Photo 972, 7(364)

Genre: Ethnographical Photography

Group of seven figures, arranged in two rows. 'The group...are of wild Bheels from Nimawur, Khandesh, and other parts of the wildest forest country, who were in prison at Mundhlaiser for an attack upon a police post; and this accounts for their being decently clothed, and having a more civilized appearance than they would have had in their wild state...The Bheels came under British rule after the final annexation of the Peshwah's dominions in 1818. Previous to that, from the earliest ages, they had been unconquered, free, and powerful. No one interfered with them, and no one checked them...Regular forces were sent against them, but with no effect; and the Bheels turned the efforts of the Sepoys into ridicule by robbing camps at night, cutting off stragglers, lundering baggage, cattle, and the like, with persistence...It was then that James Outram, Adjutant of the 23rd Bombay Native Infantry, conceived the project of raising men among them, to form a disciplined police...He went among them alone, gained their confidence and affection, and, in the process of time - a few months - succeeded in forming, with a few men of his own corps, the nucleus of a company. He feasted them, gave them liquor in abundance, was witness to their savage debauchery into which they often relapsed; but their savagery could not withstand the admirable perserverance of the young leader they now followed, and the wildest Bheels became regular soldiers, were drilled and disciplined, and led to the apprehension of their own brethren when the public peace was disturbed...The example of the Khandesh Bheel corps was followed in other places, and thus it happens that the Bheels' control is effected by themselves...'

Subjects = Bhils (ethnic group); ethnic groups; printed books; Watson and Kaye, 'People of India' (8 vols, 1868-75); Watson and Kaye, 'People of India' (vol 7, 1872)