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They are Muhammodans, and did not many or cat meat, or show themselves to men as Rishis; but nsed to wander about the jungles, and by the highways, and livo on whatsoever they might tind. Now, however, customs have changed with the times, and the true Muhammedan tells you with sorrowful countenance, that there is not one real Rishi in the country, and has not been since Akbar's days, when largo land and hoQso property wore given to these people, and they became spoiled and got worse and worse, until now they are so degenerated as to some- times marry and oat flesh and amass money, and do other things equally, and even more, contrary to the spirit and pattern of their predecessors in olden days. Abii'l Fazl in his book remarks that in Akbar's time " the most respectable people of Kashmir were the Rishis, who though they did not suffer themselves to be fettered with trailitions, were doubtless worshippers of God. They did not revile any sect, or ask anything of any one. Xhey planted the roads with fniit trees to furnish the traveller with refreshment," Ac The Aliihammodans believe that it was in response to these holy Eishia' intt^rccssions :hat Akbar was thrice defeated by the Chak klogg, when he attempted to take the country. According to their account, also, a fakir called Khwaja Uwys was the founder of this sect ; and ho lived during Muhammed's life time at Kurun, a little village of Yemen in Arabia; and that the Prophet would never march to this place because a savour of holiness went up tbenoo on aoooont of this holy fakir's residing there with his mother. There were about two thonsnnd Rishis in Kashmir during Akbar'* time. Now-a>days there are perhape five thousand, but they are not revered by the more educated and respectable Muhammedans in the valley. Cf. Col. Yule's "Travels ©f Marco Polo," VoL I., p. 179. Bachhih f'aih animah h'.Uah machhih Urunaa ! If there should be a little rice-water on the edge of the fire- place how many flies will congregate to it ! Vbi mel, ihi apM. Bnchih dod chhuh lachih dod. A child's pain is a hundred thousand pains. Badas sir buwun chhuh b^bih andar saruf raehhun. A wicked man may as well place a snake in his bosom as tell out his secrets ; (he dare not do it). Badit chhai badui nazar. High looks to a great man (but not to a maimikin). 24 Badis Jchor tal marun ji'm tah lukis nah shmdas pefh. It is better to die under the foot of a great man, than upon the shoulder of a man of small degree. Better to be an earl's slave than to go partner with a small shop- keeper. Bugih bog tah nonih tok. (After receiving his) share in the distribution of the dinner (he asked for) a dish for his grandmother. A greedy, unsatisfied, fellow. BahloU jandahi tah kashkul, Bahlol, a ragged habit, and an alms-bowl, A very poor man. Bahlol was a genuine fakir. According to my informant, he was a brother of Ali Mardan Khm. governor of Kashmir under Sh^h Jahan, about 1650 a.d., but he did not care for the pomp and show of palace life, and so laid aside the court dress for the jandah and kashkiil. This voluntary fakir life of one so high in learning and position was not pleasing to the governor, or to his ministers and attendants ; and various devices were resorted to for getting Bahlol to accept some distinguished office in the service of the State. At last they succeeded, and Bahlol was appointed Deputy-Inspector. All things went happily for a while, until one day it happened that in the course of his office Bahlol had to ascertain whether the bankers', baniyas', and others' weights were correct or not ; and while fulfilling this duty he discovered so much distress and fraud and trickery, &c., that he determined to know no more of it, went back quickly to his house, and doffed the grand dress of a Deputy-Inspector for the jandah kashkul and the fakir life again. " Bajih mashidih hindyav thamavt yut Mlhavpiith wUiwah?^* ** Pananih sezarah." " How did the pillars of the great mosque get here V* " By their own straightness." The way to accomplish a difficult work. The roof of the cloister surrounding the open square in the centre of the great mosque in Srinagar is supported by wooden pillars, each formed of a single deodar tree about thirty feet high, and resting upon a plain stone base. There are three rows upon the north, south and west sides, but only two on the east side. Bajih mashidih tjali/a kunj nerit ? " Will the corner of the great mosque tumble out ?" The whole country or concern is not going to ruin, simply becanao " So and-So" has died. There are plenty as good and clever as he to prosecute the work. 25 BaliJitai bnd chhih khidmatg^r. Understanding is butler to success. liolak korih wulanai. Dishonour to a beloved daughter A torriblo wrong. Baldi dur tah khair kahui. May misfortune be far from you and prosperity nigh. A Kaahmiri blessing. Bali wuehkithai zuli w&kkah dt'tdi dithmak kundalui. O woman, you have plaited your hair very nicely, but I see you always a kundal. Fine olothoa do not make the lady. Kundal is the inner earthenware part of a k&ngar, the Kashmir portable fire-place. The outer part is generally of. very pretty basket-work, which conceals the knndal's faults. Bi'inah hatas dizih fhttnah hat tah usah hatas kyah dizih ? A hundred covers for a hundred vessels, but what shall be given (to stop) a hundred mouths. Banas andar nar tah danaa andar har. Arm in the pot (for serving out food) and wood under the oven (for cooking it). Panjabi.— ifii tan tuhddd gkio hich ramha hai. Band bandas mmnffih, Agah hedur tah namkar shungih. For one acquaintance, or relation, to ask from another, is like a master awake, whilst his servant sleeps (i.r, the one is as much a matter of shame as the other). Band kus ? Zih chandah. Who is (your) friend ? (Your) pocket. Bdngis chheh hang dapun. It is the work of the bangih to cry the bdng. Another version is :— Bangis ehhud bung dapuni matih kih nah neh anini ? Is the bangih to call the bang, or to bring the people (to prayer) ? Every man to his own work. Banq IB the Muhammedau call to prayers. 4 26 Bf'tparich kut chhai sudarah kdiiz pov hisky yut tsunakas tyut kadahas. A tradesman's shop is like an earthenware vessel, as much as is put into it, so much is got out of it. Tradesmen are frequently bankers, also, in Kashmir. Bar dit aohh tovranih. To shut the door and put on a terrifying look. A coward. Bar dit hhar natsan. The ass shuts the door and dances. A man very spirited and full of words in his own house, but out- side he does nothing. This is also a Kashmiri riddle, of which the answer is, a mill-stone. Bastah tshunit ndl Jckahardyih mandachkun. To wear sheep's skin and be ashamed of its rustling. Don't be ashamed of your real position. Bastih s6n daher. Three sers with the skin. (The swindler had weighed the skin in as well). A swindle. Batah badyos chdnih tah garah zunai nah wath. I am the better because of your dinner, but I do not know the way to your house. Hopes unfulfilled. In hope of receiving something from you I have contracted a debt here and there, but now I perceive that I hoped in vain ; so hence- forth I shall not know the way to your house (i.e., will not see you). ** Batah, batah, " tah piyadah patah. Having no food and a peon after you (because of some debt) . Great distress. Batah dag chhai K/irtikin surah dag. Earning one's living is (as hard to bear) as the pain of hoar- frost in the month of October. Natives suffer terribly in their feet from walking out early on a frosty October morning. Batah gajih ruhun. As garlic upon the hearth of a Pandit (so your presence is to me). 27 Hindus of the valley will not toach garlic (or onions). These are eaten only by the Mohaminodans- Hindus say that their ancestora would not eat them because of their aphrodisiac effects, which they did not wish to experience, as they had devoted themselves to religion. Batak gardan. To behead another with hospitality. To heap coals of fire on an enemy's head. Baiah gav grattah. The Hindu is a mill. Muhammedans quote this jestingly of their Hind<i noighboors. Balah lUis chhih piithah hanik wuchi'm. Men look into the rice-pot from the top part (to judge whether the food is cooked properly or not). Men are judged by their speech. Batah lukharik kir tah prt'mah htjih ihnik. A head from the portion of rice, and a knife from the onion plant.