Chapter I: Front Matter

The Island of Shastee, commonly called Salsette.--Gharipoore, "the Town of Purification," or the Island and Caves of Elephanta 51

CHAPTER IV.

Sampwallas, or Serpent-Charmers.--Jâdoowallahs, or Miracle-Performers.--Nuzer-Bundyânâ, Mesmerizers.--Yogees, Spiritual Jugglers, and Naga-Poojmi, or Serpent-Worship, in India 65

CHAPTER V.

The Parsees, or Fire-Worshippers, of Bombay.--A Visit to a Fire-Priest and Astrologer.--His Astral Predictions.--The Gâthas. --Zoroaster.--His Life and Religion.--History of the Settlement of the Parsees in India 79

CHAPTER VI.

Domestic Life of the Fire-Worshippers.--The Zend-Avesta.--Parsee Rites and Ceremonies at Birth, Marriage, Death, and Final Consignment to the Tower of Silence 105

CHAPTER VII.

Hindoo Treatment of the Sick.--Pundit's House Defiled.--Its Purification.--Short Sketch of the Different Races and of the Origin of Castes and Creeds among the People of Hindostan 129

CHAPTER VIII.

A Visit to the House of Baboo Ram Chunder.--His Wife.--Rajpoot Wrestlers.--Nautchnees, or Hindoo Ballet-Girls.--A Hindoo Drama.--Visit to a Nautchnees' School.--Bayahdiers, or Dancing-Girls, attached to the Hindoo Temples.--Profession, Education, Dress, Character, Fate in Old Age and After Death.--Cusbans, or Common Women.--Marked Differences between these three Classes of Public Women 173

CHAPTER IX.

From Bombay to Poonah, the Capital of the Maha Rastra, or the great Indian Kings.--Campooly.--The Ascent of the Bhor Ghauts.--Khondala.--Caves of Carlee or Karli.--"Puja Chakra," or the famous Wheel-Worship of the Brahmans.--Poonah.--Kirki.--A Visit to the Peishwa's Palace.--Temple of Parvati.--The Pundit and the Brahmin Priest at Prayer.--Sanscrit and English Colleges at Poonah.--Suttee Monuments at Sangam.--Hindoo Bankers, etc. 208

CHAPTER X.

The beautiful Hindoo Village of Wye.--The Mahabaleshwar Hills.--The Temple of the Gods.--The Couch of Krishna.--The Stone Image of the Cow from whose Mouth the Five Rivers of this Region are said to Spring.--The Holy Tank.--Satarah, the Star City of the Mahratta Empire.--The Fort.--The Palace of Sivaji.--Jejureh, the famous Hill-Temples where the Dancing-Girls of the Country are Recruited.--The Mad Gossain, and the Story of his Ill-Fated Love.--The Dancing-Girl Krayâhnee 228

CHAPTER XI.

From Satarah, the Star City of the great Mahratta Kings, to Dowlutabâd, the Abode of Fortune, and Aurungabâd, the Golden City of the Mohgul Emperors.--Tombs of Boorhan Ood Deen and Aurungzebe.--Mausoleum of Rhabea Duranee.--Sketch of the Mohgul Invasion of India.--Manners, Customs, and Religious Ceremonies of the Mohammedans of Hindostan 243

CHAPTER XII.

The Temples of Ellora, the Holy Place of the Deccan.--Nashik, the Land of the Râmâyanâ.--Sights and Scenes on the Banks of the Godaveri.--Damaun, the most famous of the Indo-Portuguese Towns 270

CHAPTER XIII.

The Taptee River.--Surat and its Environs.--The Borahs and Kholees of Guzerat.--Baroda, the Capital of the Guicowars.--Fakeers, or Relic-Carriers, of Baroda.--Cambay. --Mount Aboo.--Jain Temples on Mount Aboo, etc. 286