CHAPTER XIV.  JOURNEY FROM DELHI TO BOMBAY.

THE THUGS OR STRANGLERS—­DEPARTURE—­C
ATTLE-MARKET—­BARATPOOR—­BIANA—­
WELLS AND PONDS—­GOOD-NATURE OF THE INDIANS—­POPPY PLANTATIONS—­THE
SUTTIS—­NOTARA—­KOTTAH—­DESCRIPTION OF THE TOWN—­THE ROYAL PALACE OF
ARMORNEVAS—­AMUSEMENTS AND DANCES—­THE HOLY VILLAGE OF KESHO-RAE-
PATUM.

In order to reach Bombay, I had two routes before me; the one leads past Simla to the foot of the Himalayas, the other to the famous rock temples of Adjunta and Elora.  I would gladly have chosen the former, and have penetrated as far as the principal chain of the Himalayas—­Lahore and the Indus; but my friends advised me not to make the attempt, for the simple reason, that these mountains were covered with deep snow, in which case I must have postponed my journey for at least three months.  As I was unable to wait so long, I decided upon taking the latter road.  In Calcutta, I had been recommended not to continue my journey beyond Delhi at all.  They said the country was not under the control of the English government, and the people were far less civilized.  People endeavoured more especially to excite my apprehension by terrible accounts of the Thugs or stranglers.

These Thugs form a singular sect, whose object is robbery and murder, and who, like the Italian banditti, are prepared to undertake any atrocity for which they are paid.  They must not, however, in any case shed blood, and dare only make away with their victim by strangling.  The act is not considered as very criminal, and the murderer absolves himself by a small present, which he gives to his priest; but, if he sheds only one drop of blood, he falls into the deepest disgrace, is expelled from his caste, and abandoned even by his own associates.

Many travellers affirm that the Thugs are a religious sect, and that they do not murder for the sake of plunder or of revenge, but in order, according to their belief, to ensure a meritorious action.  I made many inquiries about this, and learnt from every one that it was no religious compulsion, but hatred, revenge, or desire of gain, which led to these acts.  These stranglers are represented as possessing a most extraordinary dexterity in their abominable trade, united with the most untiring patience and perseverance; they frequently follow the victims they have selected for months, and strangle them either while sleeping, or by stealing behind them and throwing a twisted cloth or a cord round their necks, which they draw tight with such rapidity and force that death ensues instantaneously.

In Delhi, I gained more information.  I was assured that all these dangers were exaggerated; that travellers were very rarely attacked in India, and that the Thugs were much reduced in numbers.  Moreover, they did not make any attempt upon Europeans, as the English government instituted the strictest search for the culprits.  With regard, therefore, to the danger, I was tolerably at ease, but I had still to anticipate privation and fatigue.