New-York tribune., 1900-12-30
THE GYPSIES IN INDIA.
a TROUBLESOME TRIBE, THE MIANAs.
AND THEIR DOINGS.

AND THEIR DOINGS.
Bombay correspondence of The London Post
When travelled through Kathiawar in March
just before the Niceroys first visit the country
was ringing with tales of dreadful dacoities in
which the Mianas appeared 10 be the chief act
ors- 80 daring had they become that gang OF
them attempted TO loot the station at Wanka-
nc7r. There they on a police Sepoy with
an obsolete Snidcr, and they retreated. Eut the
contents OF The rifle found their way into
pair Of naked legs; and. buckshot in the
calves greatly initiates against successful sprint
lLs, The owner of those calves was constrai ned
reluctantly to submit to official interview.
with The result that he and seven Of his cCm-
panions are INV making themselves useful in
Jail
Half tne r~.ue in Kathiavar is committee by
Aiianas, anC +. is all Norris fault that we hav7
ihcm. MoTj was the son Of Kayagi, and about
q. hundred and fiftr ears ac0 l,. had y great
dispute with the chief Of Norvi. He wanted
some Villages and he wished to be independent
30 ? bright idea occurred TO him one day. and
acting on il. n invited the Mianas to come
over from sind TO help him. Now any one who
has seen sind viii agree that il IS not country
that bcgs You 10 stay and the AIianas were
therefore nothing lOath 10 leave il. OF course
when they first came 10 help Morii they said
nothing about remainin,, permanently but after
they had helped him th'E declined tn depart
and spoiled tn pleasure # the worthy chief in
his new gotten villages and Independence. So
they he'd L. hc EiVeu small piece or territory
and il was hoped they would SETTLE down AMI
b'toisl- 20. q, law ab!ain@ subjects. lut hopes
are vain. They did nothing Of the sort: and
they arc now known as the sypsies Of India'
APPEARANCE AND CHARACTERISTICS
Lookin- them you would be quite ready 10
believe they came from the original gypsy stock.
SllaUy ard wen made they are blessed with 4
large sSare of GOOD looks. Their hair grows in
flowing clT!S- Their t.rs. rowing and ro-uiSh
Sist-lr with fan or ire with readiness indica-
aye 80 unstable Election not say trcaC hcrl-
: 1- cur j U-Ist&che and parted beard com
tit.-a 1r.-l TIL set IF thg turi.-H. s.ive them a
ia.iSh t-.A ny ciIe appear Pc" thlt does not
t,tr ia.II- Y hear women, t., are handsome
-Ua tE-ir .ucJaltt-t-tl.. among thgme .i-eS L
ana al individual without q nose an car in
MALTA. trair homo. is sUCh ccmmon sisht that
yru mleht take il t. be popular hr.Jith mark,
like .accirltInn- Absolutely REGARDLESS Of life
they ale as tricky as monkeys; ana they admire
most u So qualities in others They arc M:-
homrtafs iu2SmEch - th,y bury their dead and
profess There is buJ ono God, and Mahomct l.
His prophet, but profession Is the extent Of
their faith \ story Is told that once 4 Mana
saw Arau in tae G:lkW,rs army praying.
"Gf whom ere you afraid" ne asked. that you
bow your head Ike that and touch the earth
with your broEs2'
"Of no ono but God" was the proud reply
"Oh, then, come with 10 Malta" rejoincd
the other: we don't fear even God thcrei'
During the greater part OF the year they live in
the open country and join in groups of three or
four families. shcltcrinG in temporary huts made
mostly of mill.t stalks and grass. From these
forays They are principally footmcn. excel in
the use Of the sword. and I'm the tactics OF viii
lase night attack are unsurpassed. At home
they herd cattle mystcTiously acquired. and
abroad they are regarded with terror that to
them is delightful.