Sport and Work on the Nepaul Frontier - Twelve Years Sporting Reminiscences of an Indigo Planter by James Inglis
page 156 of 347 (44%)
page 156 of 347 (44%)
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India than Hottentots have to the Cape, or the black fellows to
Australia. In my opinion, Hindoos would never govern Hindustan half, quarter, nay, one tithe as well as Englishmen. Make more of your Englishmen in India then, make not less of your Baboo if you please, but make more of your Englishmen. Keep them loyal and content. Treat them kindly and liberally. One Englishman contented, loyal, and industrious in an Indian district, is a greater pillar of strength to the Indian Government than ten dozen Baboos or Zemindars, let them have as many titles, decorations, university degrees, or certificates of loyalty from junior civilians as they may. Not India for the Indians, but India for Imperial Britain say I. CHAPTER XIV. A native village continued.--The watchman or 'chowkeydar.'--The temple.--Brahmins.--Idols.--Religion.--Humility of the poorer classes. --Their low condition.--Their apathy.--The police.--Their extortions and knavery.--An instance of police rascality.--Corruption of native officials.--The Hindoo unfit for self-government. One more important functionary we have yet to notice, the watchman or _chowkeydar_. He is generally a _Doosadh_, or other low caste man, and perambulates the village at night, at intervals uttering a loud cry or a fierce howl, which is caught up and echoed by all the _chowkeydars_ of the neighbouring villages. It is a weird, strange sound, cry after cry echoing far away, distance beyond distance, till it fades into |
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