'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from September 1850 to June 1852. Edited by the Secretary. Volume X.' [‎45] (178/458)

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ON THE PROVINCE Of PESHATTUR. 45
country. Each street of the city of Peshawur has its OWQ Mahaladur,
who lias charge of it, and h« is answerable to the Kotwal, or head-man
of the city, for the behaviour of the people under his care.
In the Abazai valley, on the borders of Booner, there are many very
old customs kept up. For instance, when a person dies, a tombstone
is placed both at the head and foot of the grave, and rude figures
sculptured on the head-stone indicate often the occupation held by the
deceased, and, in some instances, the character also. If the grave
of a pious man, the figure of a kujah or some other vessel for holding
water to perform the necessary ablutions before saying prayers, is re
presented. If the defunct has been a horse soldier, it is indicated by a
horse shoe, and a sword and matchlock across each other ; and a foot
Aoldier, by a pair of sandals.
The dress of the people of the districts consists of a scull-cap and a
loose turban, generally of blue or white cloth, and sometimes of a blue
and white striped Peshawur Loongie, and a shirt with loose wide
sleeves, which reaches to the knee. Blue appears to be the favorite
colour, on account of its being more durable than any other. They
wear wide drawers, and have a Loongie fastened round the waist,
or thrown loosely over the shoulders ; on the feet they generally wear
sandals made of grass, and sometimes shoes. The young men wear
their hair in long curls : those of mature age shave all the hair ofi*
the head, but the beard is sacred.
The Afreedees wear a scull-cap without a turban, a short-waisted
angrikah, or coat quilted with cotton, drawers rather tight at the
ancles, and grass sandals. The dress of the women varies but little
from that of the men. It consists of the wide-sleeved shirt and
drawers, which are much wider in proportion than those worn by the
men, and are drawn in tight at the ancle ; and a white veil, which they
wrap round their heads and bosoms. The hair is worn in three tresses
or plaits, one on each side, and the other behind : they are very neat and
particular in this respect. The better sort of people wear the boorkah,
(a large veil, which reaches to the feet, and conceals the whole figure)
when they go a journey, but in their own villages the women do not
conceal their faces except from strangers. The dress of Afreedee
women consists of a sort of gown, with the exception that the folds
of the skirt, instead of being drawn in round the waist, are drawn i\\
just under the breast: they also wear drawers similar to that of the