Khwand-Kar
This article is an extract from
THE TRIBES and CASTES of BENGAL. Ethnographic Glossary. Printed at the Bengal Secretariat Press. 1891. . |
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Khwand-Kar
The Khwand-Kar is a teacher, or reader, in the Persian language, but in Eastern Bengal he performs for the lower classes divers abnormal duties, originating in the corrupt and Hinduized Muhammadanism of India. He is often styled the Murshid, or religious guide, and Akhund, or tutor. As a rule he is very illiterate and only able to read Arabic with difficulty, but he makes much of this smattering of knowledge. Thirty years ago they were important individuals, their services being in great demand, but the reformed teaching of modern times has been gradually undermining this influence, and they are now little respected, and seldom consulted.
During the early years of this century, when Islam in Bengal was still paralyzed by the revolution that had occurred, the Khwand-Kars educated boys, instructing them in the rudiments of their religion. At the present day, however, Munshis generally teach children, although a Khwand-Kar is often preferred by strict Muhammadans to instruct their children in the doctrines of the faith, and teach them the "Kalma," or confession of faith.
This preceptor, moreover, makes Murids, or disciples, exorcises persons possessed of devils, and cures diseases by preparing charms (ta'wiz); while many families consult him on all occasions of sickness; and his ability to relieve suffering is never for a moment questioned by women. Should a child be attacked by a fever, or convulsions, the father goes to the Khwand-Kar and obtains a charm, usually consisting of a sentence of the Koran scribbled on a piece of paper, which is fastened to the child's hair, or arm, or the Khwand-Kar mumbling a few sentences from the same book, blows into a cup of water and gives it to the father as a medicinal draught.
Parents put implicit faith in the efficacy of these charms, and every Muhammadan can relate wonderful cures effected by them. It is said that if an adult, disabled by a neuralgic or rheumatic pain, drinks water in which the written charm of a Khwand-Kar has been dipped, immediate relief is procured, and no native will deny the possibility of this occurring.
Of old, in the city of Sunargaon resided a celebrated family of Khwand-Kars who were often Faqirs, and whose power (Amal) over spirits and Paris was unequalled, but nowadays their descendants have fallen into deserved contempt, because when summoned, the spirits no longer appear.
