Ben Naphtali, a famous rabbi of the fifth century. He was one of the principal masorets, and bred at the school of Tiberias in Palestine, with Ben Aser, another masoret. The invention of points in Hebrew to serve for vowels, and of accents to facilitate the reading of the language, are ascribed by some to these two rabbins; and said to be introduced in an assembly of the Jews held at Tiberias, A.D. 476.
JACOBIN MONKS, the same with Dominicans.
JACOBINS, the name assumed by a party or club at the beginning of the French revolution, composed of members of the National Assembly. The club held its meetings in the hall belonging to the Jacobin friars, and from the place of assemblage derived its name.
JACOBITES, a term of reproach, in England, bestowed on the persons who, vindicating the doctrines of passive obedience and non-resistance with respect to the arbitrary proceedings of princes, disavowed the revolution in 1688, and asserted the supposed rights of King James and his family.
JACOBITES, in Ecclesiastical History, a sect of Christians in Syria and Mesopotamia, and so called, either from Jacob a Syrian, who lived in the reign of the Emperor Mauritius, or from one Jacob, a monk, who flourished in the year 550. The Jacobites were of two sects, some following the rites of the Latin church, and others continuing separated from that church. There is also a division amongst the latter, who have two rival patriarchs. As to their belief, they hold but one nature in Jesus Christ; with respect to purgatory and prayers for the dead, they are of the same opinion with the Greeks and other eastern Christians; they consecrate unleavened bread at the eucharist, and are against confession, believing that it is not of divine institution.
JACOBSTADT, a town of Russian Finland, and capital of the circle of Korsholm, stands on the sea-shore, and contains 218 houses, with 1250 inhabitants. Long. 22° 27'. E. Lat. 63° 31'. N.
JACOBUS, a gold coin, worth twenty-five shillings, and so called from King James I. of England, in whose reign it was struck. There are two kinds of Jacobus, the old and the new; the former valued at twenty-five shillings, weighing six pennyweights ten grains; the latter, called also Carolus, valued at twenty-three shillings, and in weight five pennyweights twenty grains.
JACOTTA, a small town on the sea-coast of the province of Cochin. It is a fortified place, with a small harbour, where it is said St Thomas the apostle first landed from Africa. Long. 76° 1'. E. Lat. 0° 14'. S.
JACTALLI, a town of Hindustan, belonging to the nizam, in the province of Hyderabad. Long. 79° 32'. E. Lat. 18° 48'. N.
JAEN, an ancient kingdom of the south of Spain, now forming one of the four portions into which the province of Andalusia is divided. The extent of this province is 268 square leagues, and its population amounts to 206,807 souls. La Mancha bounds it on the north, Cordova on the west, and Granada on the east and south. It is surrounded on every side by lofty mountains, which almost exclude it from intercourse with the surrounding provinces. Its surface is a constant alternation of hills and valleys; and as from the surrounding mountains innumerable rivulets issue, its lower levels of land are abundantly irrigated, and therefore highly productive, whilst the hills, from want of moisture, are barren, or yield little except sheep pasture in the winter season, when the merino flocks, driven from the north, seek food in the southern provinces. It produces wheat and barley, but not sufficient for its consumption. It has abundance of oil, and a full supply of wine, and its fruits are exquisite and plentiful. The principal river is the Guadalquivir, which runs through the centre of the province, and receives additions to its copious stream from the junction of the Guadalmar, the Jandula, the Jaen, and the Escobar. There are some mines of lead in this province, in which sometimes considerable quantities of silver are found. These mines were of some celebrity whilst the Romans governed Spain; and though the silver has been less sought for since the discovery of the mines of America, yet, for the sake of the lead, they are now carried on by the government, and furnish sheet lead, shot, and musket balls, to the southern part of the kingdom. The manufacture of earthen jars, called alcarrazas, for keeping liquors in a cool state in the warmest weather, is the most considerable production of Jaen that is sent out of the province; and they are much esteemed in every part of Andalusia. The celebrated university of Alcala la Real, founded by Cardinal Ximenes, still exists in this province, and is attended by a number of students in divinity. The biblical scholar recognises it as having been the scene of the labours of the editors of the Complutensian edition of the Old Testament. In this province is the celebrated field, called the Plain of Tolosa, on which, six centuries ago, the most sanguinary battle was fought that the history of Spain has recorded.
Jaen, a city of Spain, capital of the ancient kingdom of the same name, in latitude 37.48, and now forming one of the divisions of Andalusia, is situated on the declivity of a mountain, between some lofty sierras, in a fertile and productive country, which yields some wine and abundance of oil, for which there are twenty-seven mills. It stands on the left bank of a small river, now of the same name, but called by the Moors Guadalbullon, which, after proceeding about six leagues beyond this city, falls into the Guadalquivir below Mengibar. The city is deemed very healthy. The situation being elevated about 1400 feet above the level of the sea, renders it temperate; and the sierras which surround it, by the breezes that descend from them, tend to refresh the air in the most sultry seasons. The inhabitants amount to about 9000, who are not distinguished by their industry; and the only manufactures that are carried on are those of leather and soap. It is a bishop's see; and the cathedral, of great antiquity, has no peculiar beauty to render it deserving of notice.
Jaffierabad, a town of Hindustan, in the province of Benar, twenty-four miles north from Jalnapoor. Long. 76.36. E. Lat. 20.17. N.
Jaffrabat, a town of Hindustan, on the sea-coast of the Gujerat peninsula, on the banks of a shallow river. It was formerly a place of considerable commerce, but is now possessed by native chiefs. Long. 71.31. E. Lat. 20.53. N.
Jafna, the capital of the district of Jafnapatam. It stands at some distance from the sea, but communicates with it by a river navigable for large boats, and which falls into the sea near Point Pedro. The town is fortified, and possesses a good citadel, which, though small, is exceedingly well built; but it was given up in 1795, after a short resistance, to the British troops. The situation is salubrious, and living is cheap; on which account many families have removed to this place from Columbo. The greater part of the inhabitants are of Mahommedan extraction, and are divided into several tribes, known by the names of Lubbahs, Moplays, Chitties, and Cholias. The foreign settlers are more numerous than the native inhabitants. There are manufactures of coarse cotton cloths, calicoes, handkerchiefs, shawls, stockings, &c.; and there are also many artificers, such as goldsmiths, jewellers, joiners, and cabinet-makers.
Jafnapatam is the name of a district in the northern extremity of Ceylon. It is considered as the most healthy and populous part of the island, as it escapes, owing to its maritime situation, the intensely hot winds which prevail on the continent. It is clear of woods, produces a variety of fruit and vegetables, and abounds also in poultry and game; whilst the tract that lies between Point Pedro and Jafna is favourable to the breeding of sheep. In the islands dependent on this district, namely, Delft, Harlem, Leyden, and Amsterdam, so named by the Dutch from their native cities, government has an establishment for breeding horses and cattle, for which the islands afford excellent pasture. The woods towards the interior, separating the district from the Candian provinces, are inhabited by a savage race of people known by the name of the Vadahs or Bedahs, who are supposed to be the ancient inhabitants of the country.
Jagepoor, a large straggling town of Hindustan, in the province of Cuttack, situated on the south side of the Byturnee River, which is here nearly half a mile broad. It is the chief town of a principality of the same name, and has a manufacture of cotton cloths. Here formerly resided an independent rajah, who, in the year 1243, repelled the Afghans from his territory, and, pursuing them into Bengal, laid siege to Gour, the ancient capital of that country. They were again totally defeated in the year 1263. We have no certain account of the time when this country fell into the power of the Mahommedans, by whom it was possessed until it was conquered by the Mahrattas. During the period of the Mogul government it was a place of some consequence, and the remains of several Mahommedan mosques and other edifices are still visible. In the year 1751 it was ceded to the Mahrattas, under whose government it has declined; but it will probably recover, since the province has been subjected to the authority of Britain. Long. 88.35. E. Lat. 20.50. N.
Jagerndorf, or, in the Slavonic, Karnou, a city of the Austrian province of Moravia, situated on the river Oppa. It is surrounded with high walls, contains two colleges, the castle of the Lobenstein family, and 538 houses, with 4590 inhabitants, who are occupied in manufacturing linen and woollen goods of various descriptions.
Jageron, a river of Persia, which rises nearly 120 miles north-east of Casbin, and loses itself in a sandy desert after a course of 150 miles.
Jaggeraut. See Juggernaut.
Jaghire, a district of the Carnatic, now included in the collectorship of Chingleput. It extends northwards from Madras to the Pullicat Lake, southwards to Allumparva, and westwards beyond Conjeveram. It is about 108 miles along shore, and forty-seven inland in the widest part, containing altogether 2440 square miles. This territory was obtained in the years 1750 and 1763, from the nabob of Arcot, in return for services rendered to him and his father by the Company; and was rented to the nabob on renewed leases until 1780, when it was taken under the management of the presidency of St George. This territory was dreadfully ravaged by Hyder Ali in 1768, and in the war of 1780; and was left in a state almost desolate, with nothing to mark its former state but the bones of those who had been massacred, or the naked walls of houses, temples, &c. A destructive famine, which succeeded, completed the ruin of the country.
Jaghire, an assignment made in Bengal by an imperial grant upon the revenue of any district, to defray civil or military charges, pensions, gratuities, and the like.
Jaghiredar, the holder of a jaghire.
Jago, Richard, an ingenious poet, was vicar of Snitterfield in Warwickshire, and rector of Kincote in Leicestershire. He was the intimate friend and correspondent of Shenstone, who was his contemporary at Oxford, and also, it is believed, his school-fellow; he belonged to University College, and took the degree of master of arts in 1739; and he was author of several poems in the fourth and fifth volumes of Dodslcy's collection. He died on the 28th of May 1781.
JAGO, St. See SANTIAGO.
Jago, St., the name of several provinces, towns, and rivers of South America, which will be described under the heads of the several countries in which they occur.
Jago, St., one of the Cape de Verde Islands. See VERDE ISLANDS, CAPE DE.
JAGRAAM, a town of Hindustan, in Delhi, belonging to the Seiks. Long. 75. E. Lat. 30. 47. N.
JAGUER. See JAGHIRE.
JAGUEERDAR. See JAGHIREDAR.
JAHDÉ, a town of the circle of Neuenburg, in the duchy of Oldenburg, in Germany, on a navigable river of the same name, which empties itself into the sea about two miles below the town. It contains 307 houses, with 2160 inhabitants. Long. 8. 12. 43. E. Lat. 53. 20. 45. N.
JAHIL, a town of Hindustan, in the Rajpoot territories, in the province of Ajmeer, sixty-five miles west-north-west from Jyanagur. Long. 74. 38. E. Lat. 27. 9. N.
JAHJOW, a village of Hindustan, in the province of Agra, remarkable for two great battles fought near it; the first on the 8th of June 1658, in which Aurungzebe was totally defeated; and the last on the 19th of June 1707, between the son and grandson of Aurungzebe, in which the latter was slain.
JAILLIEU, a town of the arrondissement of La Tour du Pin, in the department of the Isère, in France, on the river Bourbre. It contains 420 houses, and 1620 inhabitants, who are employed in paper-making and in calico-printing.
JAINS, called by some JOINS, a sect or rather race of Hindus, found in considerable numbers in different parts of India, particularly in the southern peninsula. They form a class of dissenters from the established faith of Brahminism, so generally considered throughout India as alone founded on an orthodox basis. They deny altogether the authority of the Vedas, regarded by the genuine Hindu as the holiest of books. They either disown, or sink into a subordinate station, all the grand objects of Hindu veneration. In their hypothesis concerning the origin of the world, they have adopted opinions which seem to partake of the character of atheism. They do not, like the followers of the Vedas, acknowledge any spiritual and eternal Being, from whom the universe derived its origin. The material world, as well as the minds of all men and animals, are held by them to be eternal. They refuse to acknowledge anything which is not, or has not been, the object of the senses. Upon this principle they deny the existence of any beings superior to man, and admit no objects of worship except men who have raised themselves by their merits to the rank of divinities. As, however, they set no bounds to the perfection which the human soul may arrive at, their most eminent saints and pontiffs (amongst whom they particularly celebrate Gomat Iswara Swami) partake almost of the attributes of supreme divinity. To this station, however, they are exalted, not in consequence of a virtuous life, or of benefits rendered to mankind, but of those excesses of absurd and extravagant penance to which, throughout all India, such sovereign merit is attached. They have three ranks of ascetics, whom they call Yatis. The first, called Amavarta, can be attained only by him who forsakes his family, entirely cuts off his hair, holds always in his hand a bundle of peacock's feathers and an earthen pot, and wears only clothes of a tawny colour. The second rank, Mahavarta, requires that all dress should be abandoned except a mere rag to cover nakedness, and that the hair instead of being shaven off, should be pulled out by the roots. He who aspires still higher, and seeks to attain the third degree, or Nirvana, throws aside even rags, and remains entirely naked; he eats nothing but rice, and that only once in two days. The name is nearly synonymous with that of Deity, and he is held in nearly equal veneration with the priests and rajahs, whose images are worshipped in the temples. At Billicull, or Belligola, the residence of their high priest, they have a gigantic image of Gomat Iswara Swami, the foot of which is nine feet in length, so that the height of the entire statue cannot be less than fifty-four feet; and there is a similar one at Kurcul, near Mangalore. This worship of gigantic images is common to them with the followers of Buddha, whom they also closely resemble in their theological tenets; nay, Samana and Gaudma, the main objects of Buddh veneration, are enumerated by the Jains amongst the earliest and most venerated of their priests. On the other hand, they differ from them entirely in being divided into four castes, distinguished from each other by the same privileges and manners as amongst other Hindus. The Jains observe also similar penances, carrying them only to a greater extreme. They are also scrupulous to a still greater degree as to causing the death of any living thing, even the minutest insect. The strictest Jains, to guard against this danger, do not eat after sunset; they have always a small broom to sweep the ground before them, and never drink water unless strained through a cloth. The orthodox Hindus have ceremonies by which any involuntary offence of this kind may be expiated; but the Jains, not allowing the efficacy of these, have no means of relieving their soul from the burden of such a trespass. Like the other Hindus, they consider it as unlawful for the widow to marry again, but discourage the barbarous practice of sacrificing herself on the body of the husband. On the whole, it would appear, that whilst their doctrines and belief closely coincide with those of the Buddhists, their civil and social life is discriminated only by minute shades from that of the Hindus. They have a system of their own with regard to history, chronology, and physics, of which we need only observe, that its tenets are still more extravagant and absurd than those contained in the orthodox pages of the Vedas and Puranas. (See Asiatic Annual Register, vol. ix.; Dubois on the Manners of the People of India, Lond. 1817; Ward on the History, Literature, and Religion of the Hindus, Lond. 1817.)
JAIVER, a town of Hindustan, in the province of Delhi, situated on the east side of the Jamuna, forty-three miles south by east from Delhi. Long. 78. 28. E. Lat. 28. 9. N.
JAJARCOTE, a town of Hindustan, tributary to the Goorkhali rajah of Nepaul. Long. 81. 30. E. Lat. 29. 39. N.
JAJGHUR, a town of Hindustan, in the province of Ajmeer, and capital of a district of the same name. It formerly belonged to the rajah of Odeypoor, from whom it was taken by Zalm Singh, chief of Kotah, about the year 1803. The surrounding district comprehends eighty-four villages and towns, twenty-two of which are inhabited by a race of plunderers called Meenas, who give only personal service for their lands. The fort of Jaighur is built on the top of an oblong hill, and consists of two walls with ruined bastions, each having a ditch, and the outer wall lying a considerable way down the hill. The town is large, well built, and fortified.
JALEMUS, in Antiquity, a kind of mournful song, used upon occasion of death, or any other affecting occurrence. Hence originated the Greek proverb, λαλεῖν ἀπορρίπτειν, or λαλεῖν ἀπορρίπτειν, worthy to be ranked among jalemus.
JALOFFS, or YALOFFS, a warlike people inhabiting that part of Africa lying between Senegal and the Mandingo states on the Gambia. See AFRICA.
JAMADAR, an officer of horse or foot, in Hindustan; also the head or superintendent of the peons in the seaway or train of any great man.