[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Dark Ages](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages) › [General histories](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general) › [Tārīkh-i mamālik-i Hind](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-mamalik-i-hind) › Táríkh-i Mamálik-i Hind, of Ghulám Básit (Elliot & Dowson, extracts) # Táríkh-i Mamálik-i Hind, of Ghulám Básit (Elliot & Dowson, extracts) Translation of [Tarikh-i mamalik-i Hind (Tārīkh-i mamālik-i Hind)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-mamalik-i-hind) - **Language:** English - **Date:** 1877 CE - **Translators:** [Henry Miers Elliot](https://indike.org/pramana/person/elliot), [John Dowson](https://indike.org/pramana/person/dowson) - **Extent:** 1 passage, 506 words - **Text:** complete digital text - **Source:** archive.org · The History of India, as told by its own Historians. The Muhammadan Period. The posthumous papers of Sir H.… · Public domain (published before 1930) ## Contents - [1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-mamalik-i-hind~en-elliot.1) ## Text ### [1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-mamalik-i-hind~en-elliot.1) In 1020 A.H. (1611 A.D.), the Emperor Nuru-d din Jahangir made over the fort of Surat, in the province of Gujarat, to the English, against whom the Firingis of Portugal bear a most deadly enmity, and both are thirsty of each other's blood. This was the place where the English made their first settlement in India. Their religious belief is contrary to that of the Portuguese. For instance, they consider Jesus Christ (may the peace of God rest on him!) a servant of God and His prophet, but do not admit that he was the Son of God. They are in no wise obedient to the King of Portugal, but have their own king. At present, A.H. 1196 (1782 A.D.), these people have sway over most parts of Hindustan. The people of Malibar are for the most part infidels, and their chief is called Ghaiar (Ghamyar?). Their marriage ceremony consists in tying some writing round the neck of the bride, but this is not of much effect, for women are not restricted to one marriage. One woman may have several husbands, and she cohabits every night with one of them by turns. The carpenters, blacksmiths, dyers, in short, all except Brahmins, form connexions with each other in this fashion. Originally the infidel Khokhars of the Panjab, before embracing Islam, observed a very curious custom. Among them also polyandry prevailed. When one husband went into the house of the woman, he left something at the door as a signal, so that, if another husband happened to come at the same time, he might upon seeing it return. Besides this, if a daughter was born, she was taken out of the house immediately, and it was proclaimed, "Will any person purchase this girl, or not?" If there appeared any purchaser, she was given to him ; otherwise she was put to death. It is also a custom among the Malibaris, that in case of there being several brothers, none except the eldest is allowed to marry, because in that case there would be many heirs, and disputes might arise. If any of the other brothers desires a woman, he must go to some common strumpet of the bazar, but he cannot marry. If the eldest brother die, the survivors are to keep mourning for him during a whole year ; and so on in proportion for the other brothers. Amongst them women make their advances to the men. The Malibaris are divided into three classes. If a person of the highest class cohabit with one of the lowest, he is not allowed to eat until he has bathed, and if he should so eat, he is sold by the governor to the people of the lowest class, and is made a slave ; unless he manages to escape to some place where he is not recognized. In the same manner, a person of the lowest class cannot cook for one of the highest ; and if the latter eats food from the hands of the former, he is degraded from his class. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-mamalik-i-hind~en-elliot](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tarikh-i-mamalik-i-hind~en-elliot) · Pramāṇa