'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from September 1850 to June 1852. Edited by the Secretary. Volume X.' [‎20] (153/458)

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LIEUTENANT H. G. KAVERTY
or Singers, who are not considered to be of any tribe or caste. Next
is “ Ander Sliair,” or i6 In the City,” in which the Seiks and Khutrees
of large property, such as Bankers, Drapers, Silk-manufacturers, and
Merchants, reside.
The principal Streets in the Suburb Sir Assea are the Mahalah of
Sir Assea, which has a large Bazar of its own, also independent of the
city Bazar, and inhabited by Peshawurees. The Mahalah-i-Kaharan,
which is inhabited by Hindus, both Kutrees and Seiks, and is the only
other Street of consequence in this suburb.
The next objects worthy of remark, as regards the city of Peshawur
which are eight in number. There are three principal ones, the best of
which is in the Bazar-i-Kissah Khoane, near the bridge on the left,
going towards theKabul gate; the others are, one near the Pul-i-Sungee
or Stone Bridge, the other at the Gorkhutree. The Baths are kept ex
clusively for females from daylight until about 9 o’clock a. m. and after
4 o’clock p. m. : between these hours they are available for the other
sex. Such is the custom in the cold weather : in the hot season the women
bathe at home, and the men frequent the baths of the different Musjids,
which are nearly all provided with shower baths. The operation at
the Humums is as follows On going in, after undressing, a clean piece
of cloth, about three yards long and one broad, is given to the victim to
wrap round his loins, after which the barber of the bath, as he is called,
makes his appearance with a bowl in his hand, and takes him to a large
reservoir of hot water, which is poured over him until the body is
sufficiently moistened. A cloth is then spread on the marble or chunam
floor, and another cloth is rolled up in a peculiar manner, to form a
pillow for the head. The victim is then requested to lie down on his
back, and the barber commences a series of manoeuvres, consisting of
thumps, slaps, pinches, &c., after which the wretched individual is turned
now on this side, now on that, the slaps sounding like the report of a gun.
The legs and arms are then turned and twisted about, and all the joints
cracked; after which the operator seizes a rough sort of glove, in rough
ness not unlike the curry-comb used for horses. With this the outer
skin is rubbed off, during which time the operated one is half drown
ed by repeated doses of hot water. After this is done, the operator
commences to wash him with soap. After which, if he pleases, the
victim can be shaved: this over, a few more doses of hot water conclude
the operation. A dry towel is then given and a fresh cloth to tie round