1 DERV1SE3, SAINTS, AND OTHEB HOLY MEN.
2 ^nner we called by the difibrent naineB of Derweahea (Denrises)»
3 J^iheera* Ac dther aibitrarilyt ot fmia some little dilferenoe in theif
4 obaervfuices ; onie aet called Kulunden (Calenders), for instanoe« ate
5 remarkable for going almost naked ; otliers wander from plaice to
6 place, and visit all resorts of pilgrims; while aome live abrt^niona
7 and religious lives in the midst of towna, and aome retire to practise
8 their austerities io aolilary j^aces. These ascetics have been esteemed
9 in Af^liaunistaun in all ages, and half the histories of that country are
10 filled with the legends of the numerous male and female saints whom
11 it has produced. The places where sudi devotees are interred, or
12 which have been distinguished by remarkable actions of their lives,
13 are still cons n U red as sacred, and each of the most celebrated is a safe
14 asvlum even Irojn revenue for bltKxi. The reverence in which these
15 sanctuaries are held, is shewn by the practice of the Eusotizyesj tlie
16 most lawless of all the tribes, w I lere a clan going out to battle, places
17 its woiuen in one ol them) and relies on their security in case of a
18 defeat.
19 Many such saints are now flourishing, and ilie ignorance of their
20 countrymen ascribes to them the gift of prophetic dreams and visions,
21 and the power of working miracles. Even the higher claaeeS' htm
22 fiulih in their pife£ctionBy and the King often eonsolta them on the
23 moat momentous affidrs of his government.
24 ' Some- of these must hare engaged in Tolwitary impostnie** but
25 the three most eminent at Pesbawer, whenlwaa thete^ disaivowed all
26 pietenaions to supematoral powers. Hiey wete treated with the
27 hii^est respect, even the Kingrefiisiiig to be seated befiive tfaerti tiH
28 he waa pressied; but they did not seem to solicit these honour^ end
29 they discussed the conduct of government^ and reprehended its vices
30 • I have ill my possession a book of iiiirnclf^ wrought by tbe fauums saint t)f Clium-
31 kunnec, the spirituat director of Ahmed Shauh. It contains accounts of many miracles
32 pcrfourmed within these My years. It was given me by the son c£ the saint, and as it
33 int written in his life tiiBi^ an^ atteiled hf tauf it Ui adiote^ H ii dllkidt Io acqiilt
34 Un tS find vt frlMliooiL
35 Digitized by Google