Sindouse

Abstract

As early as 1809 Law had described Parihara in terms that conjure an image of a veritable thieves’ den:

The country is almost everywhere intersected by immense deep ravines and the paths are so very rocked, and narrow, that it not only is difficult but dangerous to make one’s way either on foot or on horseback thro’ many parts of them. These ravines have been inhabited by Tugs and marauders of every description for hundreds of years. They sally forth to distant places to commit their depredations (particularly into the Mahratta dominions) and if I am rightly informed the quantity of diamonds, pearls and other precious commodities which they have stored up in their dens and caverns, cut out of the highest and most inaccessible ravines, is almost beyond belief. In short the Talooka may be considered as a great repository for stolen goods which are smuggled into different parts, as opportunities offer, and no attempt has ever yet been made by any former government, to drive these marauders and pests of society from their seemingly impenetrable strongholds.²

At 26°29′N. and 79°6′E., Sindouse was situated near the confluence of the Rivers Jumna, Chambal, Kunwari, Sind and Pahuj, an area which had been known from old times as Pachnada or ‘Five Rivers’.³