3-012-028 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

A party of Wuzurees crossing the Indus on water-jars, 1864. 'The readiness shown by the natives of India in making the most of the means at their disposal is quite a national characteristic, and is exemplified in a striking degree by the scene which we have engraved. A party of Wuzurees [ie Waziris, are crossing the river Indus leaning on water-jars, which buoy them up sufficiently to keep their matchlocks and ammunition dry, while with their hands they paddle themselves across in precisely the same way as a dog uses his forepaws in swimming. By this means a large number can effect the passage of a river wherever it may chance to cross their line of march, for earthen water-pots being in universal use are easily procured at the village bazaars. The Wuzurees are one of the hill tribes of fanatics on the borders of the Punjaub. They are a set of half wild robbers, living almost entirely by plunder. Having at length intruded their marauding propensities across our frontier, they have, as already stated, received a lesson which will serve to check them for some time to come'. From "Illustrated London News", 1864.