The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1897-10-20
THE MULLAHS.

Remarkable Men of the Indian From
tier and Their Influences.
During the spring of 1887 I accompa-
MED survey party which set out from
Peshawur to penetrate the country
north of the Khyber, and examine such
routes as would be available in the
event of the pass being held by pow
erful enemy. During that time + had
many opportunities of studying the
manners and methods of the Mullahs-
those remarkable men who are at pres
ent using their influence over their ia
natical followers to drive them to re-
volt against the encroachments of the
| Feringhees.
| The visitor to the towns of the indie
BILE white-bearded old man, followed by
a crowd of young Pathans, who show
every sign of respect for their leader.
In his right hand the venerable figure
carries staff, and in his left large
| volume of the law according to Maho-
met. When the procession reaches a
public place the leader seats himself;
| his disciples stand round 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 to roar at the worldwide
"chestnuts," not always of the most de-
corous character which he sometimes
unbends sufficiently to tell. Such a
man is a Mullah, one of class who
exercise an influence over the inhabi-
tants of the Afghan hills so passionate
and wide that to Europeans it is be-
yond relief.
The Mullahs are collectively known
as the Ultima, or learned. They are
the sehoolmasters, lawyers, judges, as
well as the priests, many of them being
men of great ability and scholarship;
and as they are all passionately devot-
ed to their order it cannot be said that
| their influence is altogether evil They
are great peacemakers in land where
| fighting is the breath of a mans nos
trils. | once saw one of them in Lal-
poorah rush between two bodies Of
Mohmunds who were drawn up to at
| tack each other, and, by passionate
| prayers to them to remember their
common God and their common coun-
| try, make those desperate men forget
their purpose and go away as quietly as
| frightened schoolboys.
The position of Mu1Iah is conferred
on such candidates as have undergone
a special course of study in the intri-
cate Mahometan law and successfully
passed an examination therein. The
l 10
of the most sanity Mullah present in
vesting the novice with the wide flow
ing gown of white cotton and the pecu-
liarly shaped turban.
The Mullahs marry and live like the
laity in most particulars, though some
of them assume the most ridiculous
austerity, frowning on the simplest
amusement, and even condemning all
music, except the warlike drum and
trumpet, as being effeminate. 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
priesthood is their fine collection OF
charms and incantations. 1t is no un-
common sight to see an ancient Afridi
or Mohmund sitting with a Mullah and
vigorously repeating q charm or per-
forming a subtle incarnation to enable
him to fix the affections of some fail
lady who is not enamoured of his gray
hairs.
A Mullah's most sensitive point is thu
dignity of his office. When that is out
ragged there is trouble in the land. H,
calls the brethren to a council. They
: suspend all the rites of public worship
! denounce their enemy as a dog and al
) infdel, cover him and his people will
their maledictions and practically ex
communicate him. If this does no
bring the unhappy man to his senses
the Mullahs don their sacred robes and
carrying the green standard of thei
prophet, go up and down Throughout
the land proclaiming the MahometaI
warcry, and calling on the faithful t,
avenge the honor of the apostle of tn,
prophet. To those who flock to thei