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Story
May 24, 1853
The Camden Weekly Journal
Camden, Kershaw County, South Carolina
What is this article about?
Account from Koenigberger's travels in the East describing the Hindu custom among the poor of leaving terminally ill on the Ganges banks to die near the sacred river. Relatives handle simple cremations or river disposal. Survivors form a isolated colony in Santipore near Calcutta, severing old ties.
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EXPOSURE OF SICK HINDOOS ON THE BANKS
OF THE GANGES.—We take the following from
Koenigberger's Thirty-five years in the East.
As we approached Bengal, I observed on
both banks of the Ganges, a gradually increasing
number of cane mats, coverlets, drinking
vessels, &c.; and also many sick persons lying upon mats, &c. On inquiring the cause, I
found that it was the custom of the country
among the poorer classes, that when a patient
was supposed to be past all hope of recovery,
his relations conveyed him to the banks of the
Ganges, so that he might die in the vicinity, of
the sacred river. The relations or friends of
the patients visit the spot, to ascertain whether they are still living; when death ensues, they
purchase a sufficiency of wood to make a funeral
pile, and commit the body to the flames;
when their means do not afford the expenses of
doing this they merely burn a portion of the
face, and then push the body into the sacred
river. When a patient thus situated, happens
to recover, he considers that he has as it were
acquired a new life, and thenceforth all his
former relations and friends are treated as
strangers; he never returns to the dwelling in
which he had formerly resided; but wanders
down the Ganges until he arrives at Santipore
near Calcutta, where he settles himself: and it
is a curious fact, that nearly the whole population of Santipore is composed of such persons.
These people never again hold any communication with those who have been nearest and
dearest to them, and they contract marriages
among themselves (only. This town or colony
—the only one, perhaps, of its kind in the world
may be called the colony of convalescents.
OF THE GANGES.—We take the following from
Koenigberger's Thirty-five years in the East.
As we approached Bengal, I observed on
both banks of the Ganges, a gradually increasing
number of cane mats, coverlets, drinking
vessels, &c.; and also many sick persons lying upon mats, &c. On inquiring the cause, I
found that it was the custom of the country
among the poorer classes, that when a patient
was supposed to be past all hope of recovery,
his relations conveyed him to the banks of the
Ganges, so that he might die in the vicinity, of
the sacred river. The relations or friends of
the patients visit the spot, to ascertain whether they are still living; when death ensues, they
purchase a sufficiency of wood to make a funeral
pile, and commit the body to the flames;
when their means do not afford the expenses of
doing this they merely burn a portion of the
face, and then push the body into the sacred
river. When a patient thus situated, happens
to recover, he considers that he has as it were
acquired a new life, and thenceforth all his
former relations and friends are treated as
strangers; he never returns to the dwelling in
which he had formerly resided; but wanders
down the Ganges until he arrives at Santipore
near Calcutta, where he settles himself: and it
is a curious fact, that nearly the whole population of Santipore is composed of such persons.
These people never again hold any communication with those who have been nearest and
dearest to them, and they contract marriages
among themselves (only. This town or colony
—the only one, perhaps, of its kind in the world
may be called the colony of convalescents.
What sub-type of article is it?
Curiosity
Medical Curiosity
Historical Event
What themes does it cover?
Misfortune
Recovery
Providence Divine
What keywords are associated?
Ganges Banks
Hindu Customs
Dying Practices
Santipore Colony
Convalescents
Where did it happen?
Banks Of The Ganges, Bengal, Santipore Near Calcutta
Story Details
Location
Banks Of The Ganges, Bengal, Santipore Near Calcutta
Story Details
Custom among poor Hindus: terminally ill left on Ganges banks to die near sacred river; relatives cremate if possible or partially burn and dispose in river; survivors gain new life, sever ties, settle in Santipore colony of convalescents who marry only among themselves.