temporary allowance of grain was given to him. " Having consumed this supply, and being reduced to great difficulties, for the support of his family, Ray- dhanji came a second time to Bhuj with his daughters, alighted at the gates of the palace, soliciting support. "The Jadeja chiefs being at Bhuj, Mr. Gardiner re- gretted that such a display should have taken place, and that measures had not been sooner taken to prevent it, as it might have a bad effect on the minds of the Ja- dejas who would perhaps attribute his distress more to the circumstances of his helpless family, than to the un- satisfactory state in which the arrangement about his giras claim had been allowed to remain. " To remove this feeling as soon as possible Mr. Gar- diner directed the same allowance of food to be issued to him during his stay, as to the other Jadejas in the 152 MISAPPLICATION OF LIBERALITY OF GOVERNMENT. habit of visiting Bhuj, and on his returning to Dham- arka, took care that he should receive a further allow- ance of grain sufficient to provide for his family, until he should be able to settle his gras or giras, [mouthful], heritable rights in his fields. " The age of the children were stated to be 13 and 10 ; and the object of Mr. Gardiner's addressing us, was, to recommend a donation being made to Raydhanji to enable him to effect the marriage of his daughters, which would have taken place at an earlier period ; a recommendation, which we accordingly concurred in, and authorized Mr. Gardiner to present him with the sum of two thousand rupees for that purpose. " The chief obstacle to the success of the measures for the suppression of the practice of Infanticide, is stat- ed by Mr. Gardiner to be the great repugnance which the Jadejas feel at the idea of intermarrying, and that could we ever hope to overcome their scruples, the in- ducement to preserve their children would be greater ; whilst, on the present system, they have. in prospect not only the expenses of marrying their female children in- to the families of Sodhas, Waghelas, Jaitwas, Jhalas, and other Rajput tribes, but also of purchasing wives for themselves from the same class of people. " Since the preceding paragraphs were written, we have received a letter from the Resident in Kachh [then Major Henry Pottinger] which does not place the con- duct of Raydhanji in the most favourable light, as far as relates to the eldest of the two daughters ; for, instead of procuring a suitable match for the young lady, and expending the money granted by the British govern- ment, as was clearly intended, he actually sold her in marriage, for a further sum of five thousand koris, to a relation of the Rao, who was nearly eighty years of age, stone-blind and bed-ridden. The other daughter is be- trothed to Punjaji Chandaji Waghela of Palaswa in Wagar, and the sum of one thousand rupees, presented to her, is in deposit in the hands of the potadar, and care MEASURES ADOPTED FOR CHORWAD AND CHARCHAT. 153 will be taken that it is appropriated to the purpose in- tended by Government." So much for Jadeja cupidity and selfishness, which would, doubtless, get their just rebuke from Major Pot- tinger. In connexion with these notices of the progress of measures in Kachh for the suppression of Infanticide, it may be here mentioned, that Lieut. Col. W. Miles, the Political Agent at Palhanpur, the most northern district of Gujarat tributary to the Gaikawad and the English Government, was about the time to which they refer in- strumental in getting the Jadejas who had spread from Kachh to Chorwad, an island in the eastern Ran, and to the taluka of Charchat on the opposite continent, to sign agreements for its complete abandonment, which, it appeared, they had partially done from the time of the negociation by Capt. MacMurdo of the treaty with Kachh in 1819. His dispatch on this subject was trans- mitted on the 25th June 1827, by Mr. Willoughby, as- sistant-resident at Baroda, who remarked, that '' the measures lately adopted by Colonel Miles, are very ju- dicious and reflect the highest credit on his humane ex- ertions," a sentiment in which the Government fully concurred. With the view of keeping the chiefs to their engagements. Colonel Miles had proposed that a register should be kept of the birth of all female children among the Jadejas ; and of this Mr. Willoughby stated his opinion that it was ^'well calculated to check a practice so abominable and revolting" as that of Infant- icide. The Governor-in-Council wished inquiry to be made by Col. Miles about the probable consequences of such an arrangement before it should be carried into effect. We go so far as to say, that a general registra- tion of births and deaths is a great desideratum for all the tribes and tongues of India. The consequence of such a registration would be the prevention of an un- speakable amount of crime both against life and proper- ty. With ordinary caution and consideration, it is to a great extent practicable. CHAPTER VII. MEASURES PROPOSED BY MR. ELPHINSTONE FORKA'THIA'- WA'd- NEGLECTED BY CAPT. BARNEWALL CAPT. BAR- NEWALlJs RETURNS FORMATION OF AN INFANTICIDE FUND y%IR. BLANE's AGENCY AND RETURNS. Infanticide in Kathiawad attracted but little attention in Bombay for several years after the reception of Cap- tain Ballantine's communication of the 29th June 1817. On the 9th of January 1821, however, very important instructions on the subject were communicated by the Honorable Mountstuart Elphinstone to Captain Barne- wall, the successor of Captain Ballantine in the politi- cal agency of that province. They called upon him personally to seek the detection of the Jadejas breaking their engagements to preserve their offspring ; to dis- countenance the crime by showing favour to the chiefs in whose districts it might be diminishing, and re- fusing favours to those on whose estates it might be continued ; and to dispose of the fines levied on the chiefs by giving grants from the fund formed from them to the parents preserving their children. They were quite in the spirit of Colonel Walker's letters to the Court of Directors, and of the following tenor : " The Honourable the Governor has learned, with great concern, the very limited success that has hitherto attended the exertions of the British Government to put a stop to the crime of infanticide. "Though the Honourable the Governor does not think that it would be prudent to authorize the employment MEASURES PROPOSED BY MR. ELPHINSTONE. 155 of regular informers for the purpose of detecting in- stances of this atrocity, he feels the greatest anxiety to employ every practicable means for its suppression ; and considering that the practice is entirely unconnected with religion, and unsupported by the opinion of the bulk of the community, even in the countries where it exists, he cannot but entertain a hope that more effectual means of extirpating it may yet be devised. "You are requested to state your sentiments on this head, and to offer any suggestions that appear to you calculated to obtain the end in view. It is to be hoped, that from the direct communication which now subsists between you and the inhabitants, you will be able, in the course of your circuits, to obtain information in some of the many instances of this crime, which must occur. It will then be in your power to visit the offence, not only on the person who has committed it, but on the head of the village, or on the chief who shall appear to have connived at it. " Your influence might likewise be always employed in discountenancing this atrocity and in encouraging an opposite course. When remissions, are refused to a chief, it may be noticed as one reason for rejecting his request, that he has not been zealous in repressing in- fanticide. On the other hand, when an abatement is granted, it may perhaps be possible to reserve to Govern- ment the right to recover the amount after a certain period, unless the chief and his bhaiyad can prove their attention to the rule in question, by the production of a certain number of female children of their caste. The proportion must of course be much smaller than a cal- culation of the births in so many families would autho- rize us to expect. '' With a view to encourage parents in sparing their female children, you are authorized to throw all fines levied on chiefs for other offences, as well as for infan- ticide (after indemnifying the sufferers by each,) into a fund to be distributed in proportion to children so pre- served." 156 CAPTAIN BARNEW all's COMMUNICATIONS The measure recommended in the close of this com- munication was obviously one calculated greatly to sub- serve the cause of the suppression of Infanticide among a people so perverted in their feelings and customs, even from those of instinctive humanity, as the Jadejas. It was nearly altogether overlooked by the party most deeply concerned in its execution. Captain Barnewall, indeed, seems never to have communicated at all with Government on Infanticide till the 16th July 1824, when he forwarded to it a letter containing some hopeful notices of slow progress, of which the following are the most important portions. " Sir : I request you will submit, for the information of the Honourable the Governor in Council, the annexed statement, showing the number of Jadeja females at present in existence in this peninsula. The last state- ment was forwarded in Major Ballantine's reports of 29th June 1817, and appears to have stated sixty-three as the whole number that could then be discovered to have been preserved during ten years. "The contrast, with the return now transmitted, is so far favourable, as to exhibit, that during seven years, more than double this number of Jadeja females have been preserved; the number at present being 200, while 66 have died. Among this number, some are stated to have been destroyed; but the impossibility of establish- ing the fact, under a declaration to the contrary on the part of the parents, has rendered it impracticable to en- force any penalty against the parties. "A constant intercourse with the Jadejas during my annual circuit, has given me opportunities of impressing on their minds the interest taken by the British Govern- ment in the s.uppression of the barbarous and unnatural practice, and the guilt attached to the commission of it by the dictates of their own religion. I receive con- tinued assurances that they will discountenance it ; but from this disproportionate number of females still exist- ing, it is evident, that although this horrible practice may ON INFANTICIDE IN KATHIAWAD. 157 be somewhat subdued, it is still far from being relin- quished. "The mind and opinion of the tribe do not appear to have undergone that change on the subject that will alone overcome the existence of a custom so unnatural. The effects of the penalties enjoined by the engagements entered into by the Jadejas would operate in deterring the commission of the crime, if the means of detection existed, or its discovery was not opposed by difficulties that defeat the utmost vigilance. Proving it is almost impracticable, unless some part of the domestic esta- blishment of a Jadeja betray him, a circumstance that seldom can be expected, as domestic servants are gene- rally the old adherents and dependents of his family. "The present chieftain of Nawanagar had a daughter born some months since ; and as the head of the Jadeja tribes, it was particularly desirable he should have set an example, by preserving it, and showing by his doing so, his anxiety to support the existing engagements. I had been particular in every interview I had with this young chief, in engaging his influence and support with his tribe in discountenancing the practice ; he promised me to discourage it in every way in his power ; but no sooner was a daughter born to him, about ten months ago, than he determined upon its destruction. This in- formation was acquired from a person in close inter- course with attendants on his family, an inhabitant of his town, but who would only communicate the infor- mation under a promise of his not being made the in- strument of proving the offence ; the circumstance was universally believed by others who resided in the princi- pality, and the tribe in general ; and from all the infor- mation I could procure, I have scarcely a doubt of the fact, though the chief, when called upon, openly denies it, avowing the child died a natural death, and challeng- ing proof being adduced, well aware that none but his own immediate domestics can establish the charge, and that they durst not give any evidence but such as would acquit him of the crime. 158 CAPTAIN BARNEWALL's COMMUNICATIONS ''The fines levied for the commission of the offence might be expended partly or wholly in rewards to those actively engaged in enabling the British Government to give greater effect to the suppression of the crime ; this appears the only temptation likely to induce an informer to come forward, that it would be politic or desirable to authorize, or that seems calculated to afford any increas- ed facility in establishing the guilt of those perpetrating it." Captain Barnewall, it will be observed, makes no re- ference here to the instructions which he had already re- ceived on some of the matters on which he addresses Government, while he actually recommends an adoption of one of the very measures which had been enjoined upon him by higher authority, as if it had occurred to himself in the first instance. This fact was noticed by Mr. Elphinstone at the Government Political Consulta- tions held in Bombay on the 30th March 1825 ;^ and a refresher of his memory was consequently sent to him, which led him to make the following explanations, on the 7th June. "I have suffered no opportunity also to pass, when meeting the Jadejas, without representing to them the enormity of the offence of Infanticide, and pointing out how contrary it is to the precepts of their religion, and the dictates of nature. My former Report shows, that * *' Having been led to refer to Capt. Barnewall's report, of July 16th, 1824, on female infanticide in Kalhiawad, I observe, that although he gives a satisfactory account of the increased number of female chil- dren preserved, and proposes a plan for further checking the crime of infanticide, he does not state the measures he had adopted in conse- quence of the directions contained in the annexed paragraph of my in- structions to him of the 9th January 1821. "I beg to recommend that his attention be drawn to the subject, and that he be requested to state, whether any fines have as yet been ap- plied in the manner directed in paragraph 6. If they have not, the amount of all sums receive;! since the date of that letter, and not ap- propriated to purposes connected with the grievance which led to their imposition, should now be formed into a fund, and distributed in the manner prescribed." M. Elphinstone. ON INFANTICIDE IN KATHIAWAD. 159 much success has resulted from the arrangements of Colonel Walker; as the crime is now discovered by all, and the feelings of nature and humanity have obtained an ascendancy, which, it is to be anticipated, may be progressive in the minds of the Jadejas, and gradually lead to the entire abolition of this detestable practice. "No fine has become hitherto available, because all that have been levied have been appropriated as com- pensation for the loss of property, or in payment of ex- penses incident on enforcing their recovery. ''The first that is likely to become available to the fund, is now in a course of recovery from the Gondal Raja, for a breach of his engagements, amounting to Rs. 15,000 ; the proportion of this fine appertaining to the Gaikawad, is rupees 8,086. 2. 42; the remainder, or rupees 6,913. 1. 56, the Company's share, will be credit- ed to the infanticide fund, and appropriated hereafter under the sanction of Government. " The occasions on which these fines have been im- posed in the last four years, are exhibited in the an- nexed statement ; most of them refer to the Khuman in- surrection,^ and the amount of them has been credited, * [The reference is here to inroads made about 1820 by the division of the KathLS called Khuman into the territories of their neighbours for the purpose of rapine and plunder. Various proprietors in the penin- sula, including the Thakur of Bhawanagar, the chief of the GohO Raj- puts, were fined for connivance at these depredations. The divisions of the pure Kalhis are three in number, the Wald, the Khu'mcn, and the lOiachar. In the first of these there are twenty tribes ; in the second, ten; and in the third seven. The following lists of these tribes the author of this narrative a few years ago extracted from a WanshawaK of the principal Charan at the town of Babria, three stages from Rajkot on the road to Gogha, I. Wala, De'ruya, Waikha, Lalii, Karpada, Kadadad, Vikma, Kagada, Bhojak, Chak, Wajsi, Gow- alya, Rajdadya, Giga, Wajmal, Phad, Jangiya, Boghara, Kasturya, (Kudar). II. Khuman, Chandu, Chandsur, Mangani, Man, Motiyar, Jhamar, Jogya, Lunsar, (Waland). III. Khachar, Dand, Jhobaliya, Hipa, Chaondiya, Somasarya, (Khara). Except the divisional names few of these can be of Scythian origin. A good many of them were probably brought by the Kathis from Sindh, in which and the neigh- bouring wilds they were settled before they came into the peninsula of 160 FORMATION OF INFANTICIDE FUND. in part liquidation of the military expense incurred on that occasion ; the fine of 4,000 rupees refers to a sum exacted as compensation for property plundered from a village subject to the Amreli [Gaikawad's] authority, Gujarixt, vvliich now receives from them its designation. See above p. 55. Jhobaliya is evidently a Sindhian corruption of the Arabic Je- baliyah, mountaineer. The author of this narrative has collected many legendary and his- torical notices of the Kathis from the mouths of their bards ; but he has found nothing so satisfactory respecting their history as the following statement of Major Jacob. "The exact period of the Kathis settling themselves in this Peninsula is unknown, but it is believed to be to- wards the close of the fourteenth century. They came immediately from the North-Eastern quarter of Kachh, and appear to have been a nomade tribe, wandering with their herds wherever they could find pasture, and plundering by profession. Their first establishment in fixed villages is said to have taken place between two and three centuries ago, but even so late as the commencement of this century we find Colonel Walker speaking of them as addicted to all their former habits the Jaitpur and Jasdhan families excepted, whose example he says 'may afford a hope that the rest of the Kathis may also be reclaimed.' Those who set this good example were formerly styled 'reformed Kathis' a tenn already become obsolete, but the establishment of the British supremacy has alone put to a stop to their predatory excursions, and many Kathis are yet living who have stuck their spears into the gates of Ahmadabad during such occasions. The lightness of the tribute paid by these tribes in proportion to their revenues, as compared with other communities, is owing to the greater developement of their resources, which habits of order have created, since these proportions were fixed by the Maratha Mulukgiri commanders, and confirmed by Colonel Walker, in A.D. 180S. The Kathis owe their possessions chiefly to the general anarchy produced by the decline of the Maho- medan power the Jhala, Jadeja, and other tribes, purchasing immunity from their plunder by the cession of villages : Jaitpur, Bhilka, Men- dhara, etc. were thus given up by the Nawab of Junagad, less than a century ago, with reserved rights therein. The Kathis are evidently a northern race : their stature, features, above all their blue and grey colored eyes, by no means unfrequent give much of probability to the idea that they are of Scythian descent, with which their habits in some degree correspond. The Sun is their chief diety; its symbol is drawn on every deed at the head of the list of living witnesses, with the words Shri Surajni Shakh. Their mixture with other tribes has inoculated them with respect for the Brahmanical deities, but the Sun is paramount." Trans, of B. Geog. Soc. vol. vii. p. 20.] FORMATION OF KATHIAWAD INFANTICIDE FUND. 161 and paid over to his Highness the Gaikawad's ryots, as indemnification for their losses." To Captain Barne wall's letter was appended a state- ment of the probable expence of the marriage of the 189 daughters of the Jadejas then existing, dividing them into four classes, and calculating the number of marriages likely to take place each year from the appar- ent age of the parties concerned. The total sum requir- ed amounted to no less an amoujit than rupees 355,590, which if actually paid would have turned the heads of all the Brahmans, Bhatas, Charans, and other religious mendicants of the province. The fines levied for 1821- 1824, which seem to have been principally inflicted for connivance at the depradations of the Khiiman Kathis amounted only to Rs. 40,233. 1. 33^; and they had all been credited to the military expences incurred in the suppression of those depradations. Still tlie Bombay Government did not abandon the idea of forming what has since been called ''The In- fanticide Fund," or what might more appropriately have been denominated "The Infanticide Prevention Fund." It extended its '' great approbation" to the proceedings of Captain Barnewall as detailed by him in his second letter now quoted; directed that all fines under Rs. 20,000, which might not be given up to the sufi*erers on whom they might be levied, should be allotted to the Infant- icide fund ; and requested Mr. John Pollard Willough- by, of the Civil Service, Assistant in charge of the Residency in Baroda, to endeavour to prevail on the Gaikawad Government to co-operate in the measures proposed, by devoting its portion of fines raised in Ka- thiawad to a similar purpose. Mr. Willoughby, though then but a young member of the service, discharged the delicate and important duty imposed upon him with great tact and promptitude ; and on the 18th of August, he thus reported his complete success. " In conformity with the instructions of the Honour- 10 162 CO-OPERATION OF BARODA GOVERNMENT IN able the Governor in Council, I embraced a favourable opportunity afforded me in a late interview with his Highness the Gaikawad and his minister, to explain to them the nature and object of the measures proposed ; and it is with the highest gratification I am enabled to report, that I experienced but little difficulty in prevail- ing upon them to co-operate in the manner requested, to put an end to so barbarous and unnatural a practice. " Having obtained this verbal acquiescence, I consid- ered it expedient that the same should be recorded. With this view, I sent a written proposal to the Baroda darbar, copy and translation of whose reply is herewith transmitted. "On reference to this, government will be gratified to observe, that the Gaikawad's assent to adopt the same measures with respect to his tributaries as those already adopted by the British government, is given in the most liberal terms. It is moreover made retrospective of the period when Captain Barnewall received charge of Ka- thiawad ; no limit in the amount of fines to be appro- priated for the suppression of infanticide is specified; but an account of the manner in which they may be ap- propriated is requested may be rendered annually. "The political agent in Kathiawad will be duly ap- prized of the acquiescence of this government having been obtained to the recommendation of the Honourable Board to co-operate in this benevolent design." The written memorandum from the Gaikawad Govern- ment here referred to was translated by Dr. R. H. Ken- nedy, and forwarded to Bombay by Mr. Willoughby. It bore that, " The case under consideration, is one of charity, and will procure the blessing of heaven on both governments; therefore whatever sums have been realiz- ed as fines on offenders since Captain Barnewall was placed in charge of the districts, or any extra revenue beyond the tribute as fixed for perpetuity by Colonel Walker, may be appropriated as above specified, the disposal being year by year duly communicated to us. THE KATHIAWAD INFANTICIDE FUND. 163 and the arrangement is highly satisfactory to this govern- ment." The faithful co-operation of the Baroda govern- ment with the British authorities for the suppression of Infanticide, from first to last, has been very remarkable. It is the most pleasing fact connected with Marathi his- tory with which we are acquainted. "The Infanticide Fund," which has had an impor- tant influence in the suppression of Infanticide, was now established by authority. Its public arrangement was that of Mr. Elphinstone. It is possible that a hint may have been first dropped on the subject in Council from another quarter, for in a minute in the consultations of 7th September 1825, he puts this question, '' Is not the plan at present proposed, precisely that recommended by Mr. Warden in 1819 ?" It was one of the many ex- cellencies of Mr. Elphinstone's Government, that it sel- dom allowed a good hint or advice from any source in any matter of importance to pass unimproved. The judicious use of the Infanticide Fund, as has now been hinted, and will afterwards appear, has been one of the best auxiliary means for the suppression of Infanticide. From certain points of view, there appear to be some disadvantages connected with its administration exclusively in favour of the Jadejas. " It appears to me," says Major LeGrand Jacob in his letter on Infanticide addressed to Government on the 23rd October 1841, '' that to devote for the use of one small section of the com- munity the taxes levied on the whole, is erroneous in principle, more especially when we consider that it is the attainment of a public opinion, hostile to infanticide, that must form the surest guarantee against its recur- rence at some future period, and which, if it now exist- ed, would obviate the necessity of rigour. I would fur- ther observe, that the money now spent, though good in showing the favour of the British Government towards the party preserving life, has the evil effect of feeding the pride that was the cause of its destruction. It was once observed to me by a shrewd Jhala, that the marriage ex- 164 REMARKS ON KATHIAWAD INFANTICIDE FUND. penses of his daughters were just as heavy on him as on the Jadeja, and that had his forefathers been murderers, he might also enjoy the aid of Government ; an observa- tion which, though rarely made amongst an ignorant community, proves that the grant of marriage gifts to one particular class must be considered merely suited to a savage state, calling for change whenever the people should advance a few steps towards civilization, and it ought doubtless to be the duty of an enlightened Govern- ment to hasten this change." Fully admitting the prin- ciples involved in Major Jacob's statement, we do not exactly see tlie partiality which he conceives to exist in the administration of the Fund so much in favour of the Jadejas in particular, as has been the case since its first formation. Infanticide was the greatest moral pesti- lence in the whole peninsula of Kathiawad ; and any measure tending to its annihilation was for the benefit of the entire community of that peninsula. No Jhala Rajput had any right to open his mouth against its appropriation to the Jadejas; as his own tribe, furnish- ing wives to the Jadejas without stipulating for the preservation of their oflspring, was a guilty party in all the infantile murder which they committed. The time, it is to be hoped, is not far distant, and proposals of Major Jacob which we shall afterwards have occasion to notice are greatly adapted to hasten it, when neither Jadeja nor Jhala will accept a gift, however small, for the simple discharge of the universal duties of humanity to children, in preserving their lives and aiding them in forming their family establishments. A transition state of society often requires appliances quite unsuited to the circumstances of a settled community. But to proceed. The first presents from the Infanti- cide Fund, which were proposed by Captain Barnewall, were confirmed by the Bombay Government on the 24th April, 1826. They were four in number, and amounted altogether to Rs. 5,640. On the 23rd September of the same year, the political agent in Kathiawad was re- PROGRESS OF ANTI-INFANTICIDE IN KATHIAWAD. 165 quested, if possible, to adopt another measure, also of a most beneficial tendency in the suppression of Infanti- cide, that of making arrangements according to the ex- ample of Major Pottinger the Resident in Kachh, for procuring a list of every child, male or female, born in a Jadeja family then living. In gratitude for the promp- titude of Dadaji the late Thakur of Rajkot in signing the engagement of Colonel Walker, his successor and son Suraji had, on the recommendation of the acting political agent Major G. J. Wilson and his assistant Mr. Langford of the Civil Service, received the bhan- ddri, or guarantee to a creditor, of the British Govern- ment, to enable him to raise a loan of Rs. J 2,000 to re- lieve him of debts incurred in the marriage of his sister, whose life had been spared in consequence of that en- gagement. That chieftain got an advance of a similar sum from the Infanticide Fund to enable him to cele- brate his own marriage. These were the first of a series of most commendable acts of paternal kindness, which the Bombay Government has not since failed to show to its prond but poverty-striken tributaries, the Jadejas of Kathiawad. The measures now referred to, though still inadequate to the destruction of the gigantic evil of Jadeja Infanticide, were not without their salutary ef- fects. The actual progress of the cause of the abolition of Infanticide in Kathiawad for the next few^ years, and up to 1828, is intimated in the following extract of a letter of D. A. Blane, Esq. then the acting political agent in the province. '' An infanticide fund has been formed according to the instructions of Government, and presents have been distributed to some of them who have preserved their female children. It was intended that each individual known to have a daughter living should receive some mark of the approbation of Government, and they were accordingly invited to Rajkot. for that purpose, by the late acting political agent. A few only attended, but 166 MR. blane's report on infanticide. all those who came received presents according to their rank. An account of this fund is herewith enclos- ed. '^A census of the Jadeja females in the Nawanagar taluka, which was made last year, enumerated 171 in- dividuals, which is an increase of 95 on the number shown in the statement which accompanied Major Barne- wall's report. Referring, however, to the ages speci- fied in the census, it appears that the increase now ex- hibited must be partly owing tp omissions in the former inquiry ; but if there be any inaccuracy on this head, there is not, I imagine, the slightest doubt that the total is correct, and that there are at least that number of Jadeja females now alive in the Nawanagar dis- tricts. " An equally favourable result will, I doubt not, be exhibited when a census shall have been made of the other talukas. " Without therefore over-estimating the success which we have hitherto obtained, much has unquestionably been effected towards terminating this horrid and un- natural practice. "The chief motive with the Jadejas to the commis- sion of Infanticide, is the pride which leads them to consider the other tribes of Rajputs unworthy of receiv- ing their daughters in marriage ; and as no Rajput can marry a female of his own tribe, they prefer put- ting them to death to the prospect of the dishonour which is likely to result from their living in a single state. " Lakha Fattanee, the most powerful sovereign of their race, who ruled over Kachh and Sindh is said to have sent two Brahmans to find an appropriate match for his daughters, but they returned without being able to discover any one of equal rank, and as he was unwilling to marry them to any inferior, the Brahmans recommend- ed that they should not be allowed to live. They were accordingly put to death; and the example being thus MR. BLANE's report ON INFANTICIDE. 167 sanctioned, the Jadejas have since destroyed their fe- male children immediately at their birth.^ * [This story is evidently the same as that Avhich we have quoted from Colonel Walker ; see above, p. 66. The name Lakha "Fattanee" of Mr. Blane, in which a misprint occurs, should beLakhaPhulani. He is the person mentioned In the following extract from Dr. Burnes, who, when speaking of the indefinite traditions of the Jadejas, says, "They trace their descent from Sacko Goraro (Lakhli, or Lakho ac- cording to the Kachhi termination) a prince who reigned in Sindh a thousand years ago, four of whose sons Moor, Oner, Phool, and Many- abhaee (Alod, Unad, Phul, and Manyabhai) emigrated into Cutch, on account of some family dissensions. The two last had no issue. The posterity of Mod ended in the third generation at Sacko Phoolanee (Lakha Pkulani), whose name is still known throughout this province. From Oner (Unad) descended the present Jam of Nawanagar, and the Rajpoot Jharejahs of Cutch." Burnes' Visit to the Court of Sinde, etc. 2 edit. p. 232. The traditions referred to, it will be seen, when compared with Tod's Travels, p. 469-476, a passage singularly absurd and unwor- thy of its author in many respects, are not to be depended upon. We have already stated the definite results of our own researches on the early history of the Jadejas (see above, p. 56-57); and we expect the Rao of Kachh to combine in some form, having at least the air of poss- ibility, their earlier traditions. Since the preceding note was written, we have received from Capt. Raikes, eissistant political agent in Kachh, some valuable notes on the Jadejas, prepared principally from information communicated to him by His Highness the Rao, from which we make the following ex- tract. " Towards the end of the 8th century, the reigning prince at Tatha was Lakha Gorara; he had eight sons by two wives; the eldest by one wife (by name Gur Rani) being Umar, by the other of the Chawada tribe, Mod. On the death of the reigning (prince, Umar succeeded to the gadi by virtue of his primogeniture. Shortly after- wards Mod, (Umar's half-brother), and another brother by name Mani conceived designs against the life of Umar, with the view of possessing themselves of the government of the country. Subsequent, however, to the perpetration of their bloody purpose, they found it necessary to retire into exile ; and having relations in the western part of Kachh they determined on trying their fortunes there. The Sammas of Sindh and Chawadas of Kachh were intimately connected by marriage ; and the fortune-seekers had therefore, in addition to a limited number of followers, many friends and relations in Kachh. They would appear to have madespcedy use of both. Mod, almost immediately after arrival, 168 MR. blane's report on infanticide. "The expense of marrying their daughters might operate with the poorer Jadejas, but the preservation of a female was equally unknown in the most wealthy families. "Amongst the other Rajputs, equality of rank and slew ChawadaWagham, his maternal uncle, and assumed the sovereignty of the affairs of, at any rate, the western portion of Kachh. He subse- quently bequeathed his newly acquired possessions to his son. There is nothing, however, sufficiently authentic known of the events of those times, beyond the names of the ruling princes, and some few others of the more important events of the period. "To admit of the state of the province being illustrated, it will there- fore be sufficient to record the names of the rulers for generations until indeed the death of Puraji, when the absence of legitimate male issue caused a break in the direct succession. The deceased prince left two younger brothers, their names were Le'tha and Detha; and there are some of their discendants living to the present day. As, however, they were deemed incapable by those in authority of steering the frail bark through the sea of turmoil and treachery then existing, the widoAvofthe deceased Jam, (such being the title under which the princes of Kachh reigned) sent to Siifdh for the Son of Jada by name Laklia. He was by caste a Samma, as had been all the previous Jams from the time of Mod. Henceforward, however, the descendants of Lakha, are called Jadejas or discendants of Jada; although the caste of the tribe is Sam- ma. With Lakha, also, came a younger brother, or half-brother by name Lakhada. Lakha is supposed to have come to Kachh about A.D. 843." The son of this Lakha (Lakha Phulani) was the RedRaydhan, who was the Jam of Kachh at Vinjan, (according to the authorities on which we rely in p. 64) in A. D. 1464, or Samvat 1521 of the MSS. of the Jaina priests in Bombay. The discrepancy between the Rao's chronology and our own, here brought to notice, is great indeed; but we are able to solve it. The eighth century of the Rao is the eighth century of the Hijira of Mu- hammad; and the "about A. D. 843" should be "about A. H. 843," the equivalent of which, Samvat 1521, is given as the year of the ascent of the gadi by Raydhan, the son of Lakha Phulani, = A. D. 1464-5. See above, p. 56. It is probable that the title of Jam was given to the earlier Jadejas of Kachh only retrospectively, as till the conquest of the Sammas in Sindh in 1521, the real titular Jam would be in that country. The Jadejas, in claiming their designation from Jiida, which is probable enough, seem to be opposing their tradition, referred to by Fatteh Muhammad (see above, p. 76), that their denomination is from the Yadavas of the Mahabharata ] MR. BLANE's report ON INT'ANTICIDE. 169 wealth is the chief consideration in contracting marri- ages; and the Jadeja females who have been preserved since the engagements entered into with Col. Walker, have been given in marriage according to this rule. '' As the example of the principal talukdars in sanc- tioning this practice may be expected to have great in- fluence in diminishing crime, it is highly gratifying to observe that in each of the large talukas either the chief himself or one of his nearest Bhaiyads have joined in establishing it by the preservation and marriage of their daughters. *' The principal Jadeja talukas are Nawanagar, Gon- dal, Rajkot, Murvi, and Dharol. In Nawanagar the Jam's own brother has a daughter who is betrothed to the son of the Rana of Porbandar, the head of the Jaitwa Rajputs. In Gondal the present chief's late brother, who preceded him on the Gadi, had a daughter, who is married to the son of the Raja of Drangadra, the head of the Jhala Rajputs. In Rajkot the late chief, father of the present Thakur, had a daughter, who is also mar- ried to the son of the Raja of Drangadra. In Murvi the present chief has a daughter, who is married to the son of the Raja of Wankanir, a Jhala Rajput. In Dharol several distant relations of the chief have married daughters, but none of his own family have yet concur- red in setting an example to his subjects. ''When the prejudice with regard to marriage shall have been fully overcome, it may, I think, be anticipated that the Jadejas will adopt the same views respecting the ex- pense of the celebration, etc. as the other tribes of Raj- puts, with whom they have now become it ore intimately connected. In the census above noticed, 68 out of 171 appear to be married ; of the remainder the greater part are of tender years, but a few have exceeded the age beyond which they should not remain single ; and in such instances, if poverty be the cause, assistance, judiciously afforded, might have a beneficial effect." Some of the facts mentioned by Mr. Blane were of an 170 MR. blane's report on infanticide. encouraging character ; and on bis recommendation and that of his assistants, special presents were given to, and received with much gratification by, the Thakurof Murvi, in consideration of the countenance which he himself had personally given to the cause of Infanticide aboli- tion, and of the fact that his father Jehaji had been the first Jadeja to preserve a daughter under the benevolent arrangements of the British Government. These pre- sents produced a good effect throughout the province, and led the recipient to declare that he would be more attentive than ever to the dharm-nk kdm, the duty of charity, which the Government was so anxious for him to discharge. CHAPTER VIII THIA WA D HIS PLANS FOR ITS EXTINCTION HIGHLY APPROYED OF BY THE BOMBAY GOVERNMENT CONSE- QUENT PROCLAMATION ADDRESSED TO THE JADEJA's. Four distinct eras are apparent in the history of the suppression of Jadeja Infanticide. In the first, during the time of Duncan and Walker, we have that of zealous and anxious negociation for the accomplishment of this benevolent object. In the second, that of their imme- diate successors, we have an almost complete inactivity, arising principally from a false confidence, cherished more by the government in Bombay than the officials in the provinces, that the Jadejas, however reluctantly, would themselves ultimately seek to implement their en- gagements and recognize the voice of nature and human- ity. In the third, extending from the government of the Hon. Mountstuart Elphinstone to that of Lord Clare, we have that of an awakened interest for the prevention of the crime by the inquiries of the local officials, the dis- countenance of offenders, and the appropriation of fines for the encouragement of the Jadejas preserving their children. In the fourth, commencing with the appoint- ment of Mr. John Pollard Willoughby of the Civil Ser- vice to the Political Agency in Kathiawad in 1831, and continuing to the present time, we have that of decided. 172 MR. willoughby's appointment to kathiawad. ^ judicious, practical, and successful effort for the com- pletion of the great and difficult work^ An earnest of Mr. Willoughby's zeal and ability in the good cause had been obtained in the tact and promp- titude which he had shown in effecting the arrangement with the Gaikawad's government relative to the Infan- ticide Fund which we have lately noticed ; and the suitableness of the measures which he devised and ex- ecuted for accomplishing the object which the Govern- ment had so long at heart more than exceeded the ex- pectations which that earnest encouraged. He had not been long in office, when he " called upon the chiefs in whose territory the revolting crime of infanticide pre- vailed to send in registers of the number of the female children that were then living, in order to afford data for ascertaining how far the humane eflforts of Government to abolish the inhuman practice have been attended with success"! These returns, he proposed to submit to Government, with a scale of distribution of the balance of the Infanticide Fund, then available, among the Ja- dejas who had preserved their cliildren, and whose pover- ty or other circumstances might recommend them to the pecuniary aid of Government. Some time occurred between the demand for these reports and their recep- tion; but they were no sooner in Mr. Willoughby's hands then he gave them his best and most anxious con- sideration, with a full personal review of all the efforts which had previously been made to suppress infanticide, with the causes of their failure. The result of their * A somewhat similar recognition of these eras, is made by an able and eloquent writer in the Calcutta Review (vol. i. p. 415). "The ten years subsequent to the supposed final settlement of Col. Walker, may be regarded is the period of delusive slumber. The next eighteen or twenty years may be viewed as the period of partial reviviscence and mingled despondency. We now come to the third period, commencing about the year 1834, which may be reckoned that of widespread ener- getic action." t Letter of Mr. Willoughby addressed to Mr. Williams, political commissioner in Gujarat, dated 24th April, 1833. MR. WILLOUGHBY's REPORT ON IKFANTICIDE. 173 perusal and digestion, in the light of past experience, was the preparation of a communication to Govern- ment, the most valuable in point of practical wisdom and decision which the great problem of political hu- manity in the West of India had yet called forth, and which has really formed the basis of the measures which, there is reason to believe, have after so many years of anxious effort been ultimately crowned with absolute success. The document now referred to is dated the 26th November, 1834. It is divided into three sections, containing a detail of the measures previously adopted for the suppression of infanticide ; an analysis and re- view of the census which Mr. Willoughby obtained ; and the "observations and suggestions upon the pro- ceedings which appeared to be called for and expedient with the view of ensuring a more rigid enforcement of Colonel Walker's arrangements for the suppression of the crime, and for evincing the deep and lively interest which the British Government must ever feel in securing that systematic infanticide, the grossest stain that ever disgraced humanity, shall be entirely suppressed." In justice to Mr. Willoughby and the cause which he had so warmly at heart, as well as to our own narrative, we shall insert its larger portion. # To parties practically engaged in the suppression of infanticide in other dis- tricts of India, it cannot fail to be specially valuable. To them the clearness and minuteness of its details must enhance its value. Our first extracts refer to the Census which Mr. Wil- loughby transmitted to Government. " I now proceed to the second head of my letter, or to analyze and remark upon the Census, herewith trans- mitted, of the number of Jadeja Females, who are either now aliv^, or who have died a natural death. These are drawn out in a new and I think improved form, a * The first section of Mr. Willoughby's report is unnecessary for the reader of the preceding narrative. 174 MR. willoughby's report on infanticide. separate return having been obtained from each Jadeja District. In order, moreover, to afford data, whereon to found a judgment how far the engagements are main- tained by comparison of the number of Jadejas of both sexes, a return of Male Jadejas, of and under the age of twenty, has been included in a separate column. In the course of my investigation various improvements in this return have suggested themselves, and some meas- ures appear called for to ensure as much as possible the accuracy of future returns ; but these will be more appropriately noticed under the third head of my report. In regard to the a caracy of the present census, I am un- able to assert that such has been completely attained.^ I have reason to hope, however, that its general accuracy may be depended upon, though it is very likely errors may exist, and more especially in regard to the ages as- signed, on which point the ideas of the natives of India are extremely loose and unsatisfactory. The returns were procured by circulars (in some cases several times repeated) issued to the chiefs themselves ; but in seve- ral instances I subsequently tested their accuracy and fidelity by sending persons privately to ascertain from personal observation whether they truly represented the number of Males and Females of the Jadeja tribe now alive. And I am gratified to report that in no case was any discrepancy detected, except in regard to the age and names of some of the parties, and in one or two instances the number of males being under-rated. The returns are twenty-eight ir^ number and the following is an abstract of the results they exhibit : * [It may be observed, once for all, that the first censuses of the Ja- dejas were not only imperfect but in some respects erroneous.] CENSUS OF JADEJAS. 175 Districts. NawSnagar Dharol-Dhoi-aji. Gondal Murvl. Eiijkot Drkpha Virpar Khadedn. Murila-Deri. .!.... Sisang ChSndali. Satodar WSwadi . KotraNiftji ..."... Kliirsarii Rajpuril . Jhalia M5liS Lodaka ., Mehgani., FA] Bhadawd Virawd KothSria Shahpur Wadali Kotad'a-Sangani KaksiSlI MhawS Gauridhar Gatka 86 178 1422 140 105 358 93 696 731 I I Remarks This return has been partially tested and found correct. I This return has been tested and found generally correct : addi- tions and alterations are insert- ed in a supplementary return. An investigation was instituted by the agent, Avhich proved this return to be correct. Do. Do. Do. A mehta of the agent ascertained this return was correct Do. Do. Do. A mehta was sent to this Taluka and ascertained the return was correct. Do. Do. Do. Do. " The present Census therefore exhibits the under- mentioned results : 1. Number of Males of and under the age of twenty is .' 1,422 2. Number of Females of all ages known to have been preserved is 696 Excess of Males therefore is 731 " Of the Females 140 are married, 105 betrothed, and 93 are stated to have died a natural death. In regard to this return, however, it is requisite to observe that an omission has occurred in not ascertaining the number 176 MR. willoughby's report on infanticide. of male Jadejas who have died. An allowance on this account is therefore necessary, otherwise the inference drawn from the comparative returns of each sex will be more favourable than correct. To rectify this omission, it will be sufficient to presume that a proportionate number of casualities have taken place among the males, as in the other sex, and in this case the number of deaths which may probably have occurred among the male Jadejas born during the last twenty years, will be as follows : 69693=603: 93: : 1422 gives 219|. "The above results, while they afford a most cheer- ing prospect of ultimate success, if proper care and pre- cautions are taken to ensure that the Jadejas adhere to their engagements, still at the same time establish be- yond doubt the melancholy fact that the dreadful crime of Infanticide has never been completely subdued. The number of females alive in 1824, according to Major Barnewall's return, was only 219. The number now. alive is 603 ; but notwithstanding this great and grati- fying increase during the last ten years, the continuance of the unnatural crime is established by the disparity which is still apparent between the number of males and females. "I am, however, able to place the j^rog-ressii^e increase of the number of females rescued from destruction in a more striking and satisfactory point of view, by the fol- lowing further analysis of the census herewith trans- mitted, since it shows that there are 3Ia!es. Females. Males. Females. C7 of the age of 20 13 of the age of 20 41 of the age of 9 30 of the age of 9 20 do . 10 4 . ....do 19 98 do 8 38 do 8 2G do . 18 11 . ....do 18 76 do 7 43 do 7 24 do . 17 9 . ....do 17 93 do 6 36 do 6 41 do . 16 29 . ....do 16 89 do 5 53 do 5 59 do . 15 27 . ....do 15 118 do 4 40 do 4 42 do 14 15 . ...do 14 108 do 3 35 do 3 48 do . 13 21 . ...do 13 103 do 2 46 do 2 83 do . 12 26 . ....do 12 130 do 1 44 do 1 .32 do . 11 13 . ....do 11 19 agenot specified. 7 age not specified 125 do . 10 33 . ....do 10 CENSUS OF JADEJAS. 177 "The total number of females now alive is 603, whereas the number shewn in the above Total is only 571. The difference consists of Females above the age of twenty not included in the second analysis. It fol- lows, therefore, that of the females now alive, 68 were born during the first five years comprehended in the Table, 102 during the second, 176 during the third, and 225 during the last five years of the period. " It will be observed that the return shews that 93 deaths occurred among the number of Females preserv- ed. An analysis of this column will also exhibit results far from unsatisfactory, and in many cases the diseases of which they died are specified and will be found to be of that description to which infancy is peculiarly liable, such as small pox, measles, convulsion, and fever. Among the c a- ... 1 ... 2 ... 3 ... 1 ... ... 1 ... 1 i occurred at the o/[2/ea;-s].... do. age ... 2.5 24 Among the qualities ... do do do do do do do do do.. ca- 8 occurred at the age do. do 5 do do do do do do. do do do do do do do do do do.., .... 20 .... 17 .... 16 .... 15 .... 14 .... 12 .... 11 .... 10 .... 9 .... 7 do 4 do 3 do ,. 2 do. months ... 18 do 12 do 9 do. 1 do 8 do. .. 4 ... 3 ... 5 do. do 1 do. do 35 Rgenot specified. " The above Tota^, therefore, proves that Colonel Walker's settlements were at all events adhered to in 57 cases of the number of casualties ; and the only doubt which exists applies to the remainders where the age at which the casualty occurred is not inserted, an omission which I hope may be attributed to the carelessness of some of the parties by whom the returns were furnished. "There is still another point of view in which the pre- sent census is to be regarded with the highest satisfac- tion. The Government of 1817 justly remarked that the countenance of Infanticide in Kathiawad was placed beyond doubt by the simple fact that no instance had occurred of a Jadeja having saved more than one daughter : the present return shows ; 11 178 MR. willoughby's report on infanticide. 2 instances of a Jadeja's having 4 daughters alive. 13 do. of Jadeja's having 3 do. 80 do. of do. having 2 do. " The only other point to be noticed as matter for con- gratulation is that almost in every Jadeja Taluka either the chief himself or one or more of his relations have set the example of preserving their daughters ; some of whom are alive and have intermarried into the families of the other Rajput tribes of this province. The moral effect likely to result from this happy circumstance can scarcely be estimated, and cannot fail to promote in the highest degree the success of our exertions towards the full and complete extinction of the crime. *' Taking in detail, the petty Taluka of Khirsara, situa- ted only a few miles from Rajkot, stands pre-eminent. Here the dreadful crime must have been completely sub- dued, there being actually an excess of females, over the males. In the petty Taluka of Mengani the num- ber of each sex is exactly equal, and in that of Satodar Wawadi there are 38 males and 32 females, of whom 24 are alive. These results were so gratifying that I sent persons into these districts, who ascertained that they were quite correct, except in the case of Satodar Wawadi, where 6 males and 2 females had been born subsequent to the furnishing of the return. The re- quisite alteration has therefore been made in the origi- nal registers. " In all the other Districts the number of males greatly preponderates over the number of females, and in those noted below, the excess is so great as of necessity to lead to the conclusion that the shocking practice still prevails in them to a considerable extent. Dr&phS. Males alive .. ... 67 Fe7nales alive 10 Excess of Males 57 Murvl .. ... 61 do. 7 do. . 64 Virpar-Kadedi , .. ... 53 do. 10 do. . 42 MuliU-Deri '. .. ... 63 do. , 14 do. , 49 SesSng-Chandali, .. ... 37 do 13 do. , 24 Kotadft-Niy5ji ..... .. JhSlii .. ... 24 ... 28 ... 30 do. 2 do, do. do. 22 do do, 11 2 , 17 Kajpurd , .. , 28 WadSli ., .. ... 8 ... 15 do, 1 do. do. , 7 I^kot do. 3 12 MEASURES PROPOSED. 179 ' 180 MR. willoughby's report on infanticide. British Government and its fixed determination to ac- complish this humane object. " In the first place, I would suggest that immediate measures be taken to obtain a full and complete Census of the Jadeja population of this province. The great importance of possessing information of this kind never appears to have attracted attention ; but without it no data can exist for computing according to the generally received rules of population, the number of Jadeja females which are born, and thence deducing, with ref- erence to the number actually preserved, how far exist- ing engagements are observed by the tribe. I have myself much felt the want of this information, since the only estimate I can find on my records respecting the extent of Jadeja population is contained in the 108th paragraph of Colonel Walker's report of March 1808, where on the information of an intelligent native, it is computed that there are 5,390 families in Halad and Machu- Kanta, divided into twenty-two separate branches ; and Major Carnac in his letter of the 16th of September es- timates the number of families at 5,000. If these com- putations in any way approximate the truth, it is quite obvious that the present census of females proves that the crime of Infanticide must still prevail to a large ex- tent. I have also experienced considerable difficulty in estimating the number of victims annually sacrificed previous to Colonel Walker's arrangements, when the murderous custom was observed by the tribe generally. In the 109th paragraph of the report of March 1808, the annual Infanticides in Gujarat are estimated to have been 5,000, and those in Kachh at 30,000, but in the 13th paragraph they are according to another estimate stated to amount in the one case to between 1,000 and 1,100 and in the other to 2,000. Colonel Walker admits that those calculations were founded on hearsay evid- ence, but states it to be his opinion that whilst he deem- ed the first exaggerated, he considered the last under- rated. For the credit of humanity, however, I am in- CENSUS OP^ JADEJAS PROPOSED. 181 clined to hope that even the lowest estimate was be- yond the number of victims who annually perished ; and in support of this belief I beg to refer to a letter to Col. Walker from Sundarji, dated the 23rd of August 1805, in which the number of births among the Jadejas is stated to be between 5 and 600, annually. The wri- ter does not even state whether the estimate includes both sexes ; but from his reply Colonel Walker evident- ly understood that it only referred to females, and this was most probably intended.^ " I think, however, it will be satisfactory not only to Government but also to the Home Authorities, to set this question at rest, and therefore suggest that a gene- ral Census of the tribe be now made, which will also be attended with the beneficial effect of making every individual Jadeja acquainted with the feelings of the British Government on the subject of Infanticide. I do not anticipate that it will be necessary to incur any considerable expense in carrying this design into exe- cution. All that I ask at present, is for permission to entertain a Karkun (clerk) to be expressly employed on this duty ; and an English writer will ultimately be re- quired to render the Returns from the different districts into English. The Karkun would be directed to visit every district, and annex to his letter the form of the return in which the census should be embodied, speci- fying the number of females in each district, and .the names, ages, profession and occupation of each member of the Jadeja tribe, and dividing the married from the unmarried members. The chiefs of each district will be required to afford every aid in their power in framing these tables ; and one great advantage which may very possibly ensue from a Karkun being so employed, is perhaps the discovery of some case of Infanticide for in- * [This estimate of Sundarji Shivaji to which Mr. Willoughby re- fers, if applied to the females of both Kathiawad and Kachh, was tol- erably correct. See above, p. 72.] 182 MR. willoughby's report on infanticide. vestigation ; and it is scarcely necessary to observe that one instance of detection followed by severe punish- ment, would contribute more to the extinction of the crime than any other measure that can be resorted to.^ The expense of this arrangement will be as follows, and the amount of it, if thought proper, might be defrayed from the Infanticide Fund. One Karkun Rs. 50, and 10 Rs. bhatta, when actual- ly absent from Rajkot. One peon, Rs. 6. Stationery, etc. 4. Total Rupees 60 per mensem, or Rs. 730 per annum. *' In the second place, I would propose that every Ja- deja chief should be required to furnish a half yearly Register of all marriages, betrothals, births, and deaths occurring among his tribe residing in his district, and that if he omits to do so, or furnishes a false return, that he should be severely fined. These registers should be considered due on the 1st of January, and the 1st of June in each year, though for some time to come com- plete regularity cannot be expected, and want of it should be treated with some degree of indulgence. The Karkun employed in taking the general Census will be very useful in ensuring uniformity and regularity in framing those returns ; but the great advantage of re- quiring them will be the constant reminiscence they will give to the Jadejas of their engagements, and of the resolution of the British Government to compel adherence to them. "In the third place, the Political Agent in this pro- vince should be directed to consider it to be his impera- tive duty (and I am sure he will at the same time regard it as the most gratifying he could be called upon to perform) to furnish an annual Report on the last day of each year, on the subject of Infanticide, accompanying the same with a Register of all marriages, betrothals, * [The correctness of this observation will soon be abundantly ap- parent.] REGISTER REPORTS AND PROCLAMATION PROPOSED. 183 births and deaths, that have occurred among the tribe within the year of report. This is no new suggestion on my part, for in the correspondence on my records I find allusion made to instructions issued many years ago by the Honourable Court of Directors, that in addi- tion to such intermediate Reports as might become ne- cessary, one general statement should be submitted at the end of each year, shewing how far the amended system had been acted on and observed, what devia- tions are known or suspected to have been made from its rules, and what measure pursued for their enforce- ment, with an estimate of the number of lives saved. These orders from some cause appear to have been overlooked or lost sight of, but as was justly remarked by the Government of 1816, a report of the nature ad- verted to, would convince the Jadeja chiefs of the con- tinued anxiety on the part of the British Government to enforce their engagements, and would lead to a spirit of enquiry conducive to the fulfilment of them. Under the arrangement, my next report on this subject should be considered due on the 1st of January 1836. '' In the fourth place, I beg to suggest the promulga- tion of a proclamation by Government throughout Ka- thiawad requiring the Jadeja Chiefs to enforce the ob- servance of the infanticide engagements within their respective jurisdiction, announcing the determined re- solution of Government to suppress the crime, and noticing, either in terms of approbation, or of condem- nation, those chiefs who by the present census are proved to have either adhered to, or departed from their engage- ments. I take the liberty of submitting for approval a draft of the kind of Proclamation I think might with advantage be issued, to which I would annex a copy of the renewed engagements entered into in 1812 by the Jam of Nawanagar for the abolition of the crime of In- fanticide. If this measure be approved of, I beg further to suggest th^t seven hundred copies of the proclama- tion should be lithographed in Gujarati at the presiden- 184 MR. willoughby's report on infanticide. cy and be forwarded to me for distribution throughout the province. "There is only one part of the proclamation which seems to me to require particular notice, viz. the promise it contains that rewards shall be granted to persons who may afford information leading to the detection and con- viction of any one who may commit Infanticide. I find that almost all my predecessors have suggested this measure, but that the suggestion has never been acted upon. Major Carnac, in particular, pressed it upon the attention of Government, and proposed the following scale of rewards to informers and of fines to be imposed in case of conviction. Eewards^ Fines. l&t. An informer against the JSm Rupees 1,000 1st. The JSm if convicted Its . SO.OOtt 2nsia[ The birth of a daughter to the Rao, on the 17th Fe- bruary 1839, gave His Highness an opportunity of show- ing a good example to his fraternity of the conservation PROCEEDINGS OF THE RAO AND CAPT. MELVILLE. 301 of female life. This rarity of a spared Jadeja princess, however, died in infancy. In a despatch dated the 5th May 1839, Captain Mel- ville reported to the Bom bay Government his proceedings consequent on the instructions just now quoted. To the proposition made by him respecting a Census, His Highness in the first instance demurred, as he considerd it to be repugnant to the feelings and privacy of Eajput life. He suggested, however, that a meeting should be convened of the Jadeja chiefs for the purpose of devising measures for the suppression of the barbarous practice. To this proposal Captain Melville cordially acceded. A meeting was accordingly convened, and the result, which was very discouraging, was thus described by him in a letter of the 5th May 1839 : "The chiefs as- sembled in considerable numbers, and at the Rao's par- ticular request I attended their meeting in the palace at Bhuj. I addressed them in strong language, assuring them of the universal horror with which the crime that unfortunately distinguishes the Jadejas is viewed, and urging them by every motive I could suggest, to unite in an earnest effort to remove the stigma which rests upon their name. Along conversation enabled me to ascertain and to estimate with sufficient precision the sentiments and feelings of the assembly. The con- tinued perpetration of the iniquity was not denied ; it was lamented indeed but extenuated and almost de- fended ; and I withdrew after an interview of several hours, with the conviction forced upon my mind, that of all the Jadejas assembled not one man. His Highness the Rao excepted, entertained a sincere wish to put an end to the foul practice of Infanticide, or if left to him- self would stir a finger for the purpose." The discus- sion on the subject continued for many days. A plan for establishing a fund- to aid the poorer Jadejas in ef- fecting the marriages of their daughters was proposed ; but though it was warmly supported by the Rao it did not meet with general concurrence. Captain Melville 302 PROCEEDINGS OF THE RAO AND CHIEFS OF KACHH was ultimately informed, "That the assembled Jadejas are ready and agree to furnish a census of their popula- tion, if required ; but they would be better pleased [O trustworthy men I] if the Bristish Government would continue to repose in their prince, the Rao, and in them- selves the same confidence as heretofore ; and they, on their part, promise to exercise a stricter watch in their several districts, and duly to report every case of infan- ticide which might come to their knowledge." Captain Melville advised the Rao to take advantage of the con- sent thus yielded and to institute the census. He clearly saw the necessity of immediate action, for he found that infanticide was still most lamentably prac- tised to an incredible extent throughout the country. ''The Jadeja population," he wrote, "may number about 12,000 adult males [this was an over-estimate, as we shall afterwards see], and it is the opinion of well- informed persons that it would be difficult to produce 500 females, born in Kaclih of Jadeja blood. Nor is the crime, I fear, confined to the Jadejas properly so- called. Many branches have from time to time been detached from the genuine stock ; some by degradation and intermixture with foreign classes, and some by con- version to the Muhammadan religion. These separate tribes pass under the general denomination of the dhang [the dissolute] ; their number may be about 5,000 men, and in all the practice of infanticide, to a greater or Ipss extent, has been continued through every change of name and habit, and exists at the present hour." Captain Melville was of opinion that the suppression of infanticide was easier of accomplishment in Kathia- wad than in Kachh ; but this the Bombay Government admitted only so far as opportunities of forming suita- ble connexions for females are more frequent there than in Kachh, where comparatively .few Rajputs, except the Jadejas, are to be found. To counterbalance this advantage, it was justly added, Kachh had a prince willing by example and authority to co-operate with the WITH CAPTAIN MELVILLE. 303 British Government in the suppression of the crime. The power of the chief of the Jadejas in Kachh, justice requires us further to add, is but limited, for previous to the benevolent interference of Britain in behalf of that province the Rao there was rather among the chief Ja- dejas the first among equals than a general sovereign. It is well that Britain has been all along trying to give unity to the Kachh administration, without subverting the privileges of the nobles in that country, whose ju- risdictions, however, it might be well still further to limit by some established system of representation at the darbar. Captain Melville was requested by Government to assure the Rao that every support would be afforded him in carrying into effect the measures necessary to enforce the fulfilment of the Jadeja engagements to suppress infanticide. In his despatch of the 23rd May 1839, he reported that the Rao had commenced his ar- rangements for the census, but that a party, of consider- able rank and and influence, had urgently requested that this measure should be postponed till they had arrang- ed with the tribe first to diminish by common consent the customary and well-nigh compulsory expences of Jadeja marriages; and secondly to establish a fund to aid in the marriage of their poorer daughters. The Government assented, from an impression of the ex- pediency of carrying the Jadejas with it in ulterior movements, while hope was entertained that they were acting bona fide. Captain Melville, on the 18th of June, reported the detection by the Rao of a case of infant- icide committed by order of a Jadeja grandfather. The criminal in this case was fined proportionably to his means, on the advice of the Bombay Government. In March 1840, Colonel Pottinger, who had returned from Sindh, took his final leave of the Kachh darbar, before proceeding to England. '' I visited his Highness," he writes to the Bombay Government on the 24th of that month," at a public darbar held for the express purpose of giving me my final audience, and at which there was 304 COLONEL POTTINGER S LAST INTERVIEW a very large assemblage of Jadejasand other persons of weight in the country. After I had conversed some time on various topics, I told his Highness that there was one subject on which I looked back with the deepest regret, on quitting Kachh, which was, the small progress that had been made during my long residence at the Bhuj darbar towards the abolition of infanticide. I took a review of all the measures that had been proposed and adopted during the last fifteen years, and concluded a lengthened discourse by distinctly stating to all who heard me that the day could not be far distant when the British Government would insist on the rigid fulfilment of that humane stipulation of the treaty which abolish- ed child-murder. I said that the Jadejas could not doubt our ample power and means to enforce that en- gagement ; that we had been anxious to leave it to them to devise the best manner of proceeding, but that they must not mistake the forbearance and patience which had been evinced for indifference, or suppose that we intended to abandon the great object in view. His Highness the Rao entered most warmly into my feel- ings. He interpreted my observations in detail in the colloquial dialect, in order that they might be clearly comprehended, and declared that he fully participated in every syllable I had expressed, and assured me that no exertion should be wanting on his part to bring about a final and complete abolition of the degrading and wicked practice, for which his brethren were unhappily so notorious. He thanked me must gratefully for the advice I had so opportunely given the Jadejas, ere it was too late to repair their evil course by voluntary amendment, and emphatically called on all those of the tribe who were present, not only to reflect themselves on the warning they had received from me at the moment of my final departure, but to communicate what had passed to their families and relations, with the object of removing the foul stain, which (added His Highness) Colonel Pottinger has justly told you is so inhuman and WITH THE RAO AND CHIEFS OF KACHH. 305 sinful, that Kachh, notwithstanding its now happy free- dom from most crimes common to mankind in general, is looked upon throughout all the world as a country distinguished for one atrocity, which throws every good quality it may otherwise possess into the shade.' *'The Jadejas who were at the darbar admitted, through their spokesman Jaymalji of Tera, and Maira- manji of Mhawa, the undeniable truths that his Highness and I had told them, reiterated their oft repeated pro- mises, of setting about some effectual plan for a reform- ation, and begged me to be assured that my parting injunctions should neither be forgotten nor neglected." Those who know the man and the subject can easi- ly understand what Colonel Pottinger's discourse must have been, both in manner and matter. It produced the most beneficial effects. Within a few days after the Colonel's departure from Kachh, the Rao intimated to Captain Melville his ardent desire to frame some effec- tual plan for the suppression of infanticide, which could be reported to him before he finally left the shores of India. He proposed the establishment of a darbar mehta, with assistants in every district, to procure a census ; but to this Captain Melville demurred on the score of expence, the lack of trustworthy agents, and the pre- judices of the Jadejas. His Highness then caused a deed to be drawn up, which was executed by the Jade- jas, containing four articles, in which they strictly bound themselves to render an exact annual census of their own population in their respective districts ; to give in- formation of every case of infanticide within fifteen days of its occurrence, or failing to do this to pay such a pecu- niary penalty as might be exacted, and to furnish a re- port, supported by the testimony of four witnesses, of every premature or still birth ; to allow all fines inflicted in violation of the preceding engagement to form a fund auxiliary to the marriage of poor Jadejas; and to receive the assistance of the darbar in sending one or Iwo of its own mehtas round the country to direct and 19 306 CENSUS FORWARDED BY CAPTAIN MELVILLE. assist the chiefs in framing the census. Captain Mel- ville proposed that in addition to the mehtas of the Rao, one should be employed on the part of the British Go- vernment in testing the census made by the chiefs, which on the proposal of Sir James Carnac, was sanc- tioned in the modified form of devolving this duty on a clerk already employed in the residency with a small increase of salary. He failed to induce the Rao, in imitation of the Gaikawad and Satara Governments, to put an end by proclamation to Sati, the kindred crime of Infanticide, though sanctioned as a rite by Hindu- ism, two cases of which had just occurred. He receiv- ed the highest commendation of Government for his " zeal, judgement, and humanity" in his discussions on infanticide with the Rao and other Jadejas. The census prepared by the Jadejas was forwarded to Government, along with an able and interesting, but painful, report, by Capt. Melville, on the 8th De- cember, 1840. From Captain Melville's communica- tion we make the following extracts. " The census has been rendered by the chiefs, in ful- filment of the first article of the agreement into which they entered with the Darbar. But the real agents by whom the enumeration has been made, are two mehtas, deputed by the Rao under the fourth article of the agree- ment, who have visited every town and village in suc- cession, and drawn up the register of each according to a prescribed form. These mehtas are Musalmans of good repute, and of sufficient respectability. I have no reason whatever to doubt their honesty, but they are not men of such intelligence and high character as I should wish to see employed on so important a duty. When the census is to be renewed in the following year, I purpose proposing to his Highness to change the agents, in order to guard against collusion and deception ; and as a further check, I intend to depute the mehta now employed on the part of the British Government in Wa- gar, to points selected at random, and where his pre- sence cannot be expected. RESULTS OF THE CENSUS. 307 " On an examination of the Table, it appears that a population of 5,247 souls is composed of 4,912 males and 335 females. It must not, however, be understood that this is the real proportion between the male and female part of the entire Jadeja population ; it is merely the proportion between males and females born of Ja- deja parents, and now living. The wives of the Jadejas and the mothers of the children are not included, be- cause they are all foreigners belonging to other tribes, and therefore have no part in the present calculation. "Of the females enumerated, 77, it will be seen, are married, and these reside, for the most part, without the province ; 42 are betrothed, but have not yet left their native homes ; and 216 are in a state of celibacy. There is one, and only one, widow among the whole number, and but three orphans. ''It will be seen that there are now living 149 male and [only] 45 female children under one year of age ; and 592 male and 89 female children between one year and five. Again, between the age of 5 and 15 there are 1,291 males and 103 females; between the age of 15 and 25, 963 males and 86 females. It may be calcu- lated, therefore, that the number of female children pre- served, during each of these periods of time respective- ly, has borne the following proportion to that of the male children, viz. During the last year 1 to 3-3 decimals. During the five last years 1 to 5'6 During the 10 years preceding 1 to 12-5 During the 10 years again preceding. 1 to IJ'2 " By adding the several columns together it will be found that the survivors of all born during the last 25 years, 15 years, five years, and one year respectively, answer to the following numbers, viz. 25 years 2,995 males, 323 females; or, 9-2 to 1 15 ....2,032 237 or, 85 to 1 5 .... 741 134 or, 5-5 to 1 1 .... 149 45 or, 3-3 to 1 308 RESULTS OF THE CENSUS OF THE JADEJAS OF KACHH. " This decrease in the relative numerical superiority of the males may be also shown in another manner. I assume the mortality, from natural causes, of the two sexes to be equal ; and on this assumption it follows that the proportion which one sex bears to the other, among the survivors of any specified date, must ac- curately represent the proportion which existed among those living at that date. There are now extant, of all that were living 25 years ago 1,917 males, and 12 females. 15 2,880 and 98 5 4,171 ,, and 201 1 year ago 4,763 and 290 "It results that the males and females then living bore to each other the following relation, viz : 25 years ago as 159*7 to 1 15 as 29-3 to 1 5 as 20-7 to 1 1 as 16-4 to 1 "And at this moment the proportion estimated is 14-6 tol. " The conclusion which may, I think, be drawn from the above calculations is, that the practice of infanticide has decreased since the period of our connexion with the Kachh state, and that it is still diminishing in a very sensible degree. This degree will, I hope, be greatly accelerated by the progress of the measures now in operation for the extinction of the crime. The census will be renewed next year; and an addition will be made to the register, showing the births, deaths, and marriages of the preceding 12 months. Under the second article of their agreement, the chiefs report to the Darbar all cases of premature or still births or deaths under suspicious circumstances, of the newly-born chil- dren. For neglect of his duty on this point, the Rao fined the chief of Motala 200 rupees. The only other fine which has been inflicted, since the commencement of the census, is that imposed upon Dhalji, of Patri, INFANTICIDE AMONG OTHER TRIBES IN KACHH. 309 after an imprisonment in the Hill Fort of more than 12 months. The sum, therefore, of 1,200 koris is all that has as yet been appropriated towards a fund for the as- sistance of the poorer Jadejas, in defraying the marriage expenses of their daughters. *' In the 13th paragraph of my report of the 6th May 1839, I have stated that infanticide is less prevalent in the district of Wagar than in that of the Abrashia, and I have assigned, as a reason for this, that in Wagar there are families of Waghelas with whom the Jadejas can intermarry, whereas on the Abrashia the Jadejas are alone. The truth of the fact is proved by the pre- sent census, as we find the enumeration of the tribe in Wagar gives 888 males and 94 females, being a pro- portion of 9-4 to 1 ; while that of the Abrashia by itself gives 1,724 males and 95 females, being a proportion of 181 to 1. '' In the 7th paragraph of the same Report, I have es- timated the number of the Jadejas at 12,000. In this estimate I included both the pure and impure Jadejas; but experience has shown me that it is far too high, if taken as the number of the adult males, though it may not be very far from the truth, if considered to compre- hend all the males of every age. The present census comprises only the Jadeja Bhaiyad, the royal brother- hood or clan. The branches which it includes are the Khengar (to which the Rao himself belongs), the Saeb, the Raeb, the Deda, the Bhimani, the Amar, and the Hala. It would be very satisfactory could we believe that infanticide was confined to the Bhaiyad; but unfor- tunately it is but too certain that the baneful example has spread among other and more numerous tribes. It is calculated that the various families which have from time to time been separated from the stock of the pure Jadejas, and which are now acknowledged only as spu- rious and degraded offsets, amount at least to 7,000 males : to these must be added 3,000 for the Muhamma- dan tribes, which have been similarly parted ; and amid 310 MEASURES SUGGESTED BY CAPT. MELYILLE. all this population the crime of female infanticide is systematically and ruthlessly practised. " "What steps can be taken to check and extinguish this horrid vice, and so large a number of people, is a question of the gravest moment. The Bhaiyad is but a third part of the number ; the larger portion is not com- prehended in the British Guarantee, and cannot be brought under the operation of our existing treaties with the Kachh state. To the Rao alone, therefore, we must look for the application of any coercive measures ; and His Highness is startled at the idea of criminal proceed- ings against so powerful a body of his subjects. Nor, indeed, do I know that such stringent measures are im- mediately desirable. I would rather seek to persuade the Rao to call upon the leading men of each tribe (where such can be found) to enter into compacts, bind- ing themselves and all their followers and relations to abandon the dreadful habit, and thus to obtain upon them such a hold as may justify the infliction of sum- mary punishment hereafter. This is the best plan which I can at present devise ; but my information is not yet sufficiently extended, or my views matured, to enable me to speak with confidence on this momentous branch of the subject, and I therefore beg to be permitted to re- serve it for a future report."^ * On the subject of Sati, the kindred crime of Infanticide, Captain Melville added : "I have taken frequent occasion to discuss with the Rao the subject of Sati, and to urge him to denounce the cruel rite; but His Highness will not allow himself to be prevailed on to exert his power to this end. In reply to all my arguments, he refers me to the Jadejas,and reminds me of what, in the abstract, I cannot deny, that as the head of the state he is bound to consult them on every great ques- tion, and to abide by their advice. In conformity with this rule. His Highness has addressed to his Bhaiyad circular letters demanding their opinions regarding Sati, and has assembled them in my presence, that I might hear them speak for themselves. Without a single exception, the Jadejas support and defend the rite of Sati, while their prince re- mains professedly neutral. I have endeavoured all along to prevail on the Rao to act for himself, well knowing that a body of ignorant men like the Jadejas can never be induced to abandon any part of their an- PROCLAMATION ISSUED BY THE RAO OF KACHH. 311 On the 11th of January 1841, Captain Melville thus intimated the issue of an important proclamation by the Rao, calculated to hasten the issue of the complete sup- pression of infanticide in Kachh. " I have the satisfaction of reporting for the informa- tion of the Honorable the Governor in Council, that His Highness the Rao has issued a proclamation, addressed to the " Sammatari-no Patar^'' (a designation which in- cludes every tribe and family tracing their descent in any way from the Sammas, and thereby claiming affini- ty with the Jadejas,) warning them that as the evil practice of infanticide which has hitherto prevailed among the Jadejas has been at length put down, it will not be permitted to continue among the other tribes which have followed the bad example, but that every case which may come to the knowledge of the Darbar will be very severely punished. And in order to faci- litate the detection of the offence, the proclamation further declares that an informer shall receive as a reward one-fourth part of any fine which may be in- flicted on conviction of an offender ; but that a false accuser, or an accuser who fails to fully substantiate his charge, will meet with immediate and condign punishment." Captain Melville annexed a list of the tribes to which this proclamation specially applied, which included all of them in which the practice of infanticide was known cestral superstition, unless urged by some more powerful motive than the. simple dictate of virtue or humanity. I believe that they would bow, and willingly bow, to the mandate which forbids Sati; and that if the Rao would exercise the moral courage required on his part to issue the injunction, the rite would be at once and without a murmur abandoned. For the future I shall oppose, unless otherwise instructed by the Honourable Board, the proposition of the question in any form to the Jadejas in a body, and trust to time to bring about a change in the Rao's feelings, which may render His Highness as sincerely desirous of employing all the power and influence of his station to abolish Sati, as he most truly and evidently is to put an end to Infanticide." 312 MR. MALET BRINGS THE PRACTICE OF INFANTICIDE to exist. =^ These tribes are scattered throughout the country ; and the authorities could hear of no men among them likely to prove useful instruments for work- ing upon the masses. The Government, in acknowledging the receipt of Co- lonel Melville's communications, expressed the high sense entertained by it of the " zeal, wisdom, and dis- cretion which had distinguished his efforts for the sup- pression of infanticide in Kachh" ; its entire satisfaction with the proclamation issued by the Rao; its regret that His Highness had not yet been prevailed on to abolish Sati in his own dominions by his own authority, as had been done by his Highness the Gaikawad and the Ra- jas of Satara and Kolapur and the chiefs of the Rewa- Kantha and other districts ; and its hope that Mr. Malet of the C. S., Colonel Melville's efficient successor in the residency at Bhuj, would use his best endeavours to get trustworthy persons employed in the Jadeja censor- ship, which should also, through the Political Agent in Kathiawad, be extended to AMhoi.f In September 1851, Mr. Malet reported to Govern- ment a case of Infanticide by a female of the Hothi tribe, said to have committed the evil deed, or to have allowed the child to perish from hunger, when she was * " List of Tribes passing under the common designation of * Sam- matari,' or descendants of the Sammas, (but not Jadejas of the Bhai- yad) among which the practice of Female Infanticide is known to pre- vail. Tribes Uihich have become Musalman. Ker, Samma, Nutiyar, Abada, Gajan, Sar, Mandara. These are supposed to number about 3,000 males. Tribes which are still Hindus. Kandarde', Pasayiya, Abada, Bhoj- de', Kara Rao. These have branched from the De'da. Gajan, Rao, Dal, Mor, Dadar, Dunya, Hapa, Bare'ch, Buta, Ustiya, Nangiya, Je'sar. These have branched from the Gajan. Kamya, Hothi, Thara, Mokalsi, Otha, Waransi, Chogher, Bhamani, Virawal, Kandaghara. These Hindu tribes are supposed to number about 7,000 males." t It was in consequence of this request that Major Jacob procured the census of A'dhoi referred to at p. 255, AMONG THE HOTHIS OF KACHH TO NOTICE. 313 in a fit and her husband was absent. For concealing the crime the husband, named Udhaji, was fined by the Eao a hundred koris, in default of which he was to suff'er imprisonment for one year, a punishment certainly too lenient. The criminal stated in mitigation of his off'ence, however, that the head of his tribe had never consented to put a stop to the crime of infanticide. This brought to the recollection of the Rao that the persons charged with the proclamation forbidding infanticide had been informed by the Hothis of Bandara and Tumadi, that they did not intend to abide by the Rao's orders on this point. They were accordingly called to Bhuj for con- ference, when they requested some days to consult the goddess Mdta, under whose protection they had been ostensibly located in their lands and villages for several generations. This " divinity," they afterwards reported, gave them no orders on the subject ; and they declined to make engagements without her injunctions.^ The *The following epistle of the Hothis is both painful and curious. "The worshippers of Mala Kunarji and DansinghjC write to his Highness the Rao De'salji. You have sent here Thakur Raghuji; he has told us not to destroy our female children, and called us and the Tumadiwala to Bhuj, after which we came here and took the orders of Mataji; but this is not the order of Mataji, so vfe cannot keep our children alive without the order of Mata. Formerly the Sahib and Lakmidas Mehta called us, and said, that our giras would not be unjustly taken by the Darbar, to which purport they would give us a writing, and that we should agree not to put to death our female children ; but at that time we neither gave a writing nor received one; but now His High- ness says that we are to preserve our female children. On this we re- quested the orders of Mataji, but Mataji gave us no order, therefore we cannot preserve our children. Those who formerly among us pre- served their children, and those who married them have perished, and have left no posterity. How, therefore, can we preserve them 1 We are the faithful servants of the Rao, and from the power of Mataji and the Rao our characters in former time were preserved (when they did not consent to stop child-murder) ; why should it not be so now, when it is in your power 1 This place was privileged by your ancestors fourteen generations ago, since which time it has always remained an asylum; therefore do you give an answer to the Sahib on this subject, for we cannot consent to this.*' Asufficiently plain avowal of systemat- ic murder! 314 MEASURES ADOPTED IN REFERENCE Rao's own superstitious feelings made him hesitate for some time about the course he should pursue with them ; but he was willing to follow the advice of the British Government. The representatives of that Government at Bombay, on the suggestion of suitable compulsory measures by Mr. Malet,^ were of opinion, that " the heads of the Jadeja tribes having declared the crime punishable if committed by any of his subjects, the Hothis came under the same obligation as others, and if detached in the perpetration of the crime, should be made liable to the same punishments." The result of the proceedings in Kachh in the Hothi case was thus notified by Mr. Malet. " After acquainting his Highness with the sentiments of Government, I had a long conference with him on the methods to be pursued towards the Hothis, both as af- fecting them and with reference to the Jadeja bhaiyad, and those other tribes who are by the Rao's proclama- tion amenable to punishment for infanticide. His High- ness consulted his minister and several of his bhaiyad, and the result of the conference w^as, that to recede from the demand originally made on the Hothi chiefs for their agreement to abstain from infanticide and for a census, would weaken the arrangements now in force, and greatly dissatisfy the Jadeja bhaiyad. " I need but mention two principal reasons for these conclusions, with which I beg most respectfully to state my concurrence : firstly, the especial sanctity of Mata Bandara and Mata Tumadi, the abodes of the principal chiefs, would eff"ectually prevent the discovery of in- fanticide unless the census were duly taken, and even * 1. "To send mausiils [horsemen or foot-messengers billetted till the demands which they enforce are complied with] at a daily increas- ing rate, until the chiefs consent to sign the agreement. 2, To seques- trate the giras of those refusing to sign the agreement within a stipulat- ed time. 3. To remove from the country all those who persist in com- mitting a sin, which the Darbar and the British Government have de- termined, as far as their means can ensure to put a stop to." TO THE HOTHIS OF KACHH. 315 if discovery could be made, would render His Highness ever dependent on our aid for its punishment : second- ly, the Jadejas would be dissatisfied at finding that a tribe, which, although many of its members are of pure blood, is inferior to their own, could refuse, with at least present impunity, to concur in what they had agreed to, they would repent their own conduct and ever endea- vour to evade their engagement. "For these reasons His Highness the Eao determined again to endeavour to procure the assent of the Hothi chiefs to the abolition of infanticide and to a census. To strengthen his persuasions, I informed the Hothis that I was ready to enforce their obedience to the Rao's or- ders to discontinue infanticide, and that the two Go- vernments would severely punish the crime, forcibly pointing out to them the evil consequences of their con- tumacy. I considered it better for various reasons, with which it is unnecessary to trouble Government, not to proceed to Bandara or Tumadi in person. " Notwithstanding the Rao's endeavours and the per- suasion^ of the respectable persons he sent to the Hothis, they were inflexible, and His Highness was compelled to request my aid. I therefore addressed letters to the chiefs of the two villages, in which, after stating the reasons for my interference, I informed them that it was His Highness's firm determination not to allow persons guilty of infanticide, and disobedient to his orders, to reside in his dominions, and that they were allowed fifteen days for preparation to leave the province. I sent these letters by 20 Mausul Swars [horsemen], 10 to each village, thinking it better to avoid by such parties the possibility of the chiefs involving themselves further by resistance, and to show the other tribes the consequences of disobedience to their own Government. I am happy to say that the objects w^re effected, the Bandara chief repairing toBhuj the next day and the Tumadi chief the day after. There appeared at Tumadi, at first, a dispo- sition to resist, but it soon evaporated. 316 MR. malet's last report on '' I enclose a translation of the acknowledgement by the Hothis of their improper conduct, which I consider- ed it right, as a memento, to affix to their agreement to abstain from infanticide in future. With this exception, it is the same as that given by the Jadejas, and trans- mitted to Government by Lieutenant-Colonel Melville, in his letter of the 11th April 1840.^ The proceedings of Mr. Maletand the Rao in this case met with the entire approbation of the Government, at the head of which, at this time, was the Hon. G. W. Anderson. They were of a very decided character. The infanticide report of Kachhforthe year 1841 was presented to the Bombay Government by Mr. Malet on the 1st July 1842. It brought to notice his zealous en- deavours for the accuracy and improvement of the census, and contained the following statement, which called forth the commendations of Government both to himself and the Rao. " I am happy to observe the more just proportion of females to males under one year old in this census. Last year it was 1 to 3-31 ; this year it is 1 to 1-22 ; and although infanticide must be still inferred, I think it as satisfactory as could be expected. The Saeb, Amar, and Ajani tribes have actually more female than male children of that age. * "I, Hothi Kuwarji of Bada Bandara write, that there was a treaty made between the Enghsh and Kachh Governments in the year Sam- wat 1875, A.D. 1S19, in the 17th article of which all the Jadeja Bhai- yad agreed not to destroy their female children ; in that agreement the whole of the tribes concurred. Therefore the Darbar many times has reiterated its orders, but we, from our foolishness, did not agree to this ; but now Munshi Gul Muhammad canine to our village to make the census, and we would not, according the custom of the country, allow him to take it. This was on our part a great fault, therefore the Sir- kar sent on us 10 Mausiil Swars, and we went and prayed for pardon of our offence from the two Sirkars, and agreed, according to the agreement of all the Jadejas, (o keep our children alive according to the four paragraphs written underneath, etc. "Here follow the four paragraphs contained in Enclosure 2, to Colo- nel Melville's letter of the 11th April 1840." 9th January, 1842. INFANTICIDE IN KACHH. 317 "On the whole Jadeja population, the proportion of females to males has risen from 1 to 14-6 last year to 1 to 10-5 this year. The married and betrothed females, deducting of course those under one year old in both years, were, last year, 1 to 1-268; this year 1 to 1127, a slight but satisfactory increase." Of the Rao's earnestness and determination in the suppression of infanticide, and of the efficient assistance received by him from the Residency and the Bombay Government, there could be no doubt. CHAPTER XIII. MR. MALET's reports ON INFANTICIDE IN KA'THIA'WA'd AND THE NOTICE TAKEN OF THEM BY GOVERNMENT NATIYE ESSAYS ON INFANTICIDE. The first of the regular annual reports on Infanticide in Kathiawad was forwarded to the Bombay Government on the 27th September 1843 by Mr. Arthur Malet, trans- ferred from Kachh to the political' agency in the more southern province. The Jadeja returns showed an in- crease of 137 males and 195 females, the totals being 6,243 and 1,857. Those of the Jaitwas gave a total of 153 males and 25 females. Those of the Sumra showed that the practice of infanticide among this Muhamma- dan tribe, portions of which were found in the Nawa- nagar, Dharol, and Murvi districts, had not been gene- ral, though extensive, the total at the end of 1842 being 351 males and 141 females. The A'dhoi Manka-Ko- ranga returns exhibited totals of 69 males and 25 females. Donations, as usual, had been granted from the Infanticide Fund in aid of the marriage expences of poor Jadejas females. Only one case of suspicion of infan- ticide had arisen in the course of the year ; but it had originated in an erroneous report of the sex of an infant. The conclusion of Mr. Malet's report was as follows: " The censor employed up to the end of 1832, though a trustworthy man, could not be prevailed on to permit his wife or any near female relation to take a part in his duty. I have this year therefore been obliged to re- MR. MALET's reports ON KATHIAWAD. 319 move him ; and he is replaced by a karkun hitherto em- ployed in the judicial department, named Ramchandra Krishnaji, not so intelligent a person, but considered trustworthy. I regret, however, that I have not yet found any respectable person so free from prejudice as required by Government in the sixth paragraph of that letter. The wife of the present mehta is to be examined in her own house ; and this examination, if necessary, can be conducted by the Political Agent or an assistant. More than this I see no probability of attaining at pre- sent. " I carefully explained to Jadeja Kalaji of Shahpur the consequence of any future deviation from his duty, and wrote the same to the chiefs who interceded for him. " The AMhoi census will in future fad under the Poli- tical Agent in Kathiawad.^ '' With reference to the seventh paragraph, I have taken every opportunity personally to inculcate on the chiefs the necessity for their contributing towards the spread of education in Kathiawad, and I addressed let- ters also to them, but I much regret to say without suc- cess. I shall not, hoAvever, lose sight of this most desi- rable object, concerning which I hope at some future period to address you more at large. As connected with this subject I may mention, that the missionaries from the North of Ireland of the Presbyterian persua- sion are endeavouring to found schools in this province. The stations they wish, I believe, more particularly to occupy are Rajkot and Porbandar. Suraji, I am told, promised them ground to build on, and the Rana has, I * [The district of A'dhoi in Wagar in the eastern portion of Kachh, as has been already incidently noticed, belongs to the Thakur of Murvi, the descendant of Aliaji the eldest son of Hamir (see p. 50) murdered by Jam Ravval, who claimed the sovereignty over it in opposition to the Rao of Kachh, the descendant of Khengar, the second son of Hamir; but the point at issue having been most fully and ably investigated by the authority of the Bombay Government, under the special commission of Mr. J. G. Lumsden, of the C. S., the claim of the Raja of Murvi to the sovereignty of the larger portion of A'dhoi was satisfactorily es- tablished.] 320 MR. malet's reports on hear, been repairing a house for them, but objects to allow them to become the proprietors of ground." "Captain Jacob's injunctions noticed in the 8th para- graph have only in two instances as yet been replied to, the Thakur of Wala professed his readiness to act as the others, but could not separately make any promise ; the Raja of Drangadra intimated that he would on an ex- pected occasion of a marriage obtain the opinions of such as might be present, but his death prevented this. I shall, however, endeavour on all occasions to incul- cate the necessity of such a stipulation, and can I at any time get the consent of any influential chief I think it not unlikely that others may follow. "The distribution of the Rs. 5,000 to Jadejas of the Nawanagar taluka will appear in the Report for this year. "The 11th paragraph of Mr. Willoughby's letter re- quires the future transmission of the infanticide reports on the 1st January each year. I regret to state that this cannot take place : the reports from the chiefs are not due until that date, and until their receipt the mehta cannot proceed on his circuit. Were the report consider- ed due in June each year it might be forwarded with punctuality." The Government, under Sir George Arthur, expressed its satisfaction with Mr. Malet's report; and recom- mended him to implement all the measures to which he had directed attention. It fixed the 1st of April, after- wards extended to the 1st of June, for the transmission of the annual report. Mr. Malet's Infanticide Report for 1843, was forward- ed to Bombay on the 30th August, 1844. It embraced the returns of the Jadeja, Jaitwa, and Sumra popula- tion, but not those of the Manka-Koranga, as the dis- trict of Adhoi belonging to Murvi had again been lately placed under other superintendence. It was viewed by Government as of a satisfactory character. The year 1843 was the first in which the infanticide censor INFANTICIDE IN KATHIAWAD. 321 had, during his tour of inspection and inquiry, been accompanied by his wife. Mr. Malet's instructions to these parties were most strict, that every Jadeja fe- male should be seen by one or other of them. To the younger children the censor himself found easy access. Those of more mature age were visited by his wife. No suspicion had arisen, in consequence of their inves- tigations, of any case of actual infanticide. Mr. Malet stated that he continued to lose no oppor- tunity of inculcating upon the chiefs the necessity of making arrangements for the advancement of education in the province, but that he saw little probability of be- ing able to awaken their interest in that most important object. He also mentioned that he did not lose sight of the instructions of Government relative to stipula- tions in Jadeja marriage settlements for the preserva- tion of the female issue. He encouraged a few poor Jadejas, to apply for assistance in the marriage of their daughters. The Returns for 1844 were forwarded to Government by Mr. Malet on the 10th August 1845. "There is nothing in these statements," he observed on that occasion, " that calls for particular notice. There appears to be a steady progression ; and as the censor and his female relation see every one of the females, and their names are regularly entered and compared with former statements, I hope there is no ground for sus- picion. No suspicion of infanticide has occurred this year.^ Of the unmarried females noticed in the 10th paragraph of my letter No. 102 August 30th 1844, one has been married. No application has been made this year for assistance, the disbursements on that account bein^ for former demands. There is, I think, a dislike to apply for aid, except in cases of necessity. There is no progress towards Education on the part of the Chiefs, and I do not at present see any probability of it." * Gondal was not visited this year for want of time. It was careful- ly examined last year, and no ground for suspicion exists, 20 322 NOTICE BY GOVERNMENT OF THE CENSUS In reply to this letter, the following important com- munication, founded on a minute of Mr. Willoughby, was addressed by Government to Mr. Malet, on the 19th January 1846. " I am directed by the Honourable the Governor in Council to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, dated the 10th August last, No. 130, submitting your annual report, for the year 1844, on Female Infanticide in the Province of Kathiawad ; and forwarding five statements containing the information specified in the margin.^ " The first and second statements submitted by you shew the following results : Caste. Xo. of Male Population. No. of Female Topulation. In 1842. In 1843. In 1844. In 1842. In 1843. In 1844. JSdeja 6,129 153 351 6,175 153 364 6,430 154 372 1,841 141 1,959 53 157 2,175 57 ie4 JaitwS SumrS "Hence it appears that in each instance the increase in the number of females, especially, among the Jade- jas, has during the years 1842, 1843 and 1844, been in a greater proportion than the males. This result is very satisfactory, more particularly since from the 2nd para- graph of your letter, it appears that every one of the fe- males entered in the census passes under the personal observation of the censors. " In statement No. 3, the proportion of males to fe- males, from ten years of age to one year and under, amongst the Jadeja, Jaitwa and Sumra populations in Kathiawad is shewn to be as follows : * 1. A Census of the Jadeja, Jaitwa and Sumra populations of the province of Kathiawad for the year of report. 2. A comp^ative Table of do. for the years 1841-42, 1842-43, and 1843-44. 3. Tables of the proportions of the Male to the Female sex from ten years of age to one year and under, amongst the Jadeja, Jaitwa, and Sumra popula- tions of this province. 4. Tables shewing the different ages of the Jadeja, Jaitwa and Sumra populations. 5. Statement of the receipts and disbursements of the Infanticide Fund during the year 1844. FORWxVRDED BY MR. MALET. 323 .^1? S*^ 1 * ? s> ! ;.^ S3ivm3j; S91VJY S31VU13J S91VJY S9imudj; ifi :-rn S91VJY > 1 S9imU9^ r:S8 saivmsj; saivjj[ S92vm3^ 'sainj^ S9imudj; SdfOJ^ 892om3j^ j:; S9ivuo^ sdiwji[ '-S'-JCO CO o o Is d GO -g GO o -73 .^g &5>^ 'saiwuoj; I TfC p< CO S9lVJf[ S91VW3J: i^gjgo I 'S$IV^ 'Sdinuid^ sdioj^ Sdiviudj; S92VJ^ gdivucaj; SdlVJ\[ I 05 CO lO CO I 00 OJ ^ O S92PJf 'S92VW9jr CO (N 00 C!5 <* CO lO C^ S92DW 00 Sd2vm9j: ^gs S92m p^i^^ ^1 'sa^t5>if ^ssg S32VJ^ ^^1 li 'S92VIU3^ S?g|[2i iS^ S32VM ^11 = 324 NOTICE BY GOVERNMENT OF THE CENSUS *' The Governor in Council desires me to draw your particular attention to the extraordinary disproportion between the male and female Jadeja births during the last ten years which your census for the year 1844 exhibits, when compared with the three censuses of your predecessors, for the years 1834, 1837, and 1841. "The result of your census leads to the very improba- ble inference, if the numbers of males and females shewn under each age be correct, that the numbers of male and female births amongst the Jadejas in Kathia- wad have for the last ten years been annually decreas- ing from natural causes in the ratio of from ten to twenty per cent. For instance, according to your census, the numbers of males of ten years of age in 1844, was 1,711, while those of one year and under were only 274, being in the ratio of 6 i- to 1 in favor of the former, and this too notwithstanding the generally admitted fact, that of all children born alive at least one third die before at- taining the tenth year, '' The disproportion between the number of females of the age of one and ten years, is nearly similar to that existing amongst the males of the same ages, namely 1,207 of ten years and 232 of one year and under, being in the ratio of about 5^ to one. "You are requested most carefully to inquire into this point, and submit any explanation you may be able in regard to this great and extraordinary disproportion? which the Governor in Council can at present only account for by the supposition that the above results have been obtained from incorrect data. " From statement No. 4, accompanying your report, it appears that the greatest age amongst male Jadejas is 86, and of female 53 years. Amongst the male Jait- was it is 79, and of female 35 years ; and amongst the Sumra males it is 72, and of females 37 years. " From statement No. 5, the total disbursements paid from the Infanticide Fund during the year 1844, in- cluding marriage donations, and the maintenance of the Infanticide Establishment, amounted to Company's FORWARDED BY MR. MALET. 325 Rupees 2,047-12-4; or Rupees 1,609-4-11 less than the expenditure of the preceding year. The Balance in favor of the Fund on the 31st December 1844, amounts to Company's Rupees 1,21,809-13-3, or Rupees 798-3-4 more than on the 31st December 1843. "The information contained in the 2nd and 3rd para- graphs of your letter is very satisfactory. " The Governor in Council was prepared by your previous reports for the announcement contained in the last paragraph of your letter. He requests, however, that you will not relax in your efforts to induce the principal chiefs to contribute towards the diffusion of Education in Kathiawad, for unless they can be persuaded to do this, under the condition prescribed by the Honorable the Court of Directors, Government will be unable to aid in the accomplishment of this very desirable object. ''The Governor in Council considers it very creditable to the Jadejas that no application has been made by them during the year 1844 for aid from the Infanticide Fund. Although, however, applications for assistance ought not to be encouraged, reasonable support should be extended in cases of destitution and distress." A more satisfactory proof than this of the attention and vigilance of the Bombay Government, even in mat- ters of minute detail connected with the infanticide re- turns, cannot easily be conceived. Mr. Malet gave a prompt reply to the letter of Gov- ernment, pointing out the sources of most of the errors which had occurred in his office, from a misplacement of figures in some of the columns of the census tables. The amended returns submitted by him, it was remark- ed by Government, however, were still defective, as ap- parent from the improbable fluctuation, shown by them of the male and female children of different ages. For instance, in two of the talukas there were more male anji female Jadeja children between the ages of seven and eight than between those of six and seven ; and in one of them, more male children between five and six than between four and five years, and nearly double the 326 NATIVE ASSAYS ON INFANTICIDE. number between the age of two and three than between that of one and two years of age, while experience proves that the opposite \vould be the more probable and correct result. But we need not dwell on these incidental mistakes, more especially as the Jadeja and other statistics will afterwards pass before our notice in a more perfect form. Mistakes in a census conducted by natives unacquainted with the principles of statisti- cal registration were in the first instance almost un- avoidable. At the close of 1844, the name of the successful can- didate for the first prize for an Essay on Infanticide was announced. It was that of Mr. Bhau Daji, then an assistant teacher in the Elphinsto^e Institution, and now a graduate of the Grant Medical College, and a successful medical practitioner in Bombay. It was one of four Essays which had been sent in to the adjudica- tors,^ of which none were considered worthy of the other prize. After the suggestion of a few judicious amendments in it by Mr. Willoughby, under the authori- ty of Government, 600 copies of it in English, and 1,500 in Gujarati, were printed and lithographed. The Guja- rat! copies were intended principally for circulation in Itathiawad and Kachh. The Hindu authorities quoted in this Essay as seem- ingly hostile to infanticide, we have already introduced into these pages. f After pointing out the general sin- fulness of infanticide,:}: it thus warmly expostulates with the cruel and unnatural Jadejas, its principal perpetra- tors in India. "Many of the Jadejas say, [that infanticide origina- * E. H. Tovvnsend, Esq., and the secretaries of the Board of Edu- cation and the Bombay Education Society. t See above, pp. 29-31. I *'The protection of our offspring is the most sacred of all our ojbli- gations. It is also a powerful law of our nature. Its influence through- out all ages and on all nations, stamps it with an authority which can- not be slighted with impunity. The meanest insect is subject to it in common with man, and it is therefore no prejudice of education, no NATIVE ESSAYS ON INFANTICIDE. 327 ted] from the Raja Jada, who sent his Rajgur to find a suitable match for his daughter, but not finding one, he requested the Raja to kill his daughter, which atrocious deed was done. From that time the Jadejas say, they continued to murder their daughters to uphold the ordinance of wilful tyrants, but the wise and absolute enactment of the author of our being. This law, which discloses to us, at once, the will of the Creator and the duty of the creature, is violated by the commission of infanticide. " It is treason against the Divine authority. The prerogative of God to appoint the time of his creatures is subverted. "The infinite wisdom and paternal goodness of God are arraigned and condemned. The moral government of the Deity is disregarded and insulted; whatever is decent is outraged, whatever can be binding is broken. "It is a treason against the social compact. Society has claims upon the infant from which it cannot be fairly absolved, except by the dis- pensation of him who, having formed the bonds at the beginning, has alone a right to loose them at his pleasure. The person who commits infanticide extinguishes not only the affection due to the infant, but the duties he owes to his country and mankind at large. "It is treason against the revealed will of God. His express command is to commit no murder; and the person, who murders and allows to be murdered his own child is no less guilty than he who assassinates his neighbour, for it is God's property not his own. Parents have no more right to kill their children, than children have to kill their parents. "Infanticide shows as little feeling as courage, and he is indeed a coward who murders, or allows to be murdered, an innocent being unable to offer resistance. " Infanticide is a dastardly, barbarous, and selfish act. " A child is the very image of innocence, helplessness, and amiability. Can there be greater barbarity than in destroying these pictures of ourselves 1 In the midst of war and of its licenses, not to spare those tender beings is regarded as a deep crime, even in an enraged and cruel conqueror. What then must be the heart of the parents who crush the innocents whom even a brutal enemy forbears to injure 1 Can imagination itself conceive ought more harrowing to the feelings'? "Infanticide, being the most revolting of murders, is punished among all civilized nations, with death. The law of England, which will be enforced wherever its sway is acknowledged, punishes it also with death. In any civilized country the author of such a crime, especially when he is the father of the child, would be looked upon as a monster and his name held in detestation and infamy, and he would in England be torn to pieces by the people. Has God then made good and evil, guilt and innocence different in different countries 1 Or is not crime the same in all, and to be shunned, as injurious to man, and hateful to God 1" 328 NATIVE ESSAYS ON INFANTICIDE. honour of their chief and clan. This resembles a child's tale ; if, however, the Eaja did murder his daughter only for the reason assigned, both he and his Rajgur de- serve to be classed among the most infamous of the hu- man race, as the parent has no right to kill his offspring. It is an act stigmatized, both by divine and human law, as a foul crime. It is very clear that Jada, who accord- ing to your legend, killed his daughter first, and with whom the practice originated, acted against the seve- rest denunciations of religion and against custom ; for, at that time daughters were preserved and not killed. Your ancestors were bold enough to commit a bad deed. Should you therefore desist from doing what is just, and what is your duty, and what is expected from the mean- est creature ? Beware, then, of this insidious enemy, custom. Were all sects of Rajputs to follow your exam- ple, in murdering their daughters, where, may I ask, would you find wives ? " Some unthinking persons are ready to say, ' If we relinquish the custom, others will continue it. Where then is the good of our doing so ? ' But what course of wickedness will not such reasoning justify ? The robber, the assassin, may use the same plea, and say, ' What is the use of our ceasing to rob and murder ? Others will still continue to do both.' Would you think them justi- fied in the argument? Remember that society is com- posed of individuals, and that a custom cannot be abo- lished unless some of the community first break through it. "I have been told that some of the Jadejas consider it no sin to kill a child before its cries are heard. This is worse than delusion. Is the enormity of the crime diminished, or annihilated by the diff'erence of a few moments ? The destruction by a mother of even an un- born infant is considered highly criminal by the Shastras. " Little credit is due to those who follow in a beaten path, whilst on the contrary the world, in all ages, has looked with admiration upon those who have been dar- ing enough to break through custom that they have NATIVE ESSAYS ON INFANTICIDE. 329 known to be wrong. You say, !>| "2 S o 1 3 o S s o p 1 % 3 ,o U nH !^ w. < H U Pm Pm P^ < H In 1842. 148 681 1.571 1,264 2,.544 6,208 114 275 147 136 29 701 1 to 8 8-10 In 1847. 161 534 1,551 1,387 2,782 6,445 136 44T 340 142 65 1 1,130 1 to 5 1-10 Inereas Increase 237. 429. Results which the Hon'ble the Governor in Council con- siders to be extremely satisfactory, especially as shew- ing that the disproportion between the male and female children from five years old and under, is rapidly dis- appearing ; in 1842 the number of male children of these ages having amounted to 829 to 389 females, while in 1847 the number of children of the same ages was 725 males to 583 females. " It is also satisfactory to find, from Appendix No. 2 to your report, that the proportion of females to males in the Jadeja population of Kachh has during the last seven years been steadily on the increase. The number in each year from 1840-41, having been as under : In 1840-41 1 Female to . to . to . to . to . to . to .. .14. . JO. . 8 . . 7. . 6. . 6. . 5. . 6 Males. In 1841-42 In 1842-43 In 1843-44 In 1844-45 1 do 1 do J do I do. ..5 do. ..8 do. .6 do. 65 do. In 1845-46 In 1846-47 1 do 1 do ..00 do. .7 do. " His Honor in Council is much concerned to per- ceive from your report that no less than 15 cases of in- fanticide are proved to have been committed in Kachh GOVERNMENT ON THE REPORTS OF COL. ROBERTS. 369 during the year 1846. The parties who have been convicted of these murders, have, you state, been fined according to their means ; but, that persons guilty of this revolting crime in Kachh are not at present visited with adequate punishment is plain from your remarks in the abstract census of the Jadeja population, wherein it is stated, that in no less than three of the proved cases of infanticide, the parties concerned were not visited with any punishment whatever, having been excused on account 'of poverty,' and in three of the other proved cases a fine of only 25 koris (about rupees 7) was levi- ed, and in another a fine of 40 (about rs. 11) koris was imposed punishments altogether inadequate and from the imposition of which it is not to be expected that the crime will ever be extinguished. " You will perceive that the following stipulation is made in the 2nd article of the engagements into which the Jadeja chiefs of Kachh entered with His Highness the Rao in the year 1840 : ' Whenever a newly born child is destroyed among the Bhaiyad the chief shall give in- formation to the Darbar within the space of fifteen days, in order that the murderer may be visited with punish- ment by fine or otherwise. If the chief conceals any in- stance of the crime, or neglects to take such measures as are sure to prevent its concealment from himself, and information of its having been committed reaches the Darbar, from another quarter, then the chief himself shall submit to be heavily fined. It therefore behoves the chief to take good precautions ; and w^henever it is ascertained that the wife of a Jadeja has been pregnant and the child is stated to have been born prematurely, or to have died naturally, in such case, four respectable men shall take cognizance of the fact and their verdict shall be reported to the Darbar within fifteen days.' It follows, therefore, that in cases where the guilty parties are too poor to pay a fine, it could not have been intend- ed, that they should altogether escape punishment. On the contrary the engagement above quoted, unquestion- 23 370 GOVERNMENT NOTICE OF THE ably contemplated the award of imprisonment in such cases, at first for a moderate period, and afterwards in- creased with reference to the magnitude of the offence as the resolution of Government to suppress the crime became more fully and certainly known. Unless His Highness the Rao strictly enforces the provisions of the above article, and visits each proved case of Infant- icide with a suitable punishment ' by fine or otherwise,' it is evident that the endeavours of the British Govern- ment for the suppression of this crime in Kachh will in a great measure be rendered abortive. You will accord- ingly be pleased to bring this subject to the notice of the Eao, and strongly urge upon His Highness the pro- priety and necessity of his hereafter dealing with great- er rigour with those who thus set at nought, not only His Highness's injunction but their own solemn engage- ments to abstain from, and to do all in their power for suppressing the commission of infanticide. " His Honor in Council deems it extraordinary after such engagements had been entered into, that such leniency, as is mentioned in your report, should have been pursued by His Highness, towards parties who had been proved guilty of this dreadful crime ; and I am desired to request that you will be pleased to ex- plain what remonstrances were offered by you against this course. "You will be pleased to report to Government the result of His Highness's investigation into the four cases of Infanticide which have happened during the year 1847. "With reference to the 4th paragraph of your letter, in which you state 'there are also some irregularities with regard to the usual reports, directed to be made to the Darbar, immediately on the death of a child having been omitted,' I am desired to request that you will urge His Highness the Rao to adopt effectual measures to prevent a repetition of these irregularities. "From the statement of the Receipts and Disburse- REPORTS OF COLONEL ROBERTS. 371 merits of the Infanticide Fund, annexed to your report, it appears that the amount granted in aid of marriages is in every case the same, namely 800 koris. His Honor in Council considers the system pursued in Kathiawad to be preferable. In that province a careful enquiry is instituted into the circumstances of each applicant for aid ; the amount granted is fixed with reference thereto, and seldom exceeds 250 Rupees, often being so low as 100 Rupees. It is, moreover, in the opinion of Govern- ment in every respect desirable that the expense of Jadeja marriages should be checked as much as possi- ble, an object which would not be promoted when as- sistance is granted at one uniform rate. ''Your report under acknowledgment being extremely meagre, I am desired to inform you that Government will expect a much fuller report for the year 1847-48, and to furnish you with a copy of the Infanticide report for Kathiawad forwarded by Major Lang on the 30th December 1847, in conformity with which, you will be pleased as far as may be practicable to frame your future reports." From the explanations given by Colonel Roberts, on the 8th June 1848, in reply to this communication, we give the following extract. " With regard to the adequate punishment it is one of extreme difficulty. Many are the instances when the parties have positively nothing. They subsist themselves and families on the labour of their hands, and as shepherds in attending and foraging the cattle and sheep belonging to the villages at which they re- side. These people are unable \o make a money pay- ment as a fine to any amount; and the alternative, im- prisonment. His Highness the Rao would be always ready to inflict, but in the case of the poor classes if the individual had a family they would, being deprived of the subsistence gained by his labour, starve, and in the case of his, having no family he would consider it small punishment to be imprisoned when food is abundantly 372 LENIENCY OF PUNISHMENTS FOR INFANTICIDE. provided, and labour if awarded always light. ^ His Lordship in Council may rely on the cordial co-opera- tion of His Highness the Rao in the endeavours to sup- press infanticide. His Highness proposed punishments which were considered by the Hon'ble the Court of Directors as far too great. His Highness the Rao is prepared to inflict any punishments the Hon'ble Board may deem fit; and I have proposed to him for the future to submit the intended awards of punishment in each case for the consideration of Government. The In- fanticide report for 1847-48 shall be compiled agreeable to your instructions ; but the province is small compared to that of Kathiawad, and T believe a lengthened report, in the absence of any new matter, could only contain repetitions of my former reports and those of my pre- decessors." The Government remarked, on the 10th July 1848, in reply to this representation, " that although the explana- tion therein afforded of the leniency hitherto exercised by His Highness the Rao of Kachh towards persons convicted of the crime of infanticide is far from satis- factory, the Right Hon'ble the Governor in Council is of opinion that, provided His Highness agrees to the adoption of the course indicated in your 6th paragraph, the object of Government will for the future be ensur- ed." Some of the subsequent reports from Kachh have been very much of the same character as those now noticed, showing on the one hand a progressive increase of the Jadeja female population, and, on the other, the evident * [The late excellent Archdeacon Jeffreys of Bombay was accus- tomed to say, that nowadays too much is heard of the "house of cor- rection" and too Httle of the "rod of correction." Without here dis- cussing the propriety or impropriety of this opinion, we would respect- fully suggest to His Highness the Rao, that it might be well to ascertain, by practical experiment, whether or not, in such cases as those here referred to, the integuments of the backs of the murderous tribes of his country are not more tender than the fibres and tissues of .their unfeel- ing hearts.] MR. OGILVY's report ON INFANTICIDE IN KACHH. 373 evasion of their engagements, and violation of the first principles of humanity, by many individuals of the Ja- deja community. In the report for 1848, Colonel Roberts expresses his belief that a fixed sum, as in Kachh, in aid of the mar- riages of poor Jadeja females is better than one appor- tioned, as in Kathiawad, according to the circumstances of individuals. He founds this opinion on the liability to imposition by native authorities. But the solution of the merited preference must always depend on the course of inquiry pursued by the political agent. Colo- nel Roberts, in the same document, expresses his just regret that the census in Kachh is confined to the Ja- dejas, while the surveillance of the Dhang-, and other tribes addicted to infanticide,^ is comparatively neglect- ed. At the end of 1848^ the number of Jadeja males in Kachh was 6,536 and of females only 1,297. At the close of 1849, they had risen to 6,629 males and 1,403 females. The Report for 1849, a remarkably lucid document, was presented to Government by Mr. Thomas Ogilvy, of the Civil Service, the successor of Colonel Roberts in the Agency. The following items of information which it contained are worthy of notice. There were 250 male and 211 female births, and 136 male and 95 female deaths, being rather less than 2 per cent of the former, and rather more than 6 per cent of the latter ; an increase over the returns of the preceding year, of 52 Jadejas with one daughter alive and of 22 with two, of two with three, and of one with four daughters alive ; an increase of 33 betrothed, 57 unbetrothed, and 16 married and widowed females. It appeared that of 250 male and 211 female children born in 1849, iifty^ * Of these tribes Colonel Roberts gives a list similar to that furnish- ed by Colonel Melville. See above, p. 312. The population of such of them as are Hindus he estimates at 7,150 souls ; and that of those of them who are Muhammadans at 4,500. 374 MR. ogilyy's report three of the former and sixty-five of the latter died, showing an excess of about 9 per cent of female over male deaths. Of 242 males and 251 females born in 1848, none of the former, but 45 of the latter died. The mehtas having been asked why the females of six, seven, and eight years of age were entered as more numerous than those of five, six, and seven in the corresponding statement of 1848, they explained to Mr. Ogilvy that errors had occurred in the classification of the children according to their proper ages last year, owing to the new mode of rendering the returns. The proportions of male and female deaths, from 1842 up to 1849, ave- raged from under 2 to nearly 4 per cent, and in the case of males ; and from 6 to more than 9 per cent annually, in the case of females. The females, however, had doubled in number since the year 1842, and the dis- proportion between the sexes had diminished one-half. "On examining,'' says Mr. Ogilvy, "the returns when first brought to me by the mehtas employed to prepare them, the great excess of female deaths in some of the villages appearing to require investigation, I addressed His Highness on the subject on the 20th October, and have the honor to annex a translation of that communi- cation. The returns having been amended since then, some disagreement will be found with Statement V. now forwarded. His Highness replied in person, when he very fully explained his sentiments. The answer, he observed, was plain, that the measures of Government for the preservation of their daughters, met with no sympathy from the Jadejas, and that in numerous in- stances, neglect now accomplishes what more sum- mary modes before eff'ected. He thus, [after mention- ing all the obligations of the Jadejas to abandon infan- ticide in detail] proceeded. 'Averse to the preservation of their daughters, in spite of natural affection, in spite of the precepts of their religion and of the orders of both Governments, the Jadejas were not slow to discover ways to evade the engagements by which they were bound. ON INFANTICIDE IN KACHH. 375 They could represent that a child, really of full time, had died from premature delivery. They could induce sickness by unwholesome diet, and then report through the mehtas that death had ensued from natural causes. They could escape responsibility by sending their women to be delivered out of the country. The mid- wives employed belong to the chiefs' villages, and are therefore under their influence. If the British Govern- ment are satisfied with the progress of their measure, matters may be allowed to proceed as at present, but to extinguish the crime effectually, other means must be adopted. The time for mere warning has passed, and Government have a right, if so disposed, to revoke the guarantees, the conditions of which have been broken. The Jadejas may justly be assessed till the objects of both Governments have been accomplished. This is my private opinion. The chiefs, however, will remon- strate, and I shall publicly join in their remonstrance, for I cannot separate myself from their interests, or act in opposition to their advice, without risking the ruin that the enmity of the Bhaiyad brought on my father Bharmalji.' " " The statements promised by His Highness," Mr. Ogilvy added, '' giving a census of the population of other tribes suspected of practising infanticide, will be furnished in the ensuing year. In deference to the wishes of His Highness the Rao and his chiefs. Gov- ernment have fixed the amount of donations to be given to the poorer Jadejas, to aid them in marrying their daughters, at koris 800 (rupees 211,) and have abstain- ed from pressing their points of difference, so long as evils are not found to follow. It occurred to me that the British Political Authorities might promote His Highness's object of encouraging intermarriages between the Jadejas and the Rajputs of Rajputana, but the sug- gestion did not accord with His Highness's views. The Rajputs dislike all interference with their domestic af- fairs : and it is better, therefore, to leave them to devise a 376 VISIT OF THE AUTHOR TO BHUJ WITH DR. DUFF. mode themselves of removing the growing difficulty of providing husbands for their daughters. His Highness is negotiating a matrimonial alliance with the family of Udepur, and hopes by that means to establish more frequent intercourse between Kachh and Rajputana ; but it appears to me somewhat doubtful whether the benefits anticipated are likely to repay the heavy ex- pense of such an alliance." With reference to the suggestions of the Rao for a further interference on the part of the British Govern- ment with the Jadejas in the matter of the violation of their engagements, the Government requested Mr. Ogilvy to inform His Highness, that being satisfied of his sincere desire to see infanticide suppressed in his dominions, it would await the result of further experi- ence as to the success of the measures actually in pro- gress for the attainment of this great object. In February 1850, the author of this work paid his second visit to Bhuj, having had occasion to pass through Kachh on a journey from the banks of the Indus to Bombay, performed along with the Rev. Dr. Duff" of Cal- cutta making the tour of India before visiting Europe. The Rao gave us both a very kindly welcome at his palace. On that occasion, we had a lengthened conver- sation with His Highness and some of his attendant Jadejas on the subject of Infanticide. He gave us a strong impression of his own anxious desire to see the horrid custom wholly abolished; and his brethren of the bhaiyad said, " It is quite unnecessary to speak to us further on the subject. We have determined that in- fanticide shall be abolished. The matter is accomplish- ed." The Rao presented us with a table in Gujarati, or form^ as he called it, a translation of which is here sub- joined, showing at one glance, the complete statistics of the whole Jadeja population of Kachh in 1849. JADEJA POPULATION OF KACHH. 877 3 1 5 1 : : i i 1 :\- : " 1 S 1 i : :2 1 2 1 SS | ira 1 w 1 : : : : 1 :!-<: ^ 1 2} 1 i i'-^S ! g 1 SS ^111 ^ ^ : M i '^ " I 1 1 i :^o 1 1 { ^" ij 1 ^ 1 ;** : : 1 ** 1 ^ : - 1 } : :"S i S 1 -^^ *l2l ^^^M M''- - M ! -^S ! s r ^ 1^1 ;;;;| i {-^ "IS! : :-S j 8 j " : s 1 ?? 1 \^ \ I i- \ ; ; - I 2 1 ^'^- 1 - 1 - s; 1 g 1 ; ; ; ; 1 ^ " * j 1 [ i :SS 1 g } i i s|^l :;;;| ;|-; ^ j g 1 ^ i2^ } g 1 -^^ s?|^| ;;:;| i|"; 2 ! g 1 i i^^ }^ j i i z \^ \ ;- ; : 1 - p i ^ 1 g j ^ iss } ^ j i i t 1 1 i : ; i 1 i ) ; ; 2 I S i - i22 i S 1 - i p 1 iiiij i 1 i i 2 j ^ 1 ^ i^2 1 S j -^ i |^| iiiij ij**i -i^i--^i^r = ^ 1 2 1 "'^ M *" 1 "" JO 1 g 1 : j o j :- S|2j iiiij ij-^i o J -2; 1 I- : :fi^ j oi 1 1 55 j iiiij i 1 i i r^ j o ^ o^ :^ 1 o p : 1 5o 1 :r-( : ; 1 i-H 1 * : c|gj|Os:.-< r-i 1 ocoo eo CO OS 1 ^^ 2 cJ rH ^ |2^ ^5 g o 2^ " CO ^d'^^'c oSg2Si S2&02 = 2 J;-33 s-^s" 5 emales xcess female verasrc of the female Sfepq < 1 fl '+J O !=i o o (=1 O o pJC on ^ tH c^ M o rt ^ ^ fli --J o o vri s oT o T-S. !=! VO^ o t-s W o ,13 CS *-* s o o <^ >. 'TJ ^ fl *^ Qi a (D ^ a c^ O o o CO 03 +^ ^-4 !" o fl } a >-< 03 o o O CD C^ > a 1 1 kS M o O^ ^ ^ D- Fl &H o n-5 (rf 73 ^^ og^g^^co i- 1 s -"-< ^ if^ 'i ^ isissi S "s -i-rp-rrH i-T i-^ ^s w Ph -^ SSiS^Sg ^ 11 "" ^ ^ 1 1 5 1 7 17 18 47 4 1 13 17 2 i ^ 19 UdSwats 6 3 9 11 9 15 10 21 34 50 1 1 2 6 3 7 1 1 2 2 2 5 9 Jethawats Bhatti 7 15 14 1.3 23 27 3'J 41 83 96 2- 1 11 13 13 14 7 7 8 7 15 20 29 Sesofiid Sangarl 1 7 y 17 5 6 5 KumpSvvat 13 14 30 47 104 1 7 8 5 2 7 15 Champa wat 30 23 36 44 133 1 14 15 4 6 10 25 6 2 6 4 8 6 Itt 11 33 23 2 2 2 Joda Miscellaneovis 17 21 53 74 165 16 3 23 42 1 14 15 57 4 . , _ Total 101 123 231 330 785 26 * 96 126 18 42 60 186 " In forwarding Lieutenant-Colonel Robinson's letter to the Gov- ernment of India, Major Thoresby observed, 'Regarding the arrange- ments which have been proposed as means for putting an end to the occurrence of a crime in the Mahikantha tract, Lieutenant-Colonel Robinson has expressed his sentiments in detail in the accompanying letter, and these lead to the conclusion that they would be found in practice to be embarrassing and inefficient. But with respect to the alternative suggested in the 16th paragraph of the letter, which would REPORTS OF CAPTAIN WALLACE. 411 *' The age of the eldest fema^le in the above list is 33 years ; so that the births and deaths enumerated in the above table are spread over that period. As it was not till November 1845 that the mass of the Marwadis had bound themselves to abstain from the crime, and as the chiefs who had entered into these engagements at an earlier date had not the power nor probably much good- will to check the practice among their followers of their own authority, it is only from that date that we can ex- pect any change to have taken place with reference to the practice of infanticide. I find that since that date, therefore, there have been 38 female children, of whom 7 have died. There are also 34 boys alive who have been born since that date ; but, owing to the omission which I lamented before, we do not know how many boys born in it may have died. At the same time the near equality of the sexes as they stand gives reason to hope that the mere preliminary measures that have been adopted have effected some good, for on a narrow scru- tiny of the original detailed census I have every rea- son to believe that ten of these female children owe their lives to them. " The I'dar Darbar is prepared to bear the cost of any measures that may be necessary for the extinction of this crime, both by keeping up any requisite establish- ment for detection, and by extending pecuniary aid to the poorer Marwadis in marrying off their daughters. I seen to contemplate States under the protection merely of the British Government, I am not aware of the course that could be conveniently made available for enforcing the penalties that might be prescribed, were a proclamation of the tenor noticed to be issued. By pursuing a steady line of conduct of interdicting the practice under severe penal- ties wherever we have the undoubted right to enforce our orders, in exhorting chiefs and people to abstain from it themselves and to use their influence for causing others likewise to abandon it, and in repro- bating and shunning these who are guilty of it, much might perhaps be effected, in due course of time, towards infusing a better tone of mind in this particular, and inducing the community in general to view the matter in a more beneficial light in parts of the country where such change is to be desired." 412 INFANTICIDE IN THE MAHIKA.NTHA. am inclined to believe that for the purposes of detection it will not be necessary to maintain a costly establish- ment. The census shows only 354 Marwadi families in all ; and if we deduct from this number the childless and those who are not even suspected of committing the crime in question, such as the Chowans, the Sanga- ras, many of the miscellaneous Rajputs, as well as many families in which there are already two or three daughters, there will remain a comparatively small number whom it will be necessary to watch. The Marwadis, moreover, are so thinly scattered among the rest of the population, and from their position their do- mestic affairs are so well known to all around them, that the absolute concealment of the birth or death of a child would be impossible. The cause of death, indeed, may be more effectually hidden and must always bo difficult of proof. ^' I would prefer to employ different hands from time to time in framing the population returns, and investi- gating the suspicious cases previous to bringing them forward for trial, arranging in such a manner that every village should be visited at least twice in the year. But I would depend in great measure on the Tdar Darbar for the collection of evidence to ensure conviction, as there can be no doubt of its greater opportunities for so doing, and as I have confidence in its goodwill to the cause, though it may require occasionally to be prompt- ed to action. " It is, however, on measures of a nature the reverse of coercive that I look with most confidence for the era- dication of a crime which, being opposed to some of the best interests of human and even animal nature, may be said to commence the struggle under considerable disadvantages. In addition to the grant of six hundred rupees per annum to the Infanticide fund, and the em- ployment of forty Marwadis in the Sibandiof the state, the Raja has just evinced his sense of the heinousness^ of the crime and his wish to aid and encourage those REPORTS OF CAPTAIN WALLACE. 413 who throw it off, by the employinent of ten Marwadis who have saved their female children since 1845 as his own personal attendants. These men have been chosen from the tribes and localities where the offence has hitherto been most frequent, and being in other respects fitting, they have been placed in a position where they can earn sufficient to provide for the marriage expences of their children. The annexation of the Ahmadnagar Pargana to Tdar,^ and the consequent increase of terri- tory and income, will open channels for the employment of others, while it is to be understood through the prin- cipality that no favor or patronage will be bestowed on those who labour under a suspicion of being guilty of infanticide." " We have as yet no applications for pecuniary aid in making up marriage portions, nor do I think such applications should be encouraged, for there is quite enough of the sordid in the character of these Mar- wadis to induce a run upon this fund, if the example be once given. Indeed, the tendering pecuniary aid in such matters at all is obviously open to the objection that it may encourage the seeking of higher alliances than the ordinary means of the parties could warrant ; and in this view it is to be regretted that the 4th stipu- lation made by the chiefs was ever admitted, viz. that which allows them to put a veto on the intermarriage of the daughters of their followers with the Rajputs of the country, who though not Marwardis are, as far as purity of blood is concerned, fully their equals. T am aw^are however, that the chiefs were only induced to sign the bonds by Captain Lang with the greatest difficulty ; and to that gentleman belongs the honor of having taken the first steps to abolish Infanticide in this province." Much of this information, furnished by Captain Wal- lace, was gratifying to Government, particularly that respecting the benefits accruing from the preliminary * [On the call to the throne of Jaudpur of Takatsingh, the Raja of Ahmadnagar.] 414 INFANTICIDE IN THE MAHIKANTHA. engagements, and the liberality and consideration of the Raja of Tdar. He was requested^ however, to ex- plain how the orders of Government in reply to the first report on Infanticide in the Mahikaiitha had not been noticed. The Government adhered to its views about a marriage fund, the propriety and benefit of which had been so well tested elsewhere. Lord Falkland, on the suggestion of Mr. Willoughby, sent a personal letter to Ganpatrao Gaikawad, soliciting him to give up the fines to it which his predecessor and father, Sayaji, had declined to part with for this object; and His Highness compromised the matter by granting the half of them in time to come. The plan of having a permanent censor was adhered to, as favourable to the accumulation of experience. Another Report on infanticide in the Mahikantha was presented by Captain Wallace on the 26th May, 1849. The following are its principal portions. " The arrangement effected by Major Lang in January 1842 extended only to the Rajputs of Tdar. Those of Ahmadnagar were not included, and the departure of the chief Takat Singh to Jaudpur in the next year, and the doubtful status of that Pargana till last June, pre- vented any regular measures of precaution being taken with regard to the Marwadis of that district, though it had been generally notified to all the country that In- fanticide hereafter would be treated as a crime. '' The transfer of Ahmadnagar to Tdar, and the con- sequent increase of establishments, presented the oppor- tunity of giving some employment to the Marwadi Raj- puts ; and forty-five of them were enrolled in the new Sibandi, principally from the Kumpawat clan, in which the crime had hitherto been most rife. The selection was generally made of young married men, who not having yet been hardened by the perpetration of this atrocity might be supposed most likely to take the op- portunity which employment offered them of saving the money necessary for the future marriage of their female REPORT OF CAPTAIN WALLACE. 415 children from their pay ; but it was also imperative that they should be active and able-bodied, and that it should be plainly understood that bona-fide service was to be performed, and not that they were merely bribed to ab- stain from child-murder. The Raja of Tdar had offered service of a somewhat more attractive kind than the ranks of the Sibandi to ten Marwadis of the higher classes as his own immediate attendants ; but, as he ex- pected them to wear a certain kind of uniform, they all refused to avail themselves of the proposal. " In the close of the year I deputed Dhondu Shastri, a young man whom I had received from the College at Puna in 1847, and placed on this establishment, to frame a new and more careful census of the Marwadi popula- tion, as I had discovered some omissions and errors in that noticed in my former Report. This young man performed his task with zeal and honesty ; and I have the honor to annex an abstract of the voluminous Re- turns he had framed, which include almost every parti- cular desirable to be known of the families and connec- tions of this tribe of Rajputs. " Dhondu Shastri early reported several cases of In- fanticide which had occurred since the framing of the last census ; and as an immediate example seemed ne- cessary to save children yet unborn, I directed my As- sistant, Captain Keily, to assemble a Court in strict ac- cordance with Major Lang's settlement for the trial of the offenders, as I was employed in the southern part of the Province, and it would have been inconvenient for the witnesses and others to attend at my camp. Copy of my instructions to Captain Keily is annexed, in which I requested him to lay fairly before the chiefs forming the court the inevitable consequence of their slurring over their business as they had done several years before, when they fined persons guilty of Infant- icide in sums so ridiculously small as to legalize the atrocity for a trifling pecuniary consideration. Captain Keily very satisfactorily led them to admit that no pun- 416 INFANTICIDE IN THE MAHIKANTHA. ishment could be considered sufficient that did not at all events thwart the selfish pecuniary calculations of the child-murderers by taking from them, in the shape of a fine, the money which they expected to save by their crime ; and as the expense of marrying off a daugh- ter to the poorer Marwadis was estimated at Rs. 150, he prevailed on the court to consider that as the mini- mum punishment. Two Marwadis were immediately brought to trial, viz. Ranmalawat Padam Singh Anar Singh, aged 20 years, and Ranmalawat Bharat Singh A'bji, aged 25 years, the latter for the destruction of a female infant in November 1845, and the former for a similar crime in September 1848. Both were convicted, and sentenced to pay a fine each of 150 rupees, or to suffer two years imprisonment in irons. In the latter case, Kasan Singh Thakur of Kotra was shown to have been privy to the murder, and to have concealed it. He, moreover, refused to give any evidence before the Court, which came to the resolution of fining him 30 rupees for his complicity and contumacy. The prisoners Pa- dam Singh and Bharat Singh had been employed in the r^ks of the new Sibandi, but were of course imme- diately discharged. Subsequently, on my camp having been moved to Ahmadnagar, I superintended in per- son a third trial of Kumpawat Surat Singh Zalim Sing of Bawangad, who was also convicted and fined 150 rupees for the destruction of a female child in Novem- ber 1847. In the course of the proceedings, it appear- ed that the father of the prisoner Zalim Singh had wil- fully concealed, from the karkun employed in framing the census, the birth and death of the child in question. He also grossly prevaricated on the trial ; and the sirdars agreed to fine him 15 rupees for his conduct. '' These examples have startled the Marwadis. I am not, however, sanguine that they will be sufficient to put a stop to the crime. Indeed, I have heard with regret that there are strong suspicions against a chief (who was most forward in recommending the adoption of the REPORT OF CAPTAIN WALLACE. 417 infanticide regulations to his brother chiefs and depend - dents) of having himself been lately guilty of the crime ; but as there is no direct proof of the birth of the child, and as I am aware of much ill-will towards him, I have contented myself with directing a greater degree of watchfulness towards him. Nothing, I am aware, would more surely strike down Infanticide than the conviction and punishment of a Marwadi of rank ; but, on the other hand, a failure in conviction would be at- tended with various disadvantages unnecessary to dwell upon. "The statements of which an abstract is annexed to this report enter more fully than hitherto into the do- mestic circumstances of the Marwadis; and a new state- ment has been obtained of all the women enceinte when the karkun went through the villages. This is most important, to keep up the connection between the census of one year and that following ; and there seems as yet to be no great difficulty in obtaining this information ; and once obtained it obviously acts as a great check on the parents, when the birth takes place. We have also information of all the alliances of the Marwadis, which will probably be of use hereafter in removing some of the difficulties experienced by them in obtaining suita- ble connexions for their daughters. "The whole number of Marwadi adult males is 558, of whom 441 are married. The adult females (wives of the above, and who of course come from other tribes) are 431. There are also 49 married Marwadi girls, some of whom have married into Marwadi families of other tribes than those to which their fathers belong. On the whole, however, it seems very unusual for any one to have more than one wife, their general poverty preventing it. The 441 Marwadi couples appear to have 432 living male children ; and the whole number of daughters confessed to, living or dead, is 276. If, how- ever, we suppose the girls really to have been equal in number to the boys born, we have barely two children 26 418 INFANTICIDE IN THE MAHIKANTHA. to each marriage. Out of 41 Tdar chiefs, 19 have no sons, and the genealogical tables of the principal fami- lies show them to have been generally saved from ex- tinction by a single life or an adoption. "Of the 276 female children who appear on these re- turns, 78 have been born since Major Lang's last arrange- ments in 1845 ; and of these only 4 are reported to have been born in that year, 1 of whom is dead. 19 births are reported for the second year, of which two are dead. 21 births are reported in the third year, of which four are dead ; and 34 births in the last year, of which 14 are dead. " It may be interesting to contrast the reported births of boys during the same time, in the first year, 30 ; in the second year, 34 ; in the third year, 31 ; and in the last year, 37. We have unfortunately no information of the number of deaths, during these years, the karkun not having made particular inquiries as in the case of females. " It appears, however, that the last census must be not far from accurate. The reported births of females having been steadily increasing for the last four years until now, the female births are to the males only as 34 to 37. The obstacle of the concealment of births may, therefore, have been in great measure overcome. " Of the 14 deaths of female infants born in the last year, it has been ascertained that 3 were destroyed. On this account two Marwadis were tried and convicted, as reported in the preceding paragraphs, and one remains untried, he being at Jaudpur in the service of Maharaja Takat Singh. The third trial that took place in this year was for the murder of a child born in 1847, but whose birth having been concealed by the parents was not entered in the returns for that year. " On reconsideration of the arrangements that have been carried into effect, and those yet to come for the extirpation of Infanticide, it has occurred to me, that inconvenience and inefficiency may result from not INFANTICIDE IN THE MAHIKANTHA. 419 having a permanent establishment to superintend them. The trial that I have made of Dhondu Shastri (who as I have before stated was educated and graduated at the Puna College) has been so satisfactory, that I could not expect to find another person so zealous in the work and at the same time so free from the influence which might operate on a native of Gujarat, and I have there- fore with the consent of the Tdar Darbar, nominated him to the supervision of the infanticide arrangements on a salary of 30 rupees, which he was before in receipt of on this establishment. The Darbar also engages to pay him marching bhatta while out in the villages, and to place two or three sepoys at his disposal during his employment on these duties." Government informed Captain Wallace that it view- ed with the greatest satisfaction the zeal which he had displayed in the good causej and the attention which he had bestowed on the various matters noticed by him. It approved of the distinct measures proposed by him, as entirely consonant with instructions already issued to the Mahikantha agency. On the 26th November 1849, Captain Wallace, after explaining how no proclamation against infanticide had been issued, owing principally to the non-completion of the preliminary arrangements till 1846, shortly before Major Lang left the province, though all had been warn- ed of the consequences of practising infanticide, pro- posed that it should be generally intimated, in a procla- mation, that no chief in the Mahikantha has the power either judicially or otherwise of injuring life or limb, and that this declaration should be held as including in- fanticide. The Government, however, did not consent to the limitation of the jurisdiction of the Raja of Tdar to this extent, though he was then the only chieftain in the province who had the power of life and death in his hands under the superintendence of Government. Captain Wallace's report for 1850, presented to Gov- ernment on the 8th August 18e50, was declared by the 420 INFANTICIDE IN THE MAHIKANTHA. Government to be '* for the most part very satisfactory, though it will be necessary for that able officer to con- tinue to exercise the utmost vigilance in watching and enforcing the measures adopted for the extinction of the crime." It appeared from the table appended to it, that in the year 1849-50, there were born 49 females to the Marwadi Rajputs of the Mahikantha, of whom, however, 13 had died. Compared with the preceding year, the entire number of females noticed by it had increased from 197 to 235. It intimated various punishments of Rajputs for neglect of reporting births and deaths, ac- cording to the regulations adopted. It mentioned that there had been no demands on the infanticide fund, and that in consequence the subscription of the RajaofTdar had not been called in for the year. It noticed the at- tempts made by Captain Wallace to reduce the tyaga, or marriage gifts, to Bhats and Charans; but the Go- vernment doubted the propriety of the accomplishment of this through British authority, lest voluntary gifts should be converted into permanent rights. Though Captain Wallace did not think that this result would follow, and suggested some cautions calculated to pre- vent it, the Government finally adhered to its opinion, intimating that only general efforts should continue to be made to lessen the expences of Rajput marriages. The reports from the Mahikantha since the year last mentioned, have continued on the whole to be of a satis- factory character, though they show sufficient reason for the continued vigilance and exertion of the British officials in that province. From the last one received, furnished by Lieut. -Colonel H. W. Trevelyan, an of- ficer of much experience in Rajput affairs, on the 18th November 1853, we extract the following table of the male and female Marwadi Rajputs for the last five years. Males. Females. 18i8-49 991 197 1849-50 1,005 235 1850-51 1,032 268 1851-53 1,059 294 1852-53 1,^4 305 INFANTICIDE AMONG THE GUJARAT KUNBIS. 421 The increase of five years was of males 83 and of fe- males 108. For the year 1852-53, the mortality among the children born was 4 males and 8 fenjales, a fact which led Lord Elphinstone's Government to observe, that although " it may not have been caused wilfully," "it is a reason why the political agent should in ho wise relax his vigilance, and should endeavour by every means to awaken among the Marwadis a sense of the criminality of infanticide, whether caused by active means or neglect." The systems of infanticide which we have hitherto noticed have all been connected with Rajput tribes claiming, in many instances, we believe, without rea- son, to be the descendants of the ancient Kshatriya^ or warrior, class of India. Another connected with the Kulambis, or Kunbis, or cultivators, of Gujarat, who are reckoned merely Shudras, or members of the servile class, remains to be mentioned. Mr. E. G. Fawcett of the Civil Service, when collector of Ahmada'bad, directed the attention of Government to a disproportion of males and females in the villages of the Lew a' (or Rewa'^) Kunbi's which had been brought to his notice by Thakursi Punjashah, the native revenue officer of the Daskrohi pargana of that coUectorate, di- rectly subject to the British Government. His letter was dated the 30th December 1847. The principal in- habitants of the villages referred to had admitted the ex- istence of the crime, perpetrated generally by parental neglect, owing to the heavy expencesof marrying their female children into good families residing at a distance, and the indisposition of the higher Kunbis to give their daughters to the families near them from which they were content to receive their wives. iWr. Fawcett had been successful in getting the heads of the caste to enter into voluntary agreements to diminish their marriage * Re'wa, popularly corrupted into Lewa, is one of the native names of the Nirbada, or Nirmada river. 422 INFANTICIDE AMONG THE GUJARAT KUNBIS. expences. According to these agreements, the expences . were to be reduced in some instances from rupees 3,800 to about rupees 700. Mr. Fawcett feared that the cus- tom of infanticide extended to the adjoining territories of the Gaikawad and even the city of Ahmadabad itself. Mr. Fawcett's communication having been laid be- fore Mr. Hutt of the Civil Service, the Judicial Commis- sioner for the Konkan and Gujarat, for his opinion, he made a report on it to the Court of Sadar Adalat in Bombay, on the 29th February 1848, of which the fol- lowing is an extract. ''I have had a partial knowledge of the existence of this practice in this province for some years. It first forced itself on my attention at the trial of some cases of murder, while session judge of this [Ahmadabad] zillah, in 1839, which indirectly arose out of it. I have made many inquiries on the subject, during my tours as judicial commissioner, and have often found persons to admit the existence of it, in reference to other castes than those to which they belonged, and have only been withheld from bringing it to notice, from the want of that evidence which might satisfy others, and the difficulty of suggesting a remedy." "It was I who about two years since directed the attention of Rao Saheb Tha- kursi Punjashah, mamlatdar, to it. I then pointed out the caste in which it was supposed particularly to pre- vail, and the evidence by which it might be inferred. He expressed surprise, which might have been real, though I should hardly have expected any person in such a position in this province, to be ignorant of it, see- ing that it prevails from Daman,^ northwards. He then promised me he would inquire into it,' and if possible do some thing for checking it, and well has he perform- ed his promise. In saying this I by no means desire to detract from Thakursi's merits in what he has done. Every credit is due to the magistrate and himself." * [Daman, belonging to the Portuguese, is tlie southern boundary of the Gujarat province and language.] INFANTICIDE AMONG THE GUJARAT KUNBIS. 423 " The measures taken by the magistrate, strike at the root of the evil, and afford a fair prospect of success, provided the penalty can be enforced summarily, of which I entertain very considerable doubt.^ Yet pride, in which the practice has its origin, still operates as powerfully as ever, and may be expected to Ifead to vio- lations of the engagement, which it will be very diffi- cult to detect and punish, although well known amongst the people ; or if even by great vigilance on the part of the local officers, this can be guarded against, and the agreement maintained for the present. As the actual contracting parties pass away one after another, their successors may not be disposed to hold it as binding on them. For it must not be lost sight of, that the long prevalence of the practice has rendered the people so familiar with it, that their moral feelings are blunted, and they no longer perceive the heinousness of it. Still it is so opposed to the natural feeling of parents, and especially of the mother, that if all the leading people of the caste can be brought to consent to it, there will be much room to hope. The concurrence of the families in the Chelotra and Pitlad, would seem indispensable to the present arrangement, from the former being those most esteemed by the people here, as offering desirable alliances for their daughters, as those at Pitlad are by those in Chelotra. This might perhaps be accomplish- ed by the magistrate of Kaira (Kheda) in the latter, but the other will not be so easy, Pitlad being in the Gaika- wad^s territory." The absolute necessity for a prompt and energetic movement in this case was sufficiently apparent from the following returns. * [The penalty was to be five hundred rupees, for a breach of the engagements to marry daughters in the contiguous, and not distant, countries. This penalty, though sanctioned by the magistrate, could obviously not be enforced in any of the Company's Courts.] 424 INFANTICIDE AMONG THE GUiARAT KUNBIS. Return of Births and Deaths of Female children of the Lewa and liadawa^ Kunhis in the Ahmadahad Collec- tor ate for 1846, 1847, and 1848. Parganas. Daskrohl Jaitalpur Dholka Total 1846. 1847. 1848. Births. Deaths. Births. Deaths. Births. Deaths. 115 59 79 109 39 7 134 68 70 106 39 15 136 73 113 87 27 22 253 155 272 160 322 136 E. G. Fawcett. Census of the Kmibi Population, the only Caste in the Kaira (Khedd) Magistracy in which the crime of Fe- male Infanticide is said to prevail. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Tdlukds. Kunbi Population. Proportion of Males to Females per cent. Remarks. Males. Females Total. Mahunda.... Matar 10,704 8,519 18,596 6,721 12,347 11,433 3,150 7,471 7,921 13,278 4,573 8,772 7,462 2,226 18,175 16,440 31,874 11,234 ^1,119 18,895 5,376 70 93 71 68 71 65 71 This Census was taken on the 1st January 1849 by the different village authorities. The Kunbi population alone is exhibited in it ; as from the inquiries made, the commission of the crime ap- pears to be confined to that caste alone, especially the sect called Lews, which forms the majority of the population in the Cherotar districts; and principally the prac- tice is said to prevail amongst the richer portion of the community called PotidSrs (portioners). The disproportion, as noted in column 6, is striking enough. NarWd ThSsra Borsad N5p5d Kapadwang. Total... 71,470 51,703 1,23,173 72 J. Webb, magistrate. Kaira, Magistrate's Office, 23cf Feb. 1849. * [The Kadawa Kunbis derive their designation from the town and district of Kadi, north of Ahmadabad. They celebrate their marriages only once in ten years, and then, conditionally, even of children in the womb ! This extraordinary fact was first brought to the notice of the author by Major H. Aston, late assistant to the Kathiawad political agency. Further and indubitable testimony respecting it was obtained by himself and the Rev. J. M. Mitchell, when passing through the Kadi districts in 1840, especially from Jayasinghji, the farmer of these districts INFANTICIDE AMONG THE GUJARAT KUSIBIS, 425 Mr. Webb, with the assistance of the munsif of Nari- ad, himself a Kunbi, brought the principal Kunbis of the districts of his charge under engagements for the re- duction of marriage expences, similar to those recom- mended by Mr. Fawcett, in the Ahmadabad collector- ate ; but he was not successful in inducing those in the neighbouring districts of the Gaikawad and the Nawab of Cambay to follow this example. The Bombay Government, alarmed by the existence of such extensive female infanticide among the cultiva- tors of the Zillahs of Ahmadabad andKheda, requested, on the 20th September 1848, the judges of the Sadar Adalat^ to issue a circular to all the magistrates in the settled districts of the presidency, informing them of the alarming discovery which had been made, and requir- ing them to ascertain whether there were ''any grounds for supposing that the same abominable practice exists in any part of their jurisdiction." The magistrates of Baroch, Surat, Thana, Ratnagiri, Belgaum, Dharwad, Solapur, Puna, Ahmadnagar, Nasik, and Khandesh, and the agent at Kulaba, reported that " there are no grounds for believing this inhuman practice to exist in their res- pective zillahs, the magistrate at Dharwad, Mr. Bell, observing that the districts of the Ahmadabad, and Khe- da coUectorates, to which allusion is made, are probably those in which the Grasias and Thakur chiefs have a proprietory right in the soil, and periodical settlements are made for the revenue at intervals of several years, so that there is little direct interference on the part of Government in the details of administration, and that under the Gaikawad. The following is an extract from the statement given by this intelligent native gentleman on that occasion. "The Ka- dawa Kunbis marry only on two days, four days intervening between them, every ten years. The exact time is fixed by ten or twelve Brah- mans, who meet at Unja at the temple of Mata, to prepare a procla- mation setting it forth, to be published by the headmen of the caste."] * Messrs. Bell, Warden, LeGeyt, and G. Grant. 426 INFANTICIDE AMONG THE GUJARAT KUNBIS. -while it is very possible that the practice of infanticide may have existed unobserved in such districts, he con- ceives it impossible that it can be carried on in districts Ttvhere the administration is entirely in the hands of the servants of Government, and which are subject to con- stant visits from European officers."=^ Mr. Davies, the magistrate of Baroch, was informed, in reference to his report on the subject, that the judges were of opinion that on further inquiry he would see cause for doubting his conviction that female infanticide was not practised in his magistracy. He afterwards frankly admitted his mistake, in an able paper on the social state of the cul- tivators under his charge. He found that in 50 villages the disparity between Kunbi boys and girls under twelve years of age was 31 per-cent, while that of the males of the whole Kunbi population was 27 1-4 per cent, be- ing 15 per cent in excess of the males of the whole popu- lation, which, too, exceeded the females by 11 or 12 per cent. The disparity of the Rajput population of his districts, also, was very considerable. There is reason to fear, as thought by Mr. Hutt, that even the collector- ate of Surat is not altogether free from the commission of the dreadful and debasing crime of infanticide, though,, as we learn from Mr. Hebbert, the present vigilant judge at that station, no case warranting imputations- against any particular class of the native populations there, has lately come before his court. In the East India Company's territories, in which the collectorates now mentioned are situated, infanticide,, when proved, must, according to our laws and regula- tions, be treated as murder. The difficulty of proving the crime, however, which is there generally effected by the parental neglect of infants, without violence, is obviously very great. To counteract the horrid custom, we have the vigilance of our British officials, directing * Letter to Bombay Government from Mr. M. Larken, Register of the Sadar Adalat, dated the 29th January, 1851. INFANTICIDE AMONG THE GUJARAT KTJNBIS. 427 that of the native officials acting under their authority ; a stricter system than formerly prevailed of statistical report and registration ; and the conventional agreement of the castes implicated to lessen their marriage ex- pences and to take wives from their immediate neigh- bours, as first arranged by Mr. Fawcett. If the crime do not immediately disappear, it must be treated emergent- ly by special legislation. As the Government recog- nises certain rights of caste as a social institution, it is perfectly competent for it, in extreme circumstances, to demand from the Kunbis practising the crime, as prov- ed by the returns of their population, a heavy fine, to be levied on them as a body, and to be raised by the caste authorities which they usually recognize. A law must be framed to authorize their being treated in this case as if they were found in our non-regulation provinces. CHAPTER XVII. concluding obseryations heinous character of ja'deja' infanticide the temptations leading to its commission general moral depravity of THE JA'dEJa's INFANTICIDE OF THE RAJPUTS IN GE- neral its imitation by other tribes ' benevo- lence of the efforts of the british government for the abolition of indian infanticideen- couragements to perseverance prospects of anti-infanticide moral renovation of india Britain's mission in india. The reader of the preceding pages will doubtless long ere this have formed his own opinion of the Infant- icide of Western India, particularly that of the Jadejas of Kathiawad and Kachh. It is in some respects pro- bably the basest and and most atrocious as a system, if we except perhaps that of the areois of the South Sea Islands, ever known to have been perpetrated on the polluted surface of this fallen and depraved world. It proceeds not, like the sacrificial infanticide of the Ca- naanites, Phenicians, Carthaginians, and other peoples of ancient times, and the mountaineers of Orisa in our own, from a misinterpretation of the character and will of deity, and their belief that they were doing their gods service, and deprecating evil, and purchasing blessings, for themselves and their families, when they imbrued their hands in the blood of their own offspring, or de- voted it to death and destruction by the consuming fire. It is not like the infanticide of the Spartans, who killed their weakly children by severity of discipline, or unna- CHARACTER OF JADEJA INFANTICIDE. 429 tural abandonment, lest an incompetency on their part to discharge the duties of the state, which they erro- neously associated too much with physical power, should bring on them disgrace and dishonour, if not ultimate ruin. It is not like that of the Persians and others, when shrinking from the reproach of adultery and the severe punishment with which it was visited, they removed by death their illegitimate children lest they should be witnesses against them of their own incon- tinence and impurity. It is not like that of the Arabs, who buried their daughters under their altars, when sur- prized by their enemies, lest they should fall into hostile hands and be defiled and dishonoured. It is not like that of the Chinese, who apprehend that, amidst the de- mands of an overgrown population, they may not be able to find the means of rearing those who could perform the least service for their own support. It is not like that of the savage nations, in which the paucity of the means of sustenance and the difRculty of procuring it by the uncertain and exhausting efforts of the chase, have sug- gested the idea of lessening the demands for it by limit- ing the number of those requiring its supply. It is not the consequence of pressing famine, as on the repeated failure of a crop, or the straitness of a siege, when energetic man and tender woman have been alike driven to the most revolting extremities, from the fam- ishing cry of their perishing children or the ravenous demands of their own unsatisfied hunger. It is not that of the mean, and ignorant, and debased outcasts of a large community, whose vice has led them to forsake the pursuits of lawful industry, and who have betaken themselves to the practice of unlawful deeds and loath- some iniquity ; but it is that of classes claiming the high- est lineage from the most remote times, and demanding the privileges of nobility, and even, in many instances, of royalty itself. It has not the sanction of the prevail- ing religion of the country in which it is perpetrated, though it is but feebly opposed by it, and is indirectly 430 TEMPTATIONS TO JADE J A INFANTICIDE. encouraged by some of its principles and institutes. It is not approved by the majority of the population in the midst of which it occurs, though it is tolerated by its apathy in the matter of human life, which is all preval- ent, notwithstanding the fanatical regard which is uni- versally exhibited for the preservation of the life of the lowest brutes. It originates in execrable pride and selfishness, in the determination to give no daughter in marriage except to families of the highest rank and with a nuptial expenditure too great for the circumstances of those by whom it is ordered and arranged. It is the preference of murder, for the purpose of supporting a fictitious greatness, to the dictates of nature and human- ity calling for the preservation and rearing of offspring according to the universal law of rational and even irra- tional life. Yet, the temptations to its commission are palpable and powerful, in Hindu society, especially as it appears among the Rajput race ; while the moral and social impediments to its commission by that people are comparatively feeble and inefi*ectual. Absolute moral- lity in any one principle is unknown to the shastra by which they profess to be guided. The degradation of woman by Hinduism, which we have noticed in the commencement of this work, more than counterbalances the pauranik injunctions for the preservation of her life. She is intrinsically, with this system of religion, of value only in so far as she may be positively needed for the purposes of marriage ; and a superfluous supply of her sex, as is imagined, may be treated as a nuisance. Hinduism takes the whole responsibility of marriage from the parties most directly connected with it, whom it unites before they are able to make a rational choice for themselves ; and throws it upon the parents, who or- der the whole of the arrangements according to their own will. The afi'ection and love of the parties joined in marriage, which constitute its real essence, and draw parties together agreeable to recognised affinities, are unknown elements in its consummation by Hinduism. TEMPTATIO^'S TO JADEJA INFANTICIDE. 431 This remarkable and heterogeneous system of faith and manners creates difficulties in the way of marriage such as nowhere exist in any other country of the globe. It tells its votaries that marriage must never be celebrated beyond the bounds of each particular caste, whatever might be the advantages of its extension to parties pass- ing under another denomination and inhabiting the same locality and possessed of equal advantages and worth. It tells the father that his child must never be married within his own clan, or even gotru, or paternal lineage, though reckoned from the most distant genera- tions. It limits the time of appropriate marriage to the period intervening between the seventh and tenth year of a girl, and sanctions even an earlier union, which is most commonly required by the customs of Indian so- ciety. It demands an ostentatious and expensive method of marriage, with numerous presents, proces- sions, illuminations, and feastings, most impoverishing to individuals and families. It sanctions the beggary of brahmans, bhats, barbers, and charans, and other re- ligious mendicants, representing the gifts given to them as necessary and meritorious, and attributing the great- est mischief to the satires and curses originating in their disappointed avarice. It visits conversion to any other system of faith by social and civil excommunication, which a future change of sentiment and conduct cannot altogether remedy. It has put a certain stigma, or em- bargo, on the Jadejas, in consequence of the entrance of many of them in former times, from the rigor of the Muslim arms, within the pale of Muhammadism which they try to mitigate by most lavish expenditure, and arrogant assumption, and a strict observance of its light- er ceremonies as well as its most cruel rites. It speaks of the existence of an unmarried female after she has arrived at the years of puberty as a calamity. It affords no sufficient check to the general dissoluteness of socie- ty, so that in the eyes of some parties abhorring this dissoluteness, more however from its inconveniences 432 TEMFTATIONS TO JADEJA ' INFANTICIDE. than immoralities, the untimely death of their daughters is preferred to their future exposure to temptation. It makes no- allowance for the social difficulties of a peo- ple like the Jadejas removed from their ancestorial homes on the banks of the Indus to the peninsulas se- parated from that region of the world by deserts and seas. For murder, as well as other crimes, it offers its easy atonements. It exemplifies the liberty which in circum - stances of trial may be used for the disposal of offspring by the example of Krishna, who is said to have destroy- ed almost the whole of the race of the Moon, to which both he and themselves are supposed to have belonged. Its Rajgurs, or princely priests, present themselves as ready to take upon themselves in behalf of their dependents, the guilt of its commission. It has its rite of sati for the preservation of the purity of a widow ; and though it for- mally condemns hklahatya, or child-murder, it suggests it, on principle, for the preservation of the purity of a daughter. Its most intelligible analogue to a European, is perhaps the conventual system applied to the females of the higher classes of society in the middle ages. "The same motives," says Colonel Tod, whose Annals of Rajasthan, notwithstanding the many errors and ex- aggerations which are found in them, contain a wonderful fund of information and instruction, conveyed in the most genial manner, to the student of human nature, "which studded Europe with convents, in which youth and beauty were immured until liberated by death, first prompted the Rajput to infanticide."^ In point of atro- city, however, the conventual system, bad as it w^as, is not to be compared to Indian infanticide. Yet, infanticide, as practised by the Jadejas, is still, we are pursuaded, a grievous and aggravated sin a- gainst their consciences and moral feelings. The uni- versal law of nature for the preservation of offspring, is written so deeply on the heart of man that it can * Tod's Rajasthan, vol. i. p. 635 ct seq. MORAL DEPRAVITY OF THE JADEJAS. 433 never by conventional customs or agreements, however plausible or convenient, be altogether obscured or ob- literated. It is so guarded by instincts, and affections, and the general convictions of men, that it cannot be violated without the voice of God being heard uttering condemnation. While i nfanticide could o jjig^nate^ ^^^y among a people reduced to a state of_greajLni0xal rl pgra- d a^tmr^l rpinsfTTiavft ten(^ e d to increase and COTlfir^ ^^^^ reprehe nsible debasement. No individual sin can be habitually practised by man, without the contamination of his whole moral framework and constitution. Every sin finding its continuance in the course of life is a prolific parent, with a numerous and horrid progeny. This fact is abundantly manifest in the past and present stat of society among the Jadejas. The more narrowly it is ex- amined in its general developements, the more disgust- ing, we are persuaded, it will be found to be. Notwith- standing the anxious and laudable attempts of our po- litical officials to avoid unnecessary offence in their dealings with them, they have sufficiently revealed their character to make it the object of abomination, mingled with pity, to every mind in a state of moral sanity. While these proud and haughty chiefs have pled poverty and purity as their motives for the destruction of their daughters, they have not restrained themselves from expensive and sensual polygamy, and disgraceful and licentious concubinage with all castes and conditions of life both bond and fre^The system of pawaiyd, which they have especially tolerated and encouraged in their territories, is an unparalleled invention of evil, which could only be the result of their surrender, through the maturity of their apostasy from goodness, to the vilest^ affections. Before the merciful interference of the Brit- \ ish Government with the districts in which they are I found, they were the scene of constant disorder, rapine, I ^^ and bloodshed. To the general social and educational I improvement of their subjects, they are perhaps more^^^^ 27 434 INFANTICIDE OF THE RAJPUTS IN GENERAL. indifferent than any of their compeers within the widely- extended territory of India. But infanticide is not a crime peculiar to the Jadejas originally from the banks of the Indus, though it exists among them as a people in an aggravated form. It is the besetting sin of the Rajputs in general, as long ago alleged by Colonel Walker. It has been found, by Jonathan Duncan, among the stragglers from their main body on the banks of the Ganges. By Messrs. Montgo- mery, Raikes, Tyler and others, it has been discovered among their offshoots on the banks of the Yamuna. By Colonel Lang it was first seen among their wander- ers on the plains washed by the Sabarmati and Mahi. Sir John Malcolm, Mr. Wilkinson, Colonel Spiers and others, brought it to notice as abounding among their colonies in Malwa and other districts of central India, and the hill-country bounding them on the west. It has been brought to light among our latest conquests in the distant region of the Panjab, or Five-Rivers, where the A'ryan race was settled in the time of the Vedas. The interior Rajputana, has, in reference to the existence and practice of this crime, been discovered by Colonels Tod, Lockett, Sutherland, and Ludlow, and Major Richards, some of whom have not been slow to en- ter into conflict with the gigantic evil, to be little, if anything, better than most of its extremities. From the example of the Rajputs, too, other tribes, as those of the Minas and Mhirs of Ajmir and Udepur, the cul- tivators of Gujarat, and the Mianas of Malia have not failed to learn and commit the crime. Had it not been for the merciful interposition of the British Govern- ment, there is no saying to what extent it might have spread through all the provinces of India. Even as matters stand, there is much reason to fear that the re- markable disparity between the sexes in India which all our statistics reveal, is to be attributed to the com- parative neglect and ill-treatment of infant female life. The efforts of the British Government for the sup-. BENEVOLENCE OF BRITISH GOVERNMENT. 435 pression of infanticide in the territories referred to in this work, and in other districts of India, have been in the highest degree creditable to the Indian administra- tion and the various officials with whom they have ori- ginated and by whom they have been carried into prac- tical effect. They have been characterized by a wis- dom, and benevolence, and ability, and perseverance rarely exemplified in the annals of philanthropy. They commenced in Kathiawad and Kachh with onr first in- tercourse with these peninsulas, even before we had acquired over them any considerable influence. They form an exception, and one highly honorable and im- portant, to the just observation of Mr. Macaulay in his telling critical essay on "Warren Hastings: ^'But at first English power came among them [the Hindus] un- accompanied by English morality. There was an in- terval between the time at which they became our sub- jects, and the time at which we began to reflect that we were bound to discharge towards them the duty of rulers." British compassion, indeed, rested, on these provinces long before they had any direct relations to British rule. Kathiawad, as we have seen, was merely tributary to our ally the Gaikawad, when Colonel Walker was requested to arrange its affairs for the promotion of its peace and prosperity, and to use his best endeavours for the suppression of the horrid crime which had just been discovered as existing within its borders. Kachh was remote alike from our frontier and authority, when the call was addressed to it to stay the parental hand in its accursed work of the murder of children. The suppression of infanticide was provided for by covenant in the very first engagements made in the name of Brit- ain with both these territories. That covenant was the fruit of most able, ingenious, anxious, and long-conti- nued negociation, directed against rampant prejudices, and injurious customs strengthened by time and en- couraged by the erroneous interpretation of family con- veniences, advantages, and necessities. The implement- 436 BENEVOLENCE OF THE EFFORTS OF GOVERNMENT ing of its provisions has for nearly half a century de- manded the utmost stretch of political and judicial sagacity. It has required a combination of vigilance, and kindness, and firmness, but seldom exhibited. It has obtained sacrifices of time, strength, labour, and money from the Government, both abroad and at home, and from its various servants in India, which have been of a most costly character. Yet, these sacrifices have not been made in vain. The moral pestilence, by which provinces interesting alike in their historical associations and natural scenery and productions were polluted and destroyed, has been stayed, or well-nigh stayed, never again, it is to be hoped, to resume its awful ravages. The equilibrium of humanity, so long disturbed and disordered among important tribes, has been recovered ; ^,-and free scope has been given to the play of natural ins- \ tinct and affection long restrained and suppressed. The I mercy and compassion of Britain have, among large 1 numbers of the inhabitants of India, been brought as \ distinctly into notice as its power and justice. Its disin- terestedness in the case before us has been conspicuous. Its procedure in it, as well as in that of human sacrifice, it has been impossible for Brahmanical craft and ingenu- ity to misinterpret or misrepresent. While the diffusion of enlightenment in India, the relaxation of the bonds of caste, and the material advancement of the country have all been set forth by the advocates of unmitigated Hinduism as the sure signs and omens of the advance of the Kali Yug'a, or iron age, preparatory to the destruc- tion of the universe, as guessed at in the curious attempts at prophecy in the Puranas which were made on the first threatenings of Muhammadan conquest. In the most philosophical of these Puranas, that dedicated to Vish- nu, the following curious passage occurs in reference to the very provinces with which our present volume has had to deal : " Men of the three tribes, but degraded, and A'bhiras and Shudras, will occupy Shaurashtra, Avanti, Shura, Arbuda, and Marabhiimi : and Shudras, FOR THE ABOLITION OF INFANTICIDE. 437 outcastes, and Barbarians will be masters of the banks of the Indus, Darvika, the Chandrabhaga and Kashmir. These will be contemporary monarchs, reigning over the earth ; kings of churlish spirit, violent temper, and ever addicted to falsehood and wickedness. They will inflict death on women, children, and cows ; they will seize upon the property of their subjects ; they will be of limited power, and will for the most part rapidly rise and fall ; their lives will be short, their desires insatia- ble, and they will display but little piety. The people of the various countries intermingling with them will follow their example, and the barbarians being power- ful in the patronage of the princes, whilst purer tribes are neglected, the people will perish. Wealth and piety will decrease day by day, until the world will be wholly depraved. Then property alone will confer rank ; wealth will be the^only source of devotion ; pas- sion will be the sole bond of union between the sexes ; falsehood will be the only means of success in litiga- tion; and women will be objects merely of sensual gra- tification. Earth will be venerated but for its mineral treasures; the Brahmanical thread will constitute a Brahman; external types (as the staff and red garb) will be the only distinctions of the several orders of life ; dishonesty will be the universal means of subsistence weakness will be the cause of dependence ; menace and presumption will be substituted for learning; liberality will be devotion ; simple ablution will be purification; mutual assent will be marriage; fine clothes will be dig- nity ; and water afar off will be esteemed a holy spring. Amidst all castes he who is the strongest will reign over a principality thus vitiated by many faults. The peo- ple unable to bear the heavy burdens imposed upon ihem by their avaricious sovereigns, will take refuge amongst the valleys of the mountains, and will be glad to feed upon wild honey, herbs, roots, fruits, flowers, and leaves ; their only covering will be the bark of trees, and they will be exposed to the cold, and wind, and 438 EKCOUKAGEMENTS Tt) PERSEVERANCE. sun, and rain. No man's life will exceed three and twenty years. Thus in the Kali age shall decay cons- tantly proceed, until the human race approaches its an- /nihilation."^ The preservation of widows and infants by the British rule, and the general advancement and improvement of the country under British administra- tion, form as striking a contradiction of many of the particulars of this professed prophecy as can be well V^^^^nceived. The success of the measures adopted by the Bombay Government for the suppression of infanticide in West- ern India, as we have already remarked, has been fully as great as could have been reasonably expected ; though it must be admitted that, owing to several causes which have been sufficiently explained in the course of our narrative, there have been occasionally seasons of lan- gour, to be much regretted, in their application. 7Jhe indirect influences of these measures, too, have had a most humanizing effect. These are encouragements to perseverance, which must be felt and acted upon with- out intermission. The work begun, the advantages ob- tained, the experience accumulated, and the fruits reap- ed, must not be lost. The plans devised, and hitherto pursued, are entirely suitable to the object which they have in view, the abolition of crime by authority and covenant. They must be persevered in, at least for the present generation. Nay, they must, we deliberately think, be extended. The whole population under the British rule and influence, with all its diversified tribes and castes, ought to be brought under an efficient system of statistical inquiry and report and registration ; and the course of its increase or diminishment, with its apparent causes, ought to be regularly noted, and record- ed, and considered. Measures, calculated to remove the * Wilson's Vishnu Purana, pp. 481-482. Formore matter of the same kind, with curious variations and discrepancies, see pp. 622-626. See also the 12th Skanda of the Bhagavata, and the conclusion of most of the other Puranas. MORAL RENOVATION OF INDIA. 439 sources of the evils against which we contend ought to be multiplied and improved. Such an educational scheme as has been introduced into Kathiawad should be made to embrace every important town of that and the neighbouring provinces, special care being taken that the families of the chiefs themselves should share in its advantages, either by the appointment of tutors or attendance at school, as in individual cases might be found expedient. Let the principles of the late noble Despatch on education of the Court of Directors of the East India Company be extended to our tributaries and allies, so' far as our influence can reach them, as well as to our subjects. I Let grants in aid of useful learning, and that alone, be given to all schools without excep- tion. In connexion with education, let there be no shrinking from the inculcation of the purest and most exalted morality, founded on the recognition of the only living and true God, the great legislator, as the Witness and Judge of human thought and action, and of his re- vealed word as an infallible rule of faith and manners. With the sound of the law, let the tender and loving voice of the gospel be heard, revealing to man the way of reconciliation to God by the only Saviour, and that of renewal and sanctification, and heavenly elevation, by the Holy Spirit. I If this hallowed work, at least for a season, cannot be overtaken by government, from a re- gard to native satisfaction and co-operation, let its impor- tance be frankly admitted, and every facility given to its communication by the compassion and enterprize of the Christian Church and Christian people, who know their Lord's will in regard to the propagation of his truth. Let a patience and perseverance in that work be mani- fested, equal at least to that which has been exhibited in the cause of anti-infanticide, which has required so many years for its maturity. Let us remember that there is a time to enclose and break up the fallow-ground as well as to sow and gather the harvest. Let us not be weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap 440 brita.in's mission in india. if we faint not. Let us be stedfast, unmovable, al- ways abounding in the work of the Lord, inasmuch as we know that our labour is not in vain in the Lord. We augur well for the destiny of the British power I in India, we would say in conclusion. By most won- derful providences,unforeseen arrangements,and remark- able deliverances and extensions, it has been estab- lished and preserved in the land. It has here found its place, not so much by our own conquest of the country, as by the voluntary submission to ourselves of the coun- try, whose sons in almost every province have rushed to our standard and fought our battles. We have granted it deliverance from violence and oppression. We have given it peace, law, order, and religious liberty, such as it never enjoyed under any of its dynasties, the traditions of which extend long beyond the times of ancient Euro- pean history. We have in reality lightened the burden of its taxation, both by lessening its amount, and calling forth to meet it the resources of the country to an unwont- ed degree. We are giving encouragement to its agricul- ture by surveys and modifications of assessments, and by canals for irrigation. We have imparted security and extension to its commerce. We are joining district to district and province to province, by roads and bridges, and excavations of mountain passes, and by a system of communication by steam and lightning, by land and sea and air, which its inhabitants deem miraculous. We allow its people to share in our administration, to the full extent of their present advancement in knowledge and civilization. We are seekin g to e levate all its tribes in the scale of humanityr''^We have quenched the funeral pyre which destroy s th e widow ; and we are stemming the t^ii^ejais of infant blood shed by the hands of unnatural parents) We have dispersed and destroy- ed its bands of^-Thags and Dakaits; and Tyaga and Dharana arer^ready terms which we have to explain to its people as well as to foreigners. Its Maryas and Poshias are passing away. Its suicides and human Britain's mission in india. 441 sacrifices are alike interdicted and prevented as far as human law can reach them. We are giving it our liter- ature, and our art, and our science. And, above all, we are giving it our religion, even the religion of our God in heaven above, with all its unspeakable blessings for time and eternity. The night of its darkness has passed; and its dawn has come. Its light will grow and spread, and shine, more and more unto the perfect day. And a glorious day that will be to all the diver- sified tribes and tongues of India scattered over her gigantic body, from " Cambay's strand" to "Ganges' golden wave ;" and from the Himalaya, where she lifts her head above the clouds in the azure vault of heaven, to her Cape of Kumari, where she bathes her feet in her own ocean. THE END. INDEX AND GLOSSAEY. Abraham's ofFeringup of Isaac, 21. Adalat, Sadar, Bombay, and infan- ticide among the Kunbis of Gu- jarat, etc. 422-426. Adisir in Kachh, entombment at, 380. Adhoi, district in Wagar, suspect- ed tribes in, brought under infEin- ticide census, 257; greatly ad- dicted to infanticide, 258, 271 ; note on, 319; transference of su- perintendence of, 320; jurisdic- tion in, settled by Mr. Lumsden, 355. Agnikula tribes of Rajputs, 55. Agra, Rajputs in districts of, and infanticide, 351. A'hirs orA'bhirs, a pastoral tribe,54. Ahmad Shah aids Khengar in his establishment in Kachh, 59. Ahmadabad, coUectorate, popula- tion of a portion of, in Kathia- wad, 52 ; prevalence of infanti- cide in coUectorate of, 421-4. Ahmadnagar, in the Mahikantha, Rathor family of, not suspected of infanticide, 402-3; annexed to Idar, 413, 4l4. Ahmadnagar, in Dakhan, coUecto- rate of, not addicted to infanti- cide, 425. Aliaji, son of Hamir, 59; 319. Amirkot, 363. Amre'li, Gaikawad district in Ka- thiawad, 337. Anderson, Sir G. W., C. S. and governor of Bombay, minutes of, on infanticide, 236, 273. Anderson, H. L., C. S. 353. Anjar in Kachh, 143, 149. Anhilwada Pattan, 54. Arabs, sacrifice of children among, 21; Arthur, Sir George, governor of Bombay, 320, 406. A'rya, from the country of Airya, settlers in, 28-29, 31. Ashapuri, the fulfiller of hope, a name of De'vi, 57. Ashoka, emperor of India, his edicts at Girnar, 53. Aston, Major H., assistant poli- tical agent in Kathiawad, 341, 424. Audh (Oude) 38, king of, wazir of the Moghal, 40. Babriawad, district of, in Kathia- vva^, 51. Bador, Motha, in Kachh, addicted 66 infanticide, 382. Bakarat, chapter of the cow, 137. Balamba, meeting of Jadejas at, 342. Ballantine, Capt., assistant to resi- dent inBaroda, letter from, noti- ced by Capt. . Carnac, 96 ; fur- nishes a register of Jadejas in Kathiawad, 108; Bandara, Hothis of, 313. Bandresar, in Kachh, addicted to infanticide, 383. Barnewall, Col., on infanticide in Kathiawad, 156-161. Barda, district of Kathiawad, 51. Baroch, coUectorate of, and infanti- cide, 425-6. 444 INDEX. Barr, Capt. J. T., assistant poli- tical agent in Kathiawad, his reports on infanticide, 348-349. Beck's Medical Jurisprudence quoted, 27-23. Bell, A., C. S., 455. Bell, W. W., C. S., 425. Belgaum, collectorate of, not ad- dicted to infanticide, 425. Benares, see Duncan. Bhagavata-Purana, quoted, 332, Bhandra, in Kachh, addicted to infanticide, 383. Bhairava, form of Shiva, repre- sented at Elephanta as sacrific- ing a child, 32 Bhaiyad, brotherhood of Jadejas, 63. Bhats, a species of bard among Rajputs, 57, 58 ; inexpediency of fixing their fees at marriages by authority of British Govern- ment, 255; expences of, in Ma- hikantha, 401. See also under Marriage expences. Bhatti Rajputs in Mahikantha, not addicted to infanticide, 404. Bharmalji Rao of Kachh, his con- conduct, 63-64, 144; dethroned, 145 ; liberated, 298. Bhau Daji, Dr., his Essay on In- fanticide quoted and referred to, 29-31 ; 326-331. Bhils, a forest tribe, 52. Biji Singh, Raja of Jaudpur, re- gulates demands of Charans, 255. Bhaiji Bawa of Kachh, 143. Bhawanagar, capital of Gohilwad, Raja of, marries a preserved daughter of a Jadeja, 46, 71. Bhuj, capital of Kachh, taken by Khengar, 48. See Kachh. Bhumias, landholders, of Mahikan- tha, suspected of infanticide, 405. Blane, D. A. Esq., C. S., his cen- sus of Kathiawad, 52; his letter on infanticide in, 165-169; reap- pointed to Kathiawad, 253, Bombay Government instructs Ma- jor Walker to seek suppression of infanticide in Kathiawad and Kachh,48 ; minute of, on Engage- ment negociated byMaj or Walker, 87-88; on proceedings of Capt., Carnac, 94,98-100,107,110, 140; on proceedings of Capt. Mac- Murdo, in Kachh, 141-142 ; on Mr. Gardiner's proceedings in Kachh, 151-3 ; to Capt., Barne- wall, in Kathiawad, 154 ; to Mr. Willoughby,193-5,' 207-9 ; to Mr. Erskine, 237-253 ; to Col. Ja- cob, 270-6 ; to Capt., Melville, in Kachh, 299; to Mr. Malet, in Kathiawad, 322-5 ; to Col. Lang, 344 ; to Capt. Barr, 352 ; to Col. Roberts, in Kachh, 367- 372; to Mr. Ogilvy, 376; to Col. Jacob, 387; to Col. Tre- velyan, 389-91 ; to Major Keily on Chorwad and Charchat, 396- 7, 399 ; to Col. Lang, on Mahi- kantha, 346-348; to Major Wal- lace. Britain's mission in India, 440. British benevolence, 435. Brown, Governor, of Bombay, 94. Burnes, Sir A., 359, 363. Burnes, Dr. James, K. H., his Sketch of the History of Kutch, quoted, 144-147; his visit to the Court of Scinde quoted, 167. Buddha, system of, averse to bloody sacrifice, 29. Calcutta Review quoted, 172. Canaanites,. infanticide of, 18. Carnac, Sir James Rivett, resi- dent at Baroda, his efforts for suppression of infanticide in Ka- thiawad, 93-109 ; defends his iNDEX. 445 measures, 101-107; defends tlie measures of Col. Walker, 120 ; governor of Bombay, concurs in the anti-infanticide measures fromA. D. 1839-1S41. Carter, H. J., Esq., 341. Carthaginians, infanticide of, 19. Celibacy, female, a reproach in the East, 359. Celts, worship of, 21. Censors of Rajput tribes, 257. Census of Jadejas, Mr. Willough- by's, 175, 180 ; of Jaitwas, ob- tained, 257 ; of suspected tribes in Wagar, obtained, 257; of Jade- jas, Col. Jacob's, 259, 260, 280; Col. Pottinger's, 282; form of that of Kathiawad for Kachh, 200; Col. Melviil's, 307-309; Mr. Malet's, 318-326; Col. Lang's, 334-348 ; of Mr. Lums- den, in Kachh, 356 ; of Col. Ro- berts, in Kachh, 368, 373 ; of Mr. Ogilvy, in Kachh, 373-4"; of Rao of Kachh, furnished to missiona- ries, 377; of Mr. Raikes, 382, 388,391; of Capt. Lcckie, of the Jadejas of Chorwad andChar- chat, 395; of Col. Lang, of the Rathors of the Mahikantha,405; of Major Wallace, 410; of Rewa and Kadawa Kunbis in Ahmada- bad and Kheda Collectorates, by Mr. Fawcett^ 424; of Mr. Webb, of Kunbis in Kheda Collectorate, 424. Ceylon, origin of the name, 53. Charans, a species of bards among Rajputs, 57, 58; inexpediency of fixing their fees at marriages by authority of British Govern- ment, 255, 393; classes of, in Kachh, 388; expences of, in Mahikanlha, 401. Charchat, measures for suppress- ion of infanticide in, 153, 394- 399. Chawada Rajputs, 54. China, infanticide of, 22-24. Chohan or Chowan dynasty, 39 ; Rajputs, success of anti-infanti- cide measures among, under A- gra, 351 ; in Mahikantha, not ad- dicted to infanticide, 404. Chorasama Rajputs, 54. Chorwad, measures for suppression of infanticide in, 153, 394-9. Christianity, prevention of infanti- cide by, 27. Clare, Earl of, governor of Bom- bay, his interest in the cause of anti-infanticide, 193-196 ; letter to, of Rao of Kachh, 291. Colebrook, T. H., on Hindu wi- dows, 379. Constantine, emperor, prevention of infanticide by, 27. CormackjRev.Dr.John, on Infan- ticide quoted, 22, 24-27. Court of Criminal Justice for Ka- thiawad, 185. Cracroft, Mr., magistrate of Juan- pur, on suppression of infanticide among the Rajkumars, 43. Crofton, Capt. John, tutor to Rao of Kachh, 289-92. Cushite immigration into India,, favourable to worship of demons and ghosts, 31. Daughters and sons, different esti- mate of, among Hindus, 32-6. Davies, Mr., collector of Baroch, 428. Deities, Hindu, bloody character of some of, 31-32. De'salji, Rao of Kachh, elected to the throne, 145; his education, 287 ; his letter to Lord Clare, 289 ; report of Capt. Crofton, on, 290; interviews of, with Christian Missionaries, 293- 298, 376-379; spares a daugh- ter, 300 ; zealously adopts anti- infanticide measures, 305 ; hesi- 446 INDEX. tales about abolition of Sati, 306; anxiety to reduce marriage ex- pences of Jadejas, 350; discus- sion with, on Sati and education 378-9; abolishes Sati, 380; views of marriage of Jadejas, 360, 362. Dhang, mixed tribes of Kachh, 302, 364, 373. Desert, see Ran. Dhe'd, a degraded tribe of Gujarat, a member of, petitions Bombay- Government against the murder of illegitimate children, 234. Dhamadaka, in Kachh, addicted to infanticide, 382, Dhamarka in Kachh (id. 1 ;) Ray- dhanji of, preserves two daught- ers, 151. Dhanduka, population of pargana of, 52. Dharol,bhaiyad of, save a daughter, 89; Sumras in, 318, Dharwad, collectorate of, not ad- dicted to infanticide Dhondu Shastri, censor in Mahi- kantha, 415. Directors of East India Company, approve of Col. Walker's anti- infanticide proceedings, 89; com- ment on Capt. Carnac's proceed- ings, 109; instruct Government of Bombay to endeavour to ex- tinguish infanticide in all the countries which can be reached by its influence, 140; remarks by, on Kachh treaty, 149; on anti- infanticide measures in Kathia- wad, 348, 407; on census of Chorwad and Charchat, 395 ; on anti-infanticide fund forKathia- wad, 408. Drangadra, capital of Jhalawad, the raja's family of, 266, 320, 343, 363. Drapha, taluka of, addicted to in- fanticide, 125. Duff, Rev. Alexander, D D,, his visit to the Rao of Kachh, 376- 379. Duncan, Jonathan, Esq., discovers infanticide among the Rajku- mars, 39-40 ; effects an en- gagement Avith them for its aban- donment, 40-42 ; inquires into infanticide among the Raghu- wanshas ; his arrangements with the Rajkumars to a great extent ineffectual, 42 ; appointed go- vernor of Bombay, 44 ; discovers the existence of infanticide a- mong the Jadejas of Kathiawad and Kachh, 44-48; requests Major Walker to seek its sup- pression, 48 ; his comment on engagement negociated by Ma- jor Walker, 87-89 ; seeks sup- pression of infanticide in Kachh, 135; his letter to Fatteh Mu- hammad, 137-139; his death, and inscription on his tomb, 139. Dunlop, J.A.,C.S., minute of, 236. Dwaraka, 53, 307. Education, in Kathiawad, 58, 228- 232 ; 233-270, 319, 321, 336-340 ; in Kachh, 59, 386-7. Elliot, Sir Henry, quoted or re- ferred to, 55, 56, 218. Elphinstone, Hon'ble Mounstuart, governor of Bombay, on anti- infanticide measures, 110, 154- 155, 158 ; arranges Kathiawad anti-infanticide fund, 163. Elphinstone, Lord John, governor of Bombay, resolutions of his government on infanticide, 352, 399, 421 ; his direction of the measures for the suppression of Marya, etc. among the Khonds, 354. TNUEX, 447 Engagements to abandon infanti- cide: of Rajkumars, 42; of Jadejas of Kathiawad, 81 ; of Jam, 95 ; of Jadejas of Kachh, 147-8; of Hothis, 316 ; of prin- cipal Jadejas of Kachh, 366-7, 369; of Jadejas of Chorwad and, Charchat, 398; of Rathors in the Mahikanta, 400-2; of the Kadawa Kunbis, 427. English and vernacular education, prospects of, at Rajkot, 338- 340. Erskine's, W., History of India, quoted, 55, 56. Erskine, C. J., C. S., 341. Erskine, James, C. S,, political agent in Kathiawad, 222; his report on infanticide there, 222- 232 ; proposes the extension of education in Kathiawad, 228; minutes of Bombay Government on his report, 233-237; Gov- ernment reply to his report, 237- 253. Falkland, Lord, governor of Bom- bay, communications of his go- vernment on infanticide, 344- 346 ; addresses a letter to the Rao of Kachh on the education of his sons, 379 ; writes to the Gaikawad for assistance inform- ing an anti-infanticide fund, 414. Farish, James, Esq., C. S., and governor of Bombay, his minute on Mr. James Erskine's report on infanticide in Kathiawad, 233 235. Farnavis, Nana, minister of Pesh- vva, 61. Fatteh Muhammad, minister at Bhuj, 62-64; curious letters of, on Jadeja infanticide, 76-77, 136- 137. ' Fawcett, E. G., C. S., his report on Ahraadabad, quoted, 52 ; his correspondence on the existence and suppression of infanticide among the Rewa Kunbis, 421- 424. Fortescue, INIessrs, Smith and Shakespeare testify to the pre- valence of infanticide among the Rajkumars in 1816, 42. Frere, W. E. Esq., C. S., cop- perplate grant of, 54. Fund, [an ti-] infanticide, form- ed for Kathiawad, 161 ; re- ferences to, 191, 232,265,280, 325,340; for Kachh, 366, 371, 381, 384, 386, 392 ; for Mabi- kantba, 408, 414. Fyviej Rev. W., 269, 293, 296. Gaikawad, (protector of the cow), takes Baroda, and establishes there the Maratha authority, 61 ; Fatteh Singh, recognized as ru- ler at Baroda by the English Government, 61 ; co-operates with British Government for suppression of infanticide, 81, 161-163. Gajra Bai, a lady of the Gaikawad family, confers with Governor Duncan on infanticide in West- ern India, 45. Gardiner, T. G., Esq., C. S., his report on infanticide in Kachh, 150-155. Gauls, worship of, 21. Gauridhar, death of Modji of, 206. Germans, worship of, 21. Glasgow, Rev. Adam, 269. Glasgow, Rev. James, 268. Ghogha, population of districts of, 52 ; Mission founded at, 269. Girnar mountain, 51, 54. Gohil Rajputs enter peninsula of Gujarat, 55. Gohilwad, district of Kathiawad, 51, 55'. Gondal, chief of, 79 ; agrees to 448 INDEX. abandon infanticide, SI ; fined, 159; (Chandarsinghji) approves of anti-infanticide measures,214. Gonsalves, Mr., employed with his wife as a Jadeja censor, 261. Grant, G.,C.'S., 425. Grant, Sir Robert, governor of Bombay, his minute on a case of infanticide, 207-209; hands over Mr. Erskine's report on infanticide to Mr. Willoughby, 233. Gujarat, conquest of Marathas in, 60. See under Kathiawad, Ma- hikantha, etc. Gurji Khanti (or Shanti) Vijaya, 2S4. Gray, Rev. James, tutor of the Rao of Kachh, 287-8 ; trans- lator of the Gospel of Matthew into Kachhi, 295 ; commemora- ted by the Rao of Kachh, 297. Halad, district of Kathiawad, 51. Hamir, a distinguished Jadeja of Kachh, 59, 319. Hansraj, governor of Mandavi, 62. Hanuraan, Porbandar erroneously associated with, 52. Hastings, Marquis of, declares war against Kachh, 145. Hebbert, H., C. S., 426. Hinduism and infanticide, 28-37, 194, 429-32. Holland visited by a Kachhi, 297. Hothis, tribe in Kachh, addicted to infanticide and measures adopted with them, 312-316. Husein Miyan, son of Fatteh Mu- hammad, 143. Hutt, Benjamin, C. S., his report on infanticide among the culti- vators of Gujarat, 422-420. Ibraham Miyan, son of Fatteh Muhammad. 143. Tdar, in Mahikanlha, pattawats of, 342 ; petition for assistance a- gainst infanticide, 400-2. Illegitimate children, murder of, in India, 284. India, moral renovation of, 439; Britain's Mission in, 440-1. Indo-Scythic coins, 55. Infanticide, origin and prevalence of, 17-26 ; sacrificial infanti- cide, 17-21 ; social infanticide, 22-26 ; prevention of, by Chris- tianity, 27-28; sources of, a- mong barbarous nations, 22- 23 ; circumstances unfavourable to, in India, 28-31 ; circums- tances favourable to, in India, 31-37; prevalent among the Rajkuraars and Rajwanshas, etc. near Benares, 38-40 ; dis- covered among the Jadejas of Kathiawad and Kachh, 44-48, 285; sought to be suppressed by Bombay Government, 49 ad finem; Colonel Walker's report on, 66-85 ; methods of, among Jadejas, 69-70; prevalent a- mong Rajput tribes, 73, 434 ; Major Walker's efforts for abo- lition of, among the Jadejas, 74- 79; Jadejas of Kathiawad agree to abandon, 80-86; re- sults of Col. Walker's efforts for its suppression, 87-92 ; Capt. Carnac's dealings with Ja- deja infanticide, as noticed by Bombay Government, 93-111 ; remonstrances of Col. Walker, on, 112-134; attempts against, in Kachh, and engagement there to suppress it, 135-149 ; Mr. Gardiner on, in Kachh, 150-153; Col. Miles on, in Chorwad and Charchat, 153; measures a- against, proposed by Mr. El- INDEX. 449 phinstone, 154-156 ; Captain Barnewall, on, in Kathiawad, 146-161 ; fund for its preven- tion formed, 161 ; report on, of Mr. Blane, 165-161); report on, of Mr. Willoughby, 171-192; proclamation against, 196-201; conviction of Jadejas for, 202- 209; letters dissuasive from, with acknowledgements, 211- 220 ; report of Mr. James Ers- kine on, with comments of Bom- bay Government, 222-53 ; re- ports of Col. Jacob on, and no- tices of Governmont 255-2S0 ; measures of Col. Potlinger and Rao about, in Kachh, 281- 298, 303-61 ; measures of Col. Melvill, about, 299-312; meas- ures of Mr. Malet, 312-317; reports on, in Kathiawad, of Mr. Malet, 318-326; native essays on, 326-332; reports on, of Col. Lang, 333-346, 348; extinction of, as a custom among Jadejas of Kathiawad, 344 ; re- port on, by Capt. Barr, 349, 353; report on, of Mr. Lumsden, in Kachh, 355-364; of Col. Rob- erts, 365-373 ; report of Mr. Ogilvy on, 373-376 ; conver- sation with Rao of Kachh on 376 ; report of Capt. Raikes on, 380-385, 388-9; its atro city among Jadejas, 327, 428 measures for suppression of, in Chorwad and Charchat, 394-8 its continued perpetration in Kachh, 382-3; 389-392; aban- donment of, by Jadejas in Kachh 400; its discovery among the Rathors of the Mahikantha, 400-S; temptations to, among the Jadejas in general, 430- 433. Israelites, tempted to infanticide, 18; sacrificial infanticide among, forbidden, 21. Jacob, Lieutenant-Colonel George LeGrand, his Geographical and statistical notices of Kathiawad quoted or referred to, 50-52, 55; his comment on complaints by Ccl. Walker, 132-133 ; his no- tice of Kathis quoted, 160 ; his remarks on anti-infanticide fund, 163-164 ; appointed act- ing political agent in Kathia- wad, 254; his efforts for the improvement of the Kathiawad census, 255; his correspon- dence and reports on infanticide in Kathiawad, 255-268, 276- 280 ; his appeal for diffusion of education in Kathiawad, 265 268 ; his remarks on infanticide measures in Kachh, 385 387. Jada, a Samma, from whom the Jadejas are said to derive their name, 168, 327. Jadejas, discovery of female in- fanticide among, 44-48; dont murdertheirdaughters by concu- bines, 46; character and cus- toms of, 47, 69, 85, 428-437 ; their origin and entrance into Kachh and Kathiawad, 55-57, 68 ; numbers of, in Kachh and Kathiawad, 57, 72 ; their reli- gion and character, 67, 69 ; numbers of, in Kachh, 59 ; origin of infanticide among, 66 ; ef- forts to suppress infanticide among, 65; instances in which they had saved their daught- ers, 71, 225; tribes from which they get their wives, 74 ; claim to be descendants of the Yada- vas, 77; historical notice of, 167-168 ; principal Talukas of, in Kathiawad, 169 ; convicted of infanticide, 202; how they 28 450 INDEX. commit infanticide, 203; encou- rage Pawaiyas, 294 ; their po- pulation in Kachh, 302, 305; branches of their Bhaiyad in Kachh,309; remonstrances with, for their infanticide, 327-331 ; marriage arrangements of, 359 ; statistics of, in Chorwad and Charchat, 395 ; heinous nature of their infanticide, 428-429; their temptations to infanticide, 429-432. See Infanticide. Jafarabad, town and district of Kathiawad, 51. Jainas, Buddhist Seceders, num- erous in Kathiawad, and averse to brute-killing, 54, 58 ; indiffer- ence of, about infanticide, 70-71, 261, 263. Jaitwas, a tribe, probably a branch of the Get(B, residing in Barda, 51,54; addicted to infanticide, 72; chief of, promises to abstain from infanticide, 217; brought under infanticide census, 257, 260. Jam, title of chief of Sammas in Sindh, 56; of Jadejas in Kachh and Kathiawad, 5Q, 169; of Nawanagar, or Jamnagar, 5Q, 319; unwilling to. agree to a- bandon infanticide, 79; called to account by Capt. Carnac, 93; fined, 95 : engages to aban- don infanticide, 93 ; claims of, against Fatteh Muhammad, 140; suspected of infanticide, 157; letter to, on infanticide,211, and his acknowledgment, 211 ; asks assistance for his subjects from infanticide fund, 280; sub- scribes for education, 336 ; mar- riage of daughter of, 344. Jamshid, 57. Jats, a tribe of Muhammadans, 73. Jaudpur, capital of Marwad, 135, 363. Jayasinghji, of K4di, 424. Jeffreys, archdeacon, of Bombay, 372. Jehaji, of Murvi, promises condi- tionally to abandon infanticide, 75, 79; his mother appealed to, 78. Jhala Rajputs, 54 ; intermarriag- es of, with Jadejas, 164, 169. Jhala wad, district of, in Kathia- wad, 51. Jones, Sir William, quoted, 37. Junagad, capital of Sorath, claims of chief of, for Zortalabi or black mail, 57 ; letter from minister of, on infanticide, 217; chief of, subscribes for education, 336. Juria in Kathiawad, its fall, 63. Justin Martyr on infanticide, 27. Kabir, Makaji of Anandgad, fol- lower of, 70. Kachh, discovery of infanticide in, 44-48 ; geographical and his- torical notices of, 58-60 ; Bri- tish relations with, 62-64 ; let- ters from, in defence of infanti- cide, 76-77, 136-137; rejects Colonel Walker's remonstrances against infanticide, 86 ; re- newed attempts, by Mr. Dun- can, to suppress infanticide in, 135-139, by Capt. MacMurdo, 141-142; confusion of affairs in, 143-146; regency formed in, 146; treaty formed with, 147 ; agents of, in favour of marriage alliances with Rajputana, 342. See also under Infanticide and Jadejas. Kachhi language, 295. Kadawa Kunbis, or cultivators, no- tice of, and discovery of infan- ticide among, 454. Kaia-Sutra, a Hindu hell, 41. IKDEX. 451 Karanga, tribe of Wagar, addicted to infanticide, 261, 273, 318. Kathiawad, discovery of infanti- cide in, 44-48 ; general de- scription of, with historical no- tices, 50-58 ; province of the Katbis,51 ; its sovereignties, 57; settlement of, by Col. Walker, 64-66 ; relations of British Government to, 59, 115 ; me- thod of realizing tribute in, by the Marathas, 64; settled by Colonel Walker, 65-66. See also under Infanticide and Ja- dejas, Kathis, a Scythian tribe giving origin to the name of Kathia- wad, 55; description of, 159- 160. Keily,Major,.his dealings with in- fanticide in Chorwad and Char- chat, 396-9; in Mahikantha,415. Keir, Sir W. Grant, moves against Kachh, 145. Kennedy, R. H., 162. Kerr, Rev. Alexander, 268. Khandesh, collectorate of, not ad- dicted to infanticide, 425. Kheda in Kachh, addicted to in- fanticide, 383. Kheda (Kaira) Collectorate, cen- sus of Kunbi population in, 424, Khengar, Jadeja, founds Jadeja dynasty of Bhuj in Kachh, 59. Khonds, human sacrifices among, 354. Khirsara, chief of convicted of in- fanticide, 210. Khuraan Kathis, 159. Kripa Rama, minister of the Na- wab of Surat, informs Governor Duncan of the existence of in- fanticide in Western India, 44. Krishna, his flight from Mathura, 52 ; story of, and Putana, 332 ; kills the Yadawas, 432. Kshatriyas, second or warrior class ofthe Hindus, 421. Kulaba, agency of, not addicted to infanticide, 425. KulambiSjOr Kunbis, ofthe Re'wa district in Gujarat, addicted to infanticide, 421-427; ofthe Ka- dawa district, 424. Kulis, from Kul, a tribe, probably the aborigines of Kathiawad, 54. Kuwarji Rastomjf, his prize Essay on Infanticide, 341. Ladoba of Kachh assassinated, 143. Lakh^ Phulani, Jadeja prince in Kachh, 166-167. Lakhmidas Walabhji, minister of Kachh, 145, 146. Lang, Lieutenant-Colonel Wil- liam, assistant political agent in Kathiawad, 202 ; assists in trial ofJadejasfor infanticide, 202- 210 ; reports the death of a Jadeja under suspicious cir- cumstances, 206; arranges the affairs ofthe Rajkot state, 221 ; letters from, on marriage expen- ses of Jadejas, 226, 341, 350 ; appointed political agent in Ka- thiawad, 333 ; reports of, on in- fanticide in Kathiawad, 334- 344; scheme for education pro- posed by, 336-340; intimates the abolition of infanticide in Kathiawad as a custom, 344 ; acknowledgement of his services by Government, 345 ; discovers existence of infanticide in the Mahikantha, and makes ar- rangements for its suppression, 400-8. Langford, Mr., C. S., assistant political Agent in Kathiawad, 165, 247, Larken, M., C. S., 420. 452 INDEX. Leckie, Capt., returns of, on in- fanticide in Chorwad and Char- chat, 395. Legeyt, P. W., C. S., 425. Lewa, see Rewa. Lockett, Colonel, 434. Loharia in Sindh, pir of, 361. Ludlow, Colonel, 434. Lumsden, J. G., C. S., settles the claims of the Raja of Murvi on Adhoi, 319 ; appointed politi- cal agent in Kachh, 355; his re- port on infanticide in Kachh, including remarks on the statis- tics of the Jadejas and their difficulties in marrying their daughters, 356-364. Macaulay, T. B., 435. Mackintosh, Sir James, 137. MacMurdo, Captain, agent of British Government in Kachh, 63, 141-147; negociates treaty with Kachh, 147. Machukantha, district of Kathia- wad, 51. Mahikantha, province and agency in Gujarat, 399 ; discovery of infanticide in, by Colonel Lang, 400 ; measures for abolition of infanticide in, arranged by Col. Lang, 400-40S ; reports of Ma- jor Wallace on infanticide in, 4C9-420; of Col. Trevelyan, on infanticide in, 420. Mahmud Begada, 55. Mahmud of Ghazni, 55. Mainpuri under Agra, anti-infan- ticide proceedings at, 351. Makwana Kulis, probably the source of the Jhala Rajputs, 54. Malcolm, Sir John, governor of Bombay, visits the Rao of Kachh, and addresses the Ja- dejas against infanticide, 283, 286 ; selects a tutor for Rao of Kachh, 287; discovers infanti- cide in Central India, 434. Malet, A. Esq., C. S., appointed political agent in Kathiawad, 277; political agent in Kachh, 312; brings the practice of in- fanticide among the Hothis to notice, and adopts measures against it, 312-316 ; his report on infanticide in Kachh, 316 ; his reports on infanticide in Kathiawad, 318, and notice of them by Government, 326; his efforts for education in Kathia- wad, 319,335. Malist, chiefs of, 80. Malthus on population, quoted 24, 26. Malwa, Rajput chief of, remons- trated with on infanticide, 230 ; resolutions of chiefs of, on mar- riau;e expences, 232, Manka, tribe in Wagar, addicted to infanticide, 261, 273, 318. Manu, quoted, 29, 33-35. Marathas, their connexion with Gujarat, 60-62. Marriage, and infanticide, 74, 106, 152, 187, 225, 350-352, 362-3, 373, 381, 384, 393, 430. Maru, a class of Charans, 388. Maryas, in Orisa, 354. Marwad, Rajputs from, in Mahi- kantha, see Mahikantha. Mata, the goddess, claimed as the patron of Hothi infanticide, 313. Matthew, Gospel of, in Kachhi, 295. MausaK fines, 267. McKee, Rev. James, 269. Melvill, Col. P. M., appointed re- sident in Kachh, 299 ; adopts measures there against infanti- cide, 301-3. Me'wad, Rajput states of, furnish wives to the Rathors of the Ma- INDEX, 453 liikahtlia, 401 \ arrangements with proposed, 406. ftiewats, a tribe of Mubamma- dans, 73. Mhawaj cbief of, in Kathiawad, confesses infanticide, 210. Mhawa, in Kachb, cbief of, 148, 305. Mhawars, tribe of Mianas, addict- ed to infanticide, 349, Mianas, tribe from Sindh, notice of, 349. Miles, Col. W., political agent at Palanpur, measures adopted by, for suppression of infanti- cide in Chorwad and Charwjit, 153, 394. Mhirs of Rajputdna, 434. Miller, Dr., of Glasgow, quoted, 22. Minas of Rajputana, 434. Minucius Felix on infanticide, 29. Mission, of the Irish Presbyterian Church, in Kathiawad, 268-270, 319. Mitchell, Rev. J. M., 424. Moloch, the Lord or ^un, passing through the fire to, 18. Montgomery, Rev. R., 269. Money, R. C, C. S , his notice of Rev. J. Gray. 288. Moor's Hindu Infanticide, quoted, 45. Morehead, Dr. C, 279. Muhammad Kasim, his death, 218. Murvi, capital of Machu-Kantha in Kathiawad, connexion of chief of, with Rao of Kachh, 47 ; chief of (Jchaji) conditionally promises to abandon infanti- cide, 75;^chief of (Prithiraj) writes to Mr. Willoughby ac- knowledging proclamation a- gainst infanticide, 213 ; rank of chief of, 256 ; claims of chief of, on Adhoi, settled, 319: defer- ence of chief of, to Jam and Rao, 343. Musalmans, in Kathiawad, 55 ; m Kachh, 212, 364.' Nagar Brahmans, in Kathiawad,> 58, 277; one of, in Kachh, com- poses a letter in favour of infan- ticide, 77. Napier, Sir Charles Napier, go- vernor of Sindh, 365. Nariad, munsif of, 425. Nasik, coUectorate, of, not addict- ed to infanticide, 425. Nawanagar, a city in Kathiawad, connexion of chiefs of, with Rao of Kachh, 47 ; Sumras in dis- trict of, 318. See under Jam. Nepean, Sir Evan, governor of Bombay, 141. Norri5, C., C.S., resident in Kachh, 149. Pgijvy, Thomas, C. S., political agent ip Kachh, induces the Rao to send agents to Kathia- wad to discuss marriage expen- ces of Jadejas, 342; his report on infanticide in Kachh, 373- 376. Okhamandal, district of Kathia- wad, 51,261, 337. Omkar Bhatt, notice of his tract against infanticide, 230. Orisa, hill tracts of, Maryas and Poshias in, 354. Palu, marriage expence, 363. Parkar, or Nagar-Parkar, an oasis in the Ran, 363. Pawaiya, eunuchs and sodomites, 294. Pelasgi, infanticide of, 21. Persians, infanticide of, 21. Pcshwa of Puna, 48, 60, 61, 65. Phenicians, infanticide of, IS. Pigott, Rev. G., 279,341. Porbandar, capital of Barda, 52, 217, 269, 343. 454 INDEX. Poshias in Orisa, 351. Postans, Captain, quoted, 56, Pottinger, Sir H., Bart., resident in Kachh, 152 ; procures census ofJadejasin Kachh, 165,232; his measures for the suppres- sion of infanticide in Kachh, 2S0- 286 ; his arrangements for the education of the Rao De'salji, 287-292 ; introduces two mis- sionaries to the Rao, 293 ; greatly respected by the Rao, 289, 297 ; appointed resident in Sindh, 298; his last interview with the Rao of Kachh, and its happy eflfects, 303-306. Ptolemy, his Geography on Saur- ashtra, 53 ; on Abiria, 54. Pramars, 55, 74. Prize for essays against infanti- cide, proposed by Col. Jacob, 267, 274 ; approved by Govern- ment and gained by Mr. Bhau Daji, 279; proposed by Col. Lang, 305. Proclamation against infanticide in Kalhiawad, proposed, by Mr. Willoughby,' 183; issued, 196- 201; ofRaoof Kachh, 311. Puna, collectorate of, not addict- ed to infanticide, 425. Punishment of infanticide, in Ka- thiawad, 202-9; difficulties of, in Kachh, 372 ; in Mahikantha, 416. Puranas, on Infanticide, 29-31, 41; degradation of woman by, 32-36. Rajkot,Dadaji, chief of, preserves a daughter, 71 ; Suraji of, fa- voured by Government, 165 ; Suraji convicted of infanticide and punished, 202-206 ; baro- nial domains of, 202 ; Suraji acknowledges proclamation a- gainst infanticide, 214 ; mission station founded at, 269. Rajkumars, (royal sons), near Benares, notice of, and dis- covery and prevention of in- fanticide among, 38-44. Raghunath Parwati Shastri, his Sanskrit Essay on Infanticide quoted, 332. Raghuvanshas, infanticide among, 42. Raikes, C, C. S., 351. Raikes, Capt. S. N., assistant po- litical agent in Kachh, on Ja- deja history, 167-8 ; his reports on infanticide in Kachh, 380- 384, 388-393; on intercourse between the Desert and Kachh, 385. Rajgurs, family priests of Jade- jas, 57, 66, 70, 327. Rajputs, of Kathiawad and Kachh, 54-56 ; generally addicted to infanticide 46, 73, 434 ; dont provide for the preservation of the offspring of their daughters^ 69, 263. Rama and Tadaka, 332. Ramayana quoted, 332. Ran, or desert, of Kachh, 50, 58, 363, 384, 385, 387. Ranchodji, Diwan of Junagad, on infanticide, 217. Raos of Kachh, 56; succession of, 59. See also under Bharmalji, and De'salji. Rathor, or Rathod, Rajputs, 73, 351 ; tribes of, in Mahikantha, addicted to infanticide, and ar- rangements with, 400. Ratnagiri, collectorate of, not ad- dicted to infanticide, 425. Raydhan, of the Red, Jam ot Kachh, 56, 168. Registration, general system of INDEX. 455 recoiumcndcd for Iiidia^ 153, 438. Rewa Kunbis, or cultivators, in Gujarat, addicted to infanticide, 421-427. Richards, Major, 434. Roberts, Lieut. Col. H. G., poli- tical agent in Kachh, 356 ; his reports on infanticide in Kachh, presented to Government of Sindh, 385-367, and to Govern- ment of Bombay, 367-373. Robertson, Col. W. D., 269. Robinson, Lieut. Col., political agent in Me' wad, on Mahikan- tha anti-infanticide arrange- ments, 409. Roha, Viraji of, 146 ; Sumari, Khengarji of, 367. Romans, infanticide of, 21, 26; 28 ; prevention of, by Constan- tino, 27. Russell, Mr., of Madras C. S., dis- covers the practice of human sacrifices in Orisa, 354. Sabines, infanticide of, 21. Sacrifice (see Infanticide); bloody, of Hinduism, 31-32. Sahebani Jadejas, 361. Sammas of Sindh, 56, 167-8 ; of Ran of Kachh, 285 ; tribes trac- ing their descent from, 311, 312. Samatari-no-patar, 311, 312. Sanskrit language. Essay on in- fanticide in, referred to, 331. Sati, method of purity, the crema- tion of a woman with her hus- band, analogous to Indian female infanticide, 36, 432 ; unwilling- ness of Rao of Kachh to aban- don it, 295, 306, 310 ; discussion on, and its foundations in Hin- duism, 378 ; abolished by the Rao of Kachh, 380. Saurashtra, (peninsula of Gujarat or Kathiawad, interest of its races, 52. Scythians in India, 31, 55, 159-60. Sesodia Rajputs, 403. Setas, Muhammadan tribe, sus- picions of infanticide among,261 . Seton, Capt., on the existence of infanticide in Kachh, 45-48. Shahpur, taluka, greatly addicted to infanticide, 258, 270, 276, 319 ; its resources, ib. Sinha, dynasty of Gujarat, 46, 53. Sinhapur, identified with Sihor, 53. Shrawaks, See Jainas. Shunahshe'pha, sacrifice of, 37. Shiva, the bloody tendency of his faith, 32. Shivaraj, son of Hansraj, 63. Sindh, original seat of the Jadejas and its dynasties of Siimras and Sammas, 56 ; conquest of, by Muhammadans, encouraged Ja deja infanticide, 68; supposed to be addicted to the murder of illegitimate children, 284 ; Go- vernment of, receives infanticide reports, 365. Shastra,oninfanticide,29-31, 430-2. Sodha Rajputs, between Kachh and Sindh, furnish wives to the Jadejas, 47-48, 57, 363. Slavery, mitigation of by, Rao of Kachh, 297. Solapur, collectorate of, not ad- dicted to infanticide, 425. Suryas, or Sinhas, 55. Sorath (Saurashtra) district of Kathiawad, 54. Spartans, infanticide of, 21. Spiers, Colonel, 27. Speers, Rev. J. H., 269. Stevenson, Rev. John, D.D., on a figure at Elephanta, 32. Sudhamapur, associated with Por- bandar, 52. Suraji. See under Rajkot. Surat, collectorate of, and infan- ticide, 425-6. Surwaiya Rajputs, 55. 46C inde5^; Sumras, ol" Sindli, 56 ; of Kathia- wad, brought under census, 318 Suicide, religious, 380. Sundarji Shivaji, remount agent, mentions the existence of in- fanticide in Kachh and Kathia- wad to Governor Duncan, 48 ; aids Col. Walker, 75. Suthari, in Kachh, addicted to in- fanticide, 383. Sutherland, Colonel, governor- general's agent in Rajputana, 408, 434. Tamisra, a Hindu hell, 21. Teignmouth, Lord, on infanticide among the Raj ku mars, 38. Tera, in Kachh, chief of, 148, 305. Tertullian on infanticide, 28. Thana, oollectorate of, not ad- dicted to infanticide, 4*25. Thar, district in the Ran, 363 ; motherofDe'salji Rao of Kachh, from, 364. Thoresby, Major, on Mahikaiitha anti-infanticide arrangements, 409. Thomas, E., C. S., on the name Sah, 53. Thomas, R. H. Esq., Bombay secretariate, 148. Townsend, E. H., Esq. C. S., 279, 326. Tod, Colonel, on the population of Saurashtra, 56 ;. on the Sali dynasty, 53 ; on Jadejas, 167; on Rajput infanticide, 432. Trevelyan, Lieut. -Colonel, acting political agent in Kachh, 380; acting political agent in Ma- hikantha, his report on infan- ticide in that province, 420. Tumadi,Hothisof,inKachh,313-15. Tumar, a class of Charans, 3SS. Tutors, to native chiefs, 341. Xyler, W, H., C. S., 351. Udaji of Kachh, 56. Und-Sarwaiya, district of Kathia.- wdd, 51, 85 i Unja, proclamation for marriages of Kadawas issued from, 425. Vijaya Se'na founds the Walabhi dynasty, 54. Virpar-Kharedi suspected of in- fanticide, 334. Vishnu Shastrion the nameSah,53. Vishnu Purana, quoted, 437. Vyalipat, 82. Wagar, eastern district of Kachh, 63,150. Waghelas, Rajput tribe, 309. Walabhi, or Wala, capital and dy- nasty of the Sahs or Sinhas, 53, 54. Wala Rajputs, 54. ^ Wala, division of Kathis, 159. Wallace, Rev. James, 269. Wallace, Major R., political agent in the Mahikantha, his reports on infanticide in that province 409-420. Walid, Khah'f, anecdote of, 219. Walker, Lieut. -Col. Alexander, resident at Baroda, requested by the Bombay Government to use his endeavours for the sup- pression of infanticide in Kalhia- wad, 49 ; his estimate of the population of Kalhiawad, 52 ; settles Kathiawad, 65 ; bis re- port on infanticide in Kathiawad and Kachh, 66-86; negotiates an engagement with Jadejas of Kalhiawad for suppression of infanticide, ib; results of his ar- jangements for the suppression of infanticide, 87-92, 109; re- visits Kalhiawad, 90; affect- ing interview of, with Jiideja daughters,93 ; remonstrates with the East India Company on the INDEX. 457 evasions by the Jadejas of their engagements, and his final coun- sels on anti-infanticide mea- sures, 112-132; appointed gov- ernor of St. Helena, 132. Wankanir, Raja of, a Jhala, 169. Warden, F., C. S., 163. Warden, John, C. S., 398, 425. Wathen, W. H., C. S., notice by, of a native pamphlet against infanticide, 230. Webb, John, C. S., census by him of Kunbis of Kheda, 424 ; brings them under engagements to re- duce their marriage-expences, 424. Wilford, Lieut.-Colonel on know- ledge of Indian infanticide by Greeks and Romans, 40, 45. Wilkinson, L., C. S., zealous pro- moter of anti-infanticide meas- ures, 230, 232, 284. Willoughby, J. P., C. S., as assist- ant resident at Baroda, for- wards to Government papers on Infanticide inChorvvad andChar- chat, 153; his services at Baro- da, in the foundation of the Ka- thiawad anti- infanticide fund, 161-163; appointed political a- gentinKathiawad, 171 ; his in- quiries on infanticide there and subsequent report, 172-192; es- timate formed of his report and measures by Bombay Govern- ment, 193-195; issues procla- mation against infanticide, 196- 201 ; convicts chief of Rajkot and other Jadejas of infanticide, 202-210; issues letters dissuas- ive from infanticide, 210-212, and receives favourable replies, 213-220; his removal to the secretariate of Bombay and ser- vices there, 220; receives Mr. Erskine's report on infanticide in Kalhiawad for the expression of his opinion, 233 ; replies for Government to Mr. Erskine's report, 237-253; letter to Ma- jor Jacob, founded on a minute of, 270 ; transmits a form of the Kathiawad census to Kachh ; remarks by, on Kathiawad census, 324 ; suggestion of a- mendments by, on Essay on In- fanticide, 326 ; acknowledge- ment of his services by Govern- ment and the public of Western India,346-348 ; prepares a narra- tive of anti-infanticide measures in Mahikantha, 406, 408. Wilson, CoL G. J., 148, 165. Wilson, prof. H.H.Wilson, quot- ed and referred to, 28, 438 ; on the sacrifice of Shunahshepha, 37; on the Sah dynasty, 53; on the burning of Hindu widows, 379. Wilson, Rev. Dr. John, quoted, 21, 37 ; on the site of Sinhapur, 53 ; interviews of, with the Rao of Kachh, 293-298 ; 376-379. Woman, preservation of, accord- ing to the Shastra, 29-31 ; de- gradation of, by Hinduism, 31- 36, 432-433. Yadawas, alleged descent of Ja- dejas from, 55. Yuga, Kali, 436. Zortalabi, or black mail, of state of Junagad, 57. Errata. Page 59, in second note, for ''Raydhan" read " Khengar. Page 299, in sheet commencing with, for "Melville" read ' 'Melvill." WORKS BY DR. WILSON. THE LANDS OF THE BIBLE VISITED AND DESCRIBED, in an Extensive Journey undertaken with special reference to the Promo- tion cf Biblical Research and the Promotion of the Cause of Philanthropy. "With Maps and Illustrations. Two vols, medium 8vo. Price 1, 16s. ^ extra boards. 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