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Gujarát and the Gujarátis

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Gujarat and the Gujaratis (1882)
by Behramji Malabari
2445084Gujarat and the Gujaratis1882Behramji 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


1882.

(All rights reserved.)


TO THE

Honourable James Gibbs

C.S., C.S.I.

MEMBER OF THE SUPREME COUNCIL OF INDIA.



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.

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

This work was published before January 1, 1929, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.

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