AN INDIAN FAKIR.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLI, Issue 95, 24 April 1907, Page 3

AN INDIAN FAKIR.

A Bengal correspondent writes to "Bande Mataram," from Serampu-re: —A Mussulman fakir of some pretensions has lately made his appea. ance in Se-i;ampore, and is for the moment the hero of the town and the adjoining villages. He has fixed his temporary abode in a lonely graveyard outside the town, but the fame of his sanctity and miraculous powers is such that/this once desolate place, where people ; would riot dare to go, even in broad daylight, has been converted into a crowded town by his presence. Men, women, and children of all ranks ot" life, of al ages, and of all creeds, aye flocking to the new shrine eager to catch a glimpse of the holy "Baba" and to■ have a • word ' from his mouth. Men of'the highest culture-and ■refinement, such as High Court pleaders, respectable doctors, Government pensioners, honorary magistrates, municipal commissioners, and ladies of the richest and highest families are among his daily visitors. The fakir himself is clothed in old worn-out garments of his order, and is by no means a haiidsome or.attractive man. His exterior doss not show that he possesses a stronger or mere subtle intellect than ny illiterate peasant. His antecedents aro unknown even to his devoted admirers. He is said to be fed by unearthly food, so that he does not stand in need of mundane nourishment. The elements are said to be obedient to him, and he creates fire, water, etc., at his will; He reads the past, present, and future of anybody and everybody for the mere asking, and his powers in this respect are admitted by ail to be infallible. He diagnoses at first sight diseases most secret and unknown,, and is said to cure and heal where science of doctors and physicians fails.. In a word, there is no case so hard or hopeless which he does not profess to- cure . t He is credited with powers of restoring sight to the blind, hearing and power of speech to the deaf and dumb, powers of free and natural movements to the lame and the cripple. He does not accept any presents and dispenses his medicines free to all. He is said to have more thah once refused princely offers from those benefited by him, and : he prefers his poverty and mysterious powers to ajl thaft this earth can afford. , The credulous whisper amongst themselves that he has at his beck and call a host of invisible spirits who obey him like slaves.: ',' : ;'■".= '•■'.'. ■■"-..,•■...: