Volume 1

The annals and antiquities of Rajasthan, or The central and western Rajpoot states of India / by Lieutenant Colonel James Tod.

  • James Tod
Date:
1895
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The annals and antiquities of Rajasthan, or The central and western Rajpoot states of India / by Lieutenant Colonel James Tod. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    101/660 page 77
    From Syria came the instructors of the Celtic Druids, who made human sacrifices, and set up the pillar of Belenus on the hills of Cambria and Cale- donia. When “Judah didevil in the sight of the Lord, and built them high places “and images, and groves, on every high hill and under every tree,” the object was Bal, and the pillar (the lingam) was his symbol. It was on his altar they burned ineeicse, and “sacrificed unto the calf on the fifteenth]',! day of the month” (the sacred Amavus of the Hindus). The calf of Israel is the bull (nandi) of Balcesar or Iswaraj the Apis of the Egyptain Osiris. The ash was sacred to the sun-god in the west. The aswatatha (or pee- pul)U is the ‘chief of trees,’ say the books sacred to Bal in theEast; and death, or loss of limb, is incurred by the sacrilegious mutilator of his consecra- ted groves,** where a pillar is raised bearing the inhibitory edict. We shall here conclude the analogy between the Indo-Scythic Bajpoot races and those of early Europe. Much more might be adduced ; the old || Kings, chap, xxiii. •jf Ficus religiosa. It presents a perfect resemblance to the popul (poplar) of Germany and Italy, a species of ’which is the aspen. So similar is it, that the specimen of the peepul from Carolina is called, in the Isola Bella of the Lago Maggiore, populus angulat-a ; and another in the Jardin des Plantes at Toulon, is termed the hcus Populifolia, on figuier a feuilles de pepulier. The aspen, or ash, held sacred by the Celtic priests, is said to be the mountain- ash. ‘The calf of Bal’ is generally placed under the peepul ; and Hindu tradition sanctifies a never-dying stem, which marks the spot where the Hindu Apollo, Hari (the sun), was slain by the savage Bhil on the shores of Saurashtra. *# The religious fellings, of the Rajpoot though outraged for centuries by Moguls and mercenary Pathans, will not permit him to see the axe applied to the noble peepul or umbrageous burr (ficus indica), without execrating the destroyer. Unhappy the constitution of mind which knowingly wounds religious prejudices of such ancient date ! Yet is it thus with our countrymen in the East, who treat all foreign prejudices with contempt, shoot the bird sacred to the Indian Mars, slay the calves of Bal, and fell the noble peepul before the eyes of the native without remorse. He is unphilosophic and unwise who treat such prejudices with contumely ; prejudice beyond the reach of reason. He is uncharitable who does not respect them ; impolitic, wbo does not use every means to prevent such offence by ignorance or levity. It is an abuse of our strength, and an ungeneruos advantage over their weakness. Let us recollect who are the guardians of these fanes of Bal, his peepul, and sacred bird (the peacock) ; the children of Surya and Chandra, and the decendants of the sages of yore, they Who fill the ranks of army, and are attentive, though silent observers of all our actions; the most attached, the most faithful, and the most obedient of mankind ! Let us maintain them in duty, obedience, and attachment, by respecting their prejudices and conciliating their pride. On the fulfilment of this depends the maintenance, of our sovernignty in India : but the last fifteen years have assuredly not increased their devotion to us. Let the question be put to the unprejudiced whether their welfare has advancad iu proportion to the dominion they have conquered for us or if it has not been in the inverse ratio of this prosperity ? Have not their allowances and comforts decreased ? Does the same relative standard between the currency and conveniences of life exist as twenty years ago ? Has not the first depreciated twenty-five per cent., as haif- batta stations and duties have increased ? For the good of ruler and servant, let these be rectified. With the utmost solemnity I aver, I have but the welfare of all at heart in these observations. I loved the service, I loved the native soldier. I have proved what he will do, where devoted, when in 1817, thirty-two firelocks of my guard attacked, defeated, and dispersed, a camp of fifteen hundred men, slaying thrice their numbers. (I) Having quitted the scene for ever, I submit my opinion dispassionately for the welfare of the one, and wjLferTife the stability or reverse of the other. (1) What sayb the Thermopylae of India, Cory gaum ? Five hundred fire locks against twenty thousand men ? Do the annals of Napoleon record a more brilliant exploit ? Has a, column been reared to the names of the brave, European and native, cf this memorable day; to excite to future achievement? What order decks the breast of the gallant FitzgeraJd, }for> the exploit on the field of Nagpore ? At another time and place his words, “At my peril be it I Charge!” would have crowned his ciest! These things call for remedy !
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