Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan, or the Central and Western Rajput States of India v2.c28.s3.t1.121

v2.c28.s3.t1.121

Caravans.—The route of the caravans was by Suigam,³ Sanchor, Bhinmal, Jalor to Pali, and the guardians of the merchandise were almost invariably Charans, a character held sacred by the Rajput. The most desperate outlaw seldom dared to commit any outrage on caravans under the safeguard of these men, the bards of the Rajputs. If not strong enough to defend their convoy with sword and shield, they would threaten the robbers with the *chandni*, or ‘self-immolation’;¹ and proceed by degrees from a gash in the flesh to a death-wound, or if one victim was insufficient a whole body of women and children was sacrificed (as in the case of the Bamaniya Bhats), for whose blood the marauder is declared responsible hereafter.