regular
dwellings, and abandon themselves to all kinds of impurity without any
shame. They persuade simple souls that they are privileged to do all
kinds of evil without sin.
There
are other Fakirs who are clad in garments of so many pieces of
different colours that one is unable to say what they are. These robes
extend half-way down their legs and conceal the miserable rags beneath.
These Fakirs generally travel in companies, having a chief or superior
over them who is distinguished by his garment, which is poorer and made
up of more pieces than those of the others. He, moreover, drags a heavy
iron chain attached to one leg ; it is 2 cubits long and thick in
proportion. When he prays it is with a great noise, which he makes with
this chain and a loud voice ; this is accompanied by an affected
gravity, which attracts the veneration of the people.1 The
people, however, bring him and his followers food to eat, which is
served to him in the place where he halts, generally a street or public
place. His carpets are spread by his disciples, and he seats himself on
them while he gives audience to those who wish to consult him.
Moreover, his disciples proclaim throughout the country the great
virtues of their master and the favours he receives from God, Who
reveals to him the most important secrets, and confers upon him the
power to aid afflicted persons with good advice. The people give him
easy credence^ regard him as a holy man, approach him with great
devotion, and when one of them comes close to him, he removes the shoes
off his feet, prostrates himself before the Fakir and kisses his feet.
Then the Fakir, in order to show his humility, extends his arm and
gives his hand to be kissed, after which he makes those who come to
consult him sit near him, and listens to each in turn. He boasts of
possessing a prophetic spirit, especially for indicating to women who
are sterile the way in which they may obtain children, and how to
constrain anyone they wish to manifest love for them.
Some Fakirs have more than 200 disciples, whom they assemble by the sound of the drum and with a horn similar
1 Bernier (p. 317) notes the habit of Fakirs dragging chains, of which there are many modern instances ; cf. Islam in India, 289 f.
