A History of Assam c17.46

c17.46

The above account, fragmentary as it is, represents all that has yet been ascertained of the history of Jaintia. As regards the religion of the people, it would seem that the Syntengs were never much influenced by the Brāhmans, and that it was only the families of the Raja and of his leading nobles that were brought partially within the fold of Hinduism. The Rajas belonged to the Sākta sect and, however lax they may have been in obeying the prescribed restrictions in the matter of food and drink, they were very particular in the observance of the ghastly system of human sacrifices laid down in the *Kālika Purān*. There is a spot in the Fāljur pargana, where part of Sati's left leg is said to have fallen, and here human victims were immolated yearly on the ninth day of the Durga Puja. Similar sacrifices were also offered on special occasions, such as the birth of a son in the royal family, or the fulfilment of some request made to the gods. Frequently the victims were self-chosen, in which case, for some time previous to the sacrifice, they enjoyed the privilege of doing whatever they pleased without let or hindrance. Sometimes, however, the supply of voluntary victims ran short, and then strangers were kidnapped for the purpose from foreign territory.