A History of the Mahrattas v1.c28.70

v1.c28.70

very primitive tribes. The scent of burning turmeric is a well-known demon-scarer. The anointing of their faces and hands with turmeric by the Marāthā hosts was doubtless intended to scare away the evil spirits who would otherwise attack their bodies after death. Compare the Rājpūt practice of wearing a saffron-coloured robe when they went forth to conquer or die, mentioned in the Ballad of Tānājī Mālūsre. This robe is termed in the ballad maranācha poshak, i.e. ‘dead-clothes.’ Note also Fryer’s remark that ‘A soldier that puts on a crocus-dye intimates a resolution either to die or be conqueror.’ (Fryer, ed. Crooke, 1912, ii. 106.)]