"أسفار في بلوشستان والسند؛ مع تقرير جغرافي وتاريخي لهذين البلدين، وخريطة." [‎٣‎٧‎٦] (٤٧٦/٤١٨)

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THE SINDIAN CHARACTER.
tural or mechanic, which induced them to entertain Belooches for
the protection of their property, and the offspring of the frequent
marriages that were contracted between them, soon became the bulk
of the natives, the term Juth fell into great disrepute, and is now
generally used to signify a low inoffensive creature, who is unable to
support his own rights. The Sindians, notwithstanding their en
mity towards the subjects of Muhmood Khan of Kelat, are fond of
tracing their origin to them, and, in extolling the prowess or abilities
of any of their chiefs, it is not unusual to hear them remark, that
he is " Usl Belooche," viz. a genuine Belooche. To define the
character of a people, unless it be marked by extreme good or bad
qualities, is, I am aware, at all times that part of a traveller's duty,
in which he is most likely to fall into error, and therefore, judging
with due caution, I offer my opinion, that the Sindians at the pre
sent day, are a race among whom the latter predominate in a lament
able proportion. They are avaricious, full of deceit, cruel, ungrate
ful, and strangers to veracity; but, in extenuation of their vices, it
is to be recollected, that the present generation has grown up under
a government, whose extortion, ignorance, and tyranny, is possibly
unequalled in the world, and that the debasement of the public
mind, is consequent to the infamy of its rulers, seems to be an
acknowledged fact in all countries. I do not, however, wish it
to be inferred, that I ascribe the gross defects I have stated in
the Sindian character, to that cause alone, because I am more
disposed to attribute the majority of them to that moral turpitude
which may almost be pronounced, to pervade in a greater or lesser
degree, the population and society of every nation in Asia, of which
we have the slightest knowledge. * The good qualities to which the
* Among the people of the countries bordering on Sinde, the term " a Sindian
dog," is synonymous with " a treacherous liar." This feeling has gained greatly of late
years, from the abhorrence with which the government of that province is regarded.
I hope I shall not be stamped as a misanthrope on account of the sentiments I entertain
of all Asiatics. I am convinced, the farther our researches spread, and the more inti-
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