Storia do Mogor 265.15
Storia do Mogor (Irvine) 265.15
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265.15.1
The bridegroom enters, followed by his relations, servants, and slaves, and the rest of the men remain without. The bridegroom, with the above-named following, goes on till he encounters another troop of women, who act as the men did outside, holding rods garlanded with flowers. When the fray is over, they all join and conduct the bridegroom to a great hall. In the midst the bride is sitting on a highly decorated throne, clad in costly raiment and adorned with precious jewels. Round her stand many matrons with many instruments of music.
265.15.2
On the bridegroom's arrival opposite to her, never having seen her before this moment, he salutes her and makes the customary bows ; and the singers, raising their voices, proclaim a welcome to the bridegroom, with wishes for the happiness of the marriage. At this point an aged Mulla (man of religious learning) appears ; he is the priest. He holds his head low and keeps his eyes down, in a very modest attitude. He makes them husband and wife on condition that if there is any divorce the bridegroom will have to pay the bride so many millions. Once more the singers begin their song, saying these words : ' May the marriage be blessed a hundredfold.' They divide into two choirs, one singing the bridegroom's and the other the bride's praises. At the end of an hour they present the bridegroom with a box containing a paste that they call mendi (menhdi — i.e., henna). With this he anoints his hands and nails so that they turn red. After another hour they wash his hands with rose-water and offer the water for him to drink, in sign of confirmation of the marriage, as is the custom.
265.15.3
Some bridegrooms, warned of the tricks played by women in India, refuse to drink. The reader should be aware that the dislike of the bridegroom to drinking the water is that in the syrup above referred to there is mixed a liquid, in virtue of which the bridegroom becomes frantically enamoured of her (the bride). The matrons, on seeing the difficulties made by the bridegroom, force him by such strong arguments and oaths that he believes and drinks. The singing women once more resume their song, saying, ' May it profit you.' The whole night is passed in this mirth, and before daybreak the bridegroom takes the woman to his house, carrying the dowry along with him, making the pretext for withdrawal of needing repose. Among the Mahomedans it is the practice not to see their bride beforehand, but to marry upon reports, interests, or respect. First cousins are allowed to marry. Poor people conduct their marriages in the same way, to the extent of each man's resources. The Hindus also give a similar feast, but it is accompanied by other ceremonies and sacrifices. Among these latter when the husband dies they shave the widow's head, and she never marries again. This can be seen in more detail in my remarks upon the Hindu religion (III. 122-132).
265.15.4
When a Mahomedan dies, there are special persons who come to wash the corpse. These people make their living by this office; they are abhorred, and no one eats with them. They put the body in its shroud and place it in a coffin covered with rich pieces of stuff; the turban bound with gold is laid upon the outside, as a token that inside is a dead body. It is carried to the grave accompanied by all the deceased's insignia of rank, flags, elephants, cavalry, with a large following, and many perfumes. On the way they commend the departed in loud voices to Muhammad. Until the burying is completed, passers-by who meet the body halt and pray for his soul.
265.15.5
The wives of these great men do not marry again, though in no way prohibited. When those who followed the corpse return home, they bathe their bodies and put on clean clothes. The widow and all in the household equally bathe their bodies and remain in mourning for forty days. The relations of the deceased distribute alms of bread, cloth, and money. After forty days are over they go to the grave, where they prepare many dishes and distribute them among the poor. When these great ladies come out, as a sign of their being widows, they cover their palanquins with green cloth. Similarly, when any one of the wives of these nobles dies, there are special women for washing the body, which is placed in its grave-clothes with much special ceremony; it is carried to the grave, followed by women and eunuchs. In the case of women they do not call out the commendations to Muhammad as is done for men, for they declare that women have no entry into heaven. When a Hindu dies, they carry him to be burnt at once with a great noise of drums and trumpets. Those who follow go bareheaded, with no shoes on their feet.
265.15.6
Being resident in the city of Agrah, I went out for pastime, impelled by curiosity, to shoot peahens, doves, and pigeons, of which there are quantities in the gardens round that place. It happened once that, passing close to the place where Hindus are burned, I saw a man who removed from the pyre a portion of the burnt flesh of some corpse and ate it. It served him as sustenance, and he ate nothing else. I sent someone to call him, and I asked him the reason why he did not allow the body to be thoroughly consumed. He replied to me that the savour of human flesh was such that it forced him to dwell in that deserted place. I noticed that the man was tall, lean, harsh-looking, of a dejected countenance and taciturn, and reluctant to answer the few questions I put to him.
265.15.7
When Hindus burn a dead body, they place it on the top of a heap of wood, and over the body they pile as much wood again. A light is then applied. The relations who had followed the body leave for their homes with the exception of four men. These had carried the body, and are called bettiao (battiydn), which means 'burners.' These men place themselves round the pyre at some little distance, each holding a long, thick stick in his hand. As it burns, the corpse makes movements through the relaxing of the muscles, the face is scorched, and the hands and feet shrivel up, and it looks as if it wanted to sit up. On these occasions the bettioens (burners) exert themselves to extend the body by thrusts with their sticks. Finally, after bathing in the river close by, they go away. The following day the relations go to the burning-place, and collecting the bones, place them in an earthern pot and throw some milk upon them, by which they are wetted. They are then thrown into the river with the necessary ceremonial. They state that the putting on of milk is to cool the soul of the defunct, and they throw the ashes into water in order that there be no doubt of his salvation. They distribute cooked food of vegetables with rice, giving to eat even to the crows, of whom there are enormous numbers throughout India. Then they bathe themselves in the river and return home.
265.15.8
These Hindus have many superstitions, of which should I begin to speak, I should occupy a very long time, and I should be wearisome. Among them it is the habit, when carrying water home, if they should encounter a corpse, to throw away the whole of that water, going back to refill the vessel. Coming out of the house, if anyone sneezes, or if a cat crosses in front of them, they turn back and relinquish the business for that day. When a marriage is in prospect, the boy's parents go to see the girl intended as his bride, examine her all over, and if she has any mark that they hold to be inauspicious, or if she does not take their fancy, they will on no account accept a marriage with her. If she possesses marks that they approve of, they send some money as a token that they accept the girl. It is the custom of the Hindus that when the bride comes to her husband's house she acts as servant to all the house — sweeps, cleans, cooks, and performs all the other work. She never opens her mouth, keeps her head down, enduring the importunate demands of her mother-in-law. When she is in child-bed she has a little liberty, and during her periods she has to retire to a separate room kept for this special purpose, where no one speaks to her. Her food is left at a distance ; no one approaches her. Ordinarily the marriage is between a little child and a grown man. When there is a miscarriage the fetus is buried within the house ;
265.15.9
the same is done if the first child dies, for, being an infant, it is not cremated. Nor do they bury it outside for fear that witches may disinter it, to employ it in doing sorcery. When a female child dies who has reached twelve years of age or upwards, she is burnt, and for boys the age is fourteen years. The reason is that in India at those ages they are capable of sinning against the Sixth Commandment. Of these customs I spoke more amply under the head of the ' Hindu Religion ' (III. 92-135).