The Hindu Kashmiri Pandits numbered 55,276. ~Tribes of Jammu.~--Agricultural Brahmans are numerous in the Jammu province. Thakkars and Meghs are important elements of the population of the outer hills. The former are no doubt by origin Rajputs, but they have cast off many Rajput customs. The Meghs are engaged in weaving and agriculture, and are regarded as more or less impure by the higher castes. [Illustration: Fig. 32. Blind Beggar.] ~Gujars.~--Gujars in the Maharaja's territories are almost always graziers. In 1911 they numbered 328,003. ~Dard Tribes of Astor and Gilgit.~--The people of Astor and Gilgit are Dards speaking Shina and professing Islam. Sir Aurel Stein wrote of them: "The Dard race which inhabits the valleys N. of (the Inner Himalaya) as far as the Hindu Kush is separated from the Kashmiri population by language as well as by physical characteristics.... There is little in the Dard to enlist the sympathies of the casual observer. He lacks the intelligence, humour, and fine physique of the Kashmiri, and, though undoubtedly far braver than the latter, has none of the independent spirit and manly bearing which draw us towards the Pathan despite all his failings. But I can never see a Dard without thinking of the thousands of years of struggle they have carried on with the harsh climate and the barren soil of their mountains[3]." [Illustration: Fig. 33. Dards.] ~Kanjutis.~--The origin of the Kanjutis of Hunza is uncertain, and so are the relationships of their language. ~Mongoloid Population of Ladakh.~--The population of Ladakh and Baltistan is Mongoloid, but the Baltis (72,439) have accepted Islam and polygamy, while the Ladakhis have adhered to Buddhism and polyandry. [Illustration: Fig. 34. Map showing races.]