The traveller will sometimes be visited by sets of _nautch-girls_, who either reside in some of the principal towns, and make a point of offering their services towards the amusement of _gentlemen_ traversing the country; or who are itinerants, that pick up a livelihood by rambling about, chiefly among the villages inhabited by Mahomedans, whose dispositions are more prompt than those of the Hindus to receive gratification from voluptuous exhibitions. Besides, the latter are generally more penurious, and are so rigidly tied down, both by tenet, and by the vigilance of their neighbours, as to have but little scope for indulgence in those sensualities, which the followers of the Prophet, who anxiously look forward to the enjoyment of the _houris_, are less scrupulous to conceal.
The greater part of the individuals composing the _taffah_, or set of female dancers, are either attached by family connections, such as marriage with the _oostauds_ and _surmaunjahs_, who are the instructors and musicians; or they are slaves obtained by purchase during times of scarcity: some, indeed, are kidnapped when very young, on account of their promising features; these rarely are able to give any account of their parentage, and do not always know the districts in which they were born.
Whatever may be their origin, or their connection, the dancers, who are likewise vocal performers, are entirely subservient to some person, whether male or female, who is considered the proprietor of the _set_, and on whose application to any court of law, or to any _soubah_, or person in power, any run-away is immediately pursued, and restored to the _taffah_; whether the obligation be peremptory, such as in the case of a _baundy_, or actual slave; or merely implied, as in the case of a _paulah_, or person preserved from famine, &c., and reared in the capacity of a menial.
The Mahomedan law barely recognizes actual slavery, but makes a great distinction in favor of those who purchase, or thus adopt, children that would otherwise, in all probability, perish from want. The latter are considered to be the property of the patron, until arrived at their full growth, which is understood to be about the age of eighteen; but this affords easy evitation to such proprietors of _taffahs_ as feel an interest in the detention of any particular girls under their authority.