Storia do Mogor 238.6.4

238.6.4

There are also two other small Hindu tribes called Myne (? Minah) and Torj (? Bauria), who are highly renowned as great and adventurous thieves. One of them, in the very presence of Rajah Jai Singh, took off the turban of Shiva Ji when asleep ; this was in the time of the war, and there was fear of losing your life. Once when I was living in Lahor, (it was during the governorship of Fida,e Khan) fifteen thieves of this tribe were caught. They had robbed a house at midnight ; they were seized and sentenced to death. When the officers of justice were taking them to be executed in front of that very house, they passed in front of my door. There was a great noise of drums, and a great crowd of curious idlers following. Hearing this row, I came forth, and saw that the first thief was a youth of some five-and-twenty years. He went on his way in great confidence, singing in a loud voice, and giving thanks to God for that he had made his life a sacrifice in the occupation he was brought up to, without having to change his pursuits. Seeing me while still continuing his song, he bowed his head as a mark of politeness. I remarked that the last of them was a Baminy (a Banya), whom they carried along by force, because he had been consenting to the concealment in his house of the stolen goods.