36
"2. The pilgrims number altogether 534—388 men, 114 women and 82 children—of
whom 9 are infants in arms. Excluding these latter, the numbers of each tribe are as follows :—
Malabàri Moplahs
Central Asians
Afghans
Sindhis
Bengalis
Panjabi Pathàns
Hindustanis ...
...
. · ·
...
...
. . .
»··
...
..·
·« ·
...
...
...
...
...
. . .
. · ·
. . .
...
...
. . .
...
33
145
74
35
118
78
42
525
" 3. They arrived at Ndsik Station in a special train on" Monday the 21st instant at 3 P.M.
They were then counted and medically inspected, their baggage being meanwhile put into carts
and sent down to the camp. The old men, women and children were then seated in other carts,
and the whole body marched down to the camp, escorted by the British troops and Bombay
Police sent with them and a force of the Nasik Police. The camp was completely ready for
their reception, and having sorted out their baggage, they soon settled down in the rows of huts
provided for them. Supplies of all kinds were then served out to them, and by 9 P.M. they were
all cooking their evening meal. Next morning I found them very well and cheerful, much
satisfied with their treatment. They were then divided into messes with a mukàdam to each
mess, who alone comes to draw rations. This plan has ensured despatch and uniform distri-
bution, preventing any confusion and crowding. Dr. Street then inspected them and the camp
generally and expressed satisfaction with their condition and all the arrangements for them.
" 4. The strictest isolation possible is observed. The British troops guard the camp night
and day and naturally form a most efficient cordon. No outsiders are admitted save the supervis-
ing officers, the police guards and the minimum number of men required to bring in suppliess.
The sweepers I keep inside the camp, and I make the pilgrims do most of their own water-
carrying, many of them having gladly volunteered for 4 annas a day.
" 5. Nothing noteworthy occurred till Thursday morning, when I found the Central Asians
weeping and wailing at the prospect of being sent back to their homes. Many of them live in
Chinese territory, and the journey thither is very long and arduous. The roads and passes too
at this time of year are blocked with snow. Till the Protector of Pilgrims returned them their
passage-money, they had not apparently realized that all their months' long toil was wasted,
and their excitement was intense. They have drawn up a petition and sent it to the Commis-
sioner of Police, Bombay. I am getting a copy of it from the Protector of Pilgrims. They
want to be kept at Peshawar or elsewhere in India till the Haj is allowed again and then railed
down to Bombay. In the circumstances their request seems to merit consideration.
''6. Yesterday morning, I regret to say, Dr. Street found during his inspection a suspicious
case of illness. The patient, a Malabàri Moplah, was at once isolated in a special shed and kept
under observation. In the evening Dr. Street diagnosed plague, and I immediately had the
sufferer removed from the camp to the special plague shed erected in the vicinity of the railway
station, telegraphing the fact to the Civil Surgeon. The man is now lying there under treat-
ment. One of his friends is with him and a police guard is watching that they do not go away.
" 7. This morning there was no fresh case and all were well. I learnt that they were a
little uneasy about the removal of the sick man to hospital, and that one of the Afghans had
been heard muttering. I am having them watched, and should they appear to be inclined to
gi\re trouble, I will separate them from the rest and put a special guard over them. The occur-
rence of this one case of plague means ten days' more quarantine from yesterday. As five days
have now elapsed since the pilgrims arrived from Bombay, I trust no more cases will occur."
The numbers given in paragraph 2 of the above letter a*re, it should be
stated, not quite accurate^ and the following table supplies details as to the nun>
bers, sex and residences of the various batches of pilgrims received in the camp
on the 22nd February:
Serial
num-
ber of
batch.
I
Description of batch.
Central Asians.
A C?nt-l-!tf\At-« f\f 4·Τ»Λ
— onbjects 01 tne
Czar of Russia.
Serial
number
of conntrj
or dis-
trict.
r ι
1
2
• I 3
1
4
1
5
V
6
7
Name of country or
district.
Bokhara
Mergalan
Andejan
Naurangan
Khokand
Taakand
Kashgar
.
Number of
Men.
37
27
19
2
13
1
38
Women
"*6
1
...
...
2
Child
ren
"*3
1
...
...
...
...
Infants.
..
..
..
..
Total.
17
35
21
2
IB
I
40
Remarks.