New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-09-19
THE MULLAHS.
REMARKABLE MIN OF THE INDIAN
FRONTIER AND THEIR INFLUENCES.
From The ST. James's Gazette.

From The ST. Jamess Gazette
During the spring of 1857 I accompanied a
survey party which set out from Peshawur to
penetrate the country north Of the Khyber, III
examine such routes as would be available in II
event or the pass being held by Il powerful enc.
my. During that time had many OpportunitiS
! or studying the manners and methods Of he Null
lahS-those remarkable men who at present
using thelr influence over their fanatical fol-
lowers to drive them TO revolt against the en-
croachments Of the Feringhees
The visitor 10 The towns OF the independent
tribes VIII often see a venerable White-bearled
/ old man, followed by a crowd of young Pathans,
who snow every sign OF respect for their leader.
| In ms right hand the venerable figure carries
staff, and in his left large volume Of the law
| according to Mahomet. When the procession
reaches a public place the leader seats himself,
| has disciples stand round sit at his feet, and
| the general public assemble at a little distance
to hear the gems Of wisdom that fall from the
| holy mans lips, or to roar at the world wide
"chestnutS, not always Of the most decOrous
character, which " sometimes unbeEds sufIi-
GENTLY TO tell Such n man is a muIlah, one Of Il
class who exercise an influence over the inhab-
itants OF the Afghan hills passionate and wide
That to Europeans it is beyond belief.
The Mullahs are collectively known as the
Ultima. or learned. They arc the schoolmasters.
lawyers. judges, well the priests many Il
them being men Of great ability and scholarship;
and as they are all passionately devoted to their
order 1t cannot be said that their influence is
altogether evil They are great peacemakers in
| a land where fighting is the breath Of a mans
| nostrils. once saw one Of them IN Lalpoorah
rush between two bodies Of Mohmunds who We're
drawn up To attack each other and. 10y passion
ate prayers 10 them to remember their common
God and their common country. make those des-
perate men forget their purpose and % away as
quietly frightened schoolb0ys.
The position Of Muah is conferred on such
candidates as have undcrgon" a special course
of study in the Intricate Mahomct3n Law AMI
| successfully passed an ,Xamina'iou therein. The
principal part Of the ceremony consists Of the
most sanity Mul!ah present investing the novice
, with the wide flowing gown Of white cotton and
the peculiarly shaped turban.
The Muahs marry and live like the laity IN
most particulars: though some ~ them assume
the most ridiculous austcrity. frowning IN the
simplest amusemcnts. and even cond"mnng all
music. except the warlihe drum and trumpet.
az being cffcmnIte. To such men the merry
fiddle or the signing Lutte are as the horns Of the
Evil one.
one rich source Of revenue with the priest
hood is their fine collection Of charms and in
/ carnations. II is no uncommon sight 10 s." an
ancient Afrd or Mohmunl sitting with Null
, lah and vigorously repeating a charm or per-
forming subtl. incarnation to enable him 70
Tx the affections Of some far lady who IS not
cnampur"d II his gray hairs
\ Mullah's most sensitive point ~ the dignity
of his Office. When that is outraged there Is
! trouble In the land He calls the brethren 10 ~
council. They suspend all The rites OF public
worship denounre their enemy as a dog and
an inhdel. cover him and his people with their
! maiedictors and practically eNcOmmunlcate
him. II this does not bring the unhappy man TO
his senses. he Mullahs don their sacred robes.
and. carrying the green STANDARD Of the Prophet,
x up and down throughout the land proclaim
/ ing the Mahometdn wdrcry. and calling on the
faithful to av-ugc the honor ~ the apostle
of the Prophet. To those who nock 10 their
side they promise eternal bliss. to those who
ignore their appeals everlasting torture. The
Mullahs voice IS not raised in Vain. He soon
has frantic army f1llorinc the green flag,
willing L. - anywhere and DO anything their
leader pcascs
When Mullah dies the place u his death
becomes Il sacred shrine at which miracles are
worked There Is not a villag" throughout the
whoi" Pathan country which has not Its holy