Gujarát and the Gujarátis

by Behramji Malabari

GUJARÁT AND THE GUJARÁTIS:

Pictures of Men and Manners taken from Life.

BY

BEHRÁMJI M. MALABÁRI,

AUTHOR OF "THE INDIAN MUSE IN ENGLISH GARB," "PLEASURES OF MORALITY," "WILSON-VIRAH," ETC,

EDITOR OF THE "INDIAN SPECTATOR," BOMBAY.

LONDON:
W. H. ALLEN & CO., 13 WATERLOO PLACE.

PUBLISHERS TO THE INDIA 0FFICE

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1882.

(All rights reserved.)

TO THE

Honourable James Gibbs

C.S., C.S.I.

MEMBER OF THE SUPREME COUNCIL OF INDIA.

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My dear Mr. Gibbs,
It is now five years since I received your congratulations on the success of my "Indian Muse." Soon after was established an acquaintance upon a formal introduction by our lamented friend Sir Cowasji Jehangir. Looking back to-day on this, to me, long vista of years, I am rejoiced to find traces of your influence not only on my character as a citizen, but as a public writer.

As a friend and adviser of youth, I have often realised in you my ideal of a true English gentleman. There is no Englishman in India—official or non-official—for whom I cherish livelier feelings of esteem. But, above all this, you are known as one of the best friends of my countrymen. As Judge of the High Court, Vice-Chancellor of the University, Member of the Governor's Council at Bombay, and now a Member of the Viceregal Council, you have proved yourself as sincere a friend of India as of England.

For these reasons, and in the hope that these sketches may call up some pleasant memories of your long and honourable connection with Gujarát, I have presumed to borrow the prestige of your name as a sort of passport for my pictures of that most interesting province.

With best respects,
I am, yours sincerely,
BEHRAMJI M. MALABARI.

Bombay, 1880.

• Preface

CONTENTS.

	PAGE
Introduction	1
Surat	11
Broach	38
Baroda	49
En Route to Ahmedabad	92
In to Ahmedabad	104
The People—Hindus	111
Mahomedans	122
Parsis	134
The Borás of Gujarát	152
Láliá "Boys"	160
Characters—The Márwári	162
The Village Hajaam	172
The Va'quil	178
Scenes in a Small Cause Court	183
Scenes in a Mofussil Magistrate's Court	192
Native Mendicants	199
The Missionary in the Mofussil	207
Shett Jamál Gotá, Philanthropist	213
Home Life in Gujarát	223
Holidays	253
The Inimitable Rámáyan	266
The Baleva	274
The Shráwan Más	277
The Muktád	281
The Mo'haram	286
The Unholy Holi	290