The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1897-12-07
The ORDER OF MULLAHS
REMARKABLE WHlTE-BEARDED MEN
OF THE INDIAN FRONTIER.

fhcy Are schooimaster. Lawyer. Judge
anu Priest All Combined. aud ENer-
else n Strong Influence over the In
habitant- of the Afghan Hills
During the spring of 1887 | accom-
panied survey party which set out
rom Peshawur TO penetrate the coun-
'ry north of the Khyber, and examine
such routes as would be available i'm
the event of the pass being held by n
powerful enemy. During that time |
lad many opportunities of studying
he manners and methods of the Null
inhs-thoso remarkable men who are
u present using their fanatical follow
ers to drive them to revolt against the
entertainments of the Feringhees.
The visitor TO the towns of the in
dependent tribes will often see n ven
cradle white-bearded old man. fol
owed by crowd of young Pathaus.
who show every sign of respect for
their leader. In his right hand the
venerable figure carries n staff, and in
his left n large volume of the law ac
,ording to Mahomet. When the pro-
eession reaches public place the
stand around or sit at his feet. and
the general public assemble at little
distance to hear the gems of wisdom
that fall from the holy mans lips, or
10 roar at the worldwide "chestnuts. "
not always of the most decorous char
lcter, which he sometimes unbends
sufficiently to tell Such n man is n
mullah, one of n class who exercise an
influence over the inhabitants of the
Afghan hills so passionate aud wide
,hat to Europeans it is beyond belief.
The Mullahs are collectively known
as the Ultima, or learned. They are
the schoolmasters, lawyers, judges, rs
well as the priests, many of them be
.ng men of great ability and scholar
ship; and as they are all passionately
devoted to their order, it cannot be
said that their influence is altogether
evil. They are great peacemakers in
iland where fighting is the breath of
mans nostrils. | once saw one of
Them in Lalpoorah rush between two
bodies of Mohmunds who were drawn
up to attack each other, and, by pas
sionate prayers to them to remember
iheir common God and their common
country, make these desperate men
forget their purpose and go away as
quietly as frightened schoolboys
The position of Mulah is conferred
On such candidates as have undergone
special course of study in the intri-
cate MahOmetan law and successfully
passed au examination therein The
principal part of the ceremony con
sists of the most sanity Mullah pres
emit investing the novice with the wide
flowing gown of white cotton and the
peculiarly shaped turban.
The Mullahs marry and live like the
lalty In most particulars; though some
Of them assume the most ridiculous
austerity, frowning on the simplest
amusements, and even condemnine
all music except the warlike drum and
trumpet, as being effeminate. To
such men the merry fiddle or the sigh
ing lutte are as the horns of the Evil
One.
One rich source of revenue with the
priesthood is their fine collection of
charms and incantations. 1t is no un-
common sight to see an ancient Afridi
or Mohmund sitting with Mullah
and vigorously repeating charm or
performing a subtle incarnation to en-
able him to fix the affections of some
fair lady who is not enamoured of his
gray hairs.
a Mullah's most sensitive point is
the dignity of his office. When that
is outraged there is trouble in the
TIa oil ..
ell. They suspend all the rites of
public worship, denounce their enemy
as a dog and an infidel, cover him and
his people with their maledictions and
practically excommuuicate him. I'll
this does not bring the unhappy man
to his senses, the Mullahs don their
sacred robes, and carrying the green
standard of the Prophet, go mp aud
Town throughout the land proclaim
ing the Mahometan warcry, and calling
on the faithful to avenge the honor of
the apostle Of the Prophet. TO those
who flock to their side they promise
eternal bliss; to those who ignore their
appeals everlasting torture The Null
llh's voice is not raised in vain. lie
soon has a frantic army following the
green flag, willing TO 60 anywhere and
do anything their leader pleases.
When a Mullah dies the place of his
death becomes n sacred shrine at
which miracles are worked There is
not n village throughout the whole
Pathan country which has not its hoy
spot to which the sick. the halt and
the blind resort for relief. St. James
Gqzeffp