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THE IMPERIAL GAZETTEER OF INDIA.
MORRISON AND GIMB, FDINBURGH,
PRINTEKS TO MER MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICR.
HE IMPERIAL GAZETTEER OF INDIA.
D)
W. W. HUNTER, CSI, CLE, LLD,
DIRECTOR-GENMEAL OF STATISTICS TO THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA.
VOLUME XI.
PALI TO RATIA.
SECOND EDITION.
TRUBNER & CO. LONDON, 1886.
100750
2 PALI TOWN—PALTA.
Tn others, where the river runs between higher banks and with a
narrower flood-basin, fine crops of opium, tobacco, and vegetables are
mised along the river bank, owing to the ease with which a never~
failing supply of watcr is drawn from it, West of these villages, a
belt of high, dry, uneven, unproductive Médr, with an average breadth
of about 3 miles, runs parallel with the Garra. All the villages in this
tract have been rated in the third or fourth class, Here rents are low
and wells are few. In some of the villages there is no irrigation at all.
‘To the west of this tract, and up to the boundary stream of the Sendha,
breadths of dlidk jungle intersected by narrow marshy f4i/s, along
whose edges cultivation is gradually extending, alternate with treeless
ridges of thinly cropped é4i#r, Many of the jungle villages are fairly
productive, with average soil and good water-supply ; but in some the
‘soll is cold, stiff, and unproductive, and in almost all, cultivators are
still few, rents are low, and much mischief is done by wild animals.
Tn the extreme west of the pargand, as in the cast along the Garra, a
‘narrow strip of moderately yood land fringes the Sendha. There is
‘not a mile of metalled road in the pargand. Cart-tracks wind deviously
from village to village. Area, 73 square miles, of which 46 are under
cultivation, Population (88x) 25,962, namely, 24,100 Hindus and 1862
Muhammadans. The staple products are ddjra and harley, which
occupy three-fifths of the cultivated area. Wheat, @rhar, rice, and
gram, make up the greater portion of the remainder. Government
land revenue, £3704, falling at the rate of 2s, 6d. per cultivated acre,
or 1s, 7d. per acre of total area, Of the 92 villages comprising the
pargand, 50 are held by Sombansi Rajputs, and 22 by Bréhmans
Tilukdéri tenure prevails in x9 villages, 56 are caminddrf, and 17
imperfect pattidéri.
‘Palii—Town in Shihdbad ¢a/si/, Mardoi District, Oudh, and head-
quarters of Puli feryand ; situated on the right bank of the Garra, 20
‘miles north-west of Hardoi town. Lat. 27° 31" 45” w., long. 79° 53° 20°
#. A flourishing town under native rule, but somewhat decayed of
Jate years, especially in the Muhammadan quarters. Population (x881)
3562. Two mosques and a Hindu temple; Government school.
Market twice a week. Manufacture of coarse cotton cloth.
PAlia.—Fargand in Lakbimpur ¢ahsi/, Kheri District, Oudh ; lying
‘between the Suhel and Sarda rivers, which respectively border it on the
north and south; the eastern boundary is formed by Shdhjahdnpur
District of the North-Western Provinces; and the western by
Nighdsan pargend. Area, 139 square miles, of which 37 are under
cultivation, the remainder being chiefly taken up by Government forest-
reserves. A jungle pargand of the same character as Kiuareicarn,
the Raja of which is also its proprictor, Population (1881) 18,27
namely, 1§,770 Hindus, 2495 Muhammadans, and 12 * others,’
4 i = =
4 PALITANA TOWN.
the chief, in lieu of his levying a direct tax of 4s. a head on all pilgrims
visiting the shrines, with the proviso that a scrutiny lasting two years, or
longer if necessary, might be demanded by either side at the termina-
tion of that period, with = view of ascertaining whether the yearly sum
of Rs. ro,000 was more or less than the right amount. The chief
demanded such a scrutiny in 1879, and due arrangements having been
made, the count of pilgrims commenced on the 2grd April 1880, The
result of the collections derived from the pilgrims during the year
1882-83 showed that the sum formerly paid by the Jain community to
the chief in lieu of all demands was not sufficient, and justified the
procedure ordered by the Government. No final decision, however,
to the future amount to be paid by the Jain priests to the Palitina chief
had been arrived at up to 1885, A decision of the British Government,
given in March 1877, while it upholds the chief's legitimate authority,
secures to the sect its long-established possessions, and maintains the
sacred isolation of the hill.
‘The chief does not hold a sanad authorizing adoption ; in matters of
succession the rule of primogeniture is followed, The chief is a
Hindu of the Gohel clan of Rajputs; he administers the affairs of his
State in person, and has power to try his own subjects only. He
enjoys an estimated gross yearly revenue of £20,000; pays tribute
of £1036, 8s. jointly to the Giekwir of Baroda and the Nawab of
uh; and maintains a military force of 455 men. There are
(1882-83) 46 schools, with 579 pupils. No transit dues are levied in
the State.
PAliténa.—Chicf town of Pilitina Smtc, Kathidwar, Bombay Pre-
sidency ; situated in lat, ar* 31’ 10” x, and long, 71” 53° 20" &., at the
eastern base of the famous Satrunjaya Hill; distant from Ahmaddbdd
120 miles south-west; from Baroda 105 south-west; from Surat jo
north-west ; and from Bombay 190 north-west. Population (1881) 7659,
namely, 4436 Hindus, 1627 Muhammadans, and 1596 Jains. Formerly
the chieftown of a Mughal fargand. School, dispensary, and post-office,
Connected by a good road with Songarb, the head-quarters of the
Gohelwir division, 14 miles to the north.
Satrunjaya Hill, to which reference has been made in the foregoing
article, is sacred to Adinith, the deified priest of the Jains. It is 1977
fect above sea-level. The summit is divided into two peaks, but the
valley between has been partly built over by a wealthy Jain mere
chant. The entire summit is covered with temples, among which the
most famous are those of Adindth, Kumar Pal, Vimalisah, Sampriti
‘Raja, and the Chaumukh. ‘This last is the most lofty, and can be clearly
distinguished at a distance of 25 miles. Satrunjaya is the most sacred
of the five sacred hills of the Jains. Mr. Kinloch Forbes in the Rds
Ala describes it as the ‘first of all places of pilgrimages, the bridal hall
6 PALITANA TOWN.
‘On reaching the summit of the mountain, the view that presents
itself from the top of the walls is magnificent in extent; a splendid
setting for the unique picture—this work of human toil we have
reached. To the east, the prospect extends to the Gulf of Cambay near
Gogo and Bhaunagar ; to the north, it is bounded by the granite range
of Sihor (Sehore) and the Chamdrdi peak ; to the north-west and west,
the plain extends as far as the eye can reach, except where broken
due west by the summits of Mount Girnar—revered alike by Hindu,
Buddhist, and Jain, the latter of whom claim it as sacred to Nemindth
their twenty-second Tirthankar. From west to east, like a silver
ribbon across the foreground to the south, winds the Satrunjaya river,
which the eye follows until it is lost between the Talaja and Khokara
Hills in the south-west. But after this digression, let us return to the
scene beside us. How shall I describe it? It is truly a city of temples
—for, except a few tanks, there is nothing else within the gates, and
there is a cleanliness, withal, about every square and passage, porch and
hall, that is itself no mean source of pleasure. The silence, too, is
striking. Now and then in the mornings you hear a bell for a few
seconds, or the beating of a drum for as short a time, and on holidays
chants from the larger temples meet your ear; but generally during the
after-part of the day the only sounds are those of vast flocks of pigeons
that rush about spasmodically from the roof of one temple to that of
another, apparently as an exercise in fluttering and just to keep their
wings in use. Parroquets and squirrels, doves and ringdoves abound,
and peacocks are occasionally met with on the outer walls. The top
of the hill consists of two ridges, each about 350 yards long, with a
valley between ; the southern ridge is higher at the western end than
the northern, but this in turn is higher at the eastern extremity. Each
of these ridges, and the two large enclosures that fill the valley, are
surrounded by massive battlemented walls fitted for defence. The
buildings on both ridges, again, are divided into separate enclosures,
called tués, generally containing one principal temple, with varying
numbers of smaller ones. Each of these enclosures is protected by
strong gates and walls, and all gates are carefully closed at sundown.’
A description of one of these ¢vés must suffice here, but the reader
who wishes to pursue the subject will find an account of the other
temples in Mr. Burgess’ Notes of a Visit to Satrunjaya Hill, published
at Bombay. The ¢wé now to be described is that of Khartarvasi, of
which the principal temple is that of the Chaumukh or ‘four-faced’
Jaina occupying the centre. ‘It is,’ says Mr. Burgess (of. cit), ‘a fine
pile of the sort, and may be considered a type of its class. It stands
ona platform raised fully 2 feet above the level of the court, and 57
feet wide by about 67 in length, but the front of the building extends
some distance beyond the end of this. The body of the temple consists
8 PALITANA TOWN,
gold, and almost always the breasts are mounted with one of the
precious metals, whilst there are occasionally gold plates on the
shoulders, elbow, and knee-joints, and a crown on the head—that on
the principal one in the Motisah being a very elegant and massive gold
one. But the peculiar feature is the eyes, which seem to peer at you
from every chapel like those of so many cats. They appear to be made
of silver overlaid with pieces of glass, very clumsily cemented on, and
in every case projecting so far, and of such a form, as to give one the
idea of their all wearing spectacles with lenticular glasses over very
watery eyes in diseased sockets,
"The original temple in this fk is snid to date back to a king
Vikrama ; but whether he of the Samvat era, §7 1.c., or Harsha Vikrum-
dditya, about 500 4.p., or some other, is not told. It appears to have
been rebuilt in its present form about 1619 a.p., by Seva Somjl of
Ahmadabad, for we read thus :—“Samvat 1675, in the time of Sultin
Nifpud-din Jahdngir, Sawai Vijaya Rajé, and the princes Sultén Khushru
and Khurmé, on Saturday, Baisdkh Sudi 13th, Devrdj and his family,
of which were Somji and his wife, Rajdldevi, erected the temple of the
fourfaced Adindth,” etc. A stair on the north side leads to the upper
storey of the tower. This temple is said to contain a hundred and
twenty-five images.’
Fergusson, in his History of Indian and Eastern Architecture, has the
following remarks on the Jain temple-cities, with special reference to this,
the greatest of them all:—‘ The grouping together of their temples into
what may be called “cities of temples,” is a peculiarity which the Jains
practised to a greater extent than the followers of any other religion in
India, The Buddhists grouped their stupas and tihdras near and around
‘sacred spots, as at Sdnchi, Manikyala, or in Peshdwar, and elsewhere ;
but they were scattered, and cach was supposed to have a special meaning,
or to mark some sacred spot. The Hindus also grouped their temples,
as at Bhuvaneswar or Benares, in great numbers; but in all cases, so
far as we know, because these were the centres of a population who
believed in the gods to whom the temples were dedicated, and wanted
them for the purposes of their worship, Neither of these religions,
however, possesses such a group of temples, for instance, as that at
Satrunjaya, or Palitina as it is usually called, in Gujardt. No survey
has yet been made of it, nor have its temples been counted; but it
covers a large space of ground, and its shrines are scattered by hundreds
‘over the summits of two extensive hills and the valley between them,
The larger ones are situated in twks, or separate enclosures, surrounded
by high fortified walls; the smaller ones line the silent streets. A few
Jatis or priests sleep in the temples and perform the daily services, and
a few attendants are constantly there to keep the place clean, which they
do with the most assiduous attention, or to feed the sacred pigeons, who
PALITANA TOWN. 9
‘are the sole denizens of the spot; but there are no human habitations,
properly so called, within the walls. ‘The pilgrim or the stranger
ascends in the morning, and returns when he has performed his
devotions or satisfied his curiosity. He must not eat, or at least must
not cook his food, on the sacred hill, and he must not sleep there, It
is a city of the gods, and meant for them only, and not intended for the
‘use of mortals,
“Jaina temples and shrines arc, of course, to be found in cities,
where there are a sufficient number of votaries to support a temple, as
in other religions; but beyond this, the Jains seem, almost more than
‘ny other sect, to have realized the idea that to build a temple, and
to place an image in it, was in itself a highly meritorious act, wholly
‘irrespective of its usc to any of their co-rcligionists, Building a temple
is with them 2 prayer in stone, which they conceive to be eminently
acceptable to the deity, and likely to secure them benefits both here
and hereafter.
“Ye isin consequence of the Jains believing to a greater extent than
the other Indian sects in the efficacy of temple-building as a means of
salvation, that their architectural performances bear so much larger a
Proportion to their numbers than these of other religions. It may also
be owing to the fact that nine out of ten, or ninety-nine in a hundred,
of the Jain temples are the gifts of single wealthy individuals of the
maddie classes, that these buildings generally are small and deficient in
that grandeur of proportion that marks the buildings undertaken by
foyal command or belonging to important organized communities. It
may, however, be also owing to this that their buildings are more
elaborately finished than those of more national importance, When a
ae individual of the class who build these temples desires to spend
‘on such an object, he is much more likely to feel pleasure
i ioe detail and exquisite finish than on great purity or grandeur
conception.
* All these peculiarities are found in a more marked degree at Pailitdna
than at almost any other known place, and, fortunately for the student
‘of the style, extending through all the ages during which it flourished,
Some of the temples are as old as the 11th century, and they are spread
Pretty evenly over all the intervening period down to the present
tury.
* Bat the largest number, and some of the most important, are now
‘erecting, or were erected in the present century, or in the memory of
living men. Fortunately, too, these modern examples by no means
‘disgmice the age in which they are built. ‘Their sculptures are inferior,
and some of their details are deficient in meaning and expression ; but,
on the whole, they are equal, or nearly so, to the average examples of
‘earlier ages. It is this that makes PAliténa one of the most interesting
10 PALIVELA—PALKONDA.,
places that can be named for the philosophical student of architectural
art, inasmuch as he can there see the various processes by which
cathedrals were produced in the Middle Ages, carried on on a larger
scale than almost anywhere else, and ina more natural manner. It is
by watching the methods still followed in designing buildings in that
remote locality, that we become aware how it is that the uncultivated
Hindu can rise in architecture to a degree of originality and perfection
which has not been attained in Europe since the Middle Ages, but which
might easily be recovered by following the same processes,’
Palivela (fudfirede).—Town in Amalipur sdluk, Godsivari District,
Madras Presidency, Lat. 16° 41'., long. 8r° 55’. Population (1871)
$315, inhabiting 1156 houses; and (1881) §56, inhabiting roos
houses. Hindus number 5300; Muhammadans, 253 ; and Christians, 8,
Paliyela lies on the bank of the Amaldpur Canal, which connects
Rajdmahendri (Rajahmundry) with Amalipur. Kottapetta, the head-
quarters of the deputyte/si/ddr, is a hamlet of Palivela.
Petty State in the Jhaldwar division of Kathidw4r, Bombay
Presidency. Area, 227 square miles, containing 17 villages, with 7
‘separate shareholders. Population (1881) 9662. Estimated revenue in
1881, £4900; tribute of £90, 148. is paid to the British Government,
and £39, t28. to the Nawab of Jundgarh. Formerly (1809) the head:
quarters of a Kathidwér Political officer. A flourishing village called
after the estate lies 8 miles west of Kundli railway station, It exports ©
grain and cotton to Botdd (10 miles) and Rénpur (1x miles)—
both stations on the Bhaunagar-Gondal Railway. Population of Piliydd
village (1881) 3368,
werkddu,—Town in Chengalpat (Chingleput) District, Madras
Presidency.—See Puracar.
Palkheré, —Zamindéri estate in Warord fahsil, Bhanddrd Dis-
trict, Central Provinces; traversed by the main road from Kamthd to
Sikoli, and comprising 21 villages, Area, 39 square miles, one-fourth
of which is cultivated, Population (1881) 7364. A good deal of sugar-
cane is grown, and the forests supply sd/and diyesd/ timber. Until 1856,
the estate was a dependency of Kdmtha. The chief and most of the
population are Kunbis.
Palkole.— Town in Gockivari District, Madras Presidency.—See
PALAKOLLU,
(or Sesdchalam + Pél, ‘milk ;* Konda, ‘a hill’) —Range
of mountains in Cuddapah District, Madras Presidency; lying between
13° 43' 30° and 14° 27’ x. lat. and between 78" 56’ and 79° 28° 30° =,
long. ; average elevation above the sea, about 2000 feet; high: it,
Buthaid, 3060 fect. Starting from the sacred Tirupati (Tripati) Hill,
and running north-west for 45 miles, the range then turns nearly due
west, running across the District to the fronticr of Bellary, To the
1 PALLADAM,
Company, the following directions for its navigation are given by Mr.
Franklin —“There are two good entrances into Palk’s Bay from the
eastward—one between Point Calimere and the northern end of the
middle banks, having 19 to 24 feet; the other between the southern end
of the sare banks and the north coast of Ceylon, with 54 to 6 fathoms.
Sailing directions were published some years back for the northern
passage, but I would strongly recommend all commanders with a vessel
drawing 12 fect to make use of that to the southward, except with a
leading wind, or with the aid of steam... .. The following are the
dangers in Palk's Bay —
“rst. The middle banks—described by Horsburgh (pp. 553, 554)+
“and. A long sandy spit, with from r to 2 fathoms over it, stretching
east by south 13 miles from a low point above Kotepatnam, on the
coast of India, [t has generally a heavy swash of sea over it, and
should not be approached from the eastward nearer than 6 fathome.
Captain Powell places its eastern extremity in 10" 2’ 30" x. lat, and
79° 19° 30" & long,, allowing Galle to be in So" 16’ x, Its bearing
from Pambam (Paumbem) is x.w.e. 45 miles, and from Point Calimere
s.w.4W. 29 miles.
“3rd. The foul ground off the northwest end of Ceylon to the east=
ward of the opening between that and Karativu, where the coast ought
not to be approached nearer than 2 miles; for although at present
there are 12 to 15 feet over the knolls, the depth may decrease, as they
are composed of coral.
“qth. A detached rock, about the size of a ship's boar, with only 2
fect water over it, between Purlitiva and the Devil's Point, having the
following bearings :—Devil’s Point, south 3 miles; south end of Purli-
tivu, RS.e. 25 miles.
“Lastly, Some rocks awash, which lie about 1} mile off the north«
east end of Rameswaram Island, where the soundings ought not to be
shoaled to less than 5 fathoms. Care should be taken in the north-
east Monsoon not to get into the bay to the castward of this island, as
it will be found difficult to work out again."’
Mr. Nelson, author of the Madura Manual (1868), describes the
Straits as abounding in ‘shoals, currents, sunken rocks, and blind sand-
banks ;? and adds, ‘the passage through its entrance is full of difficulty
and danger.’ The fury of the north-east monsoon is particularly felt in
the Straits. See also Commander Taylor's Jndia Directory, p. 450
(Allen, 1874).
Palladam.— 7ii/«& or Sub-division of Coimbatore District, Madras
Presidency. Area, 742 square miles. Population (1881) 213,391,
namely, 103,116 males and 110,275 females, dwelling in 194 villages,
and occupying 47,971 houses, Hindus number 207,895; Muham-
madans, 3387; Christians, 2107; and ‘others,’ 2, In 1883 the Ad/ut
PALMA—PALMANER.
(Chingleput) District, Madras Presidency ; situated in lat. 22° 57’ 30%
‘x., and long. 80° 13' 1, on a wide plain, west of a range of stony hills,
$ miles south of St. Thomas’ Mount, and r1 miles south-west of Madras.
Population (1881) 3956, occupying 793 houses. Hindus number
2077; Mubammadans, 908; Christians, 970; and ‘others,’ 1, A
ilitary cantonment and pensioners’ station, with a garrison of about
650 men. Formerly it was called the * Presidency Cantonment,’ and had
lines sufficient for 4 native regiments. The place is hot, but not un-
healthy, Elevation, about 500 feet. A station on the South Indian
Railway ; cantonment magistrate’s court ; post-office.
Palmé,—Deserted Jain settlement ; situated within a few miles of
Purulid, and near the Kasai (Cossye) river, in Manbhilm Distriet, Bengal.
‘The following description of the ruins is given by Colonel Dalton —
* The principal temple is on a mound covered with stone and brick,
the débris of buildings, through which many fine old pipa/ trees have
pierced, and under their spreading branches the gods of the fallen temple
have found shelter. In different places are sculptures of perfeetly nude
male figures, standing on pedestals and under canopies, with Egyptian
head-dresses, the arms hanging down straight by their sides, the hands
turned in and touching the body near the knees. One of these images
is larger than life. It is broken away from the slab on which it was cut,
and the head, separated from the body, lies near, At the feet of each
idol are two smaller figures with chawrfs in their hands, looking up at
the principal figure. I have now seen several of these figures, and
there can, | think, be no doubt that they are images of the Tirthankaras
of the Jains, who are always thus figured, naked or ' sky-clad,’ cach with
his representative animal or symbol. Lieutenant Money also observed
a stone pillar, set up perpendicularly, standing 12 feet high by 1} foot
square, with corners chamfered, making it an octagon; and near this,
four more of the Tirthankaras are found. All about this temple mound
are other mounds of cut stone and bricks, showing that there must have
been here, at a remote period, a numerous people, far more advanced
in civilisation than the Bhimij and Bauri tribes who have succeeded
them."
Palmaner (formerly called Venkatagirikota).— Taluk or Sub-division
of North Arcot District, Madras Presidency. Area, 447 square miles.
Population (1872) 60,211; ($81) 41,815, namely, 21,184 males and
20,631 fernales, dwelling in 1 town and 19 villages, and occupying 8867
houses. Hindus number 39,194; Muhammadans, 2526; and Chris-
tians, 95. During the famine of 1876-78 the A#luk suffered severely,
and many small villages have been depopulated. The Census of 1872
returned 565 villages, and that of 1881 only 160; the population
has decreased by gos per cent, during the nine years, In 1883 the
filuk contained 2 criminal courts; police circles (#hdnds), 5; regular
16 PALNAD—PALNI.
anchor to the northward of the banks in ro fathoms or rather less water,
where she will be sheltered by them until the force of the wind is abated."
Palndd.—Ziluk or Sub-division of Kistna District, Madras Presi-
dency. Area, 1057 square miles, Population (1881) 125,799, namely,
62,365 males and 63,434 females, dwelling in 97 villages, consisting of
24,356 houses, Hindus number 110,182; Muhammadans, 9276; and
Christians, 6341. In 1883 the ¢d/wh contained 1 civil and 2 eriminal
courts; police circles (¢hdnds), 12; regular police, ror men; village
watch (chaukiddrs), 19, Total revenue, £31,675. Forest tract in the
extreme west of the District. ‘ Palndd’ is said to mean ‘ milk land’ from
the light cream-coloured marble that abounds ; another derivation makes
Palndd mean ‘the country of hamlets.” Taken over by the British in
1801, Daichepalle, the head-quarters, has a population (1881) of 2268,
dwelling in 497 houses. Post-office.
Palnii—7uluk or Subdivision of Madura District, Madras Presi
dency. Area, 910 square miles, Population (1881) 171,515, namely,
82,959 males and 88,556 females, dwelling in t town and 125 villages,
and occupying 34,457 houses. Hindus number 161,857; Muham-
madans, $191; and Christians, 1467. In 1883 the 74/vé contained 2
criminal courts; police circles (hduds), 10; regular police, 75 men.
Tand revenue, £24,001.
Palni (7a/ani or Pulney)—Town in Palni td/ub, Madura District,
Madras Presidency ; situated in lat. 10° 27' 20” w., and long. 77° 33° 1"
Ey 34 miles west of Dindigal, and 69 miles north-west of Madura.
Population (1871) 12,804, inhabiting 1782 houses; (1881) 12,974,
inhabiting 2074 houses, In the latter year, Hindus numbered 11,395 ;
Muhammadans, 1329; and Christians, 250. It is the head-quarters of
the /dfwk, and gives its name to the neighbouring range of mountains
(vide infra). Post-office.
Palni (Palani, Pulney; also called Varahagiri, Vadagiri, and
Kannandenan).—Mountain range in Madura District, Madras Presi-
dency; lying between 10” and ro” rs‘ N. lat, and between 77° 20” and
77 55'% long. It extends in a north-easterly direction from the
great mass of mountains known as the Western Ghats, with which it
is connected by an isthmus or ridge of hills about 8 miles in width,
being completely isolated on every other side, To the north are the
Districts of Coimbatore and Trichinopoli; to the east Madura and
‘Tanjore; to the south and west Tinnevelli and Travancore State,
‘These mountains were surveyed more than fifty years ago by Captain
Ward of the Surveyor-General’s Department. He states their length,
from east to west, to be 54 miles; average breadth, 15 miles; superficial
area, 793) square miles, including Anjinap, now a dependency of
‘Travancore. Captain Ward reckons the area of the Anjfndd Hills at
231} square miles, which leaves 567 square miles for the Palnfs proper.
~
13 PALNI.
of her father’s dwelling-house, on the understanding that she shall be
allowed to cohabit with any man of her caste whom she prefers, and
her issue thus begotten inherits the property, which is retained in the
woman's family. Numerous disputes originate in this custom, and
evidence has been adduced in courts to show that a child of three or
four years was the son or daughter of a boy of ten or twelve, ‘The
religion of the Koravars is nominally Sivaite, but they pay worship
mainly to the mountain god Vallapom.
The Karakat Velldlars probably settled on the Palnis at a remote
period. ‘They are abstemious in their diet and are not averse to meat,
but smoke and chew opium and tobacco. They anoint themselves
with gf instead of oil; wear the same dress as the Velldlars of the
plains ; abstain from the use of sandals; and invariably ornament their
ears with rings. Though Brihmans officiate as priests in the temples,
yet the ceremonies of the Velldlars are performed by Pandardms. They
associate freely with the Koravars, and each can eat food dressed by
the other. A man, if his wife proves barren, may with her consent
marry a second, but in no other case is a plurality of wives allowed,
‘The remarriage of widows is permitted.
‘The Shetti class, from their connection with the people of the plains,
are considered aliens. Their comparative affluence has procured for
them the office of mediators in all serious disputes among the other
tribes, under the impression that being strangers to the hills they are
likely to act impartially, They trade largely in hill produce, make
advances on crops, etc, and import low country goods for sale or
barter among the various tribes.
‘The Paliydr tribe is the most numerous on the Palnis, and they are
regarded as the aborigines. ‘Ihe Paliydrs holda degraded position, and
are in some degree slaves to the Koravars. In spite of this, they possess
considerable influence over the Koravars and other tribes as priests and
physicians, for they alone are believed to understand the use of the
various medicinal herbs, and alone can offer charms and incantations
to the local deities. Their position has been ameliorated during recent
years, As a body, they are mild and inoffensive. They are fond of
hunting, killing tigers either by shooting or poisoning. Their religion
is demon-worship, their marriage system monogamous, and their food
anything. All the tribes of the Palnis are more or less addicted to
indulging in a species of beer called deja made from ragi (Eleusine
corocana).
‘The native cultivation is carried on in fields, cut into terraces, on the
spurs and slopes of the hills, and laid out with great skill and labour.
The hil people are well acquainted with the value of manure, carefully
preserving dung and using it in a liquid form. In irrigation they
are also skilled ; constructing dams at the most convenient points, and
20 PALOHA—PALWAL.
Peres ‘illage in Gddawéra fahsid, Narsinghpur District, Central
Lay eT (1881) Sst nee: Hindus, 2740; Muham-
naa Jains, 8; Kabirpanthi, 1; and non-Hindu aborigines, 35.
Village in the District of the ‘Twenty-four Pargands, Bengal ;
Beate acres of the Hijgli, in lat. 22° 47’ 30” N., and long.
88" 24’ &, 2 miles above Barrackpur. In old days it was known as
‘containing a powder magazine, and as the point where the Grand Trunk
Road from Calcutta crosses the Hugli towards the northwest. It is
‘now more celebrated for its works supplying Calcutta, 14 miles distant,
with water, the purity of which is daily tested in Caleutta by the Govern-
ment analyst, ‘The works include a jetty for landing machinery, coals,
and filtering media, while it protects the two large suction pipes, 30
inches in diameter, which here dip into the river, and through which
the water is drawn by pumps. There is an aided vernacular school at
Paltd,
Palupére,—Old fort in the Kiggatndd félwk of Coorg, on the Kire
river, Once the residence of former rulers of Coorg named Kole Linga
and Bome Krishna; and the scene of a battle at the end of the 17th
century, in which Raja Dodda Virappa completely defeated an invading
army from Mysore under the command of Chikka Deva Wodeyar.
Some ditches and small stone temples still mark jee ‘spot, which has
how been converted into a coffce estate.
Palwal.—Central eastern tekslt of Gurgion District, Punjab ; tying
between 27” 5s’ 30" and 28° 14’ x. lat, Ae b 77° 14! and
‘square miles, with 186 towns and vil jages, 13
families, ‘Total population (1881) x
and females 67,025. Average density of th
Per square ale,
a5; and Christian, tre Of the 186 towns ar
than five hundred inhabitants ; 3 from five heat
from one to five thousand; and 2 upwards of five thousan
average arca under cultivation for the five years 1877-78 to 1881-82
was 2464 square miles, or 157,709 acres, the aren occupied by the chief
crops being as follows :—-jadr, 41,366 acres ; barley, 34,480 acres ; gram,
32,730 acres ; Afjra, 29,749 acres; wheat, 17,650 acres. Of non-food
crops, cotton is by far the most important, and was grown on an annual
average of 23541 acres for the above five years. Revenue of the
tahsil, £27,890. The tahstiddr is the only local administrative officer,
and presides over 1 civil and 1 criminal court; number of police circles.
a2 PAMBAM PASSAGE,
lies between the mainland of Madura District and the little island of
Raamswaram, which is the first link in the chain of islets and rocks
forming Adam's Bridge. Geological evidence tends to show that in
early days this gap was bridged by a continuous isthmus; and the
ancient records preserved in the temple of Rimeswaram relate that in
the year 1480 a violent storm breached the isthmus, and that, despite
efforts to restore the connection, subsequent storms rendered the breach
permanent. ‘The Passage was formerly impracticable for ships, being
obstructed by two purallel ridges of rock about 140 yards apart. The
more northerly of these ridges was the higher of the two, and used to
appear above water at high tide. The space between was occupied by
4 confused mass of rocks, lying for the most part parallel to the ridges,
and in horizontal strata. ‘The formation is sandstone,
The first proposal to deepen this channel for traffic was made by a
certain Colonel Manuel Martinez, who brought the matter under the
attention of Mr, Lushington, Collector of the Southern Provinces of
India, and afterwards Governor of Fort St. George. Nothing, however,
was done until 1822, when Colonel de Haviland recommended the insti-
tution of a regular survey, which was entrusted to Ensign (afterwards Sir
Arthur) Cotton, whose name is so honourably associated with all the
great engineering projects in Southern India. Cotton's opinion was
favourable; but other matters diverted the attention of Government
until 1828, when Major Sim was instructed to undertake experiments in
biasting and removing the rocks. His report will be found at length in
the Journal of the Royal Geographical Society (vol. iv.) ‘The first
Scientific marine survey of the channel was conducted in 1837 by
Lieutenants Powell and Ethersey of the Indian Navy, assisted by
Lieutenants Grieve and Christopher, with Felix Jones as their draughts-
man. The charts made on this oceasion still remain the standard
authority. Finally, in 1877, a connection wis established by Mr.
‘Chapman and Lieutenant Coomb, R.N., between the marine and land
surveys; and a series of valuable observations were made on the
Lees ete, which have been published in the form of a Hydrographical
jotice.
‘The operations for deepening and widening the channel were com-
menced in 1838, and have ever since been continued, Convict labour
has been employed to 2 considerable extent, under the supervision of
the Madras Sappers and Miners. By 1844 the channel had been
deepened to 8 feet of water at low spring tides, and two war steamers
were able to pass through: The total expenditure up to that date was
£15,595 In 4854, Licutenant-Coloncl Cotton reported that the
uniform depth was 10} feet; that the passage was navigable for keeled
vessels of 200 tons; that the tonnage passing through in 1853 was
nearly 160,000 tons, a8 compared with 17,000 tons in 1822; and that
24 PAMPUR—PANAHAT.
Presidency ; situated in lat, 14° 56’ 30" n., and long. 77° 39" 15” ¥., on
the Penner river, 14 miles south of Gooty (Guti), Population (1881)
5260, residing in 1ozs houses. Hindus number 4290, and Muham-
madans 970, Pamidi is an unhealthy place, occupied chicfly by a
community of weavers, Post-office,
Pémpur.—Town in Kashmir (Cashmere) State, Northern India,
Tying in lat. 34° ., long. 75° 3° &, on the north bank of the river
Jeblam (Jhelum), about 5 miles south-west of Srinagar, in the midst of
a fertile tract, surrounded by orchards and gardens. A bridge of
Several arches spans the river; ddadr; two Muhammadan shrines.
‘The neighbouring country is chiefly devoted to growth of saffron, con-
sidered finer than that of Hindustin,
Péndbéras,—Zamindiri or chiefship in Waroré saAsil, Chandi
District, Central Provinces; situated So miles east-north-cast of
Wairdgath, within a dense belt of jungle and forest, comprising an
area of 344 square miles, with 142 villages and 4058 houses. Total
population (1881) 12,3745 average density of population, 36 persons
per square mile. The population has considerably increased of late
years, owing to the opening out of Chhatisgarh, of which plateau the
Pindbéras samindéri forms a part, Wild arrowroot (Addr) grows
abundantly in the valleys; and the hills yield much wax and honey.
‘The climate is moist and cool even in the summer months, Piinabdras
includes the deptndent chiefship of Aundhi, The ruler ranks first of
the Wairdgath chiefs.
Péndbiras,— Teak forest in the southeast corner of Pindbdras
chiefship in Chandd District, Central Provinces. Area, 25 square
miles. The boundary has been cleared and marked out by the Forest
Department, The population consists of Gonds, but dajya or nomad
cultivation seems unknown to them, Some of the trees contain as
much as 200 cubic feet of timber. This forest supplied the teak
used in the Nagpur palace, the Kimthi (Kamptee) barracks, and the
Residency at Sitibaldi,
Pandgur.—Town in Jabalpur (Jubbulpore) fahsi/, Jabalpur District,
Central Provinces; situated in lat. 23° 17' N., and long. 80° 2’ x, on
the northern road 9 miles from Jabalpur city, Population (1881)
4915, chiefly agricultural. Hindus number 3491; Kabirpanthis, 63 ;
Satndmis, 36; Jains, 417; Muhammadans, 589; and non-Hinda
aborigines, 3r9. Iron, from the neighbouring mines, forms the chief
article of trade. Sugarcane is the principal agricultural product.
Pandhat (or SahPandhat).—-South-eastern talsil of Agra District,
North-Western Provinces. It is nearly surrounded on all sides by
Jarge rivers, and forms almost an island, cut off from the main
District. For about five or six miles on the east, the 4a/si/ is bounded
by Etiwah District, and in the extreme west for about nine miles by
26 PANCHAMNAGAR—PANCHET.
east through Sult4opur and Haveli Purniah pargands, then southwards
through Kadb&é and Hatandd to the Ganges. It is navigable by
boats of 250 maunds, or about 9 tons burden, in the neighbourhood
of Purniah, and above that for boats of 100 mawnds (about 3} tons),
almost to the Nepdl frontier. The current in the upper reaches is
very rapid,
~—Village in Damoh District, Central Provinces ;
situated in lat. 24° 3’ N., and long. 79° 13' &., 24 miles north-west of
Damoh town, Population (1881) below 2000; but the place appears
to have been once much larger. ‘The paper produced at Panchamnagar
bears a high repute. Police station and village school.
Panchinnagrém (‘Zhe Fifty-five Villages’)—The name given to
the suburbs of Calcutta, containing an area, according to the latest
Revenue Survey Report, of 14,829 acres, or 23°17 square miles. Lat,
22° 30' to 22° 41 N., long, 88" 19' to 88” 52’ x, Attached to the treaty
made in 1757 with Mir Jafar, is a list of the villages then granted to the
Company free of rent. This was the origin of the saminddri of Diki
Panchannagrém, of which the part enclosed within the limits of the old
Marithd Ditch forms the town of Calcutta. The remainder, which is
under the Collector of the Twenty-four Parganis, yiclds an annual
revenue of £8120, derived from 22,500 separate holdings. ‘The lands
lie all round the south-east and south of Calcutta, beginning from the
Government telegraph-yard on Tolly's na/é, and running up to Dum-
Dum on the east. On the north the saminddri is bounded by the
Government estate of Barahanagar (Burranagore).
Pénchavra.—Petty State in the Gohelwdr division of Kathiswar,
Bombay Presidency ; consisting of 1 village. Lies 2 miles south of
Songarh station, on the Bhaunagar-Gondal Railway, and 12 miles north
east of Palitina. Area, 78 square miles. Population (1881) 504.
Paénchet (/inchtot).—Large samindéri or landed estate in Man-
bhiim District, Bengal; occupying an area of 1,209,795 acres, or 1890
Square miles, being five-thirteenths of the total area (4914 square
miles) of the District. It contains 19 of the 45 pargends into which
Manbhim is divided, and pays to Government a revenue of £5579.
‘The Rajds of Panchet claim that they came into Manbhiim as conquer-
ing Rajputs from North-Western India; but it is more probable that
they are of aboriginal descent, and it is certain that their claims to
supremacy were only nominally recognised by the other chiefs of the
District. The earliest mention of the estate by the Muhammadan
historians is given by Mr. Blochmann in Zhe Journat of the Asiatic
Swiety for 1871, 28 follows:—!Of Piinchet, I have only found a short
remark in the voluminous Fiddishdi-ndmah (B. i. p. 317): “ Bir
Niatdyan, samindér of Panchet, « country attached to Subah Behar, was
under Shih Jahin a commander of 300 horse, and died in the 6th year
28 PANCHIPENTA—PANCH MAHALS.
Panchipenta (Pickipita)—Hill pass or ghd? in Silir tdluk, Vizaga-
patam District, Madras Presidency, by which the road crosses from
‘Sdldr to Jaipur. ‘The crest of the pass is about 3oco feet above sea-
level. Lat. 18° 28’ n., long. $3° 12° 8. The village of Panchipenta
containing in 1881, 879 houses and 4385 inhabitants—is the capital
of an ancient saninddri, a feudatory of Jaipur (Jeypore), and ‘Count
of the Southern Marches,’ The Mardthd Horse of Jafar Ali descended
into the Chicacole Circar in 1754, by the treachery of the Panchipenta
samindér, who was, in consequence, imprisoned. One of the family
fell at the battle of Padmandbham in 1794. ‘The estate pays a fixed
revenue of £2696.
Panchkot.—Large saminddri and hill in Manbhim District, Bengal.
— See Pancurr,
Panch Mahdls (or Five Subdivisions). — British District on the
eastern fronticr of Gujart, Bombay Presidency ; lying between 22° 30°
and 23" ro’ N, lat., and between 73° 35' and 74” 10° & long. Area,
1613 square miles, Population in 1881, 255,479 persons, or 158 per
square mile. For purposes of administration, the territory is distributed
aver 3 Sub-divisions, which form two main groups, divided by the lands
of Baria in Rewd Kantha. The Sub-divisions are Godhrd, Kalol, and
Dohad. ‘Halol is a petty Sub-division under Kalol. ‘The south-west
portion is bounded on the north by the States of Lundwara, Sunth, and
Sanjeli; on the enst by Barin State; on the south by Baroda State;
and on the west by Baroda State, the Pindu Mehwds and the river
Mahi separating it from Kaira District. ‘The north-cast portion is
bounded on the north by the States of Chilkdri and Kushiilgarh; on
the east by Western Malwa and the river Ands ; on thesouth by Western
Malwa ; and on the west by the States of Sunth, Sanjeli, and Béria,
On the transfer of the Panch Mahils from Sindhia in 1861, they were,
in the first instance, placed under the Political Agent for Rewa
Kaéntha. In 1864 the revenue was made payable through Kaira. * In
1827 the Panch Mahiils were erected into a distinct Collectorate.
For purposes of general administration, they form a non-regulation
District, under the charge of an officer styled the Collector and Agent
to the Governor of Bombay, Panch Mahals, The administrative head-
‘quarters of the District are at Gopnra.
Physical Aspects —The two sections of the District differ consider-
ably in appearance—that to the south-west (except a hilly portion
covered with dense forest, comprising the Pdwagarh Hill) is a level
tract of rich soil; while the northern portion, although it contains
some fertile valleys, is generally rugged, undulating, and barren, with
but litle cultivation. ‘The forests lie mainly in the centre of the
District. In some of the western villages, the careful tillage, the
well-grown trees, the deep sandy lanes bordered by high hedges
go PANCH MAHALS,
(Basia latifolia), from whose flowers a favourite intoxicating drink is
prepared ; the AAdkhra (Butea frondosa), whose flat, strong leaves are used
as plates by Hindus ; the mango, and the rayen (Mimusops indica).
History. —The history of the Panch Mahals is the history of the city of
Chimpaner, nowa heap of ruins. During the Hindu period (350 to 1300
A.p.) Chaémpziner was a stronghold of the Anhilwdra kings and of the
‘Tudr dynasty, The Chauhdns followed the Tudrs, and retained posses-
sion of the place and surrounding country until the appearance of the
Muhammadansin 1484. From this time until 1536, Champdner remained
the political capital of Gujardt. In 1535, Humdyun pillaged the city,
and in the following year the court and capital was transferred to
Ahmaddbdd. ‘The Mardthds under Sindhia overran and annexed the
Distriet in the middle of the x8th century; and it was not until 1853
that the British took over the administration. In 1861, Sindhia
exchanged Panch Mahdls for lands near Jhansi, Since 1853, the
peace has been twice disturbed—once in 1858 by an inroad of
mutincers, and a second time in 1868, when the Naikdas (said to be
the Muhammadan descendants of the population of Chimpiiner) rose,
but were dispersed by Captain Macleod and a detachment of Poona
Horse. The chief criminal, Joria, was hanged.
Population—In 1872, the Panch Mahidils District had a population
of 240,743 persons. The Census Returns of 1881 disclosed a total
population of 255,479, residing in 3townsand 672 villages, and occupy-
ing 50,970 houses. Density of the population, 158 persons per square
mile; houses per square mile, 37; persons per village, 3773 persons
per house, 570, Classified according to sex, there were 131,163 males
and 124,317 females; proportion of males, 51°3 per cent. Classified
according to age, there were—under r5 years, males 57,041, and females
3,287; total children, 110,228, or 43°15 per cent: 15 years and
upwards, males 74,421, and females 71,130; total adults, 145,251, or
56°85 per cent. Of the total population, 159,624 were Hindus, 16,060
Musalmdns, 1867 Jains, 77,840 non-Hindu aborigines, 30 Parsis, 7
Jews, 44 Christians, and ‘others,’ 7.
Among the Hindus were included the following castes :—Brihmans,
6086; Rajputs, 55955 Chamdrs, 2177; Darjis (tailors), 780; Napits
(barbers), 1858; Kunb(s, 5934; Kolis, 81,797) Kumbérs (potters),
1868; Lohirs (blacksmiths), 1811; Mhdrs, 5023; Malis (gardeners),
918; Banjards (carriers), 1580; Sondrs (goldsmiths), 732; Sutdrs
(carpenters), 907; Telis (oflmen), 746; other Hindus, 41,872.
‘The bulk of the aboriginal tribes are Bhils, who number 69,590,
‘or 27°2 per cent, of the total population ; ‘other’ aborigines numbered.
8250, neatly all Ndikd4s. Until within the last few years the aboriginal
tribes were turbulent, and much addicted to thieving and drunken-
ness; to check these tendencies the Panch Mahdls are provided, in
3 PANCH MAHALS,
miles, 1271 square miles are assessed to Government revenue. Of
these, 673 square miles are under cultivation, and 598 square miles are
cultivable. ‘Total amount of Government assessment, including local
rates and cesses on land, £33,611, or an average of 1s, 24d. per
cultivated acre.
‘The total area of cultivable land in 1883 was 482,868 acres, of which
228,623 acres, or 47°5 per cent, were taken up for cultivation, Of this
area, 27,484 acres were fallow or under grass ; of the remaining 201,139
acres (46,108 of which were twice cropped), grain crops occupied
171,093 acres; pulses, 46,893; oil-seeds, 25,134; fibres, 2765; and
‘Miscellaneous, 1362 acres, ‘Ihe area under wheat in 1383 was 16,667
acres; rice, 36,865 ; maize, 49,679 ; ddjra (Pennisetum typhoideum),
30,606; gram, 30,000; tobacco, 227; sugar-canc, 560; scsamum,
23,999 ; cotton, 286,
‘The prices current in the District in 1882-83 were for 1 rupee (25.)
as follows—wheat, 22 !bs.; best rice, 26 Ibs,; ddfra (the staple food
of the cultivators), 35 Ibs ; common rice, 31 Ibs. Salt costs about 4d.
per Ib, The agricultural stock in 1882-83 included 207,106 homed
cattle, 945 horses, 1068 mares, 465 foals, 1270 donkeys, 25,837 sheep
and goats; 34,470 ploughs, and $234 carts. The cost of labour was
to§d. a day for skilled workmen, and 3d. for unskilled workmen,
‘The hire per day of a cart was 28 6d, There is not a constant demand
for labour all the year round, but only in harvest time. Women work
in the fields as hard as men.
Considerable tracts of arable land in the Panch Mahdls have not
yet been brought under the plough. The opening of the Godhra
branch of the Bombay, Baroda, and Central India Railway will,
it is hoped, bring both buyers of land and cultivators. During
the year 1876-77 colonization was attempted by the settling
near the foot of Paiwagarh Hill of about 1867 families of the
Taldvia tribe, from the overcrowded tracts of Kaira, Broach, and
Baroda ; but it proved a failure, the settlers nearly all dying out and.
some absconding, causing a loss to Government of about Rs. 86,000
(£8600), the total of sums advanced from time to time with a view of
helping the settlers, Tn 188:, an attempt was made by a Pérst to
reclaim land. He at first started on 1000 acres, adding to it in 1884
another 2500 acres in Halol #4/uA, 7 miles from Bhodarpur, the terminus
of the Baroda State Railway, In 1885 he had tso0 acres under
cultivation, growing cotton and wheat (never before cultivated in the
District), as well as grain with much success. ‘There are now (1885)
‘on the estate 40 families, 75 ploughs, 500 cattle, 125 houses.
Trade, ec—The through trade of the District was once very flourish-
ing, especially after the reduction of transit duties ; but the opening of
the Milws line of the Réjputina-Malwa State Railway into Central India
34 PANCHPARA—PANDAL
average, each village is ro miles distant from the nearest court The
total strength of the regular police consisted in 1882-83 of 796 officers
and men, giving r policeman to every 331 of the population, or to every
2°69 square miles of area. ‘The total cost was £11,638, equal to £7,
48. 3d. per square mile of area, and nearly 18. per head of population.
‘The number of persons convicted of any offence, great or small, was
970 in 1876, and 360 in 1882-83, There is one jail in the District ;
number of convicts (1881), 238,
Education has spread rapidly of late years. In 1855-56 there were
only 7 schools, attended by 327 pupils. In 1881-82 there were 67
echools, attended by 4329 pupils, or an average of 1 school for every
13 inhabited villages. ‘There are 2 libraries.
Medical Aspects —The cold season lasts from November to February 5
the hot from March to the middle of June; and the rainy from the
middle of June until the end of September, October is temperate and
windy, Average rainfall at Godhra for 14 years ending 1881, 42°4
inches ; the fall at Dohdd in the east of the District is somewhat less.
‘The prevailing diseases are fever, cye diseases, and cutancous affections.
In 1883, the number of deaths from cholera was 28 ; from fevers, 39745
from smallpox, 31. In 1883, the number of in-door patients treated in
the two dispensaries of the District was S69; outdoor patients, 14,663.
"The number of persons vaccinated in the same year was 9484. Income
of the dispensaries (1883), £1537; expenditure, £1356. Vital statistics
showed a death-rate in 1876 of 20°69 per thousand. In 1883, the birth-
Tate per thousand was 26; and the death-rate, 168, [For further in-
formation regarding the Panch Mahal, see vol. iii, of the Gesetleer of the
Bombay Presidency, published under Government orders, and edited by
Mr. J. M. Campbell, C.S, See also the Bowday Census Report for
1881; and the several Administration and Departmental Reports for
the Bombay Presidency.]
Pénchpéra. — River in Balasor District, Bengal. Formed by a
number of small streams, the principal being the Bins, Jamiri, and
Bhairingi, which unite, bifurcate, and reunite in the wildest confusion,
until they finally enter the sea in lat, 21° 31" N., and long, 87° 9! 30” EB.
‘The tide runs up only 10 miles; and although the interlacings
constantly spread out into shallow swamps, yet one of them, the
Bans, is deep enough to be navigated by boats of 4 tons burden all the
year round.
Panchpukuria.—Village in ‘Tipperah District, Bengal ; situated on
the Gumti. Large riversborne trade in rice, jute, hides, etc.
Pandai.—River in Champéran District, Bengal; rising on t
of the Sumeswar Hills, and entering the Ramnagar R4j through a pass
between the Sumeswar and Churid Ghatid ranges, at the Nepdl outpost
of Thorf. For 6 miles below this pass its bed is stony, but the Pandai
36 PAN-DAW CREEK—PANDHARPUR.
Division, Lower Burma, Lat. 17° 19! 307 N., “40! Head:
‘quarters of the united townships of Yegyi, peace Mye-nu, Con-
tains 2 courthouse, police station, and market. Population (1877)
g9825 revenue, £380: and (1881) population, 2630; revenue, £39r-
A mpidly rising place, sometimes called Ve-gyi Pandaw. Tt was here
that the Talaing army made its last stand against the Burmese conqueror
‘ya.
Pan-daw.—Creek in Bassein District, Lower Burma.—See ¥r-cvt,
—Village in Khandwa dahsif, Nimdr District, Central
Provinces ; situated in lat. 21° 42’ 8. and long. 76" 16' #, 10 miles
south-west of Khandwd town, Population (1881) 2788, namely,
Hindus, 2318; Muhammadans, 452; Kablrpanthis, 8; and Jains, ro.
At the market held every Tuesday, a brisk tde is done in grain,
forest produce, and cotton goods,
Pandharpur.—Sub-dlivision of Sholipur District, Bombay Presi-
dency, z Situated in the centre of the District between lat. 17° 29°
and 17° 56° ,, and long. 75° 11’ and 75" 44°. Area, 470 square
miles, containing 2 towns and 83 villages. Population (1872) 99.3143
(188t) 72,212, namely, 35,843 males and 36,369 females. Hindus
number 68,187 ; Muhammadans, 2864; and ‘others, 1161. Pandhar-
pur isan open waying plain, almost bare of trees. The chief rivers are
the Bhima and the Min. Along the river banks the soil is mostly
deep black, and to the east of the Bhima it is specially fine. On the
high-lying land the soil is shallow, black and gray, gravelly or darad,
"The climate is dry ; rainfall scanty and uncertain, At Pandharpur town,
in the centre of the Sub-tivision, during the 10 years ending 1882 the
rainfall varied from 44 inches in 1874 to $ inches in 1876, and averaged
28 inches, ‘Total cultivated area of Government land in 1881-82,
191,580 acres, of which 2585 acres bore two crops; the principal class
‘of crops being—grain crops, 159,545 acres, of which 137,694 were
jodr (Sorghum vulgare) ; pulses, 10,572 acres; oilseeds, 16,827 acres ;
fibres, 5321 acres; and miscellancous crops, 1900 acres. In 1883 the
Sub-division contained 1 civil and 3 criminal courts; police circles
(thdnds), 3; regular police, 48 men; and village watch (chaukidérs), 179.
Land revenue, £0443.
Pandharpur (or Ze City of Pandkari Vithoba),—Chief town of the
Pandbarpur Sub-division of Sholdpur District, Bombay Presidency ;
situated in lat. 17° 40" 40" ¥., and long. 75° 22’ 40" &, on the right or
southern bank of the Bhfma, a tributary of the Krishna, 84 miles cast of
Satdra, 112 south«ast of Poona (Puna), 38 west of Sholipur town, and
31 miles from the Barsi rond station on the Great Indian Peninsula
Railway. A mail pony cart plies daily along the road from Barsi
station ; and other pony carts and hundreds of bullock carts are on hire
at the station, The best view oy is from the left bank of
PANDHURNA—PANDRINTON.
caught at Pandharpur by Licutenant, afterwards General, Gell, During
1857 the office and the treasury of the mdmd/atdér were attacked by the
rebels, but successfully held by the police. In 1879, Vasudeo Balwant
Phadke, a notorious daAdit leader, was on his way to Pandharpur, when
he was captured,
Pandharpur has a large annual export trade worth about £36,000
in éwke (sweet-smelling powder), gram-pulse, incense sticks, safflower
oil, Aumku (red powder), maize, parched rice, and snuff. Pandharpur
is a municipal town, with an annual revenue of £7369; incidence
of municipal taxation, 9s, per head, Sub-judge's court, dispensary,
and post-office. Number of patients treated in the dispensary, 10,406
in 1883, of whom 56 were indoor. [For a full and interesting account
of Pandharpur, its temples, g/dfs, and objects of interest, ancient and
modern, the reader is referred to the Gasefteer of Bombay, vol. xx. pp.
415-485 (Bombay, 1884).}
Péndhurna.—Town and municipality in Chhindward fadsif, Chhind-
‘wird District, Central Provinces ; situated in lat. 21° 36" N,, and long.
78° 35° &, 54 miles south-west of Chhindward town, on the main road
from Betdl to Nagpur. The municipal limits include the villages of
Bamni and Sdwargion, and contained a total population (188x) of 7469,
chiefly agriculturists. Hindus numbered 6854; Muhammadans, 500 ;
Jains, 60; and non-Hindu aborigines, 55. Municipal revenue in
1882-83, £302, of which £197 were derived from taxation ; average
incidence of municipal taxation, 6Jd. per head. he soil around is
rich and produces much cotton. Pandhurna has a police outpost
station, travellers’ bungalow, sard (native inn), and Government school,
with a daily average attendance of about 120 pupils,
Pandri Kalan,—Yown in Unao fafsi/, Unao District, Qudh; 10
miles south-cast of Unao town, Population (1881) 3733, namely, 3620
Hindus and 113 Muhammadans, Market twice a week, with annual
sales averaging £900. Government school.
Pandrinton (Pindrethén),—Temple in Kashmir (Cashmere) State,
Northern India; standing in the midst of a tank, about 4 miles south.
east of Srinagar, the capital of the Kashmir valley. Lat. 34° ., long.
74° 47' &, according to Thorton, who thus describes the building : ‘It
is a striking specimen of the simple, massive, and chaste style which
characterizes the architectural antiquities of Kashmir. The ground
plan is a square of 20 feet, and the roof pyramidal, In each of the
four sides is a doorway, ornamented with pilasters right and. left, and
surmounted by a pediment. ‘The whole is constructed ¢
hewn limestone. he interior is filled with water, comm
that without, which is about 4 feet deep; and as the
pletely insulated, it can be reached only by wading or sw
purpose of its construction is not known, but it is generally co
PANDUAH TOWN
of Panduah lie buried in almost impenetrable jungle, which for long
formed the undisputed home of tigers and other wild animals, till the
recent clearances of the jungle made by new settlements of Santd)
colonies, Although in all respects less noteworthy than Gaur, it con-
tains some remarkable specimens of early Mubammadan architecture,
Its comparatively small historical importance has given rise to more
than one error. The maps scarcely mark the place at all, and uniformly
give some one of the corrupt modes of spelling the name, Hence,
when a mention of the place is found in history, it is often confused
with the better known but much less important place of the same name
in Hilgli District. To avoid this difficulty, General Cunningham has
proposed that it should be known as Hazrat Panduah. The proximity
of Gaur has also overshadowed Panduah, so that the antiquities of
the latter place have been sometimes attributed in their entirety to the
former,
‘The fortified city of Panduah or Parviah, the suburbs of which reached
to Old Maldah, extended within the ramparts for 6 miles due north along.
the watershed of this part of the country, some 4 miles to the east of
the Mahdnandé river, and running nearly parallel with it, It is stated,
and apparently with truth, that the Mahinandd many centuries ago
flowed past the high ground on which the city of Panduah was
built. Old Maldah was the fortified river port south of the city at the
junction of the Kilindri and the Mahdnandd, while the suburb of Rai
Khan Dighi was a similar fortified port on the Mahdnanda, 10 miles
north of Old Maldah. The fort of Rai Khan Dighf also guarded the
bridge over the Mahdnanda at Pirganj on the great military road. ‘The
attractions offered by the site of Panduah appear to have been its
natural elevation and commanding position on the main road to the
north, and also the sport afforded by the game of all kinds which
abounded in the neighbouring jungles. Panduah was probably
originally an outpost, forming one of the many defences of the more
ancient city of Gaur, guarding the road from the north from the
incursions of Kochs, Palis, and Rijbansis. It afterwards became a
favourite rural retreat, and for some time was the capital of Bengal,
when the Muhammadan governors found it a more desirable residence
than the palace at Gaur, which was the first part of that city to
experience the unhealthiness caused by malarious exhalations, as
the Ganges gradually receded westward from below the palace walls in
the rath century. As Panduah increased in wealth and importance, its
fortifications were extended, and it was further strengthened by an
outpost at Ekdala, some 20 miles to the north, within the s of the
modern District of Dindjpur,
‘The first appearance of Panduah in history is in the year 1353 4.0.
when Ilids Khwéja Sultdn, the first independent king of Bengal, is said
Bil PAND YA,
Dr. Buchanan-Hamilton proceeds to give a detailed description of
the ruins, which is too lengthy for insertion in this work, but which will
be found in the Statistical Account of Bengal, vol. vi. pp, 60-64. ‘The
principal buildings of note are the monuments of Mukhdam Shah Jalil
and his grandson Kutab Shih, the two most distinguished religious
personages under the early Muhammadan kings of Bengal; the Golden
Mosque (1585 a.p.), with walls of granite, and 10 domes of brick ; the
Ekldkhi Mosque, containing, according to tradition, the graves of
Ghiyds-ud-din 11, the third Muhammadan king of Bengal, and his two
sons; the Adind Masjid (xqth century), by far the most celebrated
building in this part of India, and characterized by Mr, Fergusson as
the most remarkable example of Pathdn architecture in existence ; and.
the Satdsgarh (‘Sixty Towers’), which is said to have been the palace
of one of the kings. A Muhammadan me/d, or religious gathering,
takes place at Panduah every year in October or November; it is
attended by 5000 or 6000 persons, and lasts for five days.
Pandya (Iavdacy of Megasthenes; Pand! Mandala of the Periplus;
Pandionis Mediterranea and Modura Regia Pandionts of Ptolemy).—One
of the three great Divisions of Drivida or Southern India, the other
two being Cota and Curra. The capital was first at Kolkai at the
mouth of the Tambraparni, and afterwards at Mapura. Kolkai is now
several miles inland. An early legend runs that the three kingdoms
were founded by three brothers from Kolkai, the two younger going
north and west, and founding Chola and Chera. The kingdom of
Pandya included Madura District and all south of it, Its early history
is purely legendary; but it is believed to have been founded in the 6th
century B.c., and it is known to have been overthrown in the middle
of the rrth century of the Christian era, to be restored, after a period
of anarchy, by the Néyaks. Bishop Caldwell says: ‘The Singhalese
traditions preserved in the Ma/dvansa represent Vijdya, the first
sovercign of Ceylon, as marrying a daughter of the Pandya king, in
consequence of which his son was called Panduvamsadeva. Arjuna,
‘one of the five Pandava brothers, is related in the MaAdbhdrata to have
married a daughter of the King of the Pandyas in the course of his many
wanderings. There is no certainty in these traditions, but it is certain
that about the time of Pliny and the Periplus a portion of the Malabar
coast was ruled over by the Paindyas, a proof that thei: "
siderably extended itself from its original seats; and L regard it as nearly
certain that the Indian king who sent an embassy to Augustus was not
Porus, but Pandion, #, the King of the Pandyas, called in Tamil
Pindiyan.’ The Senderbandi of Marco Polo is assumed to be a
corruption of Sundara Péndya, the King of Madura. [For
information the reader is referred to The Madura Country,
Nelson, M.A., C.S., Madras, 1868, pp. 1-86 of Part iii.)
4 PANIPAT TARSIL AND TOWN,
Panipat.—Southem fadsi/ or Sub-division of Karnal District, Punjab.
Area, 458 square miles, with 166 towns and villages, 26,715 houses,
and 42,496 families. Total population (1881) 186,793, namely, males
100,301, and females 86,492, Average density of the population,
408 persons per square mile. Classified according to religion, there
were in 188:—Hindus, 137,801, or 73°8 per cent.; Muhammadans,
45,908, or 24°6 per cent, ; Sikhs, 213; Jains, 2858; and Christians, 13.
OF the 166 towns and villages, 60 contain less than five hundred
inhabitants ; 40 from five hundred to a thousand; 65 from one to five
thousand ; and 1 upwards of ten thousand inhabitants. ‘The average
area under cultivation for the five years 1877-78 to 1881-82 was
229} square miles, or 146,701 acres, the area occupied by the chief
crops being as follows :—Wheat, 49,710 acres ; jody, 26,155 acres; gram,
15,943 acres; rice, 8263 acres; barley, 7719 acres; other food-grains,
consisting of Adjra, Indian corn, and moth, 7020 acres; cotton, 12,932
acres; sugarcane, 11,451 acres; vegetables, 763 acres; and tobacco,
426 acres. Revenue of the éaAsil, £27,385. ‘The éahsilddr is the only
administrative officer, and presides over 1 civil and 1 criminal court;
number of police circles (//Adads), 4; strength of regular police, 109
men; rural police (chankiddrs), 306.
Panipat (Paniful). — Decayed town, municipality, and famous
battle-field in Karndl District, Punjab, and head-quarters of the
Piinfpat fahsiZ, Situated in lat. 29° 23'N., long. 77° 1' ro” &, on the
Grand Trunk Road, 53 miles north of Delhi, near the old bank of the
Jumna, upon a high mound composed of the dédnis of centuries.
Panipat town is of great antiquity, dating back to the period of the war
between the Pindayas and the Kaurayas, when it formed one of the
well-known pats or priésthas demanded by Yudishthira from Duryodhana
as the price of peace, 2
In historical times, the neighbourhood of PAnipat has thrice formed
the scene of decisive battles, which sealed the fate of Upper India.
‘The great military road which runs north-west through Hindustan to the
frontier, bisects the broad plain of Panipat, at a distance of about so
miles from Delhi. Count von Noer, whose interesting Life of Addar is
shortly to be published in an English form by Mrs, Beveridge, thus
describes the scenery of that wide expanse Panipat is a far-reaching,
almost illimitable level tract, broken only by insignificant undulations.
Here and there, where the shallow soil is moistened from some niggardly
watercourse, grow sparse grasses and stunted thorn bushes. But for
the most part, the eye falls only on the uniform yellowish-grey waste
seem as if this desert had been designed for the boattle-fel id
In 1526, Babar with his small ee ete Lodi at
PANIPAT TOWN.
the Pathdns was that of the Durdni Wazfr; and it suffered
from the shock of an attack delivered upon them by the Bhfo
rally the courage of his followers, of whom many were
in full retreat. “ Whither would you run, friends?” cried the Wazir ;
“your country is far from here!”
‘Meanwhile the prudent Najfb had masked his advance by a series
breastworks, under cover of which he had gradually approached the
hostile line, “*I have the highest stake to-day," he said, ‘and cannot
afford 1o make any mistakes.” ‘The part of the enemy’s force imme-
diately opposed to him was commanded by the head of the Sindhia
house, who was Najfb’s personal enemy. Till noon, Najib remained
on the defensive, keeping off all close attacks upon his earthworks by
continuous of rockets. But so far the fortune of the day
was evidently inclined towards the Marithds. The Muhammadan
left still helel their own under the Wazirs and Najib, but the centre was
cut in two, and the right was almost
“Of the circumstances which turned the tide and gave the crisis to
the Moslems, but one account necessarily exists. Hitherto we have
had the guidance of Grint-Duff for the Manithi side of the affair; but
now the whole movement was to be from the other side, and we
cannot do better than trust the Pandit, Dow, the only other con-
temporary author of importance—if we except Ghulim Husain, who.
wrote at a very remote place— is irremediably inaccurate and vague
about all these transactions. The Pandit, then, informs us that
during the earlier hours of the conflict, the Shih had watched the
fortunes of the battle from his tent, guarded by the still unbroken forces
on his left. But now, hearing that his right was reeling and his centre
was defeated, he felt that the moment was come fora final effort. In
front of him the Hindu cries of Mar! Har! Jai Mahddeo! wore
maintaining an equal and dreadful concert with those of Adak / Algah
Din! Din} trom his own side, The battle wavered to and fro, like
that of Flodden, as described by Scott. The Shih saw the critical
moment in the very act of passing, He therelore sent 500 of his own
body-guard with orders to drive all able-bodied men out of camp, and
send them to the front at any cost. Fifteen hundred more he sent
to encounter those who were flying, and slay out pity any who
would not retum to the fight. These, with 4000 of his reserve
troops, went to support the broken ranks of the Rohill
‘The remainder of the reserve, 10,000 siron;
cqatre of the Geld. ‘The Shdh's orders were clear,
warriors Were to charge with the Wazfr in close order, :
8 PANJAB—PANNA.
was transferred to Karnil in 1854, owing to the growing unhealthiness
of the former place. ‘The principal public buildings, apart from the
ordinary Sub-divisional courts and offices, are the municipal hall,
post-office, police station, school, rest-house, and large sand? or native
inn.
Panjib.—Province of Northern India, —See Puxsan,
Panjim (or New Goa).—The central quarter of New Goa, the present
capital of Portuguese India.—See Goa.
P river of the Punjab, formed by the united waters
of the Sutlej (Satlaj), Beas (Bids), Ravi, Chendb, and Jehlam (Jhelum).
Commences att the confluence of the Sutlej (Satlaj) with the Trimab or
Chenib, in lat 29° 21° N., and long. 74” 3' m., and, taking a south-
westerly course of about 60 miles, joins the Indus nearly opposite
Mithankot, in lat. 28° 57'N., and long. 70° 29’ & The Panjndd
separates the British District of Muzaffargarh from the Native State of
Bahdwalpur. The stream, even after the junction with the Sutlej, often
bears the name of the Chendb,
Pan-ma-myit-ta,—Tidal creek in Bassein District, Irawadi Division,
Lower Burma, It connects the Pya-ma-law and Ywe streams, and
is navigable by river steamers at all times, and is the route generally
followed by small vessels plying between Rangoon and Basscin.
Pan-ma-wa-di.—Creck in Basscin District, Irawadi Division,
Lower Burma. Under the name of the Thi-kwin, it leaves the Min-
ma-naing near the village of Tan-ta-bin, in about Int, 16° so" s., and
long. 95° 13° &. After a generally westerly course of about 60 miles,
the Pan-ma-wa-di unites with the Basskin, the depth at its mouth
heing 10 fathoms at low-water spring+ides. River steamers can ascend.
at all seasons as far as the village of Thi-kwin, a distance of 48 miles,
where the channel is 200 feet broad. The chief branches of the Pan-
ma-wa-di are the Mindi and the Min-ma-naing,
Panna (Punnah),—Native State in Bundelkhand, under the
political superintendence of the Bundelkhand Agency of Central India.
Bounded on the north by the British District of Banda, and by one of
the outlying divisions of Charkhdri State; on the east by the States of
Kothi, Suhdwal, Nagode, and Ajaigarh; on the south by Damoh and
Jabalpur (Jubbulpore) Districts of the Central Provinces; and on the
west by the petty States of Chhatarpur and Ajaigarh. Estimated area,
2568 square miles. Population (1881) 227,306. Panna is for the most
part situated on the tablelands above the Vindhyan Ghats, and contains
much hill and jungle land,
‘The former prosperity of the State was due to its diamond mines,
‘The diamonds were found in several places, especially o1
of the town (‘Panna Mines’), ‘The ground on the s
50 PANNA TOWN.
then await the setting in of the rainy season, to furnish them with a
supply of water for the purpose of washing the gravel.’ The same
writer considers that ‘inexhaustible strata producing diamonds exist
here.’ ‘None of the great diamonds now known appear to be traceable
to the mines in Panna, and ‘ieffenthaler mentions it as a general
opinion that those of Golconda are superior.’ During the prosperity of
the mines, a tax of 25 per cent. was levied on their produce, but the tax
now imposed is stated to exceed this rate, The revenue is divided in
proportions between the Rajds of Panna and Charkhdri. The value of
the diamonds still found in the mines is estimated at £12,000 per
annum. Iron is also found in the State.
‘The chief of Panna is descended from Hardi Sih, one of the sons of
the famous Mahdrdjaé Chhatar Sal. When the British entered Bundel-
khand, Rajé Kishor Singh was the chief of the State, which was then in
a condition of complete anarchy, He was confirmed in his possessions
by samads granted in 1807 and 1811. As a reward for services rendered.
during the Mutiny of 1857, the Raji received the privilege of adoption,
adress of honour of the value of £2000, and a personal salute of 13
guns. The present Mahdnéji, Rudra Pratdp Singh, who isa Bindela
‘Rajput, succeeded in 1870; and in 1876 he was invested with the
insignia of a Knight Commander of the Star of India by His Royal
Highness the Prince of Wales,
‘The population of Panna was in 1881 returned at 227,306 persons,
dwelling in x town and 867 villages, and occupying 45,414 houses ;
males numbered 118,349, females 108,957. Average number of
persons per square mile, $85, Hindus number 203,425; Muham-
madans, 5989; Jains, 1271; Christians, 9; Parsis, 3; aboriginal Gonds,
8886; and Kols, 7723. ‘The land revenue is estimated at 5 dikks of
rupees (say £50,900), but much of this amount is alienated, A small
and fluctuating revenue is also derived from a tax on the diamond
mines, Tribute of £995 is paid on the districts of Sur4jpur and
Ektina. A road was constructed by the late Mahdrdjd Narpdl Singh
from his capital to Sindriya in the Damoh direction (40 miles). The
present chief has constructed another road towards the north, through
Bisrdm Ghat, a distance of 14 miles, at a cost of about £6500, and
which for tracing and workmanship will bear comparison with any hill
road in the country. Schools have also been founded in the State,
A military force is maintained of 250 cavalry and 2440 infantry, with
19 guns and 60 artillerymen.
Panna.—Chief town of the Native State of Panna, Bundelkhand,
Central India; situated in lat. 24° 43° 30° N., and Jong. 80° 13' 557 By
on the route from Banda to Jabalpur (Jubbulpore), 62
the former and 169 miles north of the latter; distant {
s2 _PAN-TA-NAW—PANWEL,
and (1881) £36,072, It is divided into 8 revenue circles, with a
total population (1881) of 49,410 persons. ‘The greater part of the
country is covered with forests,
Pan-ta-naw.—Town in the Pan-ta-naw township, Thun-gwa District,
Trawadi Division, Lower Burma; situated on the river Irawadi (Ira
waddy), in lat. 16° 55° N., and long. 95° 28’ 8, Population, 5824 in
1877, and 6174 in 1881. Head-quarters of an extra-Assistant Con
missioner, Considerable river-borne traffic in nga-fi, dried fish, piece-
goods, and hardware,
Panth-Piplanda.—Guaranteed chiefship (Thaktirit) under the
Western Malwa Agency. Consisting of xe villages. Population (#881)
4086, dwelling in 903 houses. Hindus number 3989; Mubam-
madans, 93; and non-Hindu aborigines, 4.
Panwéri,—South-western fafisid of Hamirpur District, North-
Western Provinces, —Ste Kutranar.
Panwel. —Sub-division of Thdna District, Bombay Presidency.
This Subdivision includes the petty Division of Uran, and lies in the
south-west of the District, having along its eastern boundary the lofty
‘Bava Malang, Matherin, and Prabal ranges, and the Manikgarh range
‘on the south-east. It has many natural advantages; its seaboard and.
rivers give it the command of water carriage to Bombay as well as in
the interior, while the Poona and Bombay road supplies excellent
land communication. ‘The climate, though damp and unhealthy for
Europeans, is temperate except in the hot season, at which time the
water-supply gets scanty. Area, 307 square miles, containing 2 towns
and 217 villages. Population (1872) 96,7144; (1881) 101,181, namely,
52,140 males and 49,041 females, Hindus number 93,816; Muham-
madans, 5920; and ‘others,’ 1445. In 1879-80, the separate holdings
numbered 13,105, of an average area of 6§ acres cach, and paying an.
average assessment of £1, 8s, rtd. Total area in 1881, exclusive of
9r square miles occupied by the lands of alienated villages, 216 square
miles. Of the Government area, 76,69 acres were returned as
cultivable, 8959 acres as uncultivable, 39,132 acres as forest land, 4021
acres as salt land, and 6926 acres occupied by village sites, cte. Total
cultivated area of Government land in 1880-81, 49,466 acres, of which
364 actes were twice cropped. Principal crops—grain, 46,535 acres
pulses, 2382 acres; oilseeds, 434 acres; fibres, 29 acres; and miscel-
laneous, 450 acres. Rice occupied 43,936 acres. In 1883 the Sub-
division contained r civil and 3 criminal courts ; police circle:
25 regular police, 65 men. Land revenue (1882-83), £19,618.
Panwel.—Chief town of the Panwel Sub-livision of District,
Bombay Presidency; situated 20 miles south by east c
x, Population (1881) 16,351, namely, 5462 males and 4889 females,
4 PARAD SINGHA—PARAHAT,
Parad Singha.—Village in Katol daAsi/, Nagpur District, Central
Provinces, Population (1881) 2780, namely, Hindus, 2669; Muham
madans, 55; Jains, 22; non-Hindu aborigines, 34-
Paréhat,—Scquestrated estate in Singhbhiim District, Bengal. Ares,
791 square miles. Population (872) 54,374, dwelling in 380 villages
and 10,327 houses. Number of Hindus, 26,363; Muhammadans,
200; Christians, 484; and ‘others,’ 27,326. Average number of
persons per square mile, 69 ; villages per square mile, 0-48; houses per
square mile, 13; persons per house, 5°3; proportion of males in total
population, so°8, No returns of area or population of this estate are
separately given in the Census Report of 1881.
‘Two rival legends are current concerning the origin of the chiefs of
Pardhdt, who were formerly called Rajas of Singhbhitm. One of these,
apparently an aboriginal tradition, alleges that the founder of the family
was discovered as a boy in a hollow tree, which a Bhuiyd forester was
cutting dawn. This bay became the head of the Bhuiyé tribe, and
worshipped Pauri or Pahiri Devi, a peculiarly Bhuiyd divinity, corre-
sponding to the Thakurini Mai of the Bhuiyds in Keunjhar The
Singh family themselves, however, claim to be Kshattriyas of pure blood.
‘They assert that, many generations ago, the first of their race, a Kadam-
bans{ Rajput from Mirwdr, while passing through the country on a
pilgrimage to the shrine of Jagannath at Purf, was chosen by the people
as their Rajé. Some time afterwards, a dispute arose between the
Bhuiyds of Eastern Singhbhiim and the Larka Kols of the central tract
of Kolhdn ; the chief's family joined the Kols, and after they had put
down the Bhuiyds, claimed sovereignty over both tribes. ‘This latter
legend is no doubt open to suspicion, as arrogating to the family a
distant foreign origin, and indirectly supporting their invalid claim to
supremacy aver the Kols; but it is corroborated by the fact that good
families admit the Rajput origin of the Pardbdt chief,
‘The estate of Parthdt or Singhbhiim Proper was saved by its rocky
boundaries and sterile soil from conquest by the Marithis, and was
thoroughly independent when, in 1848, Rij Ghanshém Singh Deo
tendered his allegiance to the British Government. The neighbouring
estates of Sdraikali and Kharsdwdn abutted on the frontier of the old
Jungle Mahdls of. Western Bengal; and as early as 1793, engagements
relating to fugitive rebels had been taken from their chiefs. But the
Parihdt estate lay farther west, and there had previously been no com
munication between its chief and the British Government. ‘The objects
of the Rajd in thus becoming a British feudatory were,—first, to be
recognised as lord paramount over Vikrim Singh, ancestor of the present
Rajd of Siraikalé, and Babu Chaltan Singh of Kharsdwan ; secondly, to
hands of Babu Vikrim Singh of Siraikald; and lastly, to obtain aid
56 PARANITIT TOWN—PARASGARH.
which 22,669 acres were alienated land, 92,953 acres cultivable, 59,474
acres uncultivable waste, and 43,192 acres of village sites, etc. Total
cultivated area of Government land in 1877-78, 72,026 acres, of
which 3441 acres were twice cropped. Principal crops—grain crops,
53205 acres, of which 29,924 were under ddjra ; pulses, 19,458 acres ;
oil-seeds, 2572 acres; fibres, 42 acres; and miscellaneous crops, 190
acres, In 1861-62, the year of Settlement, 10,035 holdings were
recorded, with an average area of 9} acres, and paying an average
revenue of 17s. 44d. In 1883 the Sub-division contained 3 criminal
courts and 2 police circles (#hdnds) ; regular police, r22 men ; village
watch (chaukiddrs), 644. Land revenue, £13,830.
Pardntij (Parantej).—Chief town of the Pardntij Sub-division,
Ahmadabdd District, Bombay Presidency ; situated in lat. 23° 26’ 20"
N., long. 72° 53' 45” E, 33 miles north-west of Ahmadabdd city.
Population (1881) 8353. Hindus number 5252; Muhammadans,
2165 ; Jains, 932; and ‘others,’ 4. Pardntij is a prosperous town. Its
special manufacture is soap; there are six soap factories with a yearly
out-turn of about 178 tons. Pardntij is a municipality, with an income
in 1883-84 of £378; incidence of taxation per head of population,
73d. Post-office, travellers’ bungalow, dispensary, and two schools
with 557 pupils in 1883. Exports, gAf, grain, and leather of annual
value of £1980.
Pérasgarh.—Sub-division of Belg4um District, Bombay Presidency
situated in the south-east corner of the District. A low range of sand-
stone hills running north-west and south-east divides Parasgarh into two
nearly equal parts. South-west of the hills, whose southern face is steep
and rugged, is a plain of fine black soil with many rich villages and
hamlets, which suffered severely in the famine of 1876-77. The north-
east, which is broken by low hills, is a high waving plateau overgrown
with bush and prickly pear; the soil mostly poor and sandy. In the
extreme north, the sandstone gives place to trap, and the soil is
generally shallow and poor. The Malprabha, which flows north-east
through the middle of the Sub-division, forms with its feeders the chief
water-supply. Before the close of the hot season, almost all the small
streams dry and stagnate; and the well and pond water is scanty and
unwholesome. In the north and east, the rainfall is scanty and
~ uncertain; but in the south and west, and in the immediate neighbour-
hood of the Sahyddri hills it is plentiful, Area, 640 square miles;
contains 1 town and 126 villages. Population (1872) 120,691 ; (1881)
91,826, namely, 45,404 males and 46,422 females, dwelling in 17,770
houses. Hindus number 84,419; Muhammadans, 6384; and ‘others,’
1023. Total area, exclusive of roo square miles occupied by the lands
of alienated villages, 540 square miles, Of the Government area,
171,495 acres were returned in 1881 as cultivable, 1893 acres as uncul-
38 PARASPUR-ATA,
Giridhi station, and thence by a short journey along a metalled
road, the distance being about 18 miles, In 1858, Pdrasnath was
selected as a convalescent depét for European troops. The cool-
ness of its climate (averaging during the seven hot months 16° F.
below that of the plains), the purity of its air, its nearness to Calcutta,
and the abundant building materials on the spot, recommended the
hill for this purpose. Buildings were erected ; but the water-supply
proved sufficient for only from 60 to 80 men, the plateau at the summit
was too confined for exercise, and the solitude and quiet exerted a
depressing influence on the invalid soldiers. “They conceived an intense
dislike to the spot, and begged to be allowed to take their chance in.
hospital on the plains. This feeling seriously retarded their recovery 5
and it was found that, although the place was an excellent sanitarium
for the robust or the very sick, it was unsuitable for convalescents, who
could not take exercise beyond the cramped limits of the plateau.
After much discussion, Parasnith was given up as a sanitarium
in 1868. Next year the buildings had already fallen into decay, and
the mountain was again abandoned to the forest and wild beasts and
Jain pilgrims. ‘The building formerly used as the officers’ quarters is
now utilized as a dék bungalow, Pilgrims flock, to the number of
19,090 annually, from distant parts of India to this remote spot—the
scene of JVirvdna, or ‘ beatific annihilation’ of no less than ro of the
24 deified saints, who are the objects of Jain adoration. From the
last of these, Parsva or Pérsyandtha, the hill, originally called Samet
Sikhar, took its better known name of Parasnath, (For a full account
of the shrines and ceremonies, see Statistical Account of Bingat, vol.
xvi, pp. 216, 217.)
Pilgrimage to Pirasnath is still as popular as ever among the Jains ;
and new shrines, a single one of which in white marble cost £8009,
are from time to time erected. The temples lie well apart from the
plateau, and the improved means of communication with Calcutta hold
obt a possibility of the latter being yet utilized as a small and cheaply-
reached sanitarium.
Pardspur-Até.—T'wo adjacent villages in Gonda District, Oudh ;
situated 15 miles south-west of Gonda town, on the road between
Nawébganj and Colonelganj. Joint population (1881) of the two
villages, 4099, namely, Hindus 3412, and Muhammadans 687,
Parispur was founded about 40 years ago by Rdjd Paras Ram
Kalhins, the only son of the Gonda Riijd, whose destruction by a
sudden flood of the Gogra is narrated in the article on Goxpa
Districr (g2.). His descendant, the present Raja of Pardspur, and
chief of the * Kathdns of Guwiarich, still resides in a large mud-house to
the east of the village. The Babu of Ati, representative of a younger
branch of the same family, enjoying a separate estate, lives in Ati, a
FARBATI-PARELL,
including a number of ‘White’ Jews and Christians, Not separately
returned in the Census Report of 1881. At one time Paraviir town
belonged to Cochin, but in 1762 it was made over to Travancore. Tipe
destroyed a great part of the town,
Parbats (Pérvad!),—River in Kangra District, Punjab, draining Kila
Proper; rises in Wazirl Rupi, on the slopes of a Mid-Himélayan peak,
20,000 feet in height. Runs in a generally westerly direction,
into the Beas (Bids) below Sultinpur, in lat, 31° 53° 33° Nw
long. 77° tr’ B, after a total course of about go miles. For the
miles the mountains on either side rise bare and uninhabited 5
Ciastoat. Risesin the Vindhya hills, in lat. 22” 45" x., long. 76° 33° %y
and after a northerly course of 220 miles past the Native States of
Bhopal, Dhds, Rajgarh, Tonk, and Kotah, falls into the Chambal in
fat. 25° 50’ ¥., long. 76° 40' &,
Pérdi—Sub-division of Surat District, Bombay Presidency. Area,
163 square miles, containing 82 villages, Population (1872) 51,7495
(2881) 55,76, namely, 27,336 males and 28,425 females, occupying
9578 houses. Hindus number 28,401; Muhammadans, 1481; and
‘others,’ 25,879. Land revenue, £12,756. The region adjoins
Portuguese territory, and is for the most part an undulating plain
sloping westwards to the sea. ‘The fields are, as a rule, unenclosed.
‘The Sub-division is divided into an unfertile and a fertile region by the
Kolak river. Average rainfall, 7o inches. “The land was surveyed and
settled in 1869-70 for a term of zo years. In the year of survey there
were 5532 holdings, with an average area of 148 acres, and an average
rental of £2, 48. ro}d. Total Government area, 162 square miles.
Of the Government area, 91,116 acres were returned in 188% as
cultivable, 3915 acres uncultivable waste, and 6514 acres as village sites,
etc. In 1873-74, of 74,096 acres held for tillage, 29,901 acres were
fallow or under grass, ‘Total cultivated area of Government land in
1873-74) 44,195 acres, Principal crops—grain crops, 32,022 acres;
pulses, 7378 acres ; oilseeds, 7428 acres ; fibres, 325 ; and miscellancous,
809 acres’ In 1883 the Subdivision contained 1 criminal court;
regular police, 59 men ; village watch (chaukiddrs), 220.
Pardi.—Head-quarters of Pardi Sub-division, Surat
Presidency, Lat. 20° 31' E, long. 72" 59° 8. Populat:
Not separately returned in the Census of 1881. Post
Parell.—Northern suburb of Bombay city; once the
the country houses of the European merchants, and st
62 PARENDA—PARIAR.
‘The present European cemetery at Parell was opened as a botanical
garden in 1830, and was conyerted into a cemetery in 1867. It lies
under Flag Staff hill, sheltered by pines on either side. By Great
Indian Peninsula Railway, Parell is distant 4 miles from the Bombay
terminus,
Parendd.—Old fortress in Naldrdg District of Haidaribad (Nizim's
Dominions) ; situated in lat. 18° 16' 20” x., and long. 75° 30" 18" &,
‘on the frontier of Ahmadnagar District, Parendd is one of the many
forts erected by Méhmud Khwéjd Gawitn, the celebrated minister of
the Bahmani king, Muhammad Shih 1. After the capture of Ahmad-
nagar by the Mughals in 1605, the capital of the Nizim Shahi kingdom
was removed to Parenda for a short period. Parendd was unsuccess-
fully besieged by the Emperor Shih Jahén’s general, Azam Khan, in
41630, and by Prince Shah Shuja in 1633. ‘The greater portion of the
town is now in ruins, but the fortifications are in good order,
Pargands, The Twenty-four,—District of Bengal.—See Twenry-
FOUR PARGANAS.
Pérghét.—Old pass or route across the Western Ghits leading
from Satéra District to Koliba, Bombay Presidency. Two villages,
Par Par or Par Proper and Pet Pér, situated 5 miles west of Malcolm-
pet and immediately south of Partabgarh, give their name to and mark
the old route into the Konkan called the Puirghdt, which goes straight
‘over the hill below Bombay Point, and winds up a very steep incline
with so many curves that it was named by the British the Corkscrew
Pass. Passing through the two Pars, the further line of the Sahyadri
is descended by an equally steep path to the village of Parghét in
Koliba District, This route was maintained practicable for cattle and
the artillery of the period from very carly times, and chawkis or
toll stations for the levy of transit duties as well as for defence were
stationed at various points, Afzul Khan, the Mahammadan general
of the king of Bijapur, brought his forces by this pass to the famous
interview at Partdbgarh, where he was murdered by Sivaji. Until the
building of the Kumbhdrli road in 1864 and the Fitzgerald pass road
in 1876, the Parghat was the only highway leading to the Konkan,
Pariar.—Pargand in Unao faksié, Unao District, Oudh; bounded
‘on the north by Safipur, on the east by Unao faryend, on the south by
Sikandarpur, and on the west by the Ganges, which separates it from
Cawnpur District. A small pergend, with an area of 36 square miles,
of which 19 are cultivated. The soil is chiefly loam and clay, and
produces wheat and barley of the first quality. Ws
a small tributary of the Ganges. Population (188:
14,120 Hindus and 440 Mubamsmadans.
tenure is samfudéri, Government land revenue, 57, OF an average
assessment of 25, 6Jd. per acre. Hindu tradition alleges that it was
64 PARKAIL—PARLA KIMEDI.
which iy 3 feet deep. The water stands for a day in each, gradually
thickening as it evaporates. On the fourth day it is transferred to
tank No. 4; and on the morning of the fifth, some of the brine is
ladled from that tank into an adjoining network of very shallow pools
‘each pool being 5 feet square by only 6 inches deep. Here it stands
during the intense heat of the day. By the afternoon the manufacture
is complete, and the salt is raked out of the network of shallow pools
The out-tum of a Parikud saleworking is about 15 tons the first week ;
and if the manufacture goes on without interruption for a fortnight,
it may amount to as much as So tons for the 15 days. A shower
‘of rain stops the whole process, and necessitates its being begun
afresh,
Parkail,—Mountain peak in Bashahr State, Punjab; a summit of
the ridge in Kundwar, separating the Spiti from the Sutlej (Satlaj) basin.
‘Thornton states that it lies 6 or 7 miles north-east of the confluence
of these two rivers, in lat 3x° 4’ N., and long. 77° 46’ 2. Elevation
above seatevel, 22,488 feet.
Parkar,—Town in Nagar Pirkar A#uk of the Thar and Parkar
District, Sind, Bombay Presidency. —See Nacar ParKar.
Parl Kimedi,—Ancicnt saminddéri (landed estate) in Ganjém
District, Madras Presidency; the largest in the District, extending over
an area of 764 square miles, including 354 square miles of wuféiyas or hill
country. Population of lowland tract (1871) 227,482 ; (1881) 240,980,
occupying 48,097 houses and 723 villages. Hindus in 1881 numbered.
240,266 ; Muhammadans, 497 ; Christians, 18; and ‘others,’99. The _
miliya tract contains (1831) 342 villages, and a population of 39,152,
namely, 20,218 males and 18,934 females, occupying 8936 houses.
Hindus number 38,952, chiefly Savars ; and Muhammadans, 200. ‘The
estate pays a peshdush (fixed quitrent) of £8782, the proprietary income
being returned at £55,274, including interest on funded money,
‘The saménddrs claim descent from the royal house of Orissa Gaja-
pattis (Gangavansa), and take precedence in the District, Eleven hill
chiefs called Bissoft, and 23 smaller lairds called Doras, owe feudal
allegiance and pay tribute to the Raja.
The British first came into contact with
when Colonel Peach led a detachment ag, iyan Deo, the
samindér, and defeated him at Jalmds. In 1799, the Company
temporarily assumed control of the estate for breach of engagement.
Restored to the family, this dificult country
disturbances for many years. In 1 was ravaged by Pindaris ;
and in 18rg it was found necessary to send a
Mr. Thackeray, to quell a rising.
sent into Parld Kimedi, under General
66 PARNER TOWN—PARONE.
Sixteen miles of the Abmadnagar-Poona high road lic in Parner. The
Dhond-Manmid .State Railway skirts the south-east corner, and has
one station in the Subdivision, The manufactures are few, consisting
of coarsely woven turbans, cotton cloth, and woollen blankets, Of
217,629 acres, the actual aren under cultivation in 1881-82, grain crops
occupied 180,472 acres, of which 109,447 were under ddjra (Pennisctum
typhoideum), 58,384 under yodr (Sorghum vulgare); pulses, 26,704
acres; oil-seeds, 8972 acres ; fibres, 191 acres, the whole under hemp
(Crotalaria juncea); and miscellancous crops, 1290 acres. In 1883
the Sub-division contained 2 civil and 2 criminal courts; 1 police
circle (#idmd) ; regular police, 34 men ; village watch (chaukiddrs), 218.
Land revenue, £15,417.
Parner.—Town in Ahmadnagar District, Bombay Presidency, and
head-quarters of Parmer Subdivision. Lat, 19° x4 long. 74° 30° &
Situated 20 miles south-west of Ahmadnagar town and 1g miles west of
Sfrola station on the Dhond-Manmdd State Railway, Population (1881)
4958. Parner contains numerous money-lenders, chiefly Mérwairis, with
a bad name for greed and fraud. In 1874-75, disturbances arose
between the husbandmen and the money-lenders, ‘The villagers placed
the money-lenders in a state of social outlawry, refusing to work for
them, to draw water, supply necessaries, or shave them, The watch-
fulness of the police saved Parner from a riot. Weekly market on
Sundays, and postoffice.
Pérola.—Town in Khandesh District, Bombay Presidency ; situated
in lat. 20° 56’ 20° 8., and long. 75° 14° 30° &., 22 miles east of Dhulia,
and 22 miles west of the Mhaxtwdr station on the Great Indian Peninsula
Railway. Population (1881) 12,354, namely, 6114 males and 6240
females. Hindus number 9997; Muhammadans, 1743; Jains, 468 ;
and ‘others,’ 146. Parola is a municipality, with an income of £387
in 1883-84 ; incidence of taxation per head, sd. It is eaid to have been
raised by its proprietor, Hari Saddsiva Dsimothar, from the position of a
small village of 50 houses to that of a walled town. He is also said to
have built, about 1727, the spacious fort, one of the finest architectural
remains of the kind in Khandesh, It must have been at one time
a very strong place; it is surrounded by a moat, and the entrance
was formerly protected by a drawbridge and large flanking towers,
During the Mutiny in 1857, the proprietors proved disloyal, and their
estate was confiscated, the town being taken possession of by the
British Government, and the fort dismantled. A considerable trade is
carried on in cattle, cotton, dygdds (women’s robes), and grain. Post-
office; and dispensary, which relieved 7576 patients in 1883; and
schools with 451 pupils in 1883-84.
Parone,—Guaranteed chiefship under the Guna (Goona) Sub-Agency
of Central India, and a feudatory of Gwalior, The ruling family are
68 = PARSHADEPCR VILLAGE—PARTABGARH.
estate of the Bahu Begam, and was constituted a separate paryawd
in 1783.
Parshddepur (or Anhora Rampur). — Village in Salon tahst/, Rai
Bareli District, Oudh, and head-quarters of Parshidepur fargand »
situated 26 miles from Rai Bareli town, and + mile north of the
Sai river. Population (1881) 1232, namely, 1036 Hindus and 136
Muhammadans. Five Hindu temples and 9 Muhammadan mosques.
Market. Vernacular school.
Partabganj—/argand in Nawilganj faAsi/, Bara Banki District,
Oudh; bounded on the north by Fatehpur fa/si/, on the east by Ram
Sanehi Ghdt ¢aAsff, on the south by Satrikh pargand, and on the west
by Naw&bganj fergand. Area, 56 square miles, or 35,751 acres, of
which 24,288 acres are under cultivation. Population (1881) 33,448,
namely, Hindus, 27,416; Muhammadans, 6031; and ‘others,’ 1, ‘The
54 villages comprising the paryand are held under the following
tenures :—Tulukddri, 26; samindéri, 15 ; and pattiddri, t3. Intersected
by the metalled road to Faizibdd (Fyztbid). Five schools, two police
posts, and a post-office, Government land revenue, £6422, or at the
rate of 5s. 24d. per acre.
Partabgarh (Praliprari), —British District in the Rai Barcli Divi-
sion of Oudh, under the jurisdiction of the Lieutenant-Governor of the
North-Western Provinces ; situated between 25° 34’ and 26° 10’ 307
N. lat, and between $1" 22’ and 82" 29° 45" x. long, Bounded on the
north by Rai Bareli and Sultdnpur Districts, and on the east, south,
and west by Jaunpur and Allahdbdd Districts of the North-Western
Provinces. The Ganges, flowing from south-west to south-east, forms
the western boundary line, while the Guiti at the opposite extremity
marks the eastern boundary fora few miles, ‘The District has recently
undergone considerable diminution of area, by the transfer in 1869
of Salon and Parshidepur fargands to Rai Bareli, Prior to these
changes, Partibgarh District contained an area of 1733 square miles.
Present area, 1436 square miles. Population (1881) 847,047. ‘The
administrative head-quarters are at Beta, 4 miles from Partdbgarh
town.
Physical Aspects —The general aspect of Partébgath is that of a richly
wooded and fertile plain, here and there relieved by gentle undulations,
and in the vicinity of the rivers and streams broken into ravines. The
southern portion of the District in the neighbourhood of the Ganges
is perhaps more densely wooded than other parts. Barren tracts of
uncultivable land, impregnated with saline efflorescence (ref), are met
with in places, but do not extend over any considerable area. For
the most part, Partdbgarh is under rich and varied cultivation,
dotted with neatly built villages and hamlets, which are surrounded
by fine groves of mango, ma/ud, or other trees. The soil is light, but
7 PARTABGARH-
152,876 ; total children, 321,256, or 37°9 per cent. of the population =
15 years of age and upwards, males 252,350, and females 273,441 5
total adults, 525,793, or 62° per cent.
Religion.—Classified according to religion, the population consists of
—Hindus, 763,054, or go‘t per cent, ; Muhammadans, 83,944, oF 9'9
per cent.; Christians, 48; and Parsi, 1. Of the Hindu population,
about jo per cent. are cultivators, which proportion is pretty evenly
maintained throughout the District. ‘The higher castes, including
Bnthmans (119,096), Rajputs (57,628), Vaisyas (20,797), and Kiiyasths
(91r3), form nearly a fourth of the total population. The Brihmans
are the most numerous caste in the District. In the Manikpur and
Bihdr pargands there are a great many families of spurious Bréh-
mans, whose ancestors belonged to the lower castes of Hindus, and
were invested with the sacred thread by Rij Manik Chand, a brother
of Jai Chand, the last Hindu king of Kanauj. Of the lower castes,
Ahirs (104,897), Kurmis (93,518), Chamdrs (87,805), Pasis (51,569),
Gaddrias (37,091), and Kachhis (31,577) predominate. The Kurmis
and Kachhis, who are the best cultivating castes, are almost to &
man agriculturists ; and {n regard to the number of the former, Partab-
garh ranks third among the Oudh Districts. The roajority of the Abirs,
Chamiirs, Pasis, and Gadjrias are also cultivators. There are more
Lohdrs or blacksmiths (15,845) in Partdbgarh than in any other District
in Oudh, but comparatively few are engaged in agricultural pursuits,
Lonits are also a numerous (12,109) caste. They are salt-makers by
hereditary profession ; now that their normal occupation has gone, they
have been forced to seek new employment, and are almost exclusively
cultivators. The other important Hindu castes include the following—
‘Telia, oil-sellers, 14,682 ; Nais, barbers, 12.474; Kalwérs, spirit-sellers
and distillers, 11,030; Kahrs, palanquin-bearers and domestic servants,
10,981 ; Kumbhdrs, potters, 10,513; Bhurjis, grain parchers, 9105 ;
Dhobis, washermen, 8264; Bhits, genealogists, 5610; Mallahs, boat-
men, §102; and Tamulis, betel-growers, 5100.
‘The Muhammadans, who number 83,994, are chiefly found in Ménik-
pur, Partibgarh, and Bihir pargends, and are fewest in Dhingwas and
Rampur pargands ; they are nearly evenly divided between agricultural
and non-agricultural, the former class slightly preponderating. The
most respected classes are Shaikhs and Pathans, ‘The Muhammadan
conyerts or descendants of converts from higher castes of Hindus
number only 225. The lower classes, who for the most part pursue
some distinctive tade, include the Juliha or weaver, the Dhunia or
cotton-corder, the Darai or tailor and tentmaker, the Manihdr or lac-
bangle maker, and the Kunjra or fruiterer.
Town and Rural Population; Occupations, —The population of
Partdbgarh District is entirely rural, the only place with a population
n PARTABGARH,
wheat is held to require, on an average, 18 or 20 ploughings; tobacco,
sugar-cane, peas, and barley, 15 or 16 ploughings; poppy, 12
Plonghings ; cotton, 8; and so on. ‘Three or four ploughings are
sufficient for the autumn crop. Irrigation is extensively carried on,
and manure is made use of wherever procurable. Rents have steadily
increased since the introduction of British rule, and still have a
tendency to rise, ‘The average rate for all varieties of land, over
an area of 100 villages, was found in 1868 to be 3s. fd. per local
dfghd, equal to ths of an English acre. Rents in kind largely pre-
vailed prior to annexation, and were chiefly, if not entirely, levied on
poor and unirrigated lands, where the produce was more or less pre-
‘carious, in the proportion of one-half. Now, however, they have been
almost everywhere commuted into money rents. Skilled labourers
have much improved in circumstances of late years; but this has not
been the case with the agricultural classes, who are paid in kind at
about the same rates that prevailed under native rule. The average
daily payment for out-door agricultural labour is 3 Ibs. of grain for a
man, and 24 Ibs for women or children, The District is mostly held
under sdiukddri tenure, there being 1702 fdlukdéri villages, against $12
held cither as samindéri, pattidéri, or bhdyéchdra,
Means of Communication, et —Partabgarh District is now well opened
up by roads, Exclusive of 224 miles of the imperial road connecting
the military stations of Faizdbid (Fyz4bdéd) and Allahibdd, which
passes through Beld, the civil station, there are 342 miles of good
second-class roads, These have been entirely bridged, save at four
points, where the Sai, Sakrui, Pareya, and Bhaklihi respectively would
require large and solid masonry bridges to withstand the force of the
current in the rains. The four principal lines of country road are the
following:—(1) From Beli to Rai Bareli town, running 44 miles
through Partabgarh District; (2) from Beli to Guthni Ghat on the
Ganges, 39 miles ; (3) from Bela to Patti, 154 miles; (4) from Beld to
Badshdhpur in Jaunpur District, 21 miles, of which 20 miles lie within
Partdbgarh. Water communication is afforded by 64 miles of navigable
rivers. No line of railway runs through the District, Four lange ferries
are maintained on the Ganges, and two on the Giimti. Ferries for foot-
passengers across the Sai are kept up by the seminddrs in the rainy
months, the stream being easily fordable at most places during eight
months of the year. Wheeled carriage is scarce and difficult to procure.
Great reluctance is everywhere manifested by the owners to hiring out
their carts; and when it is known that troops are on the move, and
‘that carriage will be impressed, the carts are frequently taken to pieces
and concealed in houses, the bullocks at the same time being sent
to a neighbouring village. Bullocks, buffaloes, and ponies afford the
ordinary means of transport.
74 PARTABGARH TAHSIL.
force 2959, or one policeman to every “48 square mile of District area,
or one to every 286 of the population, Total estimated cost, £7120,
or £4, 195. 14, for every square mile of area, or 24d. per head of the
population, ‘The average number of prisoners in jail in 1883 was 192,
of whom £6 were females. Education is afforded by a high school at
the civil station, and 89 other inspected schools in the District, attended
on March 31, 1884, by 3604 pupils The Census Report of 1881
returned 3069 boys and 47 girls as under instruction ; besides 14,443
males and 215 females able to read and write, but not under instruc-
tion. ‘There is a charitable dispensary at the head.quarters town.
Medical Aspects,—The climate is healthy, with a mean range of
temperature of 30" F, The average rainfall for the 1g years ending
1881 was 38'5 inches, the fall in the latter year being 40°3 inches. No
thermometrical returns are available, Of endemic diseases, intermittent
fever, skin affections, and ophthalmia are the most common, In the
cold season of 1868-69, the District suffered from an epidemic of small-
pox, immediately followed by a severe and general outbreak of cholera.
‘These epidemics were rendered more virulent by the distress which
resulted from the total failure of the autumn harvest of 1868 and the
partial failure of the spring crops of 1869. The vital statistics for 1883
show a total of 22,578 registered deaths in that year, equal toa rate of
26°65 per thousand, ‘The average death-rate for the previous five years
was 29°31 per thousand. Fevers are the great cause of mortality, and in
1883 deaths from these diseases amounted to 21°82 per thousand, thay
from all other causes being only returned at 4°83 per thousand, Inter
mittent fever is most prevalent at the close of the rainy season, and
generally disappears with the cool weather and westerly winds of
November. ‘Though primarily caused by local malaria, this disease is
intensified by exposure alternately to cold, damp, and the hot sun, and
by the poorer classes being unable to obtain sufficiently nourishing food.
[For further information regarding Partibgath, see the Gazetteer of the
Province of Oudh, published by authority (Government Press, Allahabad,
1877) vol. ii, pp, 65-148, Also the Settlement Report of Partdbgarh
District, by Captain W. E. Forbes (Lucknow, 1877); the Morth= IWestern
Provinces and Oudh Census Report for 1881; and the several Adminis-
tration and Departmental Reports. ]
Partaébgarh (Pratdpgarh),—Tahsi or Sub-division of Partahgarh
District, Oudh, lying between 25" 42’ 30” and 26° 10! 30" N. lat, and
between 81° 33° 15" and 82° 6' & long. Bounded on the north by
Sulténpur and Kadipur fa/siés, on the east and h by Jaunpur
and Allahdbid Districts of the North-Western Provinces, and on the
west by Patti fafsid, This fahsti comprises the two pargands of
Partibgarh and Atcha, Area, 434 square miles, of v 233 were
cultivated at the time of the revenue survey of the District,
PARTABGARH STATE,
Census of 1881, of 79,568. Of the total population, 75,050 were
retumed as Hindus, 4243 as Muhammadans, 270 Bhils, 1 Christian,
and 4 ‘others.’ Classified according to sex, the males numbered
41,118, the females 38,180, The sex of the Bhils were not deter-
mined, The State contains 1 town and 568 villages. Number of
houses, 18,622; number of persons per square mile, 54.49. The
total revenue is about £60,000, of which about £25,000 is enjoyed
by fendatories, and 4/5688 is paid as tribute to the British Government
and accounted for by it to Holkar.
‘The country is mostly open except in the north-west, which portion
is wild and hilly, and inhabited almost entirely by Bhils. Here the hills
attain an elevation of 1900 feet, To the south of Deolia is an old fortified
hill called Jundgarh, with a small tank and well at the summit, Little
is known about the geology of Partébgarh, nor have any minerals been
found in the State, but good stone quarries are said to have been
formerly worked at Dakor, near Deolia. ‘The climate is generally good.
and the temperature moderate ; the average rainfall is about 32 inches.
‘The State possesses no particular forest tracts nor rivers of any import~
ance, There are a few good-sized tanks, of which one at Raipur,
called Sarpatta, is the largest. Water is generally found within 40 or 50
feet of the surface. Grain, opium, and country cloth are the principal
articles of trade, No made roads exist in the State, but the country
roails—to Nimach, 32 miles to the north; Mandesar, 19 miles to the
east; and Jdora, 35 miles to the south-east through the open country=—
are fair of their kind, A cart-road to Banswdra, through the Kangarh
ghdt, or yrass, has been opened out.
‘The Mahdriwal of Partébgarh is a Sesodid Rajput, descended from
a junior branch of the Udaipur house. From the time of the estab-
lishment of the Manithd power in Milwé, the Chief of Partdbgarh
had paid tribute to Holkar, In 1818, Partébgarh was taken under
the protection of the British Government. Under the 4th article
of the Treaty of Mandesar, the British Government acquired « right
to the tribute levied by Holkar from Partdbgarh ; but, in considera~
tion of the political influence lost by Holkar under that treaty, it was
resolved to account to him annually for the amount of the tribute,
which is therefore paid over from the British treasury. ‘The late chief,
Dalpat Singh, who succeeded in 1844, was grandson of the former
chief of Partibgarh, and had inherited the State of Diingarpur on the
deposition of Jaswant Singh, by whom he had been adopted. On his
succession to Partdbgarh he relinquished Diingarpur. He died in 1364,
and was succeeded by his son, Udai Singh, the present Mahdniwal,
who was born about 1839, The chief of Partdbgarh receives a salute
of 15 guns, There are fifty jdgindérs, large and small, in the State,
possessing altogether 116 villages, with an aggregate annual income of
8 PARUR—PAR WAN,
a pretended submission, the two leaders being cach attended by 2
single armed follower, Sivaji stabbed the Musalman general, and.
gave the signal to his ambushed army to attack the Muhammadan
troops, who, bewildered by the loss of their chief, were utterly
routed, For an interesting account of the murder of Afzul Khan,
and the defeat of the Muhammadan army, the reader is referred to
Grant Duffs Mivtory of the Mardthds, vol. i. pp. 124-126 (Bombay,
1963). In the Marithé war of 1818, Partdbgath was surrendered
to the British by private negotiation, though it was an important
Stronghold and was held by a lange garrison.
Partr.—Town in Vomdichalam é/ui, South Arcot District,
Madras Presidency. Lat, 12° 24° 20" N., long. 79° 33’ & Population
(1881) 4503, residing in 635 houses. Hindus number 44493
Muhammadans, 28; and Christians, 116. Interesting on account
of the fossil beds of the ‘Upper Green Sand and Gault’ formation
found here, which are described in vol. iv. part x of the Kevwnds of the
Geological Department.
Paértir.—Town in Paraviir Subdivision, ‘Travancore State, Madras
Presidency.-See PARAVUR.
Pérvatipur.—Town in Vizagapatam District, Madras Presidency ;
situated in lat. 18° 47’ N., and long: 83° 28’ 107 &. Head-quarters of
the senior Assistant Agent, with magistrate’s court, police and post
offices. A centre of trade between the hills and the plains, being at
the junction of three roads from Palkonda, Jaipur, and Viziandgaram,
Poptilation (1881) 9933, namely, 4766 males and 5167 females,
dwelling in 1976 houses. Hindus number 9783, and Muhammadans
150, Parvatipur is the centre of the Belgimn saménddri,
‘Parvatipur.— Agency tract in Viragapatam District, Madras
Presidency. Population (1881) 37,552, namely, 19,655 males and
17,897 females; all but 43 were Hindus, Number of houses, 8827,
and of villages, 260.
Parwan.— River of Bhagalpur District, Bengal; rising in the south=
east corner of Naridgar pargand, not far from the source of the Dhasdn,
‘The two streams pursue different courses, about 2} or 3 miles apart,
until their waters mingle at Singheswarsthin, where there is a temple
built to Siva Mahddeo, This spot is considered very holy ; and several
thousand Hindus resort to the shrine in February to pay their devotions,
bringing with them small quantities of Ganges water, which they throw
‘over the image of the god. At this place the Dhaséa loses its own name ;
and the mingled waters, under the name of the Parwin, flow on towards
the south. The river, after a tortuous course of nearly 30 miles, forms
the Sahsdl swamp, the outlet from which assumes the name of the
Katnd, and flows into garyand Pharkiyd, a mile and a quarter below
the triple junction of that Aergemé with Chhdf and Nisankpur Kuni.
Bo PATA CUDDAPAH—PATAN,
quarters of Pasriir fadsi? ; situated in lat. 32° 26' N., long. 74" 42" 307 By
on the Amritsar road, about 18 miles south of Sidlkot town. Pasrir
was once a place of greater size than at present, and is said to have
been founded by a BajwA Jat in the reign of the Emperor Babar.
‘Traces of its former prosperity remain, including a tank constructed
during the reign of Jahangir; a canal to supply the town with water,
built by Prince Dara Sheko, brother of Aurangzeb; and a bridge
erected by Shih Daulf. Many handsome houses of Sikh gentlemen
and other notabilities. The shrine of Miran Barkhurddr, a Muhame
madan saint, is the scene of a religious gathering during the Afusarrem,
Population (1881) 8378, namely, Muhammadans, 954 ; Hindus, 1889;
Jains, 3753 Sikhs, 159; and Christian, r. Number of houses, 1309.
Municipal income (1883-84), £364, or an average of 10}d, per head
of the population. Pasrdr is a centre of local trade, consisting prin-
cipally of grain, which it receives from neighbouring villages, and
exports to different parts of the District. No manufactures, Besides
the usual Sub-divisional courts, Pasrdr contains a police station,
postoffice, dispensary, schools for boys and girls; senéf or rest-house,
sailgkar or tavern for the use of head-men of villages; and an encamp-
ing ground. A large cattle fair is held at Koreke, a village about 6
miles from Pasrir, at the shrine of a Muhammadan saint named Gli
‘Shah,
Pata Cuddapah.—Suburb of Cupparan Town, Cuddapah District,
Madras Presidency. Lat. ty" 29' 45° §., long. 78" 53° 30° & Populax
tion (1871) 6646, inhabiting 1822 houses; and (1881) 5364, inhabiting
312 houses. Divided into 4 hamlets, Hindus number 5133; Muham-
madans, 220; and Christians, 11,
Pétdmdari,—Villaye in Godlpird District, Assam, 9 miles south of
Dhubri on the right bank of the Brahmaputra, with considerable
exports of jute Postoffice ; large weekly marker.
Patan.—/argand in Purwa fadsi’, Unao District, Oudh; bounded
on the north by Magriyar, Purwd, and Panhan paryunds, on the east by
Panhdn and Bihdr, on the south by Bhagwantnagar, and on the west
by Magrdyar pargand. Area, 11 square miles, of which 4 are under
cultivation, Population (1881) 5740, namely, $543 Hindus and 197
Muhammadans. ‘The sargand comprises 15 villages, of which 12 are held
under 4ddwkddri and 3 under s#minddri tenure. ‘The chief proprietary
body are Brdhmans and Bais Rajputs among the higher, and Kuirmis
among the lower castes. 4
Pétan.—Town in Purw4 faAsii, Unao District, Oudh, and head-
quarters of Patan pargand ; situated on the banks of the small river
Lon. Population (1881) 2238. Two annual fairs are held near the
tomb of 2 famous Muhammadan saint, one of which, ecember, is.
attended by as many as 300,000 persons, ‘The holy man is supposed
Sz PATAN TOWN AND VILLAGE,
mumber 105,896; Muhammadans, 9252; and Jains, 5682. The
number of holdings was 13,771 in 1882, each holding having an average
area of nine and one-fifth acres. ‘The region is a fairly wooded plain,
with the river Saraswati running through the centre, Rainfall, 20 inches.
Land revenue, £41,778.
Patan (or Anhilwdra Pattan).— Chief town of the Pitan Sub-
division, Baroda State, Gujarit; situated in lat. 23° 51’ 30” N., and
long. 72° 10° 30" &, on the small river Saraswatf, a ibutary of the
Bands. In 137+ the population was returned at 31,523; (t881) 32,712,
namely, 15,54 males and 17,172 females, of whom about one-cighth
are Jains, who have no fewer than 108 temples There are also
extensive Join libraries in the city, consisting mostly of palm-leaf
manuscripts, which are very jealously guarded. Many remains of
considerable architectural beauty are still to be seen outside the city.
Anhilwira Patan is one of the oldest and most renowned towns of
Gujarat. It was the capital of successive dynasties of Rajput kings from
746 to 1194 A.D. ; and during the whole time of Musalmdn supremacy,
it maintained a position of some importance. Swords and spears are
manufactured in the town, and some pottery; and silk and cotton weav=
ing is carried on, ‘The modern town is mostly of Maratha construction,
and is entirely surrounded by a wall of great thickness and considerable
height. Post-office, hospital; Anglo-vernacular, Gujarathi, and Marathi
schools.
Patan (Patfana, or Pitan Somndth).—Ancient historic town and
shrine in the Sorath Division, Junagarh State, Kathidwdr, Bombay
Presidency. Lat. 22" 4! N., and long. 71° 26' & Population (188) |
6644. Windus number 2985; Muhammadans, 3357; and Jains, soz.
— See SOMNATH,
Patan (Keshonti Pitan)—Next to the capital, the most important
village of Biindi (Boondee) State, Rajputana ; situated in lat. 25" 17" Noy
59’ ¥., at a bend of the Chambal, 12 miles below Kotah,
where the river, running in a north-casterly direction, suddenly turns —
almost at right angles, and, after a straight reach of 5 miles, turns back
still more abruptly to its former direction, Population (1881) 3937.
Keshordi Pitan claims a very remote antiquity, local
affecting to trace its traditions back to the mythological period of the
Méhibhdrata. Yn the present aspect of the town, however, there is
little that testifies to any great age. Two ancient inscriptions alone
remain. One is ina saff temple on the Breham Ghat, which bears dare
Samvat 35. ‘The other, in an adjoining temple, is dated Samyat tS
Long before these periods, however, and before the existence of any
town at all, it is said that one Parasurim built a temple here sacred to
Mahadeo, or Siva. This temple gradually fell into decay, but was rebuilt
during the reign of Chattar Sil; to whom also is due the completion
By PATAN CHIEFSHIP—PATAUDI,
Patan.—tTributary chiefship in Tourwati District of Jaipur State,
Rajputéna, This chiefship is interesting from the fact of its rulers
being the direct lineal descendants of a very ancient house, the Tudr
‘kings of Delhi, who were expelled that place some eight centuries ago,
‘on its capture by the Ghor dynasty, The family settled at Patan, and
have since ruled there undisturbed. Population (1881) of the chief
town, Patan, 11,886, namely, 6430 males and 5456 females. Hindus,
41,365, and Muhammadans, 521.
Pétan—Village in Jabalpur (Jubbulpore) zaAsif, Jabalpur District,
Central Provinces. Population (1881) 3171, namely, Hindus, 25525
Muhammadans, 383; Jains, 88; non-Hindu aborigines, 168, Small
trade in grain. Government school and police outpost.
Patand,—Village in Bhabud Sub-division, Shihibsd District, Bengal,
which, in the opinion of Dr. Buchanan-Hamilton, was once the residence
of the chief ruler of the Suar or Sivirk tribe, Sometimes called Srirdm~
pur, from a hamlet of that name which now occupies part of the ruins
to the southwest of the village. In the immediate neighbourhood of —
Patand is a /inga, surrounded by a wall and some broken images, the
Jargest of which represents Malvira, or the warlike monkey. Many
other remains are scattered about.
Patan Séongii—Town in Ramtek saAsil, NAgpur District, Central
Provinces; situated in lat. 21° 19’ go” N., and long. 79° 4’ &, on a
fertile and elevated plain by the river Kolir, 14 miles from Nagpur city,
Population (1881) 4310, namely, Hindus, 4485 ; Muhammadans, 258 5
Kablepanthis, 21 ; Jains, 10; non-EHindu aborigines, 36. Chief products
—cotton stufls and tobacco. In 1742, during the struggle between
Walf Shih and the legitimate princes, 12,000 men were massacred by
the victorious party in the now ruined fort. Up to the death of the late
Raja, a troop of horse was stationed in the town; and till lately it was
the head-quarters of a /a/sf, It has a good marketplace and sanéi
(native inn), with metalled roads and streets.
Pa-ta-shin (asiin)—River in Henzada District, Pegu Division,
Lower Burma, It rises in the Arakan range, and at first is known as
the San-da ; after an easterly course of about 40 miles, it falls into the
Trawadi. The Pacta-shin drains an area of 100 square miles; its principal
tributaries are the Pa-daw and the A-lun. It is navigable in the rains
for a distance of go miles,
Pataudj.—Native State under the political superintendence of the
Government of the Punjab, lying between 28° rq! and 28° 2a'N. laty
and between 76° 42" and 76" 52 30" ®. long. Area, 48 square miles,
with qo villages, 2537 houses, and 4136 familics, Total popula-
tion (1881), 17,847, namely, males 9510, and fomales $337. Average
density of the population, 372 persons per square mile. Classified
according to religion, Hindus number 14,473; Muhammadans, 3286;
PATHANKOT TOWN—PATHARL,
gram, 6567 acres; barley, 6344 acres; tobacco, 2765 acres;
Indian corn, 1755 acres ; moth, t461 acres; and vegetables, 1357 acres.
Revenue of the fahsié, Lisbrs. The sdoiseratee staff consists of
1 extra Assistant Commissioner, t fahsi/ddr, 1 munsif, and 1 honorary
magistrate exercising criminal powers only. ‘These officers preside over
2 civil and 2 criminal courts. Number of police circles (tidnds),
6, namely, Pathankot, Shdhpur, Dunerd, Dalhousie, Parmanand, and
Narot. Number of regular police, 110 men; village watch or rural
police (chawkiddrs), 302.
Pathdnkot.—Town and municipality in Gurdaspur District, Punjab;
situated in lat. 52° 16" 45" N,, and long. 75° 42’ & near the head of
the Bari Doab, and 23 miles north-east of Gurdispur town, at the point
where the trade route from the hills of Chamba, Nurpur, and Kangra
unite and enter the pling Pathdnkot is a flourishing town, increasing
in commercial importance. The population, which in 1868 numbered.
2818, had increased to 4344 in 1881. Classificd according to religion,
there were in 1881—Muhammadans, 2316; Hindus, 1991; Sikhs, 32;
and Christians, 5. Number of houses, 852. Municipal income
(1883-84), 4483, derived chiefly from octroi duties ; average incidence
of taxation, 28. 24d. per head. Pathankot is the terminus of the
carriage road from Amritsar to Dalhousie and Kangra, the remaining
distance lying through the hills, and being performed on horseback or
by déué. The town itself is a collection of brick-built houses, well
drained, and with paved strects. It is the seat of a considerable
shawl-weaving industry. Besides the usual Sub-divisional courts, the
town contains a police station, post-office, two ddsdrs, schoul-house,
dispensary, municipal hall, dé bungalow, sardi or native inn, and
encamping ground. For an account of the antiquities of Pathdnkot,
see General Cunningham's Reports of the Archacolagical Surtey, vol. ¥.
PP. 145=155, and vol. xiv. pp, rrg-119, and 135, 136; also his Ancient
Geogrophy of India, pp. 43, 144.
.—Town in Ahmadnagar District, Bombay Presidency ;
situated in lat. 19° 10’ 25° N., and long. 75° 13° 31” K., about 30 miles
east of Abmadnagar town. Population (1881) 6734. Hindus number
5968; Muharmmadans, 603; Jains, 148; and ‘others,’ t5. The town
lies picturesquely on the side of a steep hill which rises in the midst af
a barren tract, skirted on the north and cast by a range of hills which
pass from Dongangion into the Nizim's territory. Post-office, and two
schools with 247 pupils in 1883-84.
Pathéri.—Native State under the Bhopal Agency of Central India,
adjoining the British District of Sagar (Saugor), and lying south-west of
Rahatgarh. The chief, Nawdb Abdul Karim Khao, an Afghdn by race,
was barn about 1852. He belongs to a younger branch of the Bhopal
family, being descended from its founder, Dost Muhammad. In 1807,
83 PATIALA.
of population, 249 persons per square mile. Classified according to
religion, the population consists of —Hindus, 734,902 ; Muhammadans,
321,3543 Sikhs, 408,141; Jains, 2997; and Christians, 39. Estimated
gross revenue of the State, £468,956.
History.—The ruling families of Patidla, of Jind (Jheend), and ot
Nabha, are called ‘the Phulkian houses,’ because they are descended
from Phul, a Chaudhari, or agricultural notable, who in the middle of the
r7th century founded a village in the Nabha territory called after his
name. The Rajas of Jind and Nabha are descended from Tiloka, the
eldest son of Phul; the Mahdrdjé of Patidla is descended from Rama,
the second son, and is a Sikh of the Sidhu Jat tribe.
Like most of the Jét tribes, the Sidhus claim a R4jput origin, and
trace their descent from Jaisal, a Bhatti R4jput, and founder of the State
and city of Jaisalmer, who was driven from his kingdom by a successful
rebellion in 1180 A.D. From Jaisal descended Sidhu; from Sidhu
descended Saughar, who aided Babar at the battle of Pdnipat, and
whose son Baridm was made by the victor a Chaudharf, or hecd-man of
a District, responsible for its revenues. Phul was descended from
Baridm, and as a boy received the blessing of Gini Har Govind, the
sixth Sikh gird, who said of him, ‘His name shall be a true omen, and
he shall bear many blossoms.’ From the Emperor Shah Jahdn he
obtained a farmdn granting him the chaudfrlyat so long held by his
ancestors. He died in 1652 .p. From him are descended not only
the chiefs of Jind and Ndbha, but also the Laudhgharia families, and
those of Bhadaur and Malod,—in all, thirteen houses ; and these were
at one time equal in point of rank.
Ala Singh, son of R4ma and grandson of Phul, succeeded in defeating
the Nawab Sayyid Asad Ali Khdn, the imperial general commanding in
the Jalandhar dodé, at the battle of Barnala, and obtained many other
successes over the Bhattis and other foes. He built a fort at Patiala,
and, after being utterly defeated, with other Sikh leaders, at the battle
of the Barnala in 1762 by Ahmad Shdh Durdni, he submitted to the
Afghdn invader, and received from him the title of Rajé. After the
departure of Ahmad Sh4h, however, Rajé Ala Singh put himself at
the head of his Sikhs, and boldly attacked the Afghdn governor of Sir-
hind, whom he defeated and killed. The city of Sirhind was never
rebuilt, and is held accursed to this day by the Sikhs; but a consider-
able portion of the population was removed to the rising town of
Patidla. Ahmad Shh, when he again invaded India, not only forgave
Ala Singh for his attack on Sirhind, but actually received him into
favour, on the payment of a subsidy; and, on the return of the Durdni
monarch, Ala Singh accompanied him as far as Lahore. Ala Singh
died at Patidla in 1765, having firmly established the foundations of this
the most important of the cis-Sutlej States.
PATIALA CAPITAL—PATNA.
army invaded the cis-Sutlej States in 1845-46, the Mahardjé of Patidla
‘cast in his lot with the British, and obtained, for his scrvices during the
campaign, the gift of an additional portion of territory, During the
Mutiny of 1857, Mahdrjd Narendra Singh aided the British Govern-
ment by furnishing an auxiliary force which proceeded to Delhi, and
kept open the communication on the Grand Trunk Road. He also
helped the Government with money, For these services he received
from the British Government the Narnaul division of the Josie
territory, besides other rewards. Narendra Singh was
1862 by his son Mahendra Singh, who dicd in 1876, and was Ces
by his infant son, Rajendra Singh, the present Maharaj.
The Mahdrdji of Patidla furnishes a contingent of roo horse for
general duty. He is entitled to a salute of 17 guns. The military
force consists of about 2750 cavalry, 600 infantry including police, 31
field and 78 other guns, and 238 artillerymen.
Patidila.—Capital of the Patila State, Punjab, Lat. go" 20'N., long.
76° 25’. Founded in 1752 by Sarddr Ala Singh. Population (1881)
53,629, namely, males 30,858, and fernales 22,771. Hindus number
24,963; Muhammadans, 23,119; Sikhs, 7101; Jains, 435; and
Christians, tr. Number of houses, 11,692.
Patidlii—Ancient town in Aliganj faAsi/, Etah District, North
Western Provinces, situated on the old high bank of the Ganges, 22
miles north-east of Etah town, with which it is connected by a broad
unmetalled road. The present town is built on a mound of ancient
débris, marking the site of the ancient city, which dates from the time
of the Mahdbhérata, A ruined fort, built by Shahab-ud-din Ghori, still
stands, but the greater part of its block £ankar walls have been carried
away by the inhabitants as building materials for their houses, or by
Government officials for the erection of bridges and public buildings.
Population (1881) 4798. For the support of the police and for the
conservancy and sanitation of the town, a small house-tax is raised.
Patidli was a flourishing town in the days of the Rohilld power, bur
is now decayed into a mere village with no trade or manufactures,
It was the scene of a brilliant victory over the rebels during the Mutiny
of 1857-58,
Patkuldndd.—Ancient saminddri or chiefship attached to Sambal-
pur District, Central Provinces, 35 miles southswest of Sambalpur town.
Population (1881) 1292, chiefly agricultural, residing in 6 villages;
area, 10 square miles, the whole of which is cultivated, for the most
part with rice, The chief is a Gend, belonging to a branch of the
Bheran saminddr's family, whose estate it adjoins, ‘The chief was out-
lawed for having joined in the rebellion of 1858, but was afterwards
amnestied and restored to his estate,
—Division or Commissionership under the jurisdiction of
92 PATNA.
Garerl, 84,277; Madak, 83,241; Sunri, 78,641; Tanti, 69,207 ; Barui,
57,245; Dom, 56,572; Rajwar, 55,399; Keut or Kewat, 54,650; and
‘Mali, 54,245- The non-Hindu aborigines number only 195, while the
Hindus of aboriginal descent are returned at 211,175, namely—Bhuinya,
403,015; Gond, 29,723; Kharwdr, 12,549; and ‘others, 65,886,
‘The Muhammadan population, divided according to sect, consists of
Sunnis, 1,541,2355 Shids, 31,251; Wahdbis, 27; and unspecified,
157,580. Of the 5875 Christians, Europeans number 2199 ; Eurasians,
541; natives of India, 2772; and all others, 363. By sect, the Chris-
tians inclade—Church of England, 1689; Protestants, unspecified as to
sect, 686; Roman Catholics, 2641; Church of Scotland, 99; Baptists,
89; Linherans, 72; and Methodists, 67; other sects or unspecified,
532
Town and Rurat Population. —The following are the thirteen
principal towns in Patna Division with a population exceeding 15,000
—Patna city, 170,654; Gays, 76,415 ; Darbhangah, 65,955; Chapra,
51,670; Behar, 48,968 ; Arrah, 42,998 ; Muzaffarpur. 42,460 5 Dindpur,
37/898; Hajipur, 25,078; Bettiah, 21,263; Dumrion, 17,429; Buxar,
16,498; and Lalganj, 16,431. ‘Total of thirteen largest towns, 633,717. .
Besides the foregoing, there are 54 minor towns or municipalities, with
an aggregate population of 371,789. “The total urban population there-
fore amounts to 1,005,506, or 6°67 per cent, ofthe total, Patnd Division
contains forty-five municipalities, with an aggregate population of
910,026 ; total municipal income (1883-84), £45,136, of which £34,309
was derived from taxation; average incidence of taxation, od. per head
of the municipal population. The Census Report thus classifies the
44,591 towns and villages— 23,037 villages contain Jess than two
hundred inhabitants ; 13)413 from two to five hundred; 5890 from five
hundred to a thousand; 1819 from one to two thousand; 291 from
two to three thousand; 84 from three to five thousand; 33 from five
to ten thousand ; 11 from ten to fifteen thousand; and 13 upwards of
fifteen thousand,
As regards occupation, the male population are thus returned—
(1) Professional class, ineluding all military and civil officials, 89,595 ;
(2) domestic class, 271,588 ; (3) commercial class, 215,967; (4) agri-
cultural and pastoral class, 2,614,109 ; (5) manufacturing and industrial
class, 494,040; (6) indefinite and non -productive class, comprising
general labourers and male children, 3,682,886,
Administration—The six main items of Government revenue in
1883-84 aggregated £1,404,091, made up as follows -—Land revenue,
excise, £270,748; stamps, £169,165; registration,
charges for civil administration, ‘as represented | by the cost of the
officials and police, amounted in 1883-84 to £213,041. The land
4
PATNA DISTRICT.
no tributaries, The Parwa Canat (¢.e.), one of the most important
branches of the Son Canal system, passes through the west of the
District. ‘The only other river of any consequence is the Punrus, which,
though described as one of the navigable rivers of Bengal, is in this
District chiefly remarkable for the number of petty irrigation canals
which it supplies with water. So much of the river is thus diverted,
that only a small portion of its water ever reaches the Ganges. The
course of the Punpun is north-casterly until it reaches Nambatpur,
where it takes a bend to the east, crossing the Patnd and Gayd
Railway about 9 miles from Binkipur, and joins the Ganges at Fatwa.
‘The total Iength of the Punpun in this District is stated to be 54
miles ; about 9 miles from its junction with the Ganges, it is joined
by the Mirhar, Great changes bave from time to time taken place
in the course of the Ganges, and the point at which the Son joined
this river was once several miles east of its present position (see
Ganors).
Forests, jungles, marshes, or pasturage grounds, do not exist in
Paina District, which is cultivated over almost its entire area. ‘The
mineral products consist of building stone, which may be dug from
the hill at Behar; siéfit, a medicinal substance which exudes from
the rock at Tapoban and Rajgir; Ambar or calcareous limestone ; and
saline efflorescence,
Large game is not abundant in Patna District, there being no jungles
except on the Rajdgrihd Hills. Among these hills bears are found.
Wolves and jackals are common, hyznas are sometimes seen, and the
emall Indian fox is not unknown; a leopard was killed near Behar
town in 1876. Of smaller game, duck, quail, and ortolan are abundant;
and partridges and wild geese are also found. Birds of prey are
numerous, and hawking was formerly a favourite amusement among
rich natives.
History. —The history of Patnd District is so intimately interwoven:
with that of Patna Crry that it is unnecessary to anticipate what the
reader will find in-the historical sections of that article. The District
possesses special interest, both for the historian and the arclucologist,
PatNa Crrv has been identified with Pataliputra (the Palibothra of
Megasthenes), which is supposed to have been founded six hundred
years before the Christian era by Réjd Ajita Satru, a contemporary of
Gautama, the founder of the Buddhist religion; and in the south-
eastern portion of the District are found some of the earliest remains
of Buddhism, Here, too, is situated the town of Behar, the carly
Muhammadan capital which gave its mame to the Province; and
throughout the District are places which were visited and have been
described by the Chinese Buddhist pilgrims, Fa-Hian and Hiven
Tsiang. The name of Patad is derived from patana, literally ‘the
|
|
PATINA DISTRICT,
‘These defeats roused Mir Kasim to exasperation, and on the oth
September he wrote to Major Adams: ‘If you are resolved to proceed
in this business, know for a certainty that I will cut off the heads of
Mr, Ellis and the rest of your chiefs, and send them to you.’ This
threat he carried out, with the help of a Swiss renegade Samru (whose
original name had been Walter Reinhardt), on the evening of the 6th
October, Mr. Ellis and others, according to a contemporary letter,
were decoyed one by one out of the room where they were drinking
tea at seven o'clock, and instantly cut down. The remainder took
alarm, and defended themselves a5 best they could with bottles and
plates, their knives and forks having been already removed, About
60 Englishmen were thus murdered, their bodies being thrown into
a well in the compound of the house in which they were confined.
It is said that 200 Englishmen were killed at this time throughout
Bengal.
On the news of the massacre reaching Calcutta, a general deep
mourning was ordered for the space of fourteen days, and minute-
guns were fired from the fort and the fleet A dékh of rupecs
(10,000) was offered for the person of Mir Kasim, and £4000 for
Samra. The subsequent war with the Wazir of Oudh, which was
till May 1765, was to some extent occasioned by the
refusal of the Wazir to surrender these persons, who had placed
themselves under his protection, Mir Kasim is said to have died in
great indigence at Delhi.
Samru took refuge with a succession of new masters, and was ulti-
mately presented with the fdgir of Sardhéna in Meerut District ; he
died at Agra in 1778, leaving as his widow and heir the notorious
Begam Samru. This lady endeavoured in her old age to make amends
by charities for a long life of wickedness. She died in 1834, and by
her will she devoted 415,000 to the foundation of a Clergy Fund and
Poor Fund; and her name now stande first in Archdeacon Pratt's
‘Endowments of the Diocese of Calcutta” The litigation connected
with her property was not finally settled till more than a third of a
century after her death.
‘The other important event in the modern history of the District is
the outbreak of the Mutiny at Dindpur, the military station attached
to Patnd city, For a full account of the events connected with the
outbreak, the reader must be referred to the history of the period ;
only a very brief narrative can be given here. ‘The three Sepoy
regiments at Dindpur in 1857 were the 7th, 8th, and goth Native
Infantry, regarding whom General Lloyd, commanding at Dindpur,
wrote expressing his confidence. They were accordingly not dis.
armed ; but as the excitement increased throughout Behar, and stronger
measures seemed in the opinon of the Commissioner, Mr. Tayler, to
PATNA DISTRICT.
wind was favourable for retreat, the current carried the boat back to
the river bank, ‘Thirty-five soldiers were in the boat, sheltered from
fire by the usual thatch covering ; but while the rudder was fixed, the
inmates remained at the mercy of the enemy. At this crisis, Mr.
M'Donell stepped out from the shelter, climbed on to the roof of the
boat, perched himself on the rudder and cut the lashings, amidst a
storm of bullets from the contiguous bank. Strangely enough, not a
ball struck him ; the rudder was loosened, the boat answered to the
helm, and by Mr. M‘Donell's brilliant act the crew were saved from
certain destrucsion. Mr. Rass Mangles' conduct was equally heroic.
During the retreat, a soldier was struck down near hin. He stopped,
lifted the man on to his back, and though he had frequently to rest on
the way, he managed to carry the wounded man for 6 miles till he
reached the stream. He then swam with his helpless burden to a boat,
in which he deposited him in safety. Both these civilians afterwards
received the Victoria Cross as a reward for their heroism,
Population. —Several early estimates have been made of the popula:
tion of Paina District ; among them, one by Dr. Buchanan-Hamilton
in 1807, which is interesting as corresponding in a remarkable degree
with the results obtained by the Census of 1872. He estimated the
population of nine police circles, which nearly correspond with the
present area of the District, at 1,308,270 souls, In 1857 it was
estimated at 1,200,000; and a later calculation reduced this figure to
goo,cce, The first regular Census in 1872 disclosed a total population
of 1,559,638 persons. The latest enumeration in 1881 returned the
population of Patnd District at 1,756,856, showing an increase of
197,218, or 12°64 per cent, above that returned by the Census of
1872. The pressure of the population on the soil is greater jn Patné
(845 per square mile) than in any District of Bengal Proper, except
the metropolitan District of the Twenty-Four Pargandsand the suburban
District of Howrah; and very little Jess than in the adjacent Behar
District of Séran (869 per square mile).
‘The results of the Census of 1881 may be summarized as fol-
lows —Area of District, 2079 square miles, with 11 towns and 5624
villages, and 319,167 houses, of which 279,455 were occupied. Total
population, 1,756,856, namely, males 858,783, and females 898,073;
proportion of males, 489 per cent. Average density of population,
845 persons per square mile; towns or villages per square mile, 2°78 5
persons per town of village, 312, or excluding the 11 towns, 2525 —
houses per square mile, 153°5; inmates per house, 6°3. Classified
according to age and sex, the population consists of—under 15 years
of age, boys 330,872, and girls 321,670; total children, 652,542,
or 371 per cent. of the population: 15 years and
527,911, and females 576,403 ; total adults, 1,104,314, or 62-9 per cent.
Joo PATNA DISTRICT.
37,893; Barn, 14,629 ; Kuacave, 14,075 ; Mukama, 13,052 ; Fatwa,
10,919 ; MUHAMMADPUR, 8479; BaikUNTHPUR, 6424; and RasvLPuR-
Mownx, 5769. Nawana (population 3323) is also-a municipsility.
Total urban population, 334,245, OF 19 per cent, leaving 1,422,651,
or Sr per cent. as the rural population of the District. Detailed
accounts of the above-mentioned towns will be found under their
respective names, The municipalities of the District contain a total
population of 336,842; municipal income (1833-84), £16,913, of
which £13,879 was derived from taxation; average incidence
taxation, 9fd. per head, Patna city, in which the whole interest and
importance of the District, and, indeed, of the Division, centres, is,
after Calcutta, the largest rivermart in Bengal, It forms a busy
changing-station, where the piece-goods, salt, and miscellaneous manu-
factures of Europe which come up from Calcutta by rail are trans-
ferred into country boats to be distributed throughout the neighbour-
ing tracts, and where the agricultural produce of a wide area is collected
for despatch to the seaboard. ‘Trade, however, has decreased of late
years, since the opening of the Tirhiit and Gaya lines of railway have
rendered warchousing at Patné unnecessary, Reference has already
‘been made to the historical interest of the city, and to its identification
with the ancient Pataliputra. The civil station of Banxtrux and the
military cantonment of Divarur are situated within a few miles of
the city of Patnd proper. Among the numerous places of historic
interest in the District may be mentioned ;—Rasacxima or Raijgir, the
site of the capital of the ancient kingdom of Magadha; the hills of
the same name, with their Buddhist remains; Grrivax, a place full
of archwological interest ; and SHexrux, the scene of a large fain—
all of which see separately.
Of the 5635 towns and villages in Patnd District, 3301 contain
less than two hundred inhabitants; 1609 from two to five hundred;
561 from five hundred to a thousand ; 129 from one to two thousand ;
18 from two to three thousand; 7 fiom three to five thousand ;
3 from five to ten thousand; 4 from ten to fifteen thousand; and 3
upwards of fifteen thousand inhabitants.
As regards occupation, the Census classifies the male population of
the Distriets into six main divisions as follow—(r) Professional class,
including all Government servants, civil and military, 16,804; (2)
domestic servants, inn and lodging-house keepers, etc,, 49,408 § (3)
commercial class, including bankers, merchants, traders, carriers, etc, —
35,585; (4) agricultural and pastoral class, including gardeners, 233,9505
(5) manufacturing and industrial class, including all artisans, 76,230;
(6) indefinite 2nd nonproductive class, comprising genetal labourers
and male children, 446,806.
Agriculture.—Rice, which forms the staple of the District, is divided
PATNA DISTRICT,
winter harvest and absence of rain when the spring crop is being
sown, should, according to an official statement made in 1871, be con-
sidered as a warning of impending famine. If paddy were to sell in
January or February at from 3s, 6d. to 4s. 3d. per ewr., it would be an
indication of the approach of famine later in the year. There are
abundant facilities for the importation of grain in case of distress.
Commerce and Trade, ete—The trade of the District centres in Paind
city, which is, as has been already stated, next to Calcutta, the largest
river-mart in Bengal. Its central position near the junction of three
great rivers, the Son, the Gandak, and the Ganges, where the traffic
of the North-Western Provinces mects that of Bengal, gives it great
natural advantages, It is also conveniently situated for the purpose
of transport, either by river or railway, having a river frontage during
the rains of from 7 to 8 miles, and in the dry months of 4 miles
‘The trade statistics will be found in the article on Parna Crry,
‘The total length of District and Provincial ronds is 454 miles; total
annual expenditure on all roads under the Department of Public
Works, £0607. The East Indian Railway traverses the whole length
of the District, entering it west of Barhiyd station, and leaving it at the
Son bridge, a distance of 86 miles. During the scarcity of 1873-74,
siding lines were laid down at Fatwa, Barh, and Mukdma, to assist in
the transport of grain. Of these the one at Barh still remains, bur the
others have been taken up. ‘Three newspapers are published at Patna ;
the most important is the /ichar Herald, appearing weekly, and con-
ducted by the native pleaders of the Patna bar.
Opium Manufacture—Patnd is one of the two places in British India
where opium is manufactured by Government, ‘The cultivation of the
poppy is confined to the large central Gangetic tract, about Goo miles in
Jength and 250 miles in breadth ; itextends on the north to the borders
of Neptl, on the east to Bhagalpur, on the south to Hazdribagh, and on
the west to Bareli District in the North-Western Provinces. ‘This tract
is divided into the two agencies of Behar and Benares, the former being
under the charge of an agent stationed at Bankipur, and the latter
of an agent at Ghdzipur; both agencies are under the control
of the Board of Revenue in Calcutta, In the Behar Agency in
1881-82, poppy was cultivated on an area of 297,162 acres, which
yielded an outturn of 1816 tons of opium. The Benares Agency,
including the Oudh tract, into which poppy cultivation has recently
been introduced, had, in 1881-82, an area of 249,049 acres under
poppy, which yielded an outturn of 18964 tons of ‘Opium
poppy cultivated is exclusively the white variety (
album), and the crop requires great attention.
been carefully prepared, the seed is sown broadcast it
by February the plant is generally in full flower, havi ae ied a height
Toy PATNA DISTRICT.
registered proprietors ; the land revenue amounted to £421,352, ot an
average payment of £25, 6s. ad. from each estate, and of £4, 145. 9d.
from each proprietor or coparcener. In 1866, the Sub-division of
Behar, containing 796 estates, was attached to Patnd; and in 1869, 19
‘estates were transferred from Patné to Tirhit, Including the net total
of 777 new estates obtained by these changes, the number of estates
on the rent-roll of the District in 1870-71 amounted to 6075; the
number of registered proprietors had increased to 37,500, and the land
revenue to £150,798, or un average payment of £24, 16s. 4d. from
each estate, and of £4, 0s, 5d, from cach proprictor, By 1885-54
the number of estates had further inereased to $318, and the regis~
tered proprietors to 67,287; total land revenue, £146,054, OF an
average payment of £17, 138. 2d. from each estate, and £2, 36 5d.
from vach individual proprietor. Allowing for the increase in the
size of the District by the addition of the Behar Sub-division, the
~ number of estates has multiplied nearly five times since 1790; the land
revenue has more than trebled; and where there was formerly one
Proprietor, there are now over fifty. There is reason to believe that
the increase in the value of each estate during the same period has in
all cases been large, and may in some instances amount to more than
fifty times the estimated rental of 1790.
For police purposes, the District is divided into 18 éédads or police
circles. The regular police consisted in 1883 of 1300 men of all ranks,
including 751 municipal and 44 cantonment police, maintained at a
total cost to Government of £18,373. In addition, there was in that
year a village watch or rural police numbering 3124 men, maintained
by the villagers and landholders at an estimated cost in money or
lands of £9124. The total machinery, therefore, for the protection
of person and property consisted of 4424 officers and men, or + man
to every “47 square mile of the area or to every 397 of the popula~
tion. The total cost of maintaining this force was estimated at
£27,497, equal to a charge of £13, 45. 7d. per square mile of area, or
34d, per head of population. ‘The District jail at Patni, and subordi-
nate prisons at Behar and Barh, contained in 1883 a daily average of
256 prisoners, of whom 14 were females. Convicts numbered 2303
under-trial prisoners, 21 ; and civil prisoners, 5.
Education has progressed rapidly in Patnd. The number of
Government and aided schools in the District in 1836-57 was 12, with
83 pupils; in 1860-61 the number of such schools was to, and of
pupils 515; and in 1870-74 there were 23 such schools, attended
by 153¢ pupils. Since that year education has rapidly advanced,
owing principally to Sir George Campbell's system of grants-in.aid to
primary schools. In 1874=75 there were, exclusive of Patna College,
309 Government and aided schools, with 9003 pupils; and in 1877-78.
106 PAINA SUBDIVISION AND CITY,
Bengal, by W. W. Hunter, vol. xi. pp. 1-222 (London, Tribner &
Co,, 1877); General Cunningham's Ancient Gaxgraphy of India, vol. i.
Pp 452-454 (London, 1871); the Bengal Census Report for 188: ; and
the several Administration and Departmental Reports of the Bengal
Government from 1880 to 1884.)
Patna, —Sadr or head-quarters Sub-division of Patné District,
Bengal, lying between 25° 12° 30” and 25° go" N. lat, and between
84° 44’ and 85°19’. long. Area, 617 square miles; villages, 17145
houses, 96,028. Population (1872) 521,336; (1881) 585,887, namely,
males 285,895, and females 299,992, showing an increase of 64,551,
or 12'3$ per cent, in nine years, Classified according to religion,
the population in 1881 consisted of—Hindus, 504,061, or 86:2 per
cent.; Muhammadans, 81,264, or 13°7 per cent; Christians, 5233
Brahmos, 12; Jains, 8; Jews, 5; Parsi, 1; non-Hindu aborigines, 13.
Proportion of males in total population, 48°8 per cent.; number of
persons per square mile, 949; villages per square mile, 2°78; persons
per village, 342; houses per square mile, 177°63; persons per house,
6-1, Patni Subdivision consists of the six police circles of Patn&
municipality, Patnd, Bankipur, Naubatpur, Masaudhi, and Paliganj.
In 1883 it contained 8 civil and 10 magisterial courts, including the
District head-quarter courts, a general police force of 779 men, and a
village watch of 998 men.
Patn4 City (known to the natives as Asfmdédd).—Chief city of
Patni Disirict, Bengal ; situated in lat. 25" 37° 15° N., and long. 85" 12°
31", on the right or south bank of the Ganges; adjoining on the
east Banxirvn, the civil station and administrative head-quarters of the
District. Area, 6184 acres. Population (188r) 170,654.
Larly History —The following section on the early history of Patni
city is based upon General Cunningham's Ancient Geography of tadia,
vol. i. pp. 452-434 (London, 1871). Patnd has been identified with
Pataliputra, which, in spite of Dr. Buchanan-Hamilton’s opinion to
the contrary, is undoubtedly the same town as Palibothra, mentioned
by the Greek historian Megasthenes, who came as ambassador from
Seleukos Nikator to the court of Sandracottus or Chandra Gupta, at
Pataliputra, about the year goo nc. The foundation of the city is
attributed by Diodorus to Herakles, by whom he may perhaps mean
Balardm, the brother of Krishna; but this early origin is not claimed
by the native authorities. According to the Miya Purdna, the city of
Pitaliputra, or Kusumapura, was founded by F Uddydswa, the
grandson of Ajdta Satru. This Ajdta Satru was the contemporary of
Gautama, the founder of the Buddhist religion, who died about 543 nc
According to Buddhist accounts, when Budidha crossed the Ganges
on his last journey from Rajigrihd to Vaisili, the two ministers of
Ajdta Satru, King of Magadha, were engaged in building a fort at the
.
ar peor
sararace. ie
“et
108 PATNA CITY,
the troops at Dindpur cantonments in 1857, have been described in the
account of Para Districr, =
Description of the City—Wr. Buchanan-Hamilton, in his 18. account
of Patnd city (1810), includes the whole of that part of Patna pargand
which was under the jurisdiction of a Aotwdl and 15 darogahs, who were
appointed to superintend the police of the 16 wards (mahdflas) into
which this area was divided. Each of these wards lay partly within
the town; but some of them also included part of the adjacent country,
consisting chiefly of garden land, with some low marshy ground
that intervenes. The city of Patnd, taken in this sense, includes the
suburb of Bankipur on the west, and Jafar Khdn’s garden on the
east, an extent of nearly g miles along the bank of the Ganges. ‘The
width, from the bank of the Ganges, is on an average about 2 miles;
so that the whole circumference includes an area of about 18 square
miles. ‘The city proper within the walls is rather more than a mile and
a half from cast to west, and three-quarters of a mile from north to
south, It is very closely built, many of the houses being of brick; the
majority, however, are composed of mud with tiled roofs, and very few
are thatched. There is one fairly wide strect, running from the eastern
to the western gate, but it is by no means straight or regularly built,
Every other passage is narrow, crooked, and irregular; and it would
be difficult to imagine a more unattractive place. Still, every native
who can afford it has a house in this quarter. In the dry weather the
dust is beyond belief, and in the rains every place is covered with mud,
while in one quarter there is a large pond which becomes very offensive
as it dries up,
‘The old fortifications which surrounded the city had long been
neglected in Buchanan-Hamilton’s time, and have now entirely dis
appeared. The natives believe that they were built by Azim, the grand-
son of Aurangzeb; but an inseription on the gate, dated 1042 aK,
attributes the erection of the fort to Firoz Jang Khan. There are
hardly any striking buildings; and a view of the town, except from the
riverside, where some European houses are scattered along the bank, is
decidedly mean. Dr. Buchanan-Hamilton states that the only public
works, except those dedicated to religion, were the Company's opium
stores, a granary, and a few miserable brick bridges. The Roman
Catholic church, in the middle of the city, was the best-looking building
in the place. None of the Muhammadan mosques or Hindu temples
was worthy of notice ; some of the former were let to be used as ware-
houses. The number of houses in the whole city, as estimated by Dr.
Buchanan-Hamilton, amounted to 52,000; of which 7187 were of
brick, 11,639 of two storeys, with mud walls and tiled roofs; 53 with
thatched roofs; 22,188 were mud huts, covered with tiles, and the
remainder were mud huts covered with thatch, The population he
110 PATNA CITY,
covered bya pillar, built partly of stone and partly of brick, with an
inlaid tablet and inscription. The present European graveyard lies to
the west of the city, just without the confines of Binkipur,
‘The chief Muhammadan place of worship is the monument of Shih
Arzinj, about the middle of the western suburb, He died bere in the
year of the Hijra 1052, and bis shrine is frequented both by Muham-
tmadans and Hindus. In the month of Zikad there is an annual fair
hell on the spot which lasts three days, and attracts about 5000 votaries.
Adjacent to the tomb is the Karbali, where 100,000 people attend
during the Mu/arran festival. Close by is a tank dug by the saint,
where once a year crowds of people assemble, and many of them bathe.
‘The mosque of Sher Shih is probably the oldest building in Patnd, and.
the Madriisa of Sdif Khdn the handsomest. The only other place of
Muhammadan worship at all remarkable is the monument of Pir Bahor,
which was built about two hundred and fifty years ago. The Sikhs
have a place of worship of great repute, ealled the Harmandir, which
‘owes its celebrity to its having been the birthplace of Govind Singh, the
last great teacher of the sect. In spite of the antiquity of Patnd, the total
absence of ancient edifices is not to be wondered at, for quite modern
buildings fall into decay as soon as they are at all neglected. Chabal
Satun, the palace of the Behar viceroys, which in 1760 was in perfect
preservation, and occupied by Prince Ali Jahiin, afterwards the Emperor
Shdh Alam, could in 1812 be scarcely traced in a few detached portions
retaining no marks of grandeur, In the same year, the only vestige to
be found of a court of justice, which had been erected in 1728, was a
stone commemorating the erection, dug up in 1807, when a police
office was about to be erected on the spot. A few gardens in and
about Patnd are cultivated with roses, for distilling rose-water; and
some of them cover a third of an acre in extent.
Population, ete-—Patna city covers an area of 6184 acres, or gf square
miles, As regards population, it ranks seventh among the cities of
British India, and is second only to Calcutta among the cities of Bengal.
Tes population, which in 1872 was returned at 158,900, had increased
by 1881 to 170,654, namely, males 83,199, and females 87,455. Hindus
form the great majority, or 74°4 per cent, of the population, and in 1884
numbered 127,076, namely, males 62,581, and females 64,495. Muham-
madans numbered 45,086, namely, males 20,456, and females 22,630;
and Christians, 492, namely, males 162, and females 330. Municipal
income (1883-84), £11,147, of which £or16 was derived from taxa
tion ; average incidence of taxation, rs. ofd. per head of municipal
population (175,251).
Trade.—The principal business quarters of the city, proceeding from
east to west, arc>—Marii/ganj, Mansdrganj, the Kilé, the Chauk with
Mirchdiganj, Mahdrdjganj, Sddikpur, Alibakhshpur, Gulzirbigh, and
bes
12 PATNA CITY.
‘The import of European cotton manufactures amounts to the large
total in money value of £285,537, and the import of native manufac-
tures to £3065. Of silk cloths, considering the size and wealth of the
city, the value appears to be comparately small, viz. £13,040. There
is a large import of guony-bags (srsqta in number); and it is said
that about two-thirds of these are re-exported with
Irrespective of these imports, large quantities of salt, indigo seed,
and various other kinds of merchandise are imported by rail, by
merchants who have no agents or business connection in the city, and
are residents of some other District. ‘hese articles are londed into
boats direct from the goods-sheds, and cannot be considered as forming
a part of the regular import trade of the city. In a similar manner there
are considerable exports of goods which have no connection with any
of the business houses in the city, but sre Janded into waggons direct
from boats.
By far the largest importing mart is Marifganj, the merchants of
which place may be said to possess a monopoly of the oil-sced trade,
for their imports amount to no less than 728,237 maunds, or nearly
two-thirds of the entire quantity imported into Patnd. In respect to
other staples also, this mart shows a large importation. The imports of
refined sugar amount to 36,so1 maunds, Mr. Rauray was informed
by a respectable merchant of the city that, since the opening of the
Jabalpur railway, a large portion of the produce of the North-Western
Provinces, which used to be consigned to Patnd, is now despatched by
that line to Bombay.
“The next mart of importance is Mansiirganj, lying immediately south
of Marifganj, Being more of an inland mart, the supplies of Manstir
ganj are drawn for the most part from Patd District and other Districts
to the south.
Colonelganj, a riverside mart, stands next in order, with imports
brought almost wholly by boat from the Districts of North Behar and
from Bengal. Other smaller marts for oilseeds and cereals are Sddikpur
and Mahdrdjganj.
Omitting the imports into the numerous petty ddedrs, there remains
the central business quarter of the Chauk, connected with which is
Mirchaiganj ; and farther east the Kild, also known as the cotton mart,
for it imports 35,871 maumnds of cotton out of a total of 38,271 mauads
for the whole city. All these marts have a distinct trade of their own,
‘The importance of the Chauk consists in the variety and value of
its imports The principal import is cloth, of which a considerable
trade is carried on by the Manwaris. European cotton goods, chiefly
longeloth, to the value of £180,425 for the Chauk, and of £93,200 for
Mirchdiganj, are said to have been imported during the year 1875-76,
‘The whole of this came by rail.
pre PATNA CANAL AND STATE.
1,105,659 maunds, the larger proportion of which consisted of oibzeeds,
979,047 maunds.
‘The total exports of such articles ax are shown by weight amounted
to 1,525,827 mawnds for vhe city, or nearly half as much as the imports;
of which oilseeds account for 1,146,852 maunds, and salt 105,329
saunds, Apart from these exports, there is a sort of indirect export
trade by no means inconsiderable, chiefly in cotton, spices, English
piece-goods, cocownuts, and tobacco, regarding which the merchants
were unable to supply statistical information. By ‘indirect’ exports
are meant goods purchased daily in small or large quantities by the
mahdjans and bantyds of the interior of Patna District and of other
Districts of the Division, which unquestionably do form a part of the
export trade of the city. Jt is impossible to state, even approximately,
the quantity thus exported, but it is known to be considerable. Amongst
other articles of export may be mentioned 200 maunds of tobacco
despatched to Bombay, and 250 mands to Calcutta. ‘This is prepared
tobacco for smoking, for which Patnd is noted. The remaining exports
from Patnd are unimportant
Trade in 1883-84.—The foregoing paragraphs give a general view of
the trade of Patnd in detail for the various marts in the city, and with
particular reference to the year 1875-76. Since then, the trade, though
maintaining the same general character, has very materially increased.
In 1883-84, the total trade of Patni (including the civil station of —
Bénkipur and the military station of Dindpur) amounted im value to
410,495,763, namely, imports £3,892,184, and exports 46,603,579.
Patnd Canal.—Canal in Patnd District, Bengal, on the Sow Sysre ;
branches off from the Eastern Main Canal in Gayd District, about
4 miles from the village of Brun, where the Son is crossed by an anicut
which diverts the water into the Eastern and Western Main Canals.
‘The Patnd Canal is designed to irrigate the country lying east of the
. It is 7g miles in length, of which 36 miles lie within Patnd
ict; and it commands an area of 780 square miles, or 449,200
acres, irrigated by water conveyed by distributaries. The course of the
canal from its commencement is, in general, parallel with that of the
Son; but shortly after entering Patnd District it bends to the east,
following an old channel of the Son, and joins the Ganges at Dighd,
‘a yillage situated between Bankipur and Dinapur, The canal was
completed and opened throughout in October 1877.
Patnd. — Native State attached to Sambalpur District, Central
Provinces, lying between 20° 5'and 21° w. lat., and between 82° 45' and.
83° go" x. long. Bounded on the north and west by the Borésimbar
and Kharide chiefships, on the south and east by the Feudatory States —
of Kdlihandi and Sonpur, Area, 2399 square miles, Population
(1881) 257,95
né PATNA TOWN—PATRI.
leopards are also numerous, Patna has no manufactures of importance,
Tron-ore is found in many parts, but no mines are regularly worked.
‘The only means of communication area few bullock or pony tracks
across the hills,
Area of State, 2399 square miles, with r59r villages and 50,841
houses. Total population (1881) 257,959, namely, males 131,579,
and females 126,389; average density, ro7"5 persons per square
mile, No separate return is given in the Census Report, showing
either the ethnical or religious division of the people, The most
common Hinda castes are Brihmans, Mahantis, Rajputs, Agarids, and
Kultis, The aboriginal tribes consist of Gonds, Kandhs, and
Binjwars. Of the total area of 2399 square miles, 550 square miles
are returned as under cultivation ; while of the portion lying waste, 950
‘Square miles are said to be still available for cultivation,
In 1871, upon the death of the late Raja leaving an infant heir, the
State was taken under direct Government management, and is now in.
a very flourishing condition. he State is still under the management
of the Government Political Agent, and the minor Raja is a student
at the Rajkumar College at Jabalpur. In 1876-77 the collections
amounted to £4740, the expenditure to £2858, and the balance to
nearly £2300, including the surplus of the previous year. ‘The in«
come of the State in 1883-84 amounted to 46440, and the expenditure
to £5900, with an accumulated balance in hand of £6894.
‘The temperature is that of the plains generally, in the cold months
being often a3 low as 45° F. at daybreak, and rising by mid-day to
about 80° F. The hot season lasts from April to the middle of
June, when the thermometer sometimes reaches 110° F, in the shade,
‘Though the climate has a bad reputation, the inhabitants appear robust
and healthy. Cholera frequently breaks out, especially in the larger
villages.
Patnd.—Chief town of Patna Tributary State, attached to Sambalpur
District, Central Provinces, and residence of the Raj Population
(1881) 2053, namely, Hindus 2044, and Muhammadans 9,
Patnd,—A small river rising in the Bhanrer range of hills in Stee
manibdd feds, Jabalpur (Jubbulpore) District, Central Provinces,
After a northerly course of 35 miles, it falls into the right bank of the
Bairmd river, For some distance the Patna marks the boundary
between Panna State and Jabalpur. jet.
Patri—Petty State in the Jhildwar division of Kathidwar, Bombay
Presidency ; consisting of 7 villages, with x tributepayer. Area, 40
square miles, Population (r8$1) 3877. Estimated revenue, £9s0 5
tribute of £523, 108. is paid to the British Government,
Pétri,—Town in Viramgim Subdivision, Ahmadabad District,
Bombay Presidency; a station on the Bombay, Baroda, and Central
118 PATTIKONDA HEAD-QUARTERS—PATUR.
contains 2 criminal courts; police circles (tAdmds), 20; regular police,
442, Land revenue (1883), 417,042.
‘Pattikonda, —Hend-quarters of the Pattikonda sd/wk, Karn)
(Kurnool) District, Madras Presidency. Lat. 15" 28° N., long. 77° 4! &
Population (1881) 3087, inhabiting 717 houses. Memorable as the
scene of Sir Thomas Munro's death, from cholera, in July 1827. Post
office,
Pattukotai—Zi/wk or Sub-division of Tanjore District, Madras
Presidency. Area, gog square miles. Population (1872) 237,423
ee) 244,717, namely, 117,871 males and 126,846 females, dwelling
in 840 villages, and occupying 47,346 houses, Hindus number
221,556; Muhammadans, 17,066; Christians, 6093; and ‘others, 2
Tn 1883 the number of civil courts in the Aféck was x, and of criminal
courts 2; police circles (tidmds), 13; regular police, 87 men, Land
revenue, £19,205.
Pattukotai—Town in Tanjore District, and head-quarters of Pattur
‘kotai 4#/vé, Madras Presidency ; situated 27 miles south-east of Tanjore
town. Population (1881) 4677, occupying 809 houses. A sub-station
of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel ; a station of the
Vicariate -Apastolic of Madura; police station, sub jail, telegraphic
and post offices, dispensary, and fort. The fort was built by Vijaya
Raghaya (the last of the Nayak dynasty) in the 7th century.
Patudkhali.—Sub-division of Bikarganj District, Bengal; com-
prising the 4 police circles of Patudkhdli, Bauphal, Gulsdkinsli, and
Gulachhipa. Area, 1231 square miles, with 1001 towns and villages,
and 49,620 houses, Population (1872) 425,019: (1881) 426,758,
namely, males 223,688, and females 203,070. Muhammadans num
ber 342,112, or 8orr per cent; Hindus, 79,749, or 189 per cent. 5
Buddhists, 4723; and Christians, 474. Proportion of males in total
population, 52'4 per cent. ; average density of population, 346 persons:
per square mile; persons per village, 426; houses per square mile,
42°72; inmates per house, 86. Head-quarters at the village of Patud=
Khdlf or Lankédtf; lat. 22° 20" 35", long. go" z2’ 45°". In 4
Patudkhali Subdivision contained 1 criminal and 3 civil and revenue
courts, a regular police force numbering 81 men, and a village watch or
rural police of 1088 ehaukiddrs,
Patti (Patur Shaith Ba ‘Town in Balipur fine, Akola Dise
trict, Berar. Situated in lat. 20° 27's., and Jong, 76° 59° ©, 18 miles
south of Akola town, on the high road from Akola to Basim, and under
the hills up which a pass leads to the Bailighit. Population (1881)
7219, namely, Hindus, 4994; Muhammadans, 2002; Jains, 221; and_
‘others’ 2. A rock-hewn Buddhist monastery is situated in the hile ]
side cast of the town. ‘Two other shrines in the vicinity, one Muh:
madan and the other Hindu, are much resorted to. An annual Hindu
a.
120 PAUNG-LIN—PAVAGADA.,
their rise here. Three principal passes cross the range—the northern
runs up the valley of the Baw-ga-ta, and across the Thayet-pin-kindat
hill to Kawu-do, the northern police post in the Salwin Hill ‘Tracts ;
‘the central passes up the valleys of the Mut-tama and Meh-deh. and
debouches at Pa-pun; and the southern route is from the Muttama
river to Pa-wa-ta on the Bi-lin,
Paung-lin (/aung-fin). —Township of Hanthawadi (formerly
Rangoon) District, Pegu Division, Lower Burma, Population (1881)
49,526; gross revenue, £26,154. The Sittaung Valley Stare Railway
traverses Paung-lin.—See Hraun@-tin.
Paunf.— Town and municipality in Bhanddrt District, Central
Provinces ; situated in lat. 20° 48" N., and long. 79° 40" E, 32 miles
south of Bhandért town. Population (1881) 9773, namely, Hindus,
8760; Kabirpanthis, 29; Muhammadans, 838; Jains, 7; non-Hindu
aborigines, 139. Municipal income (1882-83), £307, of which £342
was derived from taxation; average incidence of taxation, Sfd. per
head. The town is surrounded on three sides by high ramparts of earth,
im some parts crowned with stone battlements, and by a ditch; along:
the fourth side, to the east, runs the scarped bank of the Wainganga
river, Two or three handsome stone gé/dés lead down to the river,
which supplies the water used for domestic purposes ; that drawn from
the wells being generally brackish. ‘The dense jungle in and around
the town renders the place very unhealthy; and this fact, with the
consequent removal of many of the wealthier inhabitants to Nagpur,
has caused Pauni to decay. A considerable trade still takes place,
however, in cotton cloth and silk pieces; and the finer fabrics manu:
factured at Paun{ are exported to great distances, The town contains
many old shrines, but the great temple of Murlidhar, though com-
paratively modern, is the only one of repute. Pauni has a large and
flourishing Government school, police outpost station, post-office,
dispensary, and small rest-house for travellers on the bank of the river,
Pauri (Paor/).—Village and administrative head-quarters of Garh«
wal District, North-Western Provinces. Lat. 30° 8' 10° s,, long. 78°
48° 15° & Residence of an extra-Assistant Commissioner and of a
civil judge (Sadr Amin), Station of the American Baptist Mission,
Anglo-vernacular school,
Pavagada.— 7u/us in Chitaldnig District, Mysore State. Area, 567
square miles, of which 165 are cultivated. Population (1871) 66,250:
(1881) 45,543, namely, 23,490 males and 22,113 females. Hindus
number 44,586; Mubammadans, 842; Jains, 82; and Christians, 3.
Land revenue (1881-82), exclusive of water rates, £7504, or 15. 4d,
per cultivated acre. Soil sandy, and abounding with ¢a/pargis or sub-
sutface springs of water. Crops—tice, rai, warane, and horse-gram ;
exports—iron and rice, In 1883 the ¢dlvh contained 1 civil and
122 PAWANGARH—PAWAYAN.
In old inscriptions, the name of the hill appears as Péwakgarb, or
‘Fire Hill’ ‘The first historic reference to it is in the writings of the
bard Chand (1022-1072), who speaks of Rim Gaur the Tuar as lord
of Piwa. The earliest authentic account is about 1300, when it was
seized by Chauhdn Rajputs, who fled from: Mewdr before the forces of
Al&dd-din Khilji, The Musalmdn kings of Abmaddéldd more than
once attempted to take the fort, and failed. In 1484, Sultin Mahmid
Begara, after a siege of nearly two years, succeeded in reducing it.
On gaining possession, he added to the defences of the upper and
lower forts, and for the first time fortified the plateau, making it his
citadel. In spite of its strength, it was captured in 1535 by the
Emperor Hamdyiin by treachery. In 1573 it fell into the hands of the
Emperor Akbar. In 1727 it was surprised by Krishnaji, who made it
his head-quarters, and conducted many raids into Gujardt, Sindhia
took the fort about 1761; and from Sindhia Colonel Woodington
captured it in 1803. In 1804 it was restored to Sindhia, with whom
it remained until 1853, when the British took over the management of
the Panch Mahal District.
‘The constant cool winds that prevail during the hot-weather months
make the hill at that season a favourite resort for the European
residents of Baroda.
Pawangarh.—Hill fort in Kolhdpur State, Bombay Presidency.
Lat. 16° 48" x., long. 74° 10° 15" x. ‘The fort was stormed by a British
force on rst December 1844. |
Pawayan.—Northern ¢aAsf/of Shahjahanpur District, North-Western
Provinces, comprising the pargands of Pawéyan, Jamaur, and Kant, —
Area, 598 square miles, of which 358 are cultivated. Population —
(1872) 261,494; (1881) 245,454, namely, males 131,221, and Jemales
114,233. Classified according to religion, there were in 1881—
Hindus, 223,408; Muhammadans, 22,028; and ‘others,’ 18 Of the —
654 villages in the é2As#/, 508 contain less than five hundred inhabitants; —
108 Irom five hundred to a thousand ; 37 from one to three thousand 5
and 1 upwards of five thousand inhabitants, Government land |
revenue, 434,518, or including local rates and cesses levied on land, —
£39,438. Rental paid by cultivators, £56,304. In 1883, Pawdyan
fahsié contained 1 civil and 1 magisterial court; strength of regular
police, 61 men; besides a village watch or chawkiddrl force. |
Pawadyan.—Town in Shdhjahdnpur District, North-Western Pre
vinces, and head-quarters of Pawdyan ¢ahsi’, Situated in lat. 28° 4’
10" n., and long. So" 8° 25” x, 4 miles south of the Bhainsi pi
and 17 miles north of Shéhjahdnpur town. Population (1881) 5478,
namely, Hindus, 4038 ; Muhammadans, 14233 and ‘others,’ 17. The
sanitation, conservancy, and police of the town are provided for by a
small housetax. Charitable dispensary.
12g PEERPOINTEE—PEGU,
courts; post-office, bungalow, and good market. Pedd4purwas formerly
the head-quarters of a large samindért.
Peerpointee.—Town in Bhdgalpur District, Bengal.—See Pir-
PAINTH
Pegu (Pai-gu).—Division of Lower Burma, comprising RANGOON
Town, the Districts of HaNrHawapt (formerly Rangoon District),
‘THaRawapi, and Prome, cach of which sce separately; also Barristt
Burma and Pxcu Towx, The Division lies between 16° 1' 40" and.
19” 55’ 20” N, lat, and between gs" 12’ and 96° 54' &. Jong. Area,
9159 square miles. Number of towns, 5; villages, 4425; houses,
205,416, Total population (1881) 1,162,393, namely, males 635,368,
or 54°3 per cent, and females 527,025, or 45°2 per cent. Average
density of population, 126°9 persons per square mile; towns and
villages per square mile, o48; persons per town or village, 2625
occupied houses per square mile, 22°5; persons per house, 5'7
Nearly the entire population, namely, 1,058,960, or 91 per cent.
are Buddhists, Hindus number 46,742; Muhammadans, 28,159 5
Christians, 19,815; Nat-worshippers or non- Buddhist indigenous
races, 8468; Brahmos, 11; Jews, 172; and Parsis, 66. Of the
total number of Christians, European British and other European
and American subjects number 3642; Eurasians, 3068; and Native
converts, 13,105. Of the Native converts, 9643 are Baptists. The
boat population numbers 23,851 persons, living in 4638 boats. As
regards occupation, the male population were distributed into the follow=
ing six main groups:—(1) Professional class, including State officials
of every kind and members of the learned professions, 18,024; (2)
domestic servants, inn and lodging-house keepers, 8688 ; (3) commer
cial class, including bankers, merchants, carriers, etc, 44,882; (4)
agricultural and pastoral class, including gardeners, 196,818; (5)
industrial class, including al! manufacturers and artisans, 59,4585 and
(6) indefinite and non - productive class, comprising labourers, male
children, and persons of unspecified occupation, 307,498.
The total population dependent on the soil is 759,130, or 65°31
per cent. of the Divisional population. Total cultivated area, 2043
square miles, or an average of 1°72 acres per head of the agricultural
population, The total area of cultivable land is 3973 square miles.
Amount of Government land revenue assessment, including local
rates and cesses paid on land, £291,838, or an average of 4s 43d.
per cuhivated acre. Chief crops of the Division in 1882-83
—rice, covering an area of 1,371,329 acres; oil-sceds, 4681 acres;
pulses, 1884 acres; cotton, 3097 acres; tobacco, 6255 acres; vege.
tables, 2457 acres; fruit-trees, 46,351 acres; dhanl palm, 1433 acres;
chillies, 1051 acres. Zawagye or nomadic tillage occupies 15,010
acres,
PEGU TOWN.
waddy),—inchiding Taung-gou and Prome,—conquered Ava and th
seacoast as far as the Pak-chan, and successfully invaded Siam and
Arakan. Across the river, and connected with the Pegu quarter by 2
substantial wooden bridge, over which runs the Rangoon and ‘Tau:
gnu road, is Zaing-ga-naing. Inside the old walls stands the great
broad and well-metalled streets crossing each other, génerally at right
angles. The market is on the bank of the river, a little above the
bridge, The courthouses are situated on the wall, which has been
levelled east of the town, The houses are built of wood and bamboes,
and are thatched or tiled, The town has more than once been burned
down.
‘Pegn is deseribed by European travellers in the 16th century as of
great size, strength, and magnificence. Caesar Frederick, who was here
in the latter portion of the 16th century, according to the account given
jin Purchas, wrote —* By the help of God we came safe to Pegu, which
are two cities, the old and the new, In the old citic are the Merchant
strangers and Merchants of the Countrie, for there are the greatest
doings and the greatest trade. This citie is not very great, but it bath
very great suburbs. Their houses be made with canes and covered
with leaves or with straw; but the Merchants haye all one House or
which house they call Godon, which is made of bricks, and
there they put all their goods of any value to save them from the often
mischances which happen to houses made of such stuffe. In the new
cite is the Palace of the King and his abiding place with all bis barons
and nobles and other gentlemen ; and in the time that I was there they
finished the building of the new citi. It is a great citie, very plaine
and flat, and foursquare, walled round about and with ditches that
compass the walls round about with water, in which ditches are many
Crocodiles. It bath no Drawbridges, yet it hath 20 gates, five for every
square; on the walls there are many places made for Centinels to
watch, made of wood and covered or gilt with gold, ‘The streets
thereof are the fairest that I have seen, they are as straight as a line
from one gate to another, and standing at one gate you may discover
the other; and they are as broad as that ten or twelve men may ride
abreast in them. And those streets that be thwart are faire and large;
the streets bot! the one side and on the other are planted at the
doores of the houses with nuptrees of India, which make a very com-
modious shadow; the houses be made of wood and covered with a
kind of tiles in forme of cups very necessary for their use. The King’s |
Palace is in the middle of the Citie made in forme of a walled castle,
with ditches full of water round about it, The lodgings within are
made of wood, all over gilded, with fine pinnacles and very costlie
128 PEGU RIVER.
is shut early in the evening ; after that hour, entrance during the night
is confined to a wicket. . . . There are two inferior gates on the north
and south sides of the stockade.
‘The streets of Pegu are spacious. . . . The new town is well paved.
with brick, which the ruing of the old plentifally supply; on each side
of the way there is a drain to carry off the water.’
After the capture of Rangoon during the first Anglo-Burmese war,
the Burmese commander-in-chief retired to Pegu; and his forces be~
coming thinned by desertion, the inhabitants rose against him and
handed the place over to the British, who garrisoned it with a small —
body of troops. During the second war it was more stubbornly
defended, Early in June 1852, the defences were carried by a force
under Major Cotton and Commander Tarleton, R.N., the granaries:
destroyed, and the guns carried away, Without assistance, however,
the inhabitants, at whose request the expedition had been sent, were
unable to hold the town for a week, and the Burmese reoccupied the
pagoda platform, and threw up strong defences along the river, In
November of the same year, a force under Brigadier M‘Neill was sent
from Rangoon to retake the town, which was achieved after considerable
fighting, and with some loss. ‘The main portion of the troops were then
withdrawn, and a garrison left of 200 men of the Madras Fusiliers, 200
of the sth Regiment M.N.I., some European artillery, and a detail of
Madras sappers, the whole being placed under the command of Major
Hill of the Fusiliers. Hardly had Brigadier M‘Neill retired when the
Burmese attacked the garrison, but were driven off. The attacks
continued ; and in the beginning of December the enemy appeared in.
force, and Major Hill with difficulty held the position. A small reine
forcement was despatched from Rangoon; but this was driven back,
and forced to retire without communicating with the besieged. General
Godwin, the commander-in-chief, then moved up the Pegu river in.
person with 1200 men, upon which, after some skirmishing, the
Burmese retired ; but as they remained in the neighbourhood, the force
moved out against them and finally defeated them, driving them out of
a strong position in the plains, where they had thrown up extensive
entrenchments.
‘egu Division, Lower Burma ;
., on the eastern slopes of the
Pegu Youn Mountains, and flows first south-south-cast, past the town
of Pegu, then south-southwest, and finally joins the Rangoon or
Hawa Raver, in lat. 16° 45’ x., and long. 96" 11'
after a total course of 180 miles. At its mouth i
broad, and can be ascended by large vessels as far as the Pu-ron-daung,
where they take in cargoes of rice, cleaned in the steam mills on the
banks of that stream. At neaps, the tide is felt as high as Pegu, and
130 PEINT STATE,
District of Thana ; and on the west by Dharampur in Surat. Popu-
lation (1881) 55,144 persons, namely, 28,546 males and 26,598 females,
occupying 9524 houses. Hindus number 54,551; Muhammadans,
540; and ‘others,’ 53. A maze of hill and valley, except for some
Tice-fields and patches of rough hillside cultivation, Peint is over
its whole area covered with timber, brushwood, and grass. Towards
the north, a leading range of hills, passing westwards at right angles to
the main line of the Sahyddri, gives a distinct character to the land-
scape. But over the rest of the country, ranges of small hills starting
up on all sides crowd together in the wildest confusion, with a
general south-westerly direction, to within 20 miles of the sea-coast,
dividing the valleys of the Daman and Pér rivers. The heavy rainfall,
the thick forest vegetation, great variations of temperature, and a
certain heaviness of the atmosphere, combine to make the tract
unhealthy. The prevailing diseases are fever and ague. ‘The population
consists almost entirely of forest and hill tribes, nominally Hindus,
poor and ignorant, unsettled in their habits, and much given to the use
of intoxicating spirits. Their language is a corrupt Mardth{ with a
large mixture of Gujardth{ words. A large part of Peint is well
suited for grazing, and considerable numbers of cattle and sheep
are exported. ‘Ihe chief products are timber of various kinds (in
cluding bamboos), rice, ndchni, oil-seeds, beeswax, honey, elk-horn,
and hides.
‘The ruling family, by descent Rajputs of the Powdr tribe, adopted
many generations back the family name of Dalvi. During the Marathd
supremacy, their estates were for a long period placed under attach-
ment by the Peshwds. In reward for services rendered in 1818,
as it was important, in so difficult and turbulent a country, to have
a ruler of undoubted friendliness, the family were reinstated in their
former position by the British Government.
The last chief, Abdul Momin a/ias Lakshadir Dalpat Rdo 11., died
in 1837, leaving only a legitimate daughter, Begam Nur Jahan, who
died in 1878. The State was placed under British management on
the death of the last male chief, but the Begam was allowed a life
pension of £600 a year, in addition to one-third of the surplus
revenues of the State. On the death of the Begam in 1878, the
State finally lapsed to the British Government, and now constitutes
a Sub-division of Nasik District.
Harsil, the former place of residence of the Begam, lies in lat.
20° 9'N., and long. 73° 30’ E. In 1880-81, Peint Sub-division con-
tained 3816 holdings, with an average area of 48} acres, and paying
an average assessment of 15s. 9d. The area under cultivation in
1880-81 was 149,120 acres; the principal crops being—grain crops,
90,827 acres, of which 62,258 were under ndchni (Eleusine corocana);
132 PENA-PENGANGA.
Dharamtar ferry on the Amba river, 5 miles distant; and cargo boats
‘up to 50 tons burthen come to Auturli or Pen Bandar, 1f mile distant,
at spring tides. ‘The neap tide port, Bing Bandar, is 4 miles below
Pen. Average annual value of trade for the eight years ending
1881-82 — exports, £66,991; imports, £33,493- In 1881-82 the
exports amounted to £63,491, and the imports to £30,172. Pen is
one of the two ports forming the Sakse (Sankshi) Customs Division.
New waterworks have been recently constructed at a cost of £2800.
Pend.—Town in Gorakhpur District, North-Western Provinces. —
See Paina,
Pench.—River of the Central Provinces ; rising in lat. 22° 20’ .,
and long, 78° 37%, on the Mottir plateau in Chhindwark District
Tt flows south-cast to Michdgor4, noted for its fishery, thence south to
the village of Chand, near which it turns north-east, until stopped by
the hills dividing Seon{ and ChhindwdrA Districts, It then flows
nearly due south, till, after a total course of 1z0 miles, it joins the —
Kanban river in Nagpur District (lat. 21” 17' N., long. 79° 13" E) |
Principal affluent, the Kolbira, |
Penchalakonda.—Peak in the Veligonda Hills, Nellore District,
Madras Presidency, and the highest point in the Eastern Ghats within
that District, Lat. 14" 17' N., long. 79° 28' 45” 1 ; elevation above sea-
Tevel, 3000 feet, Ancient pagoda on the hill, resorted to by nOmerous:
pilgrims and visitors,
Pendhét,—Village in Mainpuri District, North-Western Provinces ;
distant from Mainpuri town 29 miles north-west. Population (1881) _
2419, namely, Hindus, 2238; Muhammadans, 86; and ‘others’ 95.
Noted for a great religious gathering, held on a movable date, at the
shrine of Jokhaiya. Pilgrims come for the purpose of obtaining off
spring and easy child-birth.
Pendra,,
Central Provinces ; situated on the Vindhyan uplands, Though intere —
sected by hills, it consists mainly of an extensive plateau. Area,
§85 square miles, of which 40,000 acres are cultivated, and 300,000
returned as cultivable, Number of villages, 200, with 9883 houses, —
Population (1881) 43,868, namely, males 22,323, and feniales 21,545 5
average density of population, 75 persons per square mile, The chief |
isa Raj-Gond, and obtained the grant more than three centuries ago
from the Hathai-Bansi rulers of Ratanpur. Pendri, the head-quarters
(lat. 22” 47’ N., long. 82° &), lies on the direct road from Bildspur to
Rewi, along which a constant flow of traffic takes place in the cold
months; it contains the ruins of a fort. A magnificent grove of
mango trees, with spreading tamarinds here and there, affords a
pleasant camping ground.
Pengangé (Puingangd).—River of Berar, having its source in the
134 PENTAKOTA—PENUKONDA.
or dam was crected across the river opposite Nellore town in 1855, in
order to irrigate the fertile delta at the river mouth. In October 1857.
the river rose to the height of 16 feet above the anicut, and did such
damage that the anicut had to be rebuilt. ‘The present structure, de-
signed by Sir A. Cotton, was completed in 1863. ‘The length ofthe anieut
was increased by 150 yards in 1876, to lessen its liability to damage
‘This dam is 677 yards long, with a crest g feet above the bed, and 374
feet above mean sea-level; it is capable of supplying 150 square miles, all
on the right or south bank. The irrigation of the northern bank will
be effected by the Sangam anicut. The greatest area yet irrigated
(1882-85) is 63,653 acres, or nearly two-thirds of the whole area
commanded. ‘Total cost of Penner anicut up to 1882, £122,588 ;
total receipts, £136,111. Outlay in 1882, £7465; receipts, £12,062.
In November 1883, the Penner rose 19°3 feet above the anicut, the
highest flood yet recorded. During the famine of 1877, it was proposed
to construct a similar work at Sangam, about 3o miles higher up the
fiver, and the work is now being carried out, Up to 1882-83, £80,207
had been expended out of a sanctioned expenditure of £356,904.
(2) The Southern or Dakshin Pindkini also rises in the hill of Cheuna
Kesaya. It flows first in a southerly direction through the District of
Bangalore in Mysore State, and then likewise turns east, and, after
crossing the Madras Districts of Salem and South Arcot, falls into the
Bay of Bengal, near Fort St, David, a few miles north of Cuddalore
(Kadalhtr) town, ‘Total length, 245 miles; area of drainage basin, 6200 _
square miles. In Bangalore District, its waters are freely utilized
for irrigation, being stored in large tanks. Itis estimated that in its
basin also about 85 per cent. of the total supply is thus intercepted.
‘The Hoskot tank alone is 10 miles in circumference,
Pentakota.—Fishing village in Sarvassiddhi ¢ifwk, Vizagapatam —
District, Madras Presidency; situated in lat. 17° 19" »., and long. 8a”
35°30" Population (3871) 1610; (1881) 1313, living in 248 houses.
In 1875, 16 ships, with an aggregate burthen of 7000 tons, took —
on board produce, chiefly grain, to the value of £22,500. In 1879-80,
3 small native craft, of a burden of 143 tons, carried away exports |
to the value of £250, since which date the port scems to have been
entirely abandoned as a seat of export trade. A bar closes the
mouth of the river during the shipping season, and a wide stretch of
marsh and sand impedes the landing of goods, The manufacture of
salt, which till recently gave the place some importance, has likewise
heen discontinued.
Penukonda,—7i/ud or Sub-division of Anantipur District, Madras
Presidency. Area, 65§ square miles. Population (1881) 73,023,
namely, 37,266 males and 35,757 females, dwelling in 1 town and —
98 villages, containing 15,865 houses. Hindus number 68,006;
136 PERAMBAKAM—PERIAKULAM,
48’ 8. on the road from Gooty (Guti) to Karnil. Population (1881)
3535, dwelling in 746 houses. Deputy Collector's head-quarters ; post-
office,
Perambdékam.—Town in Conjevaram séfuk, Chengalpat (Chingte-
put) District, Madras Presidency, Lat. 12° sq’ 30° x., long. 80" 15°
go". Population (1881) 415, all Hindus, dwelling in 43 houses. Four-
teen miles north-west of Conjevaram. A place of mournful memory,
where the Madras army encountered its most serious disaster. In 1780,
Colonel Baillie, marching from the north with a force of 3700 men,
was here surrounded by Haidar's army, and his troops all but
annihilated. The troops of Haidar were on this occasion guilty of the
‘most barbarous atrocities, sparing neither the wounded nor the women
and children with the defeated forces. In the following year, Sir Eyre
Coote defeated Haidar Ali on the same spot, and drove him back on
Sholingarh.
Porambalir,— Zilué or Sub-division of Trichinopoli District,
Madras Presidency. Perambalir #é/ué is generally flat, ‘The soil of the
northern half is black clay, with large tracts of stiff black soil; in the
southern half, as a rule, the soil is poor and the country rocky. “The
tdluk is chiefly irrigated from tanks. ‘The principal grains cultivated are
ragt (Eleusine corocana), mrege (Panicum miliaceum), and Aewsw
(Pennisetum typhoideum), Cotton covers an area of about 20,000
acres, or more than half the total area on which the crop is raised in
Trichinopoli District. Area, 686 square miles. Population (1881)
172,281, namely, 33,052 males and 89,229 females, dwelling in 234
villages, and occupying 23,719 houses. Hindus number 164,607 5
Muhammadans, 4892; and Christians, 2782. In 1883 the féfut con«
tained 1 civil and 2 criminal courts ; police circles (thdnds), 8; regular
police, 59 men, Land revenue, £269.
Perambalir. — Town in Trichinopoli District, and head-quarters of
Perambahir Ai/wd, Madras Presidency. Situated almost in the centre of
the #é/k, on the old road from Trichinopoli to Madras, Population
(1881) 3062, dwelling in 530 houses. Perambalir is also the head-
quarters of a District mumsif. The watersupply is indifferent. Post-
office ; weekly market.
Perambir.—Suburb of Madras See Mapras Cry.
Periakulam.—Zii/ué or Sub-division of Madura District, Madras
Presidency. Area, 1169 square miles, Population (1881) 232,123,
namely, 112,251 males and 119,872 females, dwelling in 1 town and
85 villages, and cecupying 36,369 houses, Hindus number 216,6715
Muhammadans, 9885; and Christians, 5567. In 1883 the /é/uk con-
tained 2 criminal courts; police circles (tdémds), 11; regular police, 86
men. Land revenue, £26,332.
Periakulam.—Town in Madura District, Madras Presidency, and
138 PERIM ISLAND.
strong fortifications ; but having with much labour dug through the
solid rock to a depth of 1g fathoms in a fruitless search for water, they
abandoned their design, and removed to Mary's Island, on the cast
side of Madagascar.
*In 1799, Perim was taken possession of by the East India Company ;
and a force under Lieutenant-Colonel Murray was sent from Bombay
to garrison it, with the view of preventing the French troops, then
engaged in the occupation of Egypt, from proceeding to India to effect
a junction with Tipd Sahib, But it was deemed untenable asa military:
position, and the Straits were too broad to be commanded by any
batterics on the shore; the troops were accordingly withdrawn.
‘In consequence of increasing steam navigation in the Red Sea, the
attention of the Indian Government was directed to the necessity of a
lighthouse to facilitate the navigation of the Straits. Perim was conse:
quently re-occupied in the beginning of 1857. The lighthouse was
completed in 1861, and quarters were also built for a detachment of
native infantry, 50 strong, who now garrison the island under the
command of a European officer. The detachment is relieved every
two months when practicable.’ Fora complete account of the island,
see Description and History of the British Outpost of Perim, by Lieutenant
J. 8. King, Bombay Staff Cofps (1877).
Perim (The Baiines island of the Periglus). — Low rocky i
about 1800 yards long, and from 300 to soo broad; situated in. the
Gulf of Cambay, in lat. 21° 36' x. and long. 72° 23° 30" &., 2} miles
off shore, and 4} miles distant from Gogo. The island is surrounded
by an extensive rocky reef on all sides, except the south, and rises:
so sheer from the bottom of the sea, that in some places, a few yards
from the shore, there is a depth of xx and r2 fathoms of water at
low-water springtides. ‘The channel between Perimand a rocky reef in
the centre of the gulf, anly 1200 yards wide, has the extraordinary
depth of 360 feet, the bottom being yellow clay. The island is com-
posed of tertiary strata ; at the south-south-east end isa cliff showing
horizontal beds of pudding-stone, separated by sandy clay. None
of the beds appear to dip, and none preserve a uniform thickness:
throughout the cliff, in one part of which the sandstone disappears
altogether. The dry reef surrounding the island consists of confused
heaps of rock mixed with mud, sand, and clay; the rock is chiefly
yellow. pucding-stone, in which, on the south-east end of the island,
numerous fossil remains of large mammals are found. The coast is
lined with sand-hills, ‘The island has a lighthouse, erected in 1865.
It is situated 8 miles south of Gogo, and consists of a brick masonry
round tower with a spiral stone stair inside, ‘The light has eight
homers; height of lantern above high water, 100 feet. It is a single
white fixed dioptric light of the fourth order, and is visible from the
PERIVAR—PERUMUKAL.
ruins, and changed the name from Ssgrpaink wile ieee vig.
nation. Daring the reign of Tip the town figures frequently in
military history. It witnessed several contests between the Coorgs and
the Mysore forces. On three occasions it was occupied by the British ;
and in 179% many houses were burned by Tipt, in order to obstruct
the advance of General Abercromby. It is chielly inhabited by traders,
who export cotton and tobacco to Coorg and the west coast,
Poriyar.—The most important river in ‘Travancore State, Madras
Presidency, rising in lat. 10° 40’ x., and long. 76° 56’ x. It flows first
north, and afterwards west, a total cistance of 142 miles, falling into
the sea near Kodungalir, In its course to the low country, the Periyar
is increased by innumerable tributary streams, of which the Malldi,
Sherdhoni, Peringakotdi, Mudrapalli, Kiindanpdra, and Eddamalai are
the most considerable. Its progress is often impeded by rocks and
narrow gorges in the hills, with occasional falls, rendering the passage
quite impracticable for boats above Narramangalam. he greater
portion of the teak-wood, which is cut annually in the mountains, is
floated down this river to the coast. On reaching Alwaye, the Periyde
Separates into two branches, the northern proceeding to Pallipur, while
the southern branch, after leaving Varanpuldi, again separates into two
streams, one of which, however, is speedily lost in the estuary to which:
it flows through numerous channels ; the other, continuing in asoutherly
direction, falls into the lake south of Tripundthordi, Sixty miles of
this river may be considered as navigable, small craft ascending as high
as Narramangalam ; and on that branch of it which is formed by the
Eddamalai, river boats find a ready passage to Iddirarmand. With —
the exception of the last 35 miles, the course of this stream lies through
a complete wilderness, the populated tracts not extending beyond the
town of Mulliatdr, A scheme, known as the Periydr project, for
diverting the course of this stream across the watershed of the Ghats
into the Vaigai river, in Madura District, is now (1884) being carried
into effect.
Peruah,—Ruined town in Maldah District, Bengal—See Pans
Duan.
Perumakal (' Great Travail, so called because Sitd bore twins here ;
the Ferumacoi? of Orme).—Village in Tindevanam éd/wk, South Arcot
District, Madras Presidency ; situated in lat. 12° 12’ 10" 6, and Jong.
79° 46° 30" & Population (1881) 1844, dwelling in 217 houses Te
has a small fort, which is perched on a rocky hill, about 370 feet high.
The summit is only 4oo by 200 yards in area, and the ascent om all
sides is dificult. After the defeat at Wandiwash (1759), the French,
retreating on Pondicherri, threw a detachment into the Perumakal fort;
Coote, following up the retreat, attempted to storm the place, but was
repulsed from the upper fort; he led the attacks himself, and was
142 PESHAWAR.
‘The proportion of males is 54°8 per ceat., the unequal ratio between
the sexes being mainly duc to the large military clement in the popu-
lation. Average density of population, 140 persons per square mile,
varying from 237 per square mile in Peshdwar, to 64 per square mile
in Kohat District; persons per town or village, 527; inmates per
house, 6.6, Classified according to sex and age, the Census shows
under 15 years of age, males 258,550, and females 215,909; total
children, 474,459, of 40°2 per cent. of the population: 15 years
and upwards, males 390,959, and females 315,871; total adults,
706,830, or 59°8 per cent.
Religion, —The great bulk of the population, namely, 1,101,095,
or 93"4 per cent, are Muhammadans by religion. Hindus number
68,992, or 5°8 per cent ; Sikhs, 6724; Christians, 4390; Jains, 44;
Parsfs, 39; and ‘others,’ 5. The Muhammadans by race, as apart
from religion, include Pathins, 457,782; Sayyids, 27,526 ; Kashmiris,
27,195; Shaikhs, 19,102; and Mughals, 9988. Brihmans number
299, of whom 290 are Muhammadans by religion. Of the Rajputs,
9845 in number, 8086 are descendants of Hindu conyerts to Muham>
madanism, a8 against 1755 Hindus and Sikhs Of 21,228 Khattris all
‘but 36 are Hindus or Sikhs by religion. ‘The other important tribes
and castes, all containing a more or less mixed religious element,
include the following—Awdn, 179,214 ; Gujar, 74,668 ; Tanaoli, 41,384,
and Baghban, 27,926, two Muhammadan clans or castes confined to
the Peshawar Division; Juldha, 29,038; Tarkhdn, 24,390; Arora,
21,0215 Lobdr, 14,794; Kumbhdr, 12,456; Nai, 12,068; Chuhra,
11,153 3 Karral, 10,294; Dhund, 20,091 ; Dhobi, gr80 ; and Jat, 6902,
Of the Christian population, numbering 4390, Europeans number
4235; Eurasians, 74; and natives, 81. By sect, the Christians
include—Church of England, 2693 ; Protestants undistinguished by
sect, 129; Roman Catholics, 1150; Presbyterians, 121; and * others,’
7.
Toum and Rural Population —The Peshawar Division contains three
towns with upwards of ten thousand inhabitants, namely, Peshawar
city and cantonments, 79,982; Kohat, 18,179; and Naushahra,
12,963 ; or a total of 111,124 for the three towns, Besides these, the
Census. returns thirteen other minor towns, with a population of
54,618 ; making an aggregate urban population of 165,742, or 14°03
per cent. of the whole population of the Division, Seven of the
towns are municipalities, with an aggregate population of 110,811.
‘Total municipal income (1883-84), 422,147, or an average of 3 r1fd.
per head. The 2240. villages and towns are thus classified according
to size—983 contain less than two hundred inhabitants ; 665 fromtwo to
five hundred; 333 from five hundred to a thousand; 156 from one
two thousand ; 61 from two to three thousand; 33 from three to five.
4 PESHAWAR DISTRICT,
Tevenue in 1883-84 was £135,963, of which £94,525 was derived
from the fixed land revenue.
Peshiwar.—A British District in the Lieutenant-Governorship of
the Punjab, lying between 33” 43' and 34” 30’ N. lat, and between
qx" 2s'and 72” 47'£. long. Peshawar is the central District in the
Division of the same name, and forms the extreme north-western
comer of the Indian Empire, extending from the river Indus to the
Khdibar mountains Area, 2504 square miles Population (1881)
592,674. It is hounded on the north by the ranges which link the
Sufed Koh to the Hindu Kush ; on the west and south by continuations
of the same mountains; on the south-east by the Indus; and on the
north-east by the hills of Boner and Swat. It is thus almost entirely
surrounded by independent hill tribes, all of whom are of Pathan
origin. Peshdwar District is divided into six saAsi/s, of which three
lie to the east, and three to the west of the Swit and Kabul rivers,
Of the former, Utmdn Bulk lies to the east, Mardn in the centre, and
‘Hashtnagar to the west. Of the three western fahsils, Doiba Diddeai
includes the Dotb of the Swat and Kabul rivers and the plains on the
right bank of the latter down to its junction with the former; Peshdwar
taksid comprises all the western portion of the District; and Naushahra
tahsii, the territory on the right bank of the united Swat and Kabul
rivers. The Mardda and Utmdn Buldk fefsié constitute the Sub
District of Yusafzai, which is in the separste charge of an Assistant
Commissioner stationed at Hoti Mardin. Peshawar stands twentieth
in order of area, and seventeenth in order of population among the
thirty-two British Districts of the Punjab, comprising 2°35 per cent. of
the total area; 3°16 per cent. of the total population; and 5-28 per
cent. of the urban population, The administrative head-quarters are at ‘
the city of PrsHawar. H
Physical Aspeets—The Peshdwar valley forms an irregular amphi-
theatre, shut in by hills on every side but one, with its base resting upon
the banks of the Indus, into whose basin it opens through the narrow
passage of the Kabul river. Its geological origin best explains the
existing physical features, as the whole valley forms the abandoned bed
of a great post-tertiary lake, whose outlet has slowly worn a way for
itself through the barrier of hills which once shut it off from the Indus,
At the present day, Peshawar consists of a central hollow, filled up by
alluvial deposits of silt and gravel, interspersed with waterworn
boulders ; while the Kabul river, which formerly supplied its deep
mountain lake, now flows through a marshy level to iis détonehure into —
the Indus, opposite the fort of Attock. At Nisatha, 24 miles from the
point of exit of the Indus from the hills, that river receives through:
the Kabul the Swat river, which leaves the hills 21 miles north of the
Indus. Opposite Naushahra, about the centre of the valley, the Indus
PESHAWAR DISTRICT,
‘extremity, consisting of the plains of Yusafzai and the slopes of the
Khattak hills, is comparatively bleak and barren. ‘The drainage of the
entire valley is carried off by the Kabul river, the shrivelled represen=
tative of some mighty stream which once burst its way through the
rocky barriers on the east into the main channel of the Indus. Its
principal tributaries have bee enumerated above, and it itself falls into
the Indus opposite Attock, There are no lakes in the District; but
owing to extensive percolation, large marshes are formed in many
low-lying tracts in the neighbourhood of the Swit and Kabul rivers.
‘Thete is also a large marsh near Peshawar city.
Gold is found in both the Indus and Kabul rivers above Aitock, and
numbers of boatmen work as gokl-washera. About joc men are
estimated to be thus employed, and they frequently work under a
system of advances from gold purchasers in the city, The work is
carried on during March and April, and September and October, the
average earning of cach man varying from 3d. to 6d. per diem. ‘The
Proprietors of the villages within whose boundaries gold-washing is
carried on, receive a sivall share in recognition of their right. Besides
gold, dankar is the only mineral product of any value found in the
Peshawar valley, though the surrounding hills supply iron and anti-
mony. The iron of Bajaur, brought for sale to the Peshdwar market,
is of fine quality, and is used in the manufacture of gun barrels. —
Good antimony ore from Bajaur sells in Peshawar for about £r, 105.
a cw <A yellow description of marble, found near Maneri, in
Yusafeai, is used for the manufacture of beads, charms, and oma-
ments, Crude chalk is found in Lundkhwar. Millstones are brought
from Pallodheri, in Yusafzai, and fetch as, per pair.
‘The distribution of trees is singularly nneven in different parts of the
valley. In Yusafmaiand Hishtnagar, the mulberry (4é¢) sissw (shan)
and Melia sempervirens, with occasionally the tamarisk (gas), are found
in clumps round the village wells ; and here and there groves of the
Acacia modesta (fa/osa) cover village graveyards, whilst the waste
jands support a bare and stunted jungle of Butea frondosa, different
species of zizyphus, Capparis aphylla, and other thorny bushes; bur
otherwise the tract is bare of trees. In Diitidzai and Dodba, on the
other hand, where the land lies low, and the cultivation is entirely —
from irrigation, trees are abundant, particularly the tamarisk and in some
parts the séris, Here are numerous fruirgardensand orchards, especially
in the westem suburbs of Peshawar city, where the vine, fy, plum,
apricot, peach, and quince, with cucumbers, melons, and other fruits
and vegetables, are produced in great plenty.
Pestdwar is perhaps one of the worst Districts in India as regards
sport, owing to the custom of hawking, the use of firearms by all classes,
aad the absence of forest and scrub, There are a few ravine deer in
PESHAWAR DISTRICT.
the beginning of the 8th century, a new race, the Afghiins or Pathins,
make their appearance in the local annals; and the history of the
Teshdwar valley becomes thenceforth that of a debateable ground,
fluctuating between the eastern kingdom of Delhi and the western
kingdom of Afghdnistin, The Aighdns, who were still ‘infidels’ at
this date, first effected a settlement in the hill country to the south of
the Kabul river, by the aid of the Ghakkars of Hazara and Rawat
Pixpi; while the Hindu tribes continued to retain possession of
Peshawar itself, and of the Hashtnagar and Yusafeai plains In 9784.0.
Jaipal, Raj of Lahore, advanced from Peshawar to attack Sabuktigén,
governor of Khonisin, under the titular sway of the Samdni princes
Jaipal was utterly defeated, and Sabuktigin took possession of Peshdwar,
which he garrisoned with 10,000 horse. On his death in 997, his son
Mahmiid succeeded to his dominions, and, throwing off his nominal
allegiance on the Samdni dynasty, assumed the title of Sultin in 999.
Mahmud was the first Musalmdn conqueror of Hindustin, and fought
many of his greatest engagements in the valley of Peshdwar. He
succeeded in converting the Pathdns to the religion of the Prophet;
and they remained his firm allies in his subsequent struggle with Anang
Pal, the last champion of thé Hindu creed and nationality in the north,
whose defeat on the plains of Chach in Rawat Pips laid all Upper
India at the feet of the Muhammadan conqueror. After that event,
Mahmud made Peshdwar the basis of operations in his later invasions,
and throughout the following century it continued to be a Province of
the Ghaznivide empire. When the dominions of Ghazni extended as
far as Lahore, Peshawar became a half-way stage of great importance ;
but the devastations of Mahmud seem to have left its northern plains 2
depopulated waste, occupied only by the tiger and the rhinoceros:
"The first settlement of undoubted Afghdn tribes in the central valley
took place, apparently, about the sth century; though a race of
spurious Pathdns, known as the Dilaziks, took possession of the plains
not long after the time of Mahmid, Meanwhile, the Pathdns of Ghor
had thrown off their alle e on Ghazni, and after the death of
Shahib-ud-din (r206 4.p,) the provincial governors of India declared
their independence, making the Indus their western boundary, so that
the Peshawar valley was again cut off from the eastern kingdom. The
Pathdns of the Khaibar hills retained their autonomy, while Peshdwar —
itself was held by the Dilaziks, But about the close of the rgth
century, the great tide of Afghin immigration flowed into the District
under the following circumstances:—The Khakhai Pathdns were a
body of roving adventurers, who first came notice in the time of
‘Timur, and made themselves useful to his descendant Ulugh Beg.
‘The latter treacherously expelled them from Kabul, whereupon they
entered the Peshawar valley in three main clans—the Yusafeai, Gigidnis,
15° PESHAWAR DISTRICT.
55th Native Infantry, stationed at Naushahra and Hotf Mardin, rose in
open rebellion; and on a force being despatched against them, marched
off towards the Swit Hills across the frontier. General Nicholson was
soon in pursuit, and scattered the rebels with a loss of 20 killed and
150 prisoners, The remainder sought refuge in the hills and defiles
across the border, but were hunted down by the friendly clans, till ae
perished of hunger or exposure, or were brought in prisoners, and
hanged or blown away from cannon. ‘This stern but necessary example
prevented any further act of rebellion in the District.
Poputation.—The Census of 1868, which was the first trustworthy
enumeration of the people, disclosed a total population of 523,152
persons, inhabiting an aggregate of 654 villages or towns, containing
121,256 houses. At the last enumeration in 1881, Peshawar District
was found to contain a total population of 592,674, showing an increase
of 69,522; or 15°s per cent,, in thirteen years.
‘The results of the Census of 1881 may be summarized as follows;
—Area of District, 2504 square miles; number of towns, t1, and
of villages, 679; houses, 87,7205 families, 125,563, Total popula
tion, 592,674, namely, males 329,524, and females 263,150. The
excessive proportion of males to females (55°6 per cent.) is mainly
attributable to the large military clement in the popalation, and also to
the fact that at the time of the Census, an extraordinary demand for
labour in connection with the Kdbul campaign, the Northern Punjab
State Railway, and the Swat Canal works, caused a large influx of
labourers Average density of population, 237 persons per square
mile, or excluding large towns, 185 per square mile; average number of
persons per town or village, 858, or excluding the towns, 685 ; inmates
per house, 6-7. Classified according to sex and age, the population
consists of—under 15 years of age, boys 123,920, and girls 101,070;
total children, 224,999, of 37°9 per cent. of the population: 25 years
and upwards, males 205,604, and females 162,080; total adults, 367,684,
‘or 62"1 per cent.
In religion, the Peshdwar valley is almost entirely Musalmdn, as
might naturally be expected from its early conversion and its close
connection with the Afghin kingdom. The Census returns show
$46,117 Muhammadans, or 92"t per cent.; while the Hindu faith
has only 39, adherents, or 6°7 per cent. The remainder is made
up by 3103 Sikhs, 4o88 Christians, 39 Parsfs, 3 Jains, and 3 ‘others!
By far the largest tribe in the District is that of the Pathins, who
number in all 276,656 souls, or 46°38 per cent. of the total popula-
tion. In the Yusafrai tract the Pathdn population retain all the
individual freedom, patriarchal institutions, and jealousy of personal
aggrandizement, which are the original characteristics of the Afghan
mountaineers, ‘The Pathdns to the south of the Kabul river, who
352 PESHAWAR DISTRICT,
inhabitants—viz. Pesuawar City and Cantonment (population 79,982),
Navswanxa (12,963), Tanct (9037), Mama Parano (8874), and
(CHARSADDA (8363). Six other places with less than five thousand
inhabitants were also returned as towns, namely, Urmanzat (4823),
Marvaw (2766), Stankarcarn (1367), Fort Anazat (220), Forr
Micwst (208), and Fort Mackeson (170). ‘The totalurban population
thus disclosed amounts to 128,773, or 21°7 per cent. of the District
population, Of the 690 towns and villages, 197 contain Ices than two
hundred inhabitants; 211 from two to five hundred; 135 from five
hundred to a thousand; 77 from one to two thousand; 46 from two to
three thousand; 19 from three to five thousand; 3 from five to ten
thousand ; and 2 upwards of ten thousand inhabitants. As regards
occupation, the Census Report classifies the adult male population as
follows :—(r) Professional class, including civil and military, 22,622;
(2) domestic and menial class, 7994; (3) commercial class, including
merchants, traders, carriers, etc., 7678; (4) agricultural and pastoral
class, including gardeners, 93,785; (5) industrial class, including all
manufacturers and artisans, 42,5325 (6) indefinite and non-produetive
class, including general labourers, 22,831; and (7) occupations not
specified, 8162,
Village Life—In every Pathan village, a separate quarter (kandi?) is
apportioned to each different A/ef or clan, the kandé being « collection
‘of separate tenements of the individual families forming the clan. Each
Aandi has its own mdZik or chief, whose authority is confined to it, His
duties are to maintain order, settle disputes among the householders,
collect the revenue, and see to the fair distribution of the crops, ete.
Each md/ih is subordinate to the chief or Akd2 of the uibe; to him he
makes his reports, and from him receives his orders. Each Armd? has
its own mosque, its own assembly-room or /ujra, and (in villages
beyond the border) its own tower of defence or duz7. The priests
attached to the mosques are supported by rent-free lands, besides daily
supplies of food from the residents of their Aandi; and by presents of
money, cattle, food, or clothes, on the occasion of a marriage or other
special ceremony. ‘The Aura is a public room with courtyard and
stables attached, where the md/& meets the residents of the kandi for
the discussion and settlement of matters of public business, where
guests are entertained, and where the residents and visitors assemble to:
smoke, gossip, and learn the news of the day. ‘The dur or watch-tower
now chiefly cxists in villages beyond the border. It is always attached
to the house of the md/id, and ix in constant use asa place of refuge
and observation in case of feuds between the different &heds of « village
community, as well as against outside enemies. ‘They are, however,
still to be found in British territory as survivals from days gone by, when
‘one ward was pitted against another in deadly feud, or when the whole
154 PESHAWAR DISTRICT.
clements. Irrigation is practised to a considerable extent, as many a5
180,286 acres being supplied with water from private works in 1883 ;
while the lands in the neighbourhood of the Swat and Kabul rivers ore
with moisture from numerous channels, ‘The out-turn per
aere of the principal staples was returned as follows in 1883-84 —
Rice, 960 Ibs. ; cotton, 120 Ibs,; tobacco, 124 Ibs.; wheat, 620
tbs, ; inferior grains, 400 Ibs. ; oil-seeds, 560 Ibs. The tenures of land
belong to the standard Punjab ty; es, that of pastiddri, pure or mixed,
immensely preponderating, Most of the soil is held by tenants-at-will,
only about one-sixth of the cultivators having acquired rights of
occupancy, ‘The total amount of Government land revenue assessment
in 1883-84 amounted to £86,604, equal to an average of 2s. ofd. per
acre of cultivated area, or 1s. of. per acre of total area. Rents vary
in accordance with the nature of the crop for which the soil is suited,
as well as according to the productive qualities of the soil itself; in
1883-84 they ruled as follows:—Rice lands from 108, to £2, 8s 5
cotton lands, from 6s. to £2, 8s; wheat lands, irrigated, from 10s,
to £1, 108—unirrigated, from 4s to £1, 25. ; inferior gtains, irrigated,
from 48, to 18s—unirrigated, from 28. to 188. In the same year,
wages were returned at the following rates :>—Unskilled workmen,
from 4}d. to 7d. per diem; skilled workmen, from 1s, 6d. to 25. per
diem, In 1883, prices of food-stuffs ruled as follows :—Wheat, 19} sere
per rupee, or 55. od. per cwt.; Indian corn, 37 sers per rupee, or 35.
per ewt, ; jodr, 36} sers per rupee, or 3s. 1d. per ewt. As the rivers
are fed by the melting snows of the Hindu Kush and other mountain
ranges, Peshiwar is not entirely dependent on the local rainfall, and is
consequently to a great extent secure from the danger of famine.
Commerce and Trade, ete. —The trade of the District centres in
the town of Peshdwar, and is far Jess extensive than might be ex
pected from its position on the great highway between India and the
Central Asiatic kingdoms. ‘The principal foreign markets with which —
the District deals are Kdbul and Bokhdra; but the greater part of the —
traffic merely passes through Peshawar, and is not arrested on its
direct course tothe Punjab. An endeavour was made some years since
to constitute Peshawar its main entrepOt, by means of a yearly fair; but
the enterprise did not prove successful, ‘The imports from Kabul consist
of horses, raw silk, worsted, cochineal, drugs, and other miscellaneous
goods, for re-exportation to the south and east. Bokhira supplies gold
bullion and gold or silver thread, the latter of which is handed on to-
the traders of Kashmir (Cashmere), while the bullion goes to Bombay, |
‘The retum trade from Hindustsin includes English piece-goods, cambries,
silk, sugar, and spices; while that from Kashmir is confined to —
the single item of shawl, ‘he local manufactures comprise cutlery,
and weapons, scarves, copper chasing, plain embroidery, snuff, and
156 PESHAWAR DISTRICT.
Commissioners, a Cantonment Magistrate, 9 Judge of the Small Cause
Court, and 3 extra-Assistant Commissioners, besides the usual minor
officials, with a bench of honorary magistrates. In 1883-84 the
District contained 19 civil and fiscal and 25 criminal courts. In
1851-52 the total imperial revenue amounted to £83,891 ; by 1871-72
it had decreased to 478,412. At the latter date, the sum contributed
by the land-tax was £62,327, or rather more than three-fourths of the
whole, In 1883-84 the total revenue of the District was returned at
£99,995) of which £63,029, or upwards of two-thirds, was made up by
the fixed land-tax, The other principal items of revenue are stamps,
assessed taxes, and excise. For police purposes, Peshdwar is divided
into 19 circles (tidmds), besides frontier and outpost stations The
imperial police numbered 664 men of all ranks in 1883 ; and this force
was supplemented by a municipal constabulary of 265 men, besides a
special cantonment police of 177 constables, and a punitive police of
29 men, There was also a rural body of 999 village watchmen
(chankiddrs), The total machinery, therefore, for the protection of
person and property consisted of 2134 men, being at the mte of 1
policeman to every 277 of the population and to every 1°2 square mile
of the area. The criminal statistics show a total of 5358 persons
convicted of some offence, great or small, during the year 1883, being
at the rate of 1 offender to every 110 inhabitants. The more heinous —
crimes, such as murder, robbery, and housebreaking, are still common, —
and the wild habits of the Pathén tribes have not yet been brought into
harmony with our industrial riyime. Cattle-poisoning and rick-burning —
arc also common, being the usual means of gratifying private malice.
‘There is one jail in Peshawar, the total number of prisoners in which
amounted to 1033 in 1883. ‘The daily average was 512.
Education.—n 1372-73, the total number of children under instruction
was returned at 1858; while the sum expended upon education from
public funds amounted to £1047, In 1883-84, Peshiwar District
contained 4¢ schools, with 2197 pupils either supported or assisted |
by Government, and under the Education Department. There are
also a number of indigenous uninspected village schools, where the |
pupils are taught the Kurdn and other religious works by the mmllii |
In some villages, girls are taught at home privately by women who haye
learnt the Kurin. The Census of 1881 returned 8183 males and gat
females as under instruction, besides 18,065 males and 649 females
able to read and write, but not under instruction. The principal —
educational institution of the District is the Edwardes Collegiate Aided
School of the Church Missionary Society, established in 1855, The
pupils, of which there are about 500, many of them the sons of the
neighbouring gentry, receive instruction in English, Persian, and
Hindustani, up to the matriculation standard of the Calcutta and Lahore
PESHAWAR CITY,
and females 72,450; average density of population, 460 persons
per square mile, or excluding Peshiwar city, 246 per square mile.
Classified according to religion, Muhammadans number 147,2325
Hindus, 20,025 ; Sikhs, 1739 ; Christians, 299 ; Parsis, 39; Jains, 3.
and ‘others’ 2. Of the r39 towns and villages, 79 contain leas
than five hundred inhabitants ; go from five hundred to a thousand,
29 from one to five thousand; and only 1 (Peshawar city) has
upwards of five thousand inhabitants. Principal epee ey
wheat, harley, with a little rice, cotton,
inferior food-grains, Revenue of the AzAst/, Ligne The ad ae
strative staff, including the Divisional and District head-quarters
officers, comprises the Commissioner and Judicial Commissioner of
the Division, the Deputy Commissioner and Judicial
Commissioner of the District, Cantonment Magistrate, and Small
Cause Court Judge, 5 Assistant or Extra-Assistant Commissioners,
3 criminal courts. Number of police stations, 6, namely, at Peshdwar
cityand cantonments, Badhber, Mattani, Burj Hari Singh, and Mathra ;
strength of regular police, 321 men ; village police (chawhiddrs), 197.
Peshawar,—City, municipality, and administrative head-quarters of
and District, Panjab. Situated in lat. 34” 1’ 45" 8,
and long, 71° 36° 40° &, in a small plain near the left bank of the Bara
stream, 13} miles southeast of the junction of the Swit and Kabul
rivers, and 10} miles from Jamrud fort near the entrance of the
Khdibar (Khyber) Pass, Distant from Lahore 276 miles, from Kabul
1go miles. Ancient capital of Gandhdra Province, and historically
important at all later periods (see Pesmawar Disrrict) Buddhist
remains still mark its early greatness. ‘I'he modern city has but slight
architectural pretensions, the houses being chiefly built of small bricks
or mud, held together by a wooden framework, It is surrounded by
a mud wall, built in Sikh times by General Avitabile. ‘The city
entered by 16 gates, which are closed every nightat gunfire. ‘The main.
street, entered from the Kabul gate (recently re-erected asa memorial to —
Sir Herbert Edwardes), is a broad roadway 50 fect in width, consisting
of a double row of shops, the upper rooms of which are generally
out as lodgings; the street is well paved, and at busy times presents a
‘yery picturesque sight. The remainder of the city proper consists of ’
octagons, squares, markets, with narrow and irregular streets and lanes.
‘Amasonry canal runs through the centre. of the city, which supplies il
ample water for washing and watering the strects. Drinking water
is procured from wells which are numerous in all quarters of the city.
‘The sanitary and conservancy arrangements are described as
good, and allthe drains are paved. ‘There are now very few old houses
PESHAWAR CANTONM:
mules and donkeys, fruits, sheepskin coats (posAéins), woollen em-
broidered coats (chayas), etc. Indian tea and English piece-goods are
also exported in considerable quantities to Kabul,
Anstitutions, ete, —The Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner's
courts, and the District offices generally, are situated in the cantonments,
Within the city are the Sub-divisional offices and courts in the Ghor
Khatri, the large sardi. The Edwardes gate, a newly constructed
entrance to the city in place of the old Kabul gate, leads to the main
business street ; a clock tower stands in front of the city police station.
‘The principal local institutions are the Church Mission Col
School, the Egerton Hospital, and the Martin Lecture Hall and Institute,
with its reading room and library, also maintained by the Peshidwar
Mission.
Peshawar. — Large military cantonment in Peshiwar
bdodr ; lat. 34° 0 15° 8, long. 71° 34" 45"". The cantonments were
occupied by British troops soon after the annexation of the Punjab in
1848-49. ‘There are no old buildings of note, except the Residency,
‘This was formerly the garden retreat of Ali Mardén Khén, one of the
double-storied barracks, ete, The site of the cantonment, a curved
elevation looking towards the Khdibar hills, is one of the best at
highest points in the valley, the only objection to it being its pr
to the city. To the south-east are barren and stony plains intercep
by occasional watercourses ; to the north lies a marshy tract
in the direction of the Kiibul river.
The cantonments contained in 188r a total population of 20!
namely, males 17,223, and females 3457. ‘The fighting strength
sisted in 1885 of a battery of Royal artillery, 2 regiments of Euro
infantry, a regiment of Bengal cavalry, and three regiments of Ni
infantry. The cantonments of Naushahra, Jamrdd, and Cherat
subordinate to Peshéwar, which also supplies garrisons to the fr
forts and military stations.
‘The cantonment buildings are arranged in three main blocks—right,
centre, and left, forming together an irregular oblong 8 miles and s4o
yards in circuit, 3 miles and 925 yards in length from north-west to
south-west, and 1 mile 1650 yards.in breadth at its widest point.
right (or eastern) block contains the artillery lines, and barracks for
regiments of Native infantry, the commissariat stores, the D
court-house and treasury, the jail and police lines, and other
buildings. The centre block contains lines for a regiment of
infantry. It contains also the church, Roman Catholic chapel, po
162 PETHAPUR—PHAGU.
who in 1445 slew his maternal uncle, Pitéji, of the Gohel tribe, and
took possession of the State called after him, Pethipur, “The chief has
enjoyed semicindependent power since the establishment of his family
in Mahi Kéntha, The present (188) chief, Thakur Gambhir Singh, a
Hindu of the Waghela clan of Rajputs, succeeded his father, Himat
Singh, in December 1878, and being a minor, the State is now under
Government management, Revenue (882), £1725. An annual tribute
‘of £863 is paid to the Géekwdr of Baroda. The family do not hold
a title authorizing adoption, and they follow primogeniture in matters _
of succession, ‘Transit dues are levied in the State, One school, with
205 pupils in 1882-83. }
\pur,—Principal town in Pethdpur State, Mahi Kdntha, Gujarit
(Gurerit) 1 Bombay Presidency, and the residence of the chief; situated
in lat. 23" 13’ 10° N., and long. 72° 33° go" 2, on the west tank ?
‘of the Sdbarmati. Noted for the brilliancy of its dyes, Considerable
quantities of cloth are brought into the town to be coloured, and are
then exported to Si Population (1881) 7o8r.
Petlad.—Sub-division of Baroda State (Gackwar's territory), Area,
280 square miles, of which 88,087 acres are under cultivation. Popur
lation (188r) 138,292. Number of holdings, 16,159; average size of
holding, acres. Grass revenue, £87,814, of which £77,666 is deri
from land, Ninety-three per cent. of the people are supported
agriculture. The region is famous for its tobacco cultivation, .
Petlad. — ‘Town in Baroda State, head- quarters of Petldd Sut
division. Lat, 22° 29° N., Jong, 72° 50° &. Population (1881) Se
ia 7226 males and 7192 females. ‘Thriving trade in tobacco, and
considerable weaving manufacture, in which hand-looms a1 lo
Post and police offices, jail, dispensary, customs house, and sel
‘Twenty-one sardis for travellers,
Pettaii—Town in ‘Tinnevelli District, Madras Presidency.—.,
PArrararry.
Phaeton.—Sinall shoal off the mouth of the Bassein river,
Barma; on which H.M.S. Phaefon struck on the 16th of Feb
1810, and was obliged to put into Calewtta for repairs, Tt bears
west by south from Diamond Island (distant 4 miles), and north
east (distant 3} miles) from the Alguada Reef, having 9 fathoms of
close to, and 2 fathoms upon it,
Phégu.— Halting-place, with good Government rest-house 6
several rooms, in Keunthal State, Punjab, 12 miles east of Simla
the pony route to Kotgarh, Lat, 31” long. 77° 21’ Roman-
tically situated between S000 and gooo feet above sea-level, ay
frequently resorted to by Simla residents as well as travellers.
noble forests which clothed the mountain slopes have been in ge
part burned down, and have given place to potato cultivation, Fo
164 PHALJAR=PHALTAN,
S553 families. Population (1881) 174,704, namely, males 92,425,
Rees ‘population, 226
i religion,
Pees Hindus, 21,898; ‘Sikhs, 1858; and Christians, 2. Of the
go8 towns and villages, 78 contain less than five hundred inhabitants ;
84 from five hundred to a thousand; and 46 from one thousand
to five thousand, there being no place with upwards of five thousand
inhabitants. Average area under cultivation for the five years 1877=78 —
to 1881-82, 317 square miles, or 202,891 acres; the area under —
the principal crops being—wheat, 100,464 acres ; Adjra, 24,234 ae i
hurley, 14,686 acres: moth, 4642 acres; gram, 4318 acres; Indian
corn, 2226 acres; rice, 1653 acres; cotton, 5750 acres; sugarcane,
2887 acres; tobacco, 1247 acres; vegetables, ro284 acres, etc,
Revenue of the fads, £15,783. ‘The local administrative staff consists
of a tahsiiddr and a munsif, presiding over « criminal and 2 civil
number of police circles (/Aduds), 3; strength of regular police, 51
men ; village police (ehaukiddrs), 204,
Phaljar,—Village in the Jaintia plains in the north of Sylhet District, —
Assam; containing a celebrated Hindu temple. A human sacrifice at
this temple led to the British annexation of Jaintia in 1837.
Phaltdn.—Native State under the Agency of Sdtira, in the D
Bombay Presidency, lying between 17° 56’ and 18° 6' x. lat. and b
74° 16° and 74° 44° &. long. Bounded on the north by Poona (P
District, and on the east, west, and south by Sdrdra District. Area, 39
square miles. Population (1872) 59.6245 (3881) 58,402, namely, 29,6
males and 29,203 females, Secupying 7o82 houses int oa are
District. The prewing soil is black, and the rest is red.
gooo acres of garden cultivation are frrigated, for the most part
wells, Extensive grazing lands. Indian millet, salt, gram, and timb
are the chief products ; and oil, weaving of cotton and silk goods, ai
carving of stone idols are the chief manufactures. ‘The elimate
and the rainfall scanty, The State suffered severely during the
of 1876-77 j much Jand was abandoned, and has not yet been
under cul ion. In 1882-83 the State had 3 civil courts,
criminal and sessions courts. Regular police, 52 men; watch
(rablestidds), 43. Schools, 16, with 719 pupils.
‘The Phaltan family is of Rajput origin, One Padakla Jagdeo
the service of the Emperor of Delhi; and on his death in battle, in
the Emperor gave the title of Nayak and a grant of lands to his
Nimbrdji, who died in 1349. In 1825 the State was attached by
Raja of Sitdra. In 1827, Bandji Nayak was permitted to succeed
166 PHARAMGIRI—PHENT.
Tadsiti, police station, Anglo-vernacular school. ‘The Phiphind iar He
station is situated 6 miles north-east of the town, with telegraph office
postoffice in the town. ‘Ruins of great tanks anil temples surround the
site on every side. ‘Two mosques, masonry well, 4 tanks. ‘The town
was twice plundered and burnt during the Mutiny of 1857. Annual
fair, attended by 10,000 persons, at the tomb of Shah Bukhari, a
Musalmin ascetic.
Phardmgiri (or Fardmgir’).—Village in the south-east of the Giro
Hills District, Assam ; on the southern slope of the Mimanrim Mountain,
3952 feet above sea-level. The inhabitants of this village perpetrated
the massacre of the survey coolies in 1871, which Ied to the Gdro
expedition of the following year, and the British annexation of the
District. Z
Pharha (/Aar/:ya).—Town in Mustafilsid ¢a/st, Mainpuri District,
North-Western Provinces. Distant from Mdinpuri town 39} miles, and
from Mustifiibdd 8 miles, Population (1881) 4268, namely, Hindus,
3043; Muhammadans, 663 ; and ‘others,’ 562. ‘The conservancy and
police arrangements of the town are met out of the proceeds of a small
house-tax. ‘Trade in indigo, cotton, grain, and country produce, which
has declined since the opening of the railway, Police station, post-
office. Branch indigo factory of the Umargarh establishment.
Pheni (Aonny).—Sub-division of Nodkhali District, Bengal. Area,
343 Square miles ; number of villages, 636 ; number of houses, 23,273.
Population (1881), males 118,332, and females 123,643 ; total, 245,975.
Classified according to religion, Muhammadans numbered 166.75
Hindus, 75,209; Christians, 3; and Buddhists, 12. Density of popur
lation, 705 persons per square mile; villages per square mile, 1°85 5_
persons per village, 380; houses per square mile, 71; persons per
house, 10°4. The Sub-division comprises the two police circles (thdnds)
of Phenf and Chhigalnaiya, In 1883 it contained 1 criminal court
namely, the Sub-divisional officers’ court at Phen{; and 2 civil munsif's
courts, both at Diwdnganj.
Pheni.—River of Eastern Bengal. Rising in lat. 23° 20’ x,, and
long. 91° 49° 30" &, in Hill ‘Tipperah, it flows south-west, marking
the boundary between Hill Tipperah and the Chittagong Hill Tracts,
whieh it it leaves at Ramgbar. Thence it flows west and south, dis
ing Chittagong from Nodkhdli on the north, and ultimately falls
into the Sandwip Channel, an arm of the Bay of Bengal, in lat. —
22° 46" N., and long. 91° 31’, During its course through the hills, it —
is of little use for navigation ; its banks are abrupt, and covered with —
heavy grass and bamboo jungle. The Phent is of considerable depth
during the rains, but is rendered dangerous by rapid currents, whirling
eddies, and sharp turns; at every full and new moon, especially at th
time of the equinox, there is a bore in the Sandwip Channel, which is
.
168 PHINGES WAR—PHULPUR.
is also the head-quarters of a forest division, and is a great wood mart,
Jarge quantities of timber being floated down the Sutlej and stored and
sold here, ‘
(Fingeswar). —Zamindért or chiefship attached to
Raipur District, Central Provinces, about go miles south of Raipur
town; containing 80 villages, and valuable forests, Area, 208 square
miles, with 84 towns or villages, and 4834 houses. Population (1881)
16,325, namely, males 8118, and females S207; average density of
population, 78°5 persons per square mile. ‘The chief claims to be a
Raj-Gond; and the chiefship is said to have been granted to his
ancestor in 1579. Phingeswar village lies in Int. 20° 58' 8. and long.
82" 5’.
(Fuldguet), — Village in Nowgony (Naugéon) District,
Assam. A fair, attended by about 5000 persons, is held here for one
day in March, and is said to have been introduced in the reign of the
Aham kings. Its primary object is the performance of religious plays
in honour of certain deities,
Phuljhar.—Zeminddet or chie(ship attached to Sambalpur District,
Central Provinces, formerly one of the Hill States known as the —
Athdra Garéjdt, or the Bighteen Forts. Area, 787 square miles, tor
thirds of which are cultivated. ‘I'he soil is light and sandy, except here |
and there in the valleys. In the west, some fine strips of sd? jungle
fringe the main road between Raipur and Sambalpur, especially near
the river Jonk ; the tigers which infested them have been of late nearly —
exterminated. Wild buffaloes are found near the Jonk, and bears,
leopards, etc., among the hills, Rice forms the staple crop, but pulses,
cotton, oilseeds, sugar-cane, and gram are also grown. Excellent irom:
ore has been found. Population (1881) 65,878, namely, males 33,395)
and females 32,483) inhabiting 436 villages and 17,010 houses; average
density of population, 83°7 persons per square mile, The school in
Eb sea the chief town (lat. 21° 13' Ny, long, 82° 53° %), has about 50°
‘This chiefship is sub-divided into eight estates—Phuljhargarb,
K indd, Boitarl, Basnd, Balddd, Borsard, Singhord, and Sdnkré. About
250 villages are held by the farmers direct from the chief, who is a Raj-
Gond. His annual income is estimated at £1362, and he paysan —
annual tribute of £1 ‘The chiefship was granted to his ancestor 300°
years ago by the Patna Riijés, for service in the field.
Phulpur.—7Zv/isi? of Allahdbid District, North-Western Provinces, —
lying on the north bank of the river Ganges, and comprising the
pargands of Sikandra and Jhusi, Area, 285 square miles, of which —
‘x61°3 are returned as under cultivation. Population (1872) 160,305 5
(1881) 173,001, namely, males 86,221, and females 86,780, showing —
an increase of 12,696, or 7’9 per cent, in nine years. Classified —
according to religion, there were in 138:—Hindus, 151,628; Muham-
q17° PIHEJ—PILIBHIT,
27° 37' 15°, and long, 80" 14° 25° &., on the road between Sitipur
and Shahjahinpur. Population (1881) 7540, namely, 4458 Hindus and
3082 Muhammadans, residing in 327 brick and 1493 mud houses.
Municipal income (1883-84), £215, of which £103 was derived from
taxation; average incidence of taxation, 44d. per head, A place of
considemble importance during native administration, but now in a
state of decay. A handsome mosque and tomb marks the resting-place
of Akbar’s celebrated chancellor, Sadr Jahin. Pihini was formerly
noted for its manufacture of sword-blades of the finest temper, and of
woven turbans (dase), Both these industries have now died out.
Police station ; Government school.
Pihej.—Town in Baroda Division, Baroda State (Gackwar’s territory).
Population (1881) 6294.
Pihewa, —Town in Ambala (Umballa) District, Punjab. —Se
Putroa,
Pilibhit.—District in the Lieutenant-Governorship of the North-
Western Provinces, lying between 28° 8" and 28° 53’ 30” ». lat. and
between 79° 41° and 80" 3’, long, Area,1371°6 square miles, Popula-
tion (1881) 451,608. Pilibhit is a District of the Rohilkhand Division ;
bounded on the north by the Tardi District; on the cust by the
independent territory of Nepal, and by Shahjahanpar District; on the
south by Shdhjahanpur; and on the west by Bareilly (Bareli) Distsics,
‘The administrative head-quarters are at the town of Prursier.
Physical Aspects.—Pilibhit District, though only separated by the
narrow belt of the Tardi from the lower spurs of the Himdlayas, coy
sists chiefly of a level plain, modified by gentle undulations and inter
sected by several streams. In the south, the country is well wooded,
nearly every village possessing groves of mango and other fruit trees,
‘The total area under fruit groves is returned at 15,6r2 acres. In the
north and cast, a large area of forest land fringes Pilibhit and Puranpur
pargands, a small portion of which is the private property of samindérs,
while the remainder is Government property, and is conserved and.
managed by forest officers, In Puranpur fargand, the cultivators
are allowed to cut wood for their domestic consumption free of duty,
but in the Pilibhit forest tract, their privileges in this respect are much
restricted. -
The Sarda and the Deoha, with their afMluents, are the principal
rivers of the District. ‘The former river, after a course of some 150
‘miles within the Kumdun hills, debouches upon the plains at Barmdeo,
and marks the boundary between Nepdlese and British territory. For
about nine or ten miles, as far as the old fort of Banbasa in the Tardi —
District, it flows in a southerly and south-easterly direction, generally —
in one bed, between tolerably high and picturesquely wooded banks.
On nearing the plains, the river soon changes its character; every mile
2 PILIBHIT, ©
the Deoha itself having a wide bed much below the level of the
surrounding country, cannot prove similarly useful. The Gumi river
takes its rise near Mainikot in the Puranpur forest tract. Its course in
Pilibhit District before entering Shahjahdnpur consists of a series of
swamps, all bearing a bad reputation for malaria, A similar line of
swamps, forming the upper part of the Mild, is of a particularly
malarious character, and renders the country-side uninhabitable for
miles around,
Generally speaking, it may be said that on the western and southern
portions the District is populous, well cultivated, and undistinguish-
able in general character from the adjacent fenile Districts of Bareilly
and Shahjahdnpur; while to the north and east in Puranpur pargand it
lapses more or less abruptly into 2 tract of malarious swamp, forest, and
grassy waste, interspersed with clumps of miserable huts and patches
of poor cultivation, It would be hard to find a stronger dissimilarity
than exists between Puranpur ‘and its neighbouring pargends of
Pilibhit and Jahandbdd, either in soil, produce, watersupply, or even
climate.
In the wilder parts of Puranpur, especially along the line of the
Mal swamp, tigers and leopards are numerous, but elsewhere scarce. —
‘The damage done by them in the open country is small, and their raids
‘on cattle are forgiven in consicleration of their services against the
husbandman’s more serious enemies—the wild hog and the deer, who
commit serious depredations among the crops. Of wild beasts that are |
‘not game, the jackal and the wolf are the most conspicuous, Both are
respected as pet dogs of the goddess Kali, and as such are rarely |
molested. ‘The superstition is strongest in the case of the wolf, whom, |
in spite of the rewards set on his head, it is considered extremely
unlucky to kill, Tne principal game birds consist of the black and |
grey partridge, quail, sand-grouse, jungle-fowl, pea-fowl, geese, ducks,
teal, snipe, and floriken.
History —Authentic history of Pilibhit District may be said practir
cally to commence with the ascendency of the Rohilld Pathins.
Previous to their time, and from a very early date, the country was
occupied by tribes of Abirs, Banjéras, and Rajputs of the Bachhal
and Katheriya clans, who predominated in tum, and have leit —
behind them as sole relics of their occupation, ruins of mud forts,
irrigation tanks, and in one instance a canal, with a stone inscription —
goo years old commemorating its construction. ‘These tribes were
afterwards ousted by successive irruptions of Muhammadans, who —
gradually possessed themselves of the whole country, Local history, —
however, does not commence before the 18th century, when Pilibhit
fell into the hands of a Rohilld chief, Hafiz Rahmat Khin, who has
Ieft his mark on the history of all Rohilkhand, and to whom Pilibhit,
174 PILIBHI1,
Pilibhit continued to remain a Sub-division of Bareilly until 1879,
when the three ¢aAslis of Pilibhit, Puranpur, and Baheri were separated
from Bareilly, and erected into the separate District of Pilibhit. In the
following year (1880), Baheri fafsi/ was restored to Bareilly, and Bisalpur
pee eae to Pilibhit, thus constituting the District as it at present
st
Population —The population of Pilibhit District, as now constituted,
was returned in 1872 at 492,098. The last Census in 1881 disclosed
a total population of 451,601, showing a decrease of 4o,497, or 8°2
percent, in nine years. The decrease is ascribed to the severe scarcity:
of 1878-79, and the consequent heavy mortality, The results of
the Census of 1881 may be summarized as follows:—Area of the
District, 1371°6 square miles; number of towns and villages, 10535
number of occupied houses, 64,625, ‘Total population, 451,601,
namely, males 239,787, and females 213,814; proportion of males in
total population, §3'1 per cent. Average density of population, 529
persons per square mile; towns and villages per square mile, -765
persons per town or village, 429 ; houses per square mile, 47° ; persons:
per occupied house, 6°9. Classified according to sex and age, there are
—under 15 years of age, boys 94,806, and girls 79,805 ; total children,
174.611, or 38'7 per cent. of the population: 15 years and upwards,
males 144,981, and females 132,009 ; total adults, 276,990, or G1"3 per
cent. S
Religion.— Hindus number 377,003, of 83°5 per cent. of the popula-
tion; Muhammadans, 74,580, or 16-5 per cent. The remainder con-
sists of 18 Christians, of whom 12 are Europeans, 2 Eurasians, and 4
natives. Among the higher classes of Hindus, Brihmans number
25,028; Rajputs, 9736; Baniyds, 7356; and Kayasths, 5148. The
lower castes include the following—Kurmi, the principal agricultural
class, and most numerous caste in the District, 98,427 ; Lodhi, 33,9533
Chamir, 30,025; Kachhi, 24,063; Kathir, 13,689; Ahir, 13,2505
Pasi, 10,712; Barbai, 10,524; Teli, 10,101; Dhobi, 8774; Lohdr,
73723 Kori, 7080; N4i, 7o14; and Gaddrid, 6445, ‘The Mubame —
tnalans, who are almost without exception Sunnis by sect, include 1642
descendants of Hindu Mewatis.
Town and Reral Population, —Pilibhit District contains only two
towns with a population exceeding five thousand, namely, Pusoirr,
29,721, and Bisaurur, 8903; total, 38,624, or 8°5 per cent. of the
District population. These are also the only municipalities; total
municipal income (1883-84), £3893, of which C3069 was derived
from taxation ; average incidence of taxation, rs, 7d, per head of town:
population. Of the 1955 towns and villages, 353 contain less than two:
hundred inhabitants ; 441 from two hundred to five hundred ; 198 from
fire hundred to a thousand; 42 from one to two thousand; 14 from
|
176 PILIBHIT.
ing males and females, the adult agriculturists number 144,433, of
whom 1859 are landed proprietors, 3507 are engaged in estate service,
436993 arc cultivators, and 7164 are agricultural labourers. In-
cluding children, the total agricultural population dependent on the _
‘soil numbers 326,574, or 72°31 per cent. of the District population.
‘Total Government assessment in $81, including rates and cesses —
levied on the land, £83,841, or at the rate of 4s. 34d. per cultivated |
acre ; estimated rental paid by cultivators, £138,334, of at the rate of
68, xe}, per cultivated acre, The cultivators are mostly poor, but
independent, with strong migratory instincts, which are markedly
developed in the sparsely populated tracts along the forest borders. —
‘The general absence of irrigation in these tracts, coupled with the —
roving character of the population, render cultivation so uncertain, that —
it has been found necessary to introduce in many villages a system of —
annual assessment by which the revenue varies according to the area
of !and under cultivation.
Natural Calamities.—Pilibhit District has never suffered very
severely from famine caused by floods or droughts, and the diseases con-
sequent thereon. ‘Ihe Siirda and the Deoha occasionally rise suddenly
and inundats their banks owing to heavy rainfall in the hills; bur the
Sarda flows through sandy wastes and jungles, and cultivation is scanty
along the Deoha, ‘The Joss arising from floods is seldom more serious
than the drowning of a few head of cattle, or the destruction of
afew hundred acres of rice. ‘The natural moisture of the soil, the
scanty population, and the resources of the forests have hitherto served
to protect the people from the extremity of famine. 4
Commerce and Trade—The trade of the District is chiefly centred in
Pilibhit town, the principal staples consisting of rice, borax, spices,
sugar, timber, hides, and cattle. ‘Lhe finer descriptions of rice, grow!
in the Tardi District, are mostly collected at Neorid, a town inhabited
by Banjiras, about nine miles north of Pilibhit town. ‘The
husked here, and when resold passes under the name of Pi
rice. Borax and spices come principally from Barmdeo, a mart in
Kumdun District at the foot of the hills to which the hillmen ©
every cold season to exchange their products for those of Pilibhit
traders, consisting chiefly of salt, cloth, brass vessels, and hard
Large timber comes principally from the Kumdéun and. Nepal ore:
bat the supply of late years has been scanty and uncertain. Sugare
cane is largely grown in the District, and the raw material
manufactured into sugar in Pilibhit and Bisalpur towns Consider
able capital is employed in this manufacture. The cattle trade
in the hands of dealers from other Districts, who annually vis
Pilibhit, and purchase young animals from the vast herds
graze in the open pastures of the Sdrda and in the forests. Trade
78
31 girls a3 under instruction, besides 7520 males and 83 females able
to read and write, but not under instruction.
Medical Aspects, — Fever, usually intermittent, though sometimes
changing to the remittent type, is endemic throughout the District, but
localizes itself most malignantly about the swamps that border on and
intersect the forests in Puranpur fest It is most prevalent as well,
‘as most fatal in its character at the end of the rains and the commence-
ment of the cold scason, It is least frequent in the cold-weather
months, and it is popularly believed that the malaria is destroyed or
rendered innocuous by the first frosts of December. Apart from fever,
Pilibhit may be considered to be, on the whole, a healthy District,
and visits of epidemic disease arc rare, In 7883-84, the registered
deaths in Pilibhit District numbered 13,412, or a rate of 33°79 per
thousand of the population, as against a rate of 37°80 per thousand for
the previous five years. Of the total deaths in 1883-84, 884% were
assigned to fevers, and 3123 to sniall-pox, which appeared in an epidemic
form in that year throughout Rohilkhand, and in the adjacent Districts —
of Oudh. Two charitable dispensaries at Pilibhit and Bisalpur towns |
afforded medical relief in 1883-84 to 532 in-door and 23,006 out-door
patients, [For further information regarding Pilibhit, see the Gasester :
of Bareilly (from which District the present District of Pilibhit was
severed in 1879), published in the Gasetteer of the North-Western
Provinces, by Mr. E. T. Atkinson, CS, vol v. pp. 499=604
(Government Press, Allahabad, 1879); also the Census Xeport for
the North-Western Provinces and Oudh for 1881; and the several
Provincial Administration and Departmental Reports from 1881 to
1884.)
Pilibhit.—North-western ¢afsif of Pilibhit District, North-Western
Provinces, lying to the south of the submontane Tardi District, and
comprising the pargands of Pilibhit and Jahdndbad. Area, 372 square
miles, of which 248 square’ miles are returned as under cultivation,
Population (1872) 200,501; (1881) 183,344, namely, males 96,148,
and females 87,233, showing a decrease in population of 17,157, oF
8-5 per cent, in nine years, Classified according to religion, the
population in 1881 consisted of—Hindus, 135,636; Muhammadans,
47,605; and Christians, 13. Of the 393 villages in the éaAsif, 300 —
contain less than five hundred inhabitants; 74 from five hundred toa
thousand; 18 from one to five thousand; and 1 upwards of five
thousand inhabitants Government land revenue assessment, exclusive
of local rates and cesses levied upon land, £34,954; estimated rental —
paid by cultivators in moncy or in kind, £54,139. In 1883, Pitibht
tahsil contained, besides the head-quarter courts, 1 civil and ¢
and 5 magisterial courts ; number of police circles (thdnds), 5;
of regular police, 69 men ; village police (chawkiddrs), 590.
180 PILKHUWA—PIMPALNER.
city, 36 miles distant, and six lines of roads converge on the town from
different quarters. ‘The Bareilly and Jabdndbdd roads meet on the
opposite or right bank of the Deoha, which they cross together on a
bridge of boats. A military encamping ground is situated amidst
groves just outside the town on the south,
Pilkhuwa.—Town and municipality in Meerut (Merath) District,
North-Western Provinces. Situated in lat. 28° 42° 45" X., and long.
77° 42" &, in a depression of the plain, 19 miles south-west of Meerut
(Merath) city. Population (1881) 5661, namely, Hindus, so27;
Muhammandans, 632; Jain, 1; and Christian, x. Area of town site,
43 acres. Municipal income (1883-84), £365, of which £304 was
derived from octroi duties ; average incidence of taxation, 1s, ofd. per
head, The Hindu manufacturing population is engaged in cotton-
weaving, which employs too looms, There is also some trade in
leather and shoes. Mr. Michel of the Masuri factory owns the town
with 13 neighbouring villages, having purchased the estate after the
Mutiny. Two large Hindu temples; police station, post-office,
2 sarilth,
Piming.—Pass in Bashahr (Bussahir) State, Punjab, traversing a
lofty ridge in Kundwar, which forms the boundary between Chinese
and British territory. Lat, 31° 49' N., long. 78° 46° &. ; elevation above
Sea, 13,518 feet.
‘ion Rajé—Town in Buldind District, Berar. Said to
have been founded 800 yenrs ago, by a prince of the herdsman (Ahir)
caste, named Pirat Singh; situated in lat. 20° 43' N., and long. 76" 30°
¥., on the river Daysingangs, Population (1881) 4357. It is said to
have suffered much from marauders towards the end of the last century,
and to have been subsequently ruined by the black-mail levied by
Mahddaj! Sindhia in 1790, on his way to Poona (Puna) after his
expedition against Ghulim Kadir Beg of Delhi. On the south side
of the town is a temple to the goddess Renuka, about 30 fect under
ground. At the end of the narrow rock-hewn gallery or temple
is the idol. Ganesh Dewddaya, a Hindu theologian, flourished here
about 1619 a.p. Some of his works are still read and preserved in
the neighbourhood. ‘Iwo Government schools, postoffice, and police
station.
Pimpalner.—Sub-division of Khandesh District, Bombay Presidency.
Area, 1339 square miles, containing 236 villages. Population (1872)
60,125; (1881) 87,549, namely, 44,563 males and 42,986 females.
Hindus number 39,762 ; Muharamadans, 1629; and ‘others,’ 46,158.
Land revenue (1883), £12,631.
‘The Subdivision lies partly above and partly below the Sahysdri
Hills, It is bounded on the north-west by Baroda territory; on the
north by Nandurbdr; on the east by Virdel and Dhulia; on the south
182 PINAHAT TOWN—PIND DADAN KHAN.
48 from five hundred to a thousand; 29 from one to five thousand ;
and 1 upwards of five thousand inhabitants. Government land
revenue assessment, 420,862, or including local rates and cesses
levied on land, £25,114. Estimated rental paid by cultivators,
445,052. In 1883, Pindhat éa/sif contained 1 magisterial court:
number of police circles (tafnds), 4; strength of regular police, 56
men; village police (chandiddrs), 348.
Pindhat.—Town in Pindhat fa/sf/, Agra District, North-Western
Provinces, 33 miles south-east from Agra city, and 14 miles west of Bah,
the head-quarters of Pindhat; lat. 26” 52° 39” w., long. 78° 24' 55° &.
Population (1881) 5697; namely, Hindus, g005; Muhammadans,
653; and Jains, 39. First-class police station; post-office ; school ;
three Hindu temples. Station of the great Trigonometrical Survey.
Until January 1882, the town was the head-quarters of the Pindhat
‘ahs, which was then removed to Bah, and the fadsif is now generally
known as Bah-Pindhat,
Pindkini, Northern and Southern.—Two rivers in Southern
India.—See Penne.
Pind Didan Khin.—South central éa/s#? of Jehlam (Jhelum)
District, Punjab ; occupying the Salt Range and country to the south,
Lat. 32” 26’ to 32° 49’ x, and long. 72° 32’ to 73° 22 & Area,
887 square miles, with 21x towns and villages, 26,654 houses, and
38,028 families. Population (1881) 166,186, namely, males $7,047,
and females 79,139; average density of population, 166 persons
per square mile. Classified according to religion, Muhammadans
number 143,273 ; Hindus, 21,713; Sikhs, 1091; Jains, 58; and Chrise
tians, 51. Of the 211 towns and villages, 106 contain less than five
hundred inhabitants; 52 from five hundred to a thousand; 52 from
one thousand to five thousand; and 1 upwards of five thousand’
inhabitants. Average cultivated area for the five years 1877-78 to
1881-82, 290 square miles, the principal crops being wheat, Ad/ra,
barley, moth, jodr, gram, Indian corn, cotton, and vegetables, Revenue
of the éAsi, £19,362. The administrative staff consists of an
Assistant Commissioner, ta/si/ddr and munsif, presiding over 3 civil
and 2 criminal courts ; number of police circles (¢édnds), 3, with head-
quarters at Pind Dddan Khan, Ahmddabid, and Jaldlpur; strength of
regular police, 126 men ; village watch (chaudiddrs), 109.
Pind Dadan Khén—Large and flourishing commercial town and
‘municipality in Jehlam (Jhelum) District, Punjab, and head-quarters of
Jeblam faAsi2, Situated in lat. 32° 35° N., and long. 73° 5’ 20° &,
1 mile from the north bank of the Jehlam river, and 5 miles from the
foot of the Salt Range. Founded in 1623 by Didan Khin, whose
descendants still reside in the town. Population (1868) 17,814 5
(1881) 16,724, namely, Muhammadans, 10,001; Hindus, 6419; Sikhs, —
184 PINDIGHEB TOWN—PIPALGAON,
of population, 68 persons per square mile, Classified according
to religion, Muhammadans Penis 91,8395 Hindus, 11,277 5 Sikhs,
448; Christians, 15; and Parsis, 2. Of the 129 towns and villages,
69 contain less than five hundred inhabitants; 33 from five hundred
to a thousand ; 26 from one to five thousand ; and 1 from five to
ten thousand inhabitants, ‘The average ‘area under cultivation, for ‘i
the five years from 1877-78 to 1881-82 was 3104 square miles, or
198,782 acres, the area occupied by the principal crops being—wheat,
100,946 acres ; didjra, 27,792 acres ; barley, 16,190 acres; gram, 10,940
acres; moth, 8304 actes; jodr, 6549 acres ; Indian corn, 3921 acres;
-and cotton, 8359 acres, Revenue of the sahsil, £7696. ‘The only local
administrative officer is a fadsiéddr, who presides over 1 civil and
1 criminal court ; number of police circles (¢Adnds), 3, with stations at
Pindigheb, Pind Sultdni, and Makhad, besides 4 outpost stations;
strength of regular police, 46 men ; village police (chaukiddrs), 90.
Pindigheb.—Town and municipality in Rawal Pindi District
Punjab, and head-quarters of Pindigheb daAsif, Situated in lat. 33°
14’ 30” N., and long. 72° 18" x, on the road between Rawal Pindi and
Kalabigh. Residence of chiefs of the Jodrah clan of Rajputs, by whom
the town was founded. Population (1881) 8583, namely, Muham-
madans, 5342; Hindus, 3221; and Sikhs, 20. Number of houses,
1517. Municipal income (1883-84), £334, ot 94d. per head of the
town population, The neighbourhood of the town is famous for its —
excellent breed of horses; but owing to the scarcity of water, and i
consequent absence of pasturage, colts are generally sold across the
Indus after being kept for one year only, ‘Trade in grain, cotton, oil,
and wool, The surplus grain supplies the cantonments of Rawal
Pindi and Attock. Manufactures of country cloth and soap, exported:
beyond the Indus, 7adsidi, police station, excellent school, dispensary,
Government rest-house. |
Pinjar—Village in Akola District, Berar, Lat. 20° 33’ Ny long. 77°
17’, 24 miles east of Akola town. Population (1881) 3313. Pinjar
formerly had 2000 houses, of which only §$9 now remain ; its decline
dates from 1772 A.D,, when Madbujf Bhonsla laid a heavy tax upon —
the people, A fine specimen of a Hindu temple exists here, with a
Sanskrit inscription, Police station.
Pinj ar (Pinjore)—Decayed town in Patidla State, Punjab. Lat,
30° 48' w., long. 76° 59° & ; situated at the confluence of two tributaries:
of the Ghaggar. Residence and pleasure-grounds of the Rajd. —
‘Thornton describes an ancient covered well and numerous fragments —
of Hindu sculpture and architecture that are found here. Fort dis: |
mantled by Bourquin, Sindhia’s partisan leader. i
Pinu or Pim.—River in Kangra District, Punjab—See Pr, |
Pipalgdon,—Village in Brahmapuri éaAsf/, Chand& District, Central
PIPPLI—PIRNAGAR.
com, 12,$41 acres; rice, 7685 acres; fodr, 3665 acres; sugar-canc,
6547 acres; cotton, 2386 acres; and tobacco, 1389 acres, Revenue
of the ¢ahrld, £18,712. The local administrative staff consists of 1
takviiddr and 1 munsif, presiding over t criminal and 2 civil courts ;
number of police circles (#nds), 7, with stations at Pippli, Shahdbéd,
‘Thaneswar, Pihewa, Radaur, Sanghaur, and Lidwa, with a Baluch
guard at Ismdilébid. Strength of regular police, 146 men ; village police
(chaukiddrs), 491.
Pippli—Village on the Subarnarekha river, Balasor District, Bengal.
Lat. a1” 34' N., long. 87° 22'£, ‘The site of the first English factory.
on this const, founded in 1634 on the ruins of an earlier Portu-
guese settlement. Pippli was ruined by the silting up of the river at its
mouth. During the first half of the present century, the place lingered —
on as a siltlocked village ; but a recent report states that no trace 4
the town now exists, at any rate under the same mame, The name is —
apparently preserved in one or two villages in the neighbourhood of
the Subarnarekha, called Pimpal.
Piprdich.— Market village in Mahdrdjgan) taAd/, Gorakhpur D
trict, North-Western Provinces ; situated on the Pharend river, and o
the unmetalled Padrauna road, 13 miles cast-north-cast of Gorakhpur
town, Poputation (1881) 2932. The market flanks either side of
road as it passes through the town. A fair local trade in grain, el
and metal vessels is carried on; and a good deal of sugar is
‘The village, however, is not a thriving one, and the progress of
market has been checked by competition with the neighbouring n
of Sidhdwa, Police station, post-office, elementary school, and Sis
temple.
Piram,—lIsland in the Gulf of Cambay,—Sre Praia,
Pirmaid.—Hill station in Travancore State, Madras Prey
the centre of the northern coffee country of Travancore, with
European community. Lat. 9° 36’ s., long, 77" x. } average
3000 feet. Round the station are numerous coffee-gardens,
about 19,000 acres, of which a considerable proportion ig in b
Fairly constructed roads communicate with Alleppi and Trev:
on the west, and Madura on the east,
Pir Mangho (/%r Magar),—Valley, hot springs, temple, and
in Karichf (Kurrachee) District, Sind, Bombay Presidency. —
MAacar TALAO.
—Pargané in Sitipur éaisi/, Sitapur District, O
bounded on the north and north-east by Biswén, on the east by Bani,
the south by Gundlamau, and on the west by Machhrehta, Area,
square miles, or 27,956 acres, of which 17,164 acres are
and 4830 acres cultivable, Population (1881) 19,692, namely, n
10,428, and females 9264, The incidence of the Government
185 PISANGAN—PISHIN.
stage from Gujavat, between the haltingstations of Porhidna and
Alidbdd Sardi. The top of the pass, about six miles from Porhidna, is
a fine grassy plateau about half a mile wide, with an elevation of abour
11,500 feet, gradually sloping down to the Alisbdd sanfi. In clear
weather the Shahdera mindrs at Lahore are visible, though distant
about £30 miles.
—Town in Ajmere District, Ajmere-Merwara Division,
Rajpurina, Lat, 26° 24° N., long. 74° 25° &. Population (1881)
3375 Distant from Ajmere city 20 miles, Residence of the
Astimrardér of Pisangin. By reason of its position in the immediate
neighbourhood of Mdrwdr, it is the centre of the cotton and tobacco
trade, There is here an old Jain temple which derives its name from its
being situated near the Priva Sangam, or junction of the Saraswati and
Sigarmati streams. Water-supply good. Post-office and dispensary.
Pishin (or /eshin).—Formerly a District of Souther A!
‘situated between go” 10’ and 31° 15' N. lat, and 66° 10’ and 67° so’
long. Estimated area, 3600 square miles ; estimated population, which
has been under British administration since 1878, 60,000. |
Physical Aspects—Pishin may be roughly described as a large plain
(Pishin proper), surrounded on three sides by hills, which are all
included in the District. From the scarp of Toba hill on the north and
the line of the main watershed on the east, the whole country slopes
away to the southavest, It consists of treeless flats or alluvial valleys
(of which the Pishin plain is by far the most important), divided by —
ranges of bare and rocky hills, preserving a remarkable parallelism
with one another, and all running north-east and south-west, The
average clevation of the Pishin plain is about soo feet above sea-level,
while the sub-districts to the east and north are higher. On the
west, the Khwaja Amrin peak rises 8864 feet above sea-level ; and th
general height of the range is between 7000 and 8000 forts On th
north, the edge of Toba nearest to Pishin is about Sooo feet ; and the
Kund mountain nearly 11,000 feet, Takdti, on the south, is also ab
11,000 feet,
‘The streams on quitting the stony déman, or hill country, for the
soil of the plain, have cut for themselves immense beds, quite out of p
portion to the amount of water which they bring down. ‘These cut
are go to 50 yards wide and 10 to 25 feet deep, with perpendicular
searped banks, The alluvial soil, where it exists, is sich and deep, and
from its clayey nature is apt to become soft and slippery after rain or
snow, Irrigation is conducted with a total disregard of any roads or
pathways that may exist. r
Hares and ravine deer are found in the valleys, and a few urid?
wild sheep in the hills, Ibex are fairly numerous on Takitd, Wo
jackals, and foxes are common, The hill leopard and small sloth b
&
199 PISHIN. }
‘Kaékars are nearly all settled agriculturists, but they also possess large
flocks and own 112 villages and hamlets.
‘A good many Kakars and a few Achakzais and Tarins proceed
to India every year in search of employment as labourers on public —
works, etc. Many Sayyids also are always absent engaged in trade.
‘Taken as a whole, the inhabitants of Pishin are peaceable and well
disposed. ‘The Achakzais, indeed, are predatory, and have a reputa-
tion for turbulence; but they have not given much trouble. The
Sayyids, being comparatively well off and enlightened, have been the
best friends of the British. The dress, manners, and customs of the
people are in all essentials those of the inhabitants of Southern Afghan-
istiin generally, They are a hardy and fairly industrious peasantry, not
particularly fanatical, and scem well satisfied with British rule.
The settled population of Pishin (cultivators and traders) live in
pas the pastoral people in tents (4rs/d#s). It is not uncommon for
to spend part of the year in one description of habitation, and
Pa another. ‘The houses in Pishin proper are built of mud in a
rectangular form, and contain only one room, with a raised circular
hearth to serve as a fireplace at one end, while the other end is frequently
occupied by sheep and cattle.
‘The tents (Aés/idss) are comfortable, roomy, clean, and warm, not+
withstanding that camels, goats, sheep, and poultry are sheltered
under one roof with their owners, The tents are about 30 feet long
by 1g wide, The centre is supported by slim poles 7 feet high, and
the sides by others 4 feet high, across which are passed light ribs of
wood, Over this framework is stretched a single shect of tough and
waterproof black haircloth woven in lengths two yards wide and sewn
together. The interior is divided into two by a curtain of corn sacks.
Of these divisions, one is excavated to a depth of 2 fect for the camels
and oxen; the other is smooth and swept clean. In the centre is
circular hole for a fireplace, for the smoke of which there is no atlas
‘except the openings at either end of the tent,
Agriculture.—The cultivable area of Pishin is probably about
third of the whole, say 1200 square miles. The methods of cultivati
are simple and careless. ‘The chief food-grains grown are wheat, bat
maize, and millet, The straw of the first three, when chopped, is a
valuable commodity, and much used instead of grass for feeding
and other animals. In addition to grain, lucerne, water-melons, an
musk-melons are cultivated, Irrigation is carried on either fro
natural streams, or from Aareres, a series of shafts connected
ground by tunnels, ‘The irrigated area is estimated at th
of the total cultivated area, ‘The use of manure is well wi
but the supply is deficient, and is confined to lucerne and
fields,
192 PITARI—PITHAPUR,
parting with a heavy share of their produce to paying a fixed sum
in cash.
‘The land revenue collections in 1884-85 amounted to nearly £.goo0.
‘Under the Afghin system, which is still anaintained, a maddaghi, or poll-
tax on cattle is also levied, except from Sayyids and the class paying a
fixed cash assessment in lieu of military service. The rates, per head
of cattle, are—camel, 28.; bullock, 25; donkey, 15.3 sheep, 2}d.; lamb,
ojd. There are also a few dues yielding from £10 to £30 per annum,
Excise revenue is also collected, but the amount fluctuates greatly,
the highest total in any year since the British occupation being £716,
and the lowest £26, 45.
Mititary Importance.—The strategic value of Pishin is considerable.
It is the meeting-place of a great number of routes leading from Sind
and the Punjab Frontier Districts to Kandahir, These routes are
perfectly practicable for troops, and have been traversed by considerable
bodies, ‘They are, however, impassable by wheeled carriage, and —
indifferently furnished with supplies The possession of Pishin places
the occupant within easy reach of Kandahdr, which is only six marches
from Chamén.
Medical Aspects —The climate of Pishin is trying, not only to natives
of India, but also to Europeans, until both are acclimatized. There are
four well-marked seasons, as in England, and the temperature ranges
from a moderate heat in summer to a severe cold in winter. The
climate, however, is rather relaxing. In summer, Europeans are apt to
suffer from diarrhoea, dysentery, and affections of the liver; natives
from diarrhosa and dysentery. In winter, pneumonia and other lung
diseases are very fatal to natives.
Pitarii—Town in Unao District, Oudh, about 4 miles north-west
of Unao town. Population (1881) 2964, namely, 2781 Hindus and
183 Muhammadans, An ancient village, dating from the time of
Rajd Unwant Singh, the reputed founder of Unao.
Pithdpur (Pitipur)—Tiluk or Sub-division of Godavari District,
Madras Presidency, For the most part an important searinddri tract,
Area, 200 square miles. Population (1881) 68,161, namely, 33,502.
males and 34,659 females, dwelling in x town and 50 villages, cons
taining 12,610 houses. Hindus number 66,527; Muhammadans,
Thristians, 3 The samindéri lies between the eastern
branch of the Godavari and the District of Vizagapatam, and contains
128 villages in different /d/wks, The Rajd’s ancestors are said to h *.
come from Oudh, The grant of the estate dates from about 1647.
‘Total rental, £81,150; pesthash or quit-rent, £24,900.
Pithdpur.—Town in Pithdpur éé/ut, and head-quarters of the
Pithdpur saminddré, Godavari District, Madras Presidency, Lat 17"
6' 45" X., long, 82" 18’ 40" x, Population (1871) 9240, living
PODDATURU—POKARAN.
over Surdj-ud-dauld, on the 23rd June 1757, only a small fragment now
remains, ‘The Bhdgfrathi, on whose left or east bank the battle was
fought, has eaten away the scene of the fight; as the Jalangi river, in
the same District, has eaten away the city of Nadiyi, the ancient
capital of Bengal. In 1801, 3000 trees of Clive's famous mango grove
were still standing; now, only one has survived the ravages of the
river and of time. A general of the Nawsb, who fell in the battle, lies
buried beneath it. As carly as 1801, the river had eaten away the
actual field of battle ; and a traveller recorded in that year that ‘a few
miserable huts, literally overhanging the water, are the only remains of
the celebrated Plassey.’ The neighbourhood relapsed into jungle, and
was long a favourite haunt of river dabdits. Part of the site is now
covered by the waters of the Bhigirathi, the rest stretches out as a
richly cultivated plain; and the solitary surviving tree of the historic
mango grove is held sacred by the Muhammadans. The high road
from Calcutta ef? Krishnagar to Berhampur passes close by the field;
96 miles north of Calcutta, and 22 south of Berhampur.
Poddatiru—Town in Cuddapah District, Madras Presidency —
See PRODDUTUR.
Pohré,—Village in Sikolt fatsié, Bhandiiri District, Central Prow
vinces, Population (1881) 3111, namely, Hindus, 2587; Mubham-
madans, 169; Jains, 12; non-Hindu aborigines, 343.
Poicha.—Petty State of the Pandu Mchwds in Rewd K4ntha, Bombay
Presidency, Area, 3} square miles, There are 6 shareholders, The
revenue was estimated in 1882 at £245 ; tribute of £150, 25. is paid
to the Gickwdr of Baroda, ‘The estate lies on the Mahi river between
Kanora and Bhadarwa.
Poini (more correctly Zonné),—River, called near the source Démal-
cheruvu, rising among the high bills south-west of Chandragiri, in the
north of North Arcot District, Madras Presidency, and flowing about
45 miles south to the Paldr between Vellore (Velliir) and Arcot.
gely used for irrigation by means of anicuts, which force the water
into tanks. Crrrrux is on the bank of one of the tributaries.
Point Calimore (Kad/imedu).—The most southerly point of the
Coromandel coast, Madras Presidency,—See CALDERE.
Point, False.—Cape, lighthouse, on the west coast of the Bay
of Bengal,—See Fatsr Por,
Point Palmyras.—Headland in Cuttack District, Bengal.—See
Pauayras Port.
Pokaran (Fvbharn) — Jodhpur State, Rjputéna ; situated
in lat. 26° 55" X., tee 71° 57’ 45" Bon the route from Phulodi
to Jaisalmer (Geptulmere city), 66 miles east of the latter place. It is”
situated close to the deserted town of the same name, and contained
when Thornton wrote (1862) 3000 houses, No information as to th C
196 POLERURRU—POLUR.
of constant disputes and struggles (see Gopavant District). Between
3785 and r790 especially, the disturbances became so serious that it
was necessary to repress them with the help of the military. Again, in
1800, the sawinddr’s fort, situated on the Godivari river, was captured
and destroyed, and the whole tract was placed under martial law.
The population of Polivaram village, situated in Ermagudem #dtwt
(lat, 17" 14’ 50° N,, long, 81° 4o" 40° E), was 2754 in 1872, and 3552
in 1881. Number of houses (1881), 737.
Polekurru (/#/Aurn).—Town in Coconada ét/uk, Godavari District,
Madras Presidency. Lat, 16° 47’ ™., long. 82° 18' & Population
(1871) 6439, inhabiting 1333 houses; and (1881) stgt, inhabiting
1243 houses.
Poli.—Town in Pullampet ¢é/uk, Cuddapah (Radapd) District,
Madras Presidency. Lat. 12°45" N., long. 79° 13", Population
(1881) 6947, inhabiting 1577 houses. Hindus number 6351;
Muhammadans, 595 ; and Christian, t.
Pollachi.—Tii/uk or Sub-division of Coimbatore District, Madras
Presidency. Area, 710 square miles. Population (1881) 172,909,
namely, 83,737 males and 89,172 females, dwelling in x town and 160
villages, and occupying 37,815 houses. Hindus number 169,570;
Muhammadans, 3235; Christians, 95; and ‘others’9, In 1883
the éé/ué contained 3 criminal courts; police circles (#hénds), 6; and.
regular police, 59 men. Land revenue, £24,069.
Pollachi—Head-quarters town of Pollachi Aifek, Coimbatore Dis-
trict, Madras Presidency. Lat. 10° 39 20” N., long. 77° 3° §° &
Population (1871) 4922, inhabiting 724 houses; and (1881) 5082,
inhabiting 700 houses. Hindus number 4468; Muhammadans, 548}
and Christians, 66. Large weekly fair, hospital, and travellers’
bungalow. Residence of Head Assistant Collector and Magistrate of
Coimbatore District.
Pollilir.—Town in Conjeveram séfut, Chengalpat (Chinglepot)
District, Madras Presidency. Lat. 12" 58’ 20" N., long. 79° 45’ 20°
Population (1871) 933, inhabiting 139 houses; and (1881) 1068,
inbabiting 155 houses.
Polir.—Ziiluh or Sub-division of North Arcot District, Madras
Presidency. Area, 443 square miles. Population (1881) 106,818,
namely, 52,713 males and 54,105 females, dwelling in + town and
194 villages, containing 13,357 houses. Hindus number 101,147 5
Muhammadans, 3292; Christians, 1585; and ‘others,’ 794. “The
northern and western parts of the ¢d/ué are hilly, the rest pee
flat. ‘The soil is black and red clay mixed with sand and gr
in the vicinity of the hills a rich loam is found. On the °
Poliir is a fertile Ad/wk, and raises good crops of rice, spiked millet,
varagu (Panicum miliaceum), and vagi (Eleusine corocana).
198 PONANT RIVER—PONDICHERRKY.
Ali, the attack was not renewed, When Colonel Hartley (1790) made
his brilliant descent upon the west coast, the Ponfni people gave in
their adhesion readily. Average annual value of the trade of Pondni
for the five years ending 1883-84—imports, £9567, and exports,
£44,195. In 1883-84, the imports were valued at £11,467, and the
exports at £51,696.
Pondni,—River rising in the Anamalai Mountains, Madras Presidency.
Flows past Palghdt across Malabar District, and enters the sea at
Pondni town, in lat, ro" 47’ 30” »,, and long, 75° 58°". It is about
120 miles in length, and flows for about 7o miles parallel to the
south-west line of the Madras Railway. Navigable by small craft
for many months to a considerable distance above its mouth, and is
largely used for timber-floating.
Pondamaléi—Town in Chengalpat District, Madras Presidency.—
See Punamariu.
Pondicherri (Puduchert, Puthwvat, Pudcher!).—Chief settlement of
the French in the East Indies; situated on the Coromandel coast,
surrounded by the Cuddalore fé/uk of South Arcot District, Madras
Presidency. The town lies in lat. rr* 55’ 57° y., and long. 79" 52°
33°". Population (1876) 156,094 ; (882) 140,045.
‘The settlement forms part of the delta of the Penner (Ponnaipar)
river, and a great portion of its surface is alluvial. Many artesian wells
have been sunk, and excellent drinking water is obtainable. ‘The hills
known as Les Montagnes Rouges form a natural girdle to the country
about Pondicherri. ‘The climate is healthy. In January, the tempera-
ture is from 25° to 28° centigrade, and from May to September from
31” to 4o” centigrade,
“The first French settlement at Pondicherri,’ says Mr. Garstin,
‘was in 1674, under Francois Martin, In 1693 it was captured by
the Dutch, but restored in 1699. It was besieged four times by the
English, ‘The first siege, under Admiral Boscawen, was unsw
The second, under Colonel (afterwards Sir) Eyre Coote, in 1761,
resulted in the capture of the place; it was restored in 1763 It
was again besieged and captured in 1778, by Sir Hector Munro, ard
restored in 1785, Itwas captured a third time, by Colonel Braithwaite,
in 1793, and finally restored in 1816.’ [Fora fuller account of the
history of Pondicherri, sce article Faenct Serriemens,)
‘The territory of Pondicherri comprises four Districts—Pondieherri,
Villiandr, Oulgaret, and Bahir—containing 93 large villages and 141
hamlets. Its area is 29,145 hectares 415 square miles, and its popa-
lation, according to the Annuaire des Ktablissements Francais dame
DPInde for 1884, 149,945 souls. The town of Pondicherri is divided into
‘two parts, the White Town and the Black Town, separated from one
another by a canal. The White Town is by the seaside, and is well
200 POODOOCOTTAH—POONA,
20 miles north-west of Madras city. Population (1872) 11705 (1881)
779 dwelling in 120 houses, Sub-jail ;
Poodoocottah.—State and town in Madras Presidency, —.
Pupuxorrat,
Poo-loo,—Creek in Bassein District, Lower Burma.—See Pu-Lv.
Poona (/#na)—British Dis the Deccan, Bombay Presidency,
lying between 17° sa’ and r9° 23' W, lat and between 73° 24’ and 75°
13° E long. Area, 5348 square miles, Population (1881) goo,621,
Poona District is bounded on the north by the District of Ahmad-
nagar; on the east by Ahmadnagar and Sholipur 5 on the south
by the Nira river, separating it from Sdtira and the estate of the
chief of Phaltén; and on the west by Koldba and Thina, Two
isolated blocks of Bhor State, one in the west and the other in
the south, are included within the limits of Poona District. The
administrative head-quarters are at Poona city.
Physical Aspects.—Towards the west, the country is undulating, and
intersected by numerous spurs of the Sahyddri range, which break off
ina south-easterly direction, becoming lower as they pass castwards,
and in the end sinking to the general level of the plain, On the
extreme western border, the land is so rugged and cut up by valleys
and ravines, that on the slopes and sides of the hills a system of spade
tillage takes the place of ordinary cultivation by bullocks and ploughs.
Along the western border of the District, the Sahyddri hills form a
barrier inaccessible except by a few difficult passes or ghdts. Of these,
the Borghét, traversed both bya road and a railway, is the only line
fitted for wheeled vehicles, The spurs which form the main line of the
Sahyddri_ mountains haye the flat tops and steep sides common to
basaltic hills. Within the limits of the District not a few of the hills
have had their sides hewn into rock temples, or their summits crowned
with fortresses. Many streams rise in the Sahyddri range, and flow
eastwards, until they join the Bhimd river, which passes through the
District from north-west to south-cast. The water of the rivers is good
for all purposes, and all of them are sources of supply to the many
villages along their banks. About ro miles south-west of Poona city,
the Khadakwisla lake, with an area of sh square miles, supplies
water to Poona and Kirki. The District is not rich in minerals,
but trap tock fit for road-making and stone for building purposes are
found. ‘There are no tracts producing large timber of any value, Of
late years, efforts to afforest the denuded hill-sides have met with some
success. Except in the west, where tigers, leopards, bears, and
sdmbhar deer are sometimes to be found, the District contains no wild
animals larger than the antelope, boar, and wolf,
History.—The District of Poona, with the adjacent tracts of SATARA
and StoLarur,—the home of the Mardthds, and the birthplace
202 POONA.
about 60 miles east of Sholdpur, The open country acknowledged
the power of the Bahman{ sovereigns without a struggle, In the year
1436 the capital was changed by Ahmad Shah Béhmani to Bidar, said
by Ferishta to have been an old Hindu capital, about roo miles farther
east.
A terrible famine, known as the Durgédevi, is said to have lasted
throughout Mahdrdshtra for twelve yeats—from 1396 to 1408 ‘Taking
advantage of the general depopulation, the local Manithd chiefs obtained
possession of the hills and strong places, which had been conquered
by the Musalmdns. Several expeditions were sent by the Bahmanf
kings to recover the Ghiit country, but without success, until, in the
year 1472, Mahmud Gawain, the great minister of the last independent
Bahmani king, made another effort ; he forced his way through the
forests, and did not leave the country till he had reduced the lesser
forts, and finally Kelna itself.
Subsequently he made a new distribution of the Bahmant dominions.
Junnar became the head-quarters of a Province which comprehended
Indapur, the Mandesh, Wai, Belgdum, and parts of the Konkin. ‘The
other districts on the Bhimd were under Bijdpur, while Sholdpur,
Giilbarga, and Purenda formed a separate Province. Yusaf Adil Shah,
the founder of the Bijapur dynasty, was made governor of Bijdpur;
Ahmad Shih, the founder of the Ahmadnagar dynasty, was sent to
Juonar; Gulbarga was entrusted to Dastir Dinar, an Abyssinian ; while
Purandhar, Sholdpur, and 11 districts were held by two brothers, Zein
Khan and Khwaja Jahan,
When Ahmad Shih went to Junnar about the year 1485, he found
that the fort of Junnar Shivner had fallen into the hands of the Marathds,
and he at once reduced it. He then took Chawand, Logarh, Purandbar,
Kondhdna (Singarh), and many forts in the Konkdn, and brought his
charge into good order.
‘The fall of the Bahmanf dynasty was now at hand, for the great
nobles had become virtually independent. The first who rose in revolt
was Bahidur Gelini, who governed the country south of the Wama
river; he was soon defeated and killed. ‘Then Zein-ud-din, the
fdgirdér of Chakan, rebelled with the aid of Yusaf Adil Shih. Next,
in the year 1489, Ahmad Shih threw off his allegiance; he was
attacked by Zein-ud-din, but the latter was driven into the fort of
|
7
|
Chakan ; the fort was stormed, and Zein-ud-din killed in the fight.
About this time, Yusaf Adil Shih of Bijapur also asserted his inde
pendence, and made himself master of the country as far north as the
Bhim4. The new kings of the Deccan made a kind of partition treaty
in 1491, by which the country north of the Nira and cast of Karmala,
together with some of the present District of Sholipur, was
to the Nizdm Shahf king, while the country south of the Nira and —
204 POONA.
annexed to the Mughal territory, and that south of it was made over to
Bijapur. Shdhji took service under the king of Mijapur, and received
the jiégir of Poona and Supa, to which Indipur, Bardmati, and the
Mawal country near Poona were added.
Jt was under the Bijdpur kings that the Marithds first began to make
themselves conspicuous, The Birgirs or light horse furnished by the
Marithd chiefs played a prominent part in the wars with the Mughals ;
the less important forts were left in their hands, and the revenuc was
collected by Hindu officers under the Musalnin mokdsddrs, Several
of the old Mardthd families received the offices of deshmukh and sar-
deskmukh, ‘The kingdom of Bijépur survived that of Ahmadnagar by
fifty years; but, weakened by internal dissensions, it was gradually
falling to pieces. This was the opportunity for the predatory
chiefs ; and a leader arose in Sivaji, the son of Shdhjf Bhonsla, who
knew how to unite the Marithds into a nation by inspiring them with
a hatred for their Musalman masters, and how to take advantage of the
constant quarrels and increasing weakness of those masters.
‘The story of the rise and progress of the great Mardthi power belongs
to the general history of the country. It Weil De Seed faiths eee
Inp1a, and need not be repeated here.
With the fall of Baji Rado, the last of the Peshwas, in 1818, is ]
Marithi power ended ; and since then, no events of political import-
ance have taken place in Poona District. Throughout the Mutiny, —
peace was maintained, and no open outbreak took place, though the
mutiny of a regiment at Kolhapur gave rise to uneasiness, and there
was undoubtedly a good deal of disaffection at Sitira among the classes
‘whom the annexation of the country had impoverished. ‘The notorious:
Niind Sdhib was the adopted son of Baji Rao, |
Population. —The Census of 1872 showed a total population of —
921,353 persons, on an area corresponding to that of the District as at
present constituted. The next general Census of 1881, taken over an
area of 5348 square miles, disclosed a total population of goo,6z2r
inhabitants, residing in 8 towns and 1177 villages, and occupying
153,408 houses, This decrease of population, amounting to 2°25 per
cent. in the nine years between 1872 and 1881, is ascribed to the )
famine of 1876-77, in which the eastern portion of the District
suffered severely. Density of population, 168'4 persons per square
mile; houses per square mile, 38°3 ; persons per village, 624; persons —
per house, 5°87. Classified accor to sex, there were 455,108
males and 445,520 females; proportion of males, 50°50 per cent,
Classified according to age, there were—under 15 years, boys 181,706,
and girls 170,951; total children, 352,657, or go'15 per cent. of
the population: 15 years and upwards, males 273,395, and ——
274,569; total adults, 547,964, or 6085 per cent, In point o
206 POONA,
‘The agricultural workers were returned at 291,798, giving an average of
8:9 cultivable and cultivated acres to cach. Kunbis and Milis are the
chief cultivating classes, although men of all castes own land. About
four-fifths of the landholders till with their own hands, The rest let
the land to tenants, and add to their incomes by the practice of some
raft or calling. Kunbis depend almost entirely on the produce of their
fields, They work more steadily, and have greater bodily strength than —
other husbandmen, and show high skill in their occupation. The
uncertain rainfall over a great part of the District, the poverty of much
‘of the soil, the want of variety in the crops, and a carelessness in
their dealings with money-lenders, have, since the beginning of British
rule, combined to keep the bulk of the Poona landholders poor and in
debt, Between 1863 and 1868 they suffered from the introduction of
enhanced rates of assessment, based on very high prices which were
wrongly believed to have risen toa permanent level. To their loss
from the fall in prices was added the suffering and ruin of the ean
famine. In spite of these recent causes of depression, the records of
former years seem to show that, except during the ten years of unusual
prosperity ending about 1870, when great public works and the very
high price of cotton and other field produce threw much wealth into
the District, the mass of the landholding classes, though poor and
largely in debt, are probably at present less harassed, and better fed,
better clothed, and better housed than they haye been at any time since
the beginning of the present century.
For the relief of landholders, who, though hampered by debt, were
not insolvent, it was proposed to establish a system of State Agricuh
tural Banks, in order to enable embarrassed proprietors to effect a
compromise with their creditors. ‘The scheme is at present in
abeyance, owing to doubts on the part of Government as to the wisdom
of enforcing the recovery of loans made by the bank by the same
procedure as arrears of land revenue.
Of the total District area of 5348 square miles, 3560 square miles
were in 1881 assessed for Government revenue, of which 3261 square
miles were under cultivation and 299 square miles were cultivable.
‘Total amount of Government assessment, including local rates and
cesses on land, £125,954, or an average of ts, rJd. per cultivated acre.
‘The holdings as a rule are small, though large holdings are found in
many villages. They are also divided among members of different
families. In the hilly tract in the west of the District, where the chief
grains are rice, rayf, and other coarse grains, which require great atten
\d labour, the holdings are generally smaller than in the cast, In
ing alienated lands, the total number of holdings was
227,871, with an ayerage area of about 9 acres.
In Poona allarable land comes under one or other of three great heads
208 POONA.
begins to bear in the third year, and is in full fruit in the sixth or
seventh, With care, a vine goes on bearing for 60, or even, it is said,
for roo years, ‘The vine is trained on a stout upright, often a
stump which is pruned to a pollardelike shape about five high;
this mode is said to be most remunerative, Ora strong open trellis
roof is thrown over the vineyard about six feet from theground, andthe —
vines are trained horizontally on it; this mode pagers
for its appearance and shade, and is said to encourage growth toa
greater age. ‘The vine yields sweet grapes in January to March, and —
sour grapes in August. ‘The sour grapes are very abundant, but are not
encouraged ; the sweet grape is tended in every possible way, but
is apt to suffer from disease. Afler each crop the vine is pruned, and
salt, sheep’s droppings, and dried fish are applied as manure to cach
vine after the sour crop is over. Vines are flooded once a year for five
or six days, the earth being previously loosened round the roots. Blight —
attacks them when the buds first appear, and is removed by shaking the
branches over a cloth, into which the blight falls, and is then carried
toa distance and destroyed, nn Hee
a day until the buds are an inch long.
Rates of interest vary from 9 to 36 per cent, Labourers earn 4)
a day ; bricklayers and carpenters, 1s. The current prices of the cl
articles of food during 1882-83 were as follaws per 80 Ibs. :—Wheat,
6s. ahd, ; barley, 65. 53d. ; rice, from 6s, 83d, to 73, 6d.; jodr, 38. sd. 5
gram, 5s, ojd.; salt, 63, 3d.; flour, 8s. 34d.
1s, 2d. Timber (mostly teak) cost 5s. 14d. per cubic
grain rose to 4 Ibs. for the rupee (28,). In 1803, owing to the de
of the country by the Mardthd troops, the price of grain is said to
risen to 1 Ib, for the rupee. In 1824-25 and 1845-46, the fail
of rain caused great scarcity. In 1866-67, more than £8000 of
revenue was remitted, and £2000 spentin relieftothedestitute. Pi
was one of the Districts s|
0 les about 500 miles of partly bridged al
partly metalled roads, 106 miles of the Great Indian Peninsula R
cross the Mopeds ie to east. The route from Poona to
sganj, the journey occupying from 10 to 12 hours, A
way is now (1885) in course of construction which will place:
with the South Mardthé
210 POONA TOWN.
Medical Aspects—The climate is dry and invigorating, and suits
European constitutions better than that of most other parts of the
Bombay Presidency. ‘The average annual rainfall during the twenty-six
years. ending 1881 was 29'4 inches. In 1881 ey rainfall was only 17
years ending 1881 was 77°6" F,, the
January, 72°; February, 76°; March, 32°9°; April, 85°7
June, 79°2°; July, 75°5°5 Au September, 75'3 5"; October,
778°; November, 75’5°; and December, 72"1" F, The prevailing
diseases are fever and affections of the eyes, skin, and bowels. Twelve
dispensaries afforded medical relief to 2415 indoor and 53,118 out
door patients in 1876-77, and 21,151 persons were vaccinated, In
1881 the number of dispensaries was the same (rz); indoor patients,
2155; out-door, 76,7593 persons vaccinated, 24,942, Vital statistics
showed for 1882-83 a death-rate of 17°84 per thousand, and a birth-rate
of 27"4 per thousand. [For further information regarding Poona Dis-
trict, see Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency, compiled under the orders
of the Government of Bombay, by Me J. M. Campbell, C.S., vol. xvitis
in three parts (Government Central Press, Bombay, 1885). Also see
Historical Account 0 the Poona, Sdtdra, and Sholdpur Districts, by Mr.
W. W. Loch, C.S, (Bombay Government Central Press, 1877)5 the
Bombay Census Report for 1881; and the several Administration and
Deparment Reports of the Presidency from 1880 to 1884.) “ey
ona, (Piina).—Town and cantonment in Poona District, Bombay
Presidency. The military capital of the Deccan, and from July to
November the seat of the Government of Bombay. A station on the
Great Indian Peninsula Railway, 119 miles south-east of Bombay.
Tt is situated in lat. 18° 30’ 41” N., and long. 73° 55' a1" Ey 1850 feet
above the level of the sca, and, in a straight line, about 63 miles
distant from the coast. Area, including suburbs, about 4 square miles.
Population (1872) 90,436; (188x) of city, 99,622; of
39,429 ; total, 129,751, namely, males 66,923, and females 62,828
Hindus number 103,348 j Muhammadans, 16,3743 Christians, 63845
5; PArsts, 13293 and ‘others,’ 571, Municipal income
(1882-83), (420,126 ; incidence of taxation, 3s. 7d. per head.
‘The city stands on the right bank of the Multa river. Much of |
country round is barren and rocky, and to the east stretches an open plain,
Not much high ground is seen to the north and west, but to the south
extends a line of hills ending in the bold square rock of Singhgarh,
Close at hand, on the north, the confluence of the streams of the Multa
and Mila; through the heart of the town, the line of the
Canal ; and on the south, the lake and temple-crowned peak of
are objects of interest. The aqueduct was built by an ancient
family. The waterworks owe their existence to the liberality
POONA TUT
Wellington. It was rebuilt with stone in 1875, at a cost of £9000.
‘Holkar's Bridge was built by Madhu Rao Peshwa, and sa named because
in its vicinity Holkar was accustomed to pitch his tents,
‘The first mention of Poona in history seems to be in 1604,
when it was granted by the Sultén of Ahmadnagar to Maloji,
the grandfather of Sivajl the Great. In 1637 the grant was con-
firmed by the Sultin to Shéhji, father of Sivaji In 1663, during
the operations conducted against Sivaji by order of Aurangzeb, the
imperial viceroy, Shdista Khan, took possession of the open town, from
which, when surprised a few days afterwards by Sivajl, lhe had great
difficulty in making his escape, His son and most of his guard were
cut to pieces, and he himself wounded. A powerful force, however,
immediately reinstated the discomfited commander. In 1667, Aurang-
zeb restored Poona to Sivaji; but under the sway of his successor,
Sambiji, it was occupied by Khin Jahan, an officer of the Emperor,
On the Peshwa obtaining supremacy in the Marathd confederacy, the
chief seat of Government was removed from Satira to Poona, In 1763,
Nizim Alf of Haidardldd sacked the town, and bumed such parts of
it as were not ransomed.
In the struggle between the successive Peshwis and their nominal
subordinates, Sindhia and Holkar, Poona suffered many vicissitudes,
until in 1802, by the provisions of the Treaty of Bassein, the Peshwa |
admitted a British subsidiary force to be stationed here.
‘The final defeat of the Peshwi BSji Rio, and the capture, of
Poona in 1818, were the results of three engagements, In the battle
of Kirki (sth November 1817), the English forces were commanded —
by Colonel Burr, $00 being Europeans, Their loss was 80. killed
and wounded, 50 were sepoys, No European officer
was killed. ‘The Peshwd’s forces were under Bap Goklt, and con
sisted of 18,000 horse and S000 foot; killed and wounded, soo. ‘The
battle of Yeroada (16th and r7th ‘November 1817) occurred near
where the present Fitegerald Bridge now stands, the British guns
on ‘Picket Hill ' commanding the position. ‘The English troops were
commanded by Brigadier-General Lionel Smith. The result was
the flight of the Peshwé's army, and the immediate occupation of
the city by the The third battle, that of Korigaum (rst
January 1818), was the most general of the three engagements, and
was fought 2 miles distant from Loni, on the right bank of the Bhit
and 16 miles from Poona, The force was commanded
Captain Stanton, not more than soo st with 6 guns and 300
marching to the support of Colonel Burr. When the British 1
214 POONAMALLEE—PORBANDAR.
«
ance at the Deccan College was 83 in 1879-80, and 120 in 1881-82.
‘The receipts from fees in the latter year were £720. The College
of Science (with engineering, forest, agricultural, and mechanical
Classes) had a daily average attendance of 188 in 1880 and x73
in 18815 fee receipts (1881), £5or. Other prineipal public build-
ings in Poona are the Legislative Council Hall, the Sassoon Hospital
(with beds for 150 patients), Jewish Synagogue, Anilitary: pay beard
barracks, etc. The total number of in-door patients treated at the
Sassoon Hospital in 1883 was 2290; and of outdoor rase
£1,809.
Poonamallee,—Town in Chengalpat (Chingleput) District, Madms
Presidency, —See PUNAMALLU.
Poon-na-riep.—Village in Tharawadi District, Lower Burmna—See
Pon-va-RErP,
Pooree.—District, Sub-division, and town im Orissa, Bengal—See
Pur.
Poo-swon-doung,—River of Lower Burma,—See Pu-2Us-paunc.
Porakad (Porn) —Town i in Alleppl Sub-division, Travancore State,
Madras Presidency, Lat. 9° 21’ 30° N., long. 76° 25’ 40" 8. Popala-
tion (1871) 2922, dwelling in 743 houses not separately returned in
the Census Report of 1881. Porakdd was formerly a scparate prind-
pality, known as Chambagacheri, and the principal port of the country;
it passed to Cochin in 1678, and to Travancore in 1746, Both the
Dutch and Portuguese had a settlement here, and the remains of the
Portuguese fort still stand. he seaport has been ruined by the
prosperity of Arnarra.
Porayar.—Suburb of Tranquebar port and town, Tanjore Des
Madras Presidency.—See TRANQUEBAR.
Porbandar. —Native State in the Sordth division of Kichidwdr,
Bombay Presidency. Situated in the west of the peninsula of Kdshié-
wir, consisting of a strip along the shore of the Aribian) Sea, mo
where more than 24 miles broad, and lying between 21° 14' and 21°
58°. lat., and 69° 28' and 7o" 1’ x, long, Area, 636 square miles, with
1 town and 84 villages. Population (1872) 72,077} (1881) pu,o7z.
‘The Census authorities estimated the area at 567 square miles in 1881,
but the area given above is a more recent return. Males numbered
36,566 in 1881, and females 34,506, dwelling in 14,936 occupied
houses. Hindus numbered 63,406; Muhammadana, 674% and.
‘others, 925. The style of house-building is said ta be peculiar. No
mortar is used, but the litnestone, of which the better class of houses
is built, is accurately squared and fitted; and it is asserted thar the
quality of the limestone is such that when once the main has fallen on
awall thus built, the joints coalesce and become as though all :
one solid block. The Porbandar State may be described rougt
216 PORBANDAR TOWN—PORT CANNING.
offences, without permission from the Political Agent, uny person
except British subjects, He administers the affairs of his State in
person, He enjoys an estimated gross revenue of £40,000; and pays
a tribute of £4850, 8s, jointly to the British Government, the Gackwar
of Baroda, and the Nawab of Jundgarh. He maintained a military
force of 595 men in 1882-83, He has a mint, and coins silver pieces
called Aorés, and copper coins called dokrits, of which 32 usually go to
the orf, three of these Aorts, on an average, make a rupee (25). ‘The
family of the chief follow the rule of primogeniture in point of succes
sion, and hold no sewad authorizing adoption, ‘There are to schools
in the State, with a total of 726 pupils in 1882-83. Porbandar ranked
as a State of the first class in Kathidwir until 1869; and since asa
‘State of the third class. Transit dues are not levied in the State. A
total sum of £2435 was. spent in works of public utility duting 1882.
‘The land revenue is about £18,000,
Porbandar,—Chief town and port of Porbandar State; situated op
the western coast of Kathidwar, Bombay Presidency, in lat. 22° 37’ 10”
®,, and long, 69° 48° 30" £., on the shore of the Arabian Sea, Popu-
lation (1881) 14,569, namely, 7120 males and 7449 females. Hindus
number 10,568; Muhammadans, 3079; Jains, 887; Pirsis, 343 and
Christian, 1. Though a bar prevents the entrance of ships of any
great size into the port, it is much frequented by craft of from 12 10 Bo
tons burthen. In spite of the levy of heavy customs dues, and the
competition of other ports, the trade is considerable, including, besides
a local traffic with the Konkan and Malabar coast, a brisk trade with
the ports of Sind, Balichistin, the Persian Gulf, Arabia, and the west
coast of Africa. In 1881 the imports were valued at £48,572, and.
the exports at 433,586. ‘Total value in 1882-83, £165,943, At a
little cost, the port might be made one of the most secure on the
Kathidwdr seaboard. The town is entirely built of stone and. sur-
rounded by a fort, It is said to have been called in ancient times
Suddmapuri; and it has been the Jethwa capital for about 150 err,
Post-office,
Port Blair.—Principal harbour of the ANDAMAN 1aaxoesaae
Axpaman Isianps,
Port Canning (or AMat/é)—Decayed town and port in the District
of the Twenty-four Parganas, Bengal ; situated in lat. 22° 19' 1g" m6, and
long, 88° 43' 20" £, It occupics a tongue of land round which sweep
the collected waters of the Bidyadhari, Karatoyd, and Athdrabdnka
rivers, forming the Maria estuary, then takes a fairly straight
course southward to the sea. Port Canning is now (1885), and has —
been for several years, abandoned as an attempted seat of maritime —
trade; but before entering into its history, it may be well to mention
its capabilities when the present author visited it in 1869-70, in case it
a8 PORT CANNING.
of Canning, subject to the control of Government, “Rules were also
passed empowering the Commissioners to grant leases and to borrow
money on the security of the land, but ' tie Government iteell declined
to advance any loan,
‘The expenditure necessary for the various works was estimated at
upwards of £200,000 ; and the Municipality, in November 1863, with
the sanction of Government, opened a loan of {£100,000 upon
debentures, at 54 per cent. interest, redeemable in five years. The
privilege of commuting debentures for lands in freehold or leasehold at
certain rates was also allowed. Not more than £26,500, however, was
subscribed ; and early in 186q the Municipal Commissioners again
applied to. Government for a loan of £45,000, which was refused,
except on the condition that the mercantile community should os
tribute the remainder of the £200,000 required.
‘The scheme of forming the Port Canning Company dates from a
proposal made in 1864 by Mr. Ferdinand Schiller, one of the Municipal
‘Commissioners, to raise the means of undertaking the works essential
to the development of the port, consequent on the refusal of Govern-
ment to advance the funds except on terms which the Municipality
found impossible of fulfilment. Mr, Schiller's proposals were to
advance the sum of £25,000 to the Municipality, on condition of
receiving from them certain concessions, namely—(1) the gift in free
hold of roo acres of land in the centre of the town; and (2) the
exclusive right of constructing tramways, wharves, jetties, and landing
accommodation, and of levying rates upon the same for fifty yeas,
subject to the control and regulation of the Commissioners Mr.
Schiller also undertook on the part of himself and his assignees—(1) to
excavate within two years a dock, 2500 feet in length by 200 feet
in width and ro feet in depth, on the assigned land ; (2) to provide for
the conservation and protection of the river bank along the entire
length of the Commissioners’ property facing the Matlf; (s) to pay the
Commissioners one-third of all profits from these works exceeding 10
per cent. The right of purchasing the completed works at original cost
at the expiration of fifty years was reserved to the Municipality ; and in
the event of non-purehase, an extension of the term for another twenty
five years was stipulated, These terms were agreed to by Government,
and the payment of the loan of £25,000 to the Municipality was bend
in March 1865.
‘In March 1866, the Government of India consented to a vonrtt
£45,000 on security of the property of the Municipality, without
interest, repayable in five years, for which debentures were i
bearing dates from April 1866 to August 1868, Undler the conditions
of commutation mentioned above, debentures to the extent of £33,780
were converted for lands,
PORT CANNING. 219
ie nce lel mela by an announcement
that the share list was closed. The shares rose in valuc at an
eee atnedl “a poerlam at Gaon. be
disensions arose y
tag in the management of the Company being transferred to other
funds
ibtigitesales took. place between the Company and the Muni-
Gjolity, ‘The former made an application to commute the £25,000 of
‘unicipal debentures which it held, into land. But the deeds were
agreed on. In 1868, when affairs
‘assumed an unfavourable aspect, the Company endeavoured
and brought an action against the Munici-
bre terentist sCoree interest on the debentures. ‘The latter
‘on the ground that the Company had agreed to
debentures for certain lands in the town of Canning.
Somanate
The Company gained the suit in the first instance ; but on appeal, the
’ id.
and the commutation was declared to be
, however, have not entered into possession of their
d an appeal is said to have been preferred to the Privy
Tn £870, the Secretary of the Company addressed.
urging upon it the duty of redeeming the debentures
had failed to meet. The Government, in
so gpa refused to provide the
with funds to pay their debts. The first of
debenture bonds for £10,000 having arrived at
4871, steps were taken to obtain a decree, and the
ipal property, moveable and immoveable, was placed
_ Government haying thus obtained priority, notice
ie private debenture-holders, inviting them to co-operate in
of the assets. Subsequent decrees were also
it of £35,000; and the whole of the Canning
Sy attached and made over to the Collector of the
ted annual rent of £13,000. ‘T'
n belonging to the Municipality, and of Sundarban lots
overnment or purchased from individuals, the greater
220 PORT CANNING,
portion lieing redeemable in freehold. In 1866, the Company added
to their business the lease of the forest rights in all the
lands of the Sundarbans, as well as the rights of fishery in all the rivers,
which were put up to auction by Government for a term of five years,
but liable at any time to resumption on six months’ notice The
fishing rights were withdrawn in October 1868, in consequence of the
claims of the Company being contested by fishermen and others
holding prescriptive rights ; and the question was finally decided, under
legal adviee, that the Government had not the right to farm out the
fisheries in tidal waters to private persons. ‘The lease of the forest
tights was resumed after due notice, on the grounds that the monopoly
was contrary to the interests of the general public, and that oppression
was exercised by the Company's agents in the collection of the fers.
An appeal was presented to the Government of India and the Secretary
of State against the withdrawal of these leases, but the action of he
Government was upheld.
‘The following are the principal works undertaken and executed,
cither partially or cornpletely, by the Company, namely—(1) A wet
dock, 3500 by 400 feet, for the accommodation of country boars, in
accordance with the conditions in the deed of concession; (2) the
protection from erosion of the Matli foreshore ; (3) seven landing
wharves and iron jetties, exch cupable of accommodating two ships at a
time; (4) goods sheds and tramways in connection with the jetties; (5)
a ‘gridiron’ and graving dock for repairing vessels ; (6) lastly, the rice-
‘mills, constructed on an extensive scale, capable of husking and turning:
out about 90,c¢0 tons of rice a year, from which very profitable
results were expected, Many of these works have fallen into disrepair,
and are nowto a large extent unserviceable, ‘The number of ships that
visited the port since its opening in 1861-62 down to the close of
1870-71, was as follows 1861-62, none; 1862-63, 1; 1863-64, 11;
1864-65, 14; 1865-66, 26; 1866-67, 20; 1867-68, g; 1868-69, 1;
1869-70, 2; 1870-71, none. In March 1869, the Company applied to
Government, urging the suspension for a time of the portdues and
changes, ‘The request was complied with ; and a Government notifica:
tion was issued declaring Canning to bea = port, and providing that
six months’ notice should be given before the charges were reimposed.
This notification, however, had no effect. The two vessels which
arrived in 1869-70 were chartered by the Company for the purpose of
bringing trade to the rice-mills, as well as to give effect to the Hs
tion, Since February 1870, no ocean-going ships have pigs
port; and the arrivals of 1867-68 may be looked upon as the
response of the mercantile community to the endeavours) made
Company, and aided by the Government, to rise Canning
position of a port auxiliary to Calcutta.
222 PORTUGUESE POSSESSIONS.
dency ; situated in lat. rr” 29' 25". and long. 79” 48" 13" &, 145 miles
south of Madras, and 32 miles south of Pondicherri, at the mouth
of the river Vellar, Population (1881) 7823. Hindus number 4qor ;
Muhammadans, 3350; and Christians, 72. Considerable trade with
Ceylon and Achin, The port is frequented exclusively by native craft,
of which, in 1875, 248 (tonnage 16,700) called, Value of exports in
the same year, £56,000; of imports, £9500. In 1881-82, the number
of native craft arriving was 97 (tonnage 8812); the number leaving was
105 (tonnage goz2). Value of exports in 1881-82, £14,750; of
imports, £so10. In the previous year, 1880-81, the value of the i imports
was £4244; and value of exports, £23,198, elo
When the English commenced trading here in 1682, they found the
Danes and Portuguese already established. In 1749, the Madras army,
marching against ‘Tanjore, halted at Porto Novo for a while; in 1780,
Haidar Ali plundered the town. In 1781, Sir Eyre Coote marched out
of Porto Novo with Soc men to meet the whole army of Mysore,
some 60,000 strong, under Haidar; and in the battle which ensued,
won the most signal victory of the war, and practically saved? ‘the
Presidency,
Porto Novo is interesting also as the scene of English piesa
enterprise, From 1824, and for many years afterwards, éfforts had
been made to establish ironworks here. A company called the Porto
Novo Iron Company established a large factory ; but, after
of patient endeavour, the enterprise had to be abandoned, To
facilitate the carriage of the iron-ores, which were brought by water
from Salem, the old Khin S#hib’s canal was made navigable in be
by the construction of 3 locks,—one where the canal debouches into
the Vellar, nearly opposite the town of Porto Novo; the second where
it leaves the Viranam tank; and the third a little lower down, ‘The’ _
Tron Company cut a short canal of their own from the Velldr into the
backwater adjoining the embouchure of the Coleroon, down which they
used to float their ore in basket boats to Porto Novo before the Khim
Sihib's canal was rendered navigable. ‘The Company's canal, which is
only about 2 miles long, is now ‘much silted up. ‘The excavation of the
East Coast Canal at Porto Novo was commenced in 1853, and ¢on-
siderable progress was made up to 1857, when the Mutiny seems to have
put a stop to it, as it did to many other public works, A small expen-
diture would probably render the canal navigable for boats from the
Vellér to the Paravanar, and so to Cuddalore ; but the construction of
the railway has rendered such expenditure hardly necessary. ‘The
only special manufacture of Porto Novo is.a species of mat, made from
the leaves of the wild pineapple, in imitation of similar mats of an
exceedingly soft and elegant make imported from Achin.
Portuguese Possessions—The Portuguese Possessions in India
|
204 PRATAPGARH ZAMINDARI—PRODDATUR,
Pratdépgarh.—Zamindéri estate in the north-west of Chhindwdrt
District, Central Provinces, near Motir; comprising an arca of 289
Square miles, with 140 villages, and 3203 houses. Population (1882)
17,078, namely, sales 8727, and females 83st, Together with Sonpur,
Pratépgarh once formed part of the Hardi chiefship; but at the begin
ning of this century it was separated, and came under the management
of the Hardi chief’s brother, The present (1884) chief is a minor, and
the estate (which contains a fine sdf forest) is under Government
management, Principal village and residence of the chief, Pagdré,
population (1881) 342,
(or Chinna Kimed!)—Zaminddrt in Ganjim District,
Madras Presidency,—-See Kimrpt,
Prataépnagar. — Chief village of Jamiri Fiscal Division in tbe:
District of the Twenty-four Pargands, Bengal; situated in lat. 22° 23"
5° s,, and long 89° 15’ 15” &, on the bank of the Kholpetiia river.
Contains 2 large rice mart; in 1857 the seat of the principal revenue
court of the local landholder,
Prattipddu, — Village in Guntdr #i/ué, Kistna District, Madras
Presidency. Lat. 16° 12's, long. 80°24" x. Population (18 pr) 7585,
inhabiting 2051 houses; and (1881) 3181, inhabiting 582 houses,
Hindus number 2722; Muhammadans, 273 ; and Christians, 186. ths
village is 10 miles distant from Guntir, ‘Temples. Post-oflice.
Premtoli.—Village in Rijshihi t, Bengal. Lat. 24° 24° 40"
N., long. 88° 25'15" 8. An annual religious trading fair is held here on
the 2oth day of the moon of Aswin, to celebrate the anniversary of the
visit of the reformer-saint Chaitanya. to Gaur, the former capital of |
Lower Bengal.
Proddatur.—Zii/uk or Sub-division of Cuddapah (Kadapa) District,
Madras Presidency. Area, 487 square miles. Population an
99,653, namely, 45,732 males and 44,921 females, dwelling in x town:
and or villages, containing 19,166 houses. jus number 78,5645
Muhammadans, 10,184 5 Christians, 1912; and ‘others,’ 3. ‘The prin-
cipal soil is the black cotton soil, and cotton isthe chief product. In
the valleys of the Penner and the Kinder, ‘dry’ grains and rice are
raised by means of irrigation. Indigo is also grown, ‘Lhe
Cuddapah irrigation and navigation canal traverses the d/l, a
timber on the high slopes of the hills is valuable} in’ 1883-84,
square miles were ‘reserved,’ In 1883 the Aé/uk contained 1 pee)
2 criminal courts; police circles, 6; village watch (chawkiddrs), 63
men. Land revenue, £21,113. .
Proddatir (Fudéatirv).—Town in Cuddapah (Kadapa) Diasia,
Madras Presidency. Lat. 14° 45’ ., long. 78" 35' 207 E.
(1871) 6709, inbabiting 1334 houses; and (1881) 6510, b
1440 houses. Hindus number 4828; Muhammadans, 16675 —
falling into the Tha-nf near Nyaung-bin-tha; the Kyauk-bd, another
tributary of the Thani; the ‘Thale-dan streams, which rise in the
‘Arakan range and unite | hear Ma-taung, 17 miles from the village of i
‘Tha-te-dan, where their combined waters reach the Trawadl,
‘The hill country east of the Trawadi and north-east of Prome town
is drained by the Na-wiy system of rivers, of which the most important
are the South Na-win, falling into the Irawadi at Prome, and its
affluents the North Na-win, the Chaung-sauk (Khyoung-tsouk), and the
‘Tin-gyi, all of which take their rise in the Pegu Yomas, and
join the Irawadi, Though all these rivers are to a certain extent navig-
able by boats, yet they are at present mainly important as the routes by
which the valuable timber of the hill country is floated down the Irawadi
to be lashed'into rafts at the mouth of the Na-win, The plains in the
south of Prome are watered by a series of streams forming the Myit-
mavka system. The chief of these are—the Zeh, which flows into the
Inma (Eng-ma) swamp; the Shweleh; the Kyat, rising in Tharawadi
District, where it is known asthe Taungayo; and the Mybae eons
portion of the Hiainc River.
‘The District contains two lakes—the In-ma and the Shwe-daung
Myo-ma, The Di-dat swamp, on the east bank of the Irawadi, is a
depression i in the plains supplied by the annual overflow of the pean!
in the rains it is 7 feet deep, but dries up in the hot season.
‘The forest area of the teak localities on the west side of ecient
is estimated at 40 square miles, with about 200 first-class trees. Between
the Pegu Yomas and the Trawadi are vast forests of ix, thit-yw (S
robusta), fa-gyie (Shorea siamensis), and ¢hiMest. ‘Teak occurs
over the hills, and the average annual yield since the threeyear
system was introduced in 1862 has beca about 19009 logs:
‘The forests of the Province are now worked by the Pegu Circle officers
of the Forest Department. The Shweleh forests, with an estin
arca of 95 square miles, contain some of the most valuable teak in
Many other varieties of timber, such as pyimgade, padaub,
sha, kuk-ko, abound, It has been calculated that as many as
padauk trees, 1100 kuk-ke, and 130,000 sha were felled annually wnti
these trees were reserved. The Chaung-sauk teak plantation occupies
an area of 561 acres in 1884. Receipts of the Forest Department in
1883-84, £7581; expenditure, £4502.
History. —Fact and fable are so interwoven in the early history:
once flourishing kingdom of Prome, that it is impossible to
the true from the false. Tt is most probable that the area of distrib
of Gautama Buddha's relics after his death in 543 mc marks the li
of his forty-five years’ wanderings, yetall Burmese historians assert th
he visited and preached in Burma. The Prome chronicles b
relating the foundation of Prome in accordance with a prophecy.
228 PROME.
thus have ascended the throne civee roy mc. He is stated to have
‘been the rith monarch since the foundation of the capital; but this
would give over forty years as the average length of the reign of his
predecessors, except that of Dut-ta-baung, who, it is. swerted) reigned
for seventy years.
The Te-pa dynasty occupied the throne of ‘Tharekhettm for 202
years, or until 95 A.p., when the monarchy was broken up by civil war
and an invasion by the Kan-ran tribe from Arakan. ‘The last hing was
‘Thu-pa-nya. His nephew Thamun-do-rit fled first to Taungngu,
south-east of Prome; he then crossed the Trawadi to Pa-daung, bar
being still harassed by the Kan-rans, he went northwards to. Min-
dun. He finally recrossed the river, and founded the city of Lower
Pagan, in 108 a.p, In establishing his new kingdom he was greatly
assisted by a scion of the old Tagaung race of kings, named Pyu-
min-tl or Pyu-saw-ti, who married his daughter and afterwards suc-
cceded him.
From about the middle of the r4th to the beginning of the 16th
century, the greater part of the Pagan kingdom was parcelled out
amongst a crowd of adventurers from the Shan States. In about 1365,
a descendant of the old Tu-gaung dynasty succeeded in reestablishing
the Burmese monarchy, but it lasted only a few years,
In 1404, Kazadi-it, king of the ‘Talaing kingdom on the south, the
capital of which was at Pegu, invaded Burma; and passing by Prome
and Myedch, ravaged the country near the chief city, Ava. Towards:
the close of the rsth century, the power of the rulers at Ava may be
said to have ceased. Their dominions were divided amongst a number
of independent Burmanized Shan Saw-bwas or chiefs, one of whom was:
settled at Taung-ngu. In 1530, Min-tara-shwe-ti, or Ta-binshweti,
ascended the throne of Taungngu; and four years later, commenced
his aggressive career by invading Pegu, In two campaigns, the power
of the Talaing king was broken, and he fled to Prome, and Min
tara-shwe-ti fixed his at Pegu. An alliance was formed against
him by the kings of Ava, Prome, and Arakan; but their forces wene
successively routed by Ta-bin-shwe+ti and his renowned! general, Barine
naung, in the neighbourhood of Prome, which surrendered in 1542) In
the later years of his life, Ta-bin-shwe-ti is said to have associated witha
dissipated Portuguese adventurer; and he was murdered in May 1550,
after a glorious reign of twenty years, in which time he had ratked
himself from being merely Saw-bwa of ‘Taung-ngu to the position of
lord paramount over Pegu, Tenasserim, and Upper Burma, as far as
Pagan, with the kings of Burma and Siam paying him tribute. He was
succeeded by the general to whom much of his military success was
owing, viz. Burin-naung, who assumed the title of Shin-pyu-myashin
(literally, ‘Lord of many Elephants’), from the fact of his having taken
230 PROME,
the fact that in the decade since 1872, an increase of 47,470 had
taken place. In 1881, males were found to number 161,433, females
160,909; density per square mile, rr6, The people dwelt in 5
towns and 1647 villages, containing together 62,800 oceupied be
1675 unoccupied houses; towns and villages per square mile, °$7 5
houses per square mile, 22°3; persons per house, 51. Distribut
as regards religion, Hindus number only 978, and Muhammadans
1795; Christians number 484; Nat or demon worshippers, 58195
Piirsis, 5; but by far the largest portion of the population, number~
ing 3t3,26t, or 97'2 per cent, are Buddhists, Of the Muhan-
madans, goz are Sunnis, 813 Shids, 21 Wahitbis, 21 Faraiels, and
38 ‘others.’ Of the Christians, 290 are Baptists, 121 members of
the Church of England, 49 Reman Catholirs, and the remainder,
dissenters, followers of the Greek Church, and unspecified. Of the
total Christians returned, 935 are natives. ‘Taking language as a
test of race, pure Burmese number 301,214; Arakanese, 192; Chins,
10,662; Karens, 3021; Talaings, 10; Shans, 3602; Chinese, 3713
Hindustinfs, 1552; Bengalis, 158; ‘Tamils, gro; Manipuris, 963;
English, 95 ; and a few of other foreign or cognate nationalities.
‘The Census distributes the male population into the following six
main groups :—(r) Professional class, including State officials of every
kind and members of the learned professions, 3805; (2) domestic
servants, inn and lodging keepers, 508; (3) commercial class, in
bankers, merchants, carriers, ete., 49355 (4) agricultural and pastoral —
class, including gardeners, 56,744; (5) industrial class, including all
manufacturers and artisans, 17,700; and (6) indefinite and noo-
productive class, comprising all male children, general labourers, and
persons of unspecified ‘occupation, 7741.
‘The Kyins or Chins, a portion of the mountain race which extends fir
north into Upper Burma and westward into Arakan, are found
to the west of the Irawadi, When living near the Burmese, the me
adopt the Burmese costume much more readily than the women,
tattooed faces unmistakably betray their origin,
is Buddhism, ‘The Shans are settlers from the north-east of me
patient hard-working people. The Manipuris, locally called Kathays,
were brought to Prome as Burmese captives, and are ‘Hindus in religion.
‘They are principally engaged in silk-weaving. ‘The natives of India —
the Chinese are immigrants engaged in cattle-dealing and trade. It
impossible to give with complete accuracy the number of persons
dependent upon agriculture, as many combine the occupations of
agriculturists and fishermen as the season serves, and still more have,
under the charge of members of their families, small retail shops for the
sale of almost every kind of article, ‘The number, however, returned:
in the Census Report (1881) as agriculturists—that is, as employed in
;
232 PROME,
hills opposite, are numerous fruit-gardens, the custard apple predominat-
ing, no des Sen acvet Orig Piste tes aca ae
cover an area of 15,580 acres.
‘The faungya or nomadic $fuctal Gf culnyulon lance ecetaaly
adopted than in any other District of Lower Burma, the estimated area
being 12,347 acres in 1882-83. A portion of the forest is cleared,
and the timber felled early in the dry season; just before the rains it
is fired, and the logs and brushwood reduced to ashes. On the first
fall of rain, the erop is sown ; and after it has been reaped, the clearing
again becomes waste. One kind of injury generally caused is the
over-luxuriant growth of dense jungle that immediately springs up;
but in this District the fertilizing effect of the ashes has the opposite
result, for an unusual number of young teak and other valuable fas
are found on deserted faungya clearings. .
In 1882-83, the total area under cultivation in Prome District was
239,52 acres, the average holding of each cultivator being 7 acres,
In 1877-78, the area under rice was 1$1,920 acres; tobacco, 2154
acres; vegetables, 3747 acres; fruittrees, 12,155 acres: the area
under cotton in 1876-77 was 1529 acres. In 1881, the area under
Tice was 196,543 acres; tobacco, 2732 acres; vegetables, 3ox4
acres ; fruittrees, 17,436 acres; cotton, 2606 acres, “The figures for
1882-83 ure—rice, 198,560 acres; tobacco, 3326 acres; vegetables,
2457 acres; fruittrces, 16,171 acres; and cotton, 3093 acres.
In Pa-daung the land is a good deal encumbered with debt and
obligations, owing probably to its having been more thickly peopled
in former years, and to many of the inhabitants having crossed the
river to Shwe-danog and mortgaged their land to obtain funds for
trading. But,as a rule, proprietors everywhere live close to their landed
property. The rates of rent per acre in 1882-83 were—rice-land,
from 8s. to £1, 10s.; land for oil-seeds, 10s.; land for cotton, 108. 5
land for tobacco, £15 ¢awngya land, 10s.; garden land for fruity
trees, £3, 10s. ; land for pulses, 6s, Compared with the average for
the whole Province, these rates are high in respect of land for tobacco,
cotton, and particularly fruit-trees, The produce per acre from each
sort of land yearly was as follows in 1882-83 :—Rice, 1485 Ibs.3 tobacco,
1606 Ibs,; vegetables, 730 Ibs. ; cotton, x06 Ibs, ; and oil-seeds, 584 Ibs
Prices current in the same year were—rice, 75, 64d. per avaund (So
Ibs.) 5 tobacco, 9s. 7d. per maund ; cotton, 6s. 7d. per mawnd ; and oie
seeds, r1s, rod. per maund, In 1882-83, the price of a plough-bullock
was £5; ofa sheep or a goat, £1, 125. ; of an elephant, £90; of a
buffalo, £7; and of a Pegu pony, £9. Fish soldat 3d. perlb, The
agricultural stock of the District included in 18$2-83—cows and
bullocks, 128,879; horses and ponies, 464; sheep and goats, Go4 5
pigs, 12,770; buffaloes, 31,390; elephants, 8; carts, 32,8185 ploughs,
LL
234 PROME, — *
‘ire manufactured to a small extent. Only women are em, at this
craft, and one woman can turn out about goo cheroots
‘Telegraph lines run from Rangoon mid Paungdeh ‘and Shwe-daung
to Thayst-myo, and from Prometo Taung-gupin Arakan. All: messages.
a Upper Burma and the whole country east of iit awe ae
Rangoon, to Calcutta and Europe, pass by this latter
chief road in the District is that from eee
across the Wek-put and Nawin streams, to Prome, Soon after the
annexation of Pegu, a military road was constructed over the Arakan
range, but it is now in disrepair. The Irawadi Valley (State) Railway
traverses the District, with stations at Paung-deh, Sinmyisweh, Theh-
gon, Hmaw-za (Moza), and Prome, Total length of railroad within the
District, 38} miles. Numerous dry-weather cart-tracks connect village
with village. The mails are carried from Rangoon by the railway daily,
and thence to Thayet-myo by steamer of the Trawadi Flotilla Company,
which now plies daily instead. of once a week os formerly.
Administration.—Under native rule the larger portion of the imperial
income was derived from a poll-tax levied by the chief local authority,
but the assessments on each house were left to the village shujgyh
Certain royal lands near Prome were held by a cliss of tenants
called Lamaing, on payment of a rent of half the produce—a kind
of tenure whieh existed nowhere else in the Province. The gross
revenue in 1869=70, before Thayet-myo was separated from Prome, was
430,328, of which £28,457 was derived from land and £34,069 from
capitation dues. The gross revenue in 1877-75 amounted to £68,574;
the expenditure was £ts,913. In 1881, the gross revenue was
478,817; and in 1882-83, £92,676 Of the latter sum, £29238
was derived from Jand. ‘The remainder accrued from
minor taxes. The local revenue raised in 1877-78 (excluding =
of Prome town) amounted to £6323 ; and in 1881 to 67187. Under
Burmese rule, the District was divided into small independent tracts,
administered by wue and myo-thigyh, under whom were
rwa or village thigyf, and kyedangye. ‘The officers in charge all come
municated directly with the court at Ava. Under British rule, Prome
‘has been split up into 6 townships, each under a myouwk or an extra
Assistant Commissioner, who is entrusted with limited fiscal, judicial,
and police powers The number of #higy! has been reduced from
140 to 120, ‘The townships are Ma-ha-tha-man, Shweleh, Paung-deh,
‘Theh-gon, Shwe-dating, and Pa-daung, Prome town is a municipality;
income in 1882-83, £1228. Over the whole District is a Deputy
Commissioner, with § Assistants. In 1877 the regular police force
consisted of 379 officers and men paid from Provincial revenues The
‘total cost was £9681. In 1882-83 the regular police force consisted
of 467 officers and men; total cost, 411,984. There are courts in the
236 PROME TOWN,
river bank are the police office, the Government school, the court-
houses, the church, and the telegraph station. The Strand road
traverses the town from north to south, and from it numerous well-laid
roads run eastwards. North of Shinsu is the great Shwesan-daw
Pagoda, conspicuous among the dark foliage of the trees covering the
slopes of the hill on which it stands. In the Na-win quarter, a large
trade in nga-pf or fish-paste is carried on. Here are the markets, con-
sisting of four distinct buildings, Farther south, overlooking the river
and separated from it by the Strand, are the charitable dispensary and
Lock hospital—wooden buildings, well raised above the ground. ‘The
railway station, at present the terminus of the Irawadi Valley (State)
Railway, lies a little south of the court-houses, The town was almost
entirely destroyed by fire in 1862.
Prome is mentioned in ancient histories as the capital ofa great
kingdom before the Christian era, but the town-spoken of was ‘Tha-re~
khettra (Sri-kshettra), some miles inland, of which traces still exist,
After the destruction of Tha-re-khettra, about the end of the 1st
century, Prome belonged sometimes to Ava, sometimes to Pegu, and
sometimes was independent, But since the conquest of Pegu by
Alaung-paya, it remained a Burmese town until Pegu was annexed
by the British in 1853. In 1825, during the first Anglo-Burmese
war, when Sir Archibald Campbell was advancing on the capital,
endeavours were made to induce him to halt before reaching
Prome, but he declined entering into negotiations Upon the
first appearance of our troops, the place was partly burned by the
Burmese, and though strongly fortified, it was deserted. After the
signing of the Treaty of Yandabu in 1826, the British evacuated Prome
District with the rest of the Irawadi valley, During the second Anglo
Burmese war in 1852, the town was attacked by the flotilla under
Commander Tarleton, and taken ; but almost immediately abandoned,
as there were no troops to hold it. Three months Jater, in October of
that year, the advance from Rangoon took place. The flotilla arrived —
off Prome on the morning of the gth, and each ship was cammonaded —
as it passed up, but with little effect. Aftera short contest, the place —
was again occupied. On the 15th of October, Maha Bandula, the
Burmese commander, surrendered, and the enemy were driven out of —
the District. Gradually the country settled down, and a regular civil —
government was established, The British garrison in Prome first
encamped on the hills south of the town, but were subsequently trans-
ferred to Nwa-ma-yan, near Shwedaung. In 1854 they were removed
to Thayet-myo, which was nearer the frontier, and supposed to be —
healthier.
In 1872 the population of Prome town was returned at 31,857,
inclusive of all wayfarers and casual inhabitants. In 1877 the popula:
238 PUDUKATTAL TOWN—PUKHRA.
weaving is carried on, Manufactures of cloths, blankets, and mats.
‘The gross revenue of the State is £60,000, but the alienations of land
revenue are extensive. Members of the Réja's family hold 110,000
acres, 95,627 acres have been granted to temples, and 9584 acres to
almshouses. The indms or rent-free grants held by Brihmans, and
the various service tenures, amount to 100,oco acres. After these
deductions, only 3 fékhs (say £30,000) of the revenue is payable to
the Rajd. ‘The following statistics relate to the year 188283 :—!
revenue, £29,998; State expenditure on public works, 453265 00
State jewels, £5400; strength of police, 177 officers and men; number
of convicts in jail, 87, cost of maintenance £529; number of pupils
in the R4ji’s College, 3375 dispensary—in-door patients 137, and
out-door 10,576 ; number of persons successfully vaccinated, 2397.
‘Total force, including village police and personal retinue, 3636.
‘The first connection of the British Government with this chief, then
usually called Tondaman (a family name derived from the Tamil word
meaning ‘a ruler’), was formed at the siege of Trichinopoli in t753)
when the British army greatly depended on his fidelity and exertions
for supplies. Subsequently he was serviceable in the wars with
Haidar Ali and in the Palogdr war, the name given to the open
tions against the usurpers of the large saminddré of Si
in Madura District after the cession of the Karnitik. In 1803 he
solicited as a reward for his services the favourable consideration of
his claim to the fort and district of Kilanelli, situated in the southern
part of ‘Tanjore. ‘This claim was founded on a grant by Pratép Singh,
Rajd of Tanjore, and on engagements afterwards entered into by
Colonel Braithwaite, General Coote, and Lord Macartney, The
Government of Madras granted the fort and district of Kilanelli; and
the cession was confirmed by the Court of Directors, with the con
dition that the revenue should not be alienated, and that it should
revert to the British Government upon proof being given at/any ba
that the inhabitants laboured under oppression.
‘The present Rj, Ramachandra ‘Tondaman Bahddur, has seoctued
a sanad granting the right of adoption, He exercises independent
jurisdiction, but is considered as an ally subject to the advice of the
British Government. He maintains a military force of 126 infantry,
24 cavalry, and 3260 militia, besides armed servants and watchmen.
‘The succession follows the law of primogeniture,
Pudukattai (Pvedoocottak).—Chief town of Pridikattdi State,
Madras Presidency, Lat. 10° 23' N., long. 78" 51’ 51° & Population
(1871) 33,978: (1881) 15,384, of whom 7274 are males and S10
females, Hindus number 14,089; Muhammadans, 914; Christians,
381. An unusually clean, airy, and well-built town.
Pukhra—Town in Bara Banki District, Oudh; situated 5 miles
=i) etal: Bilan ss
240 PULIKONDA—PULLAMPET,
Cochrane's Canal. There used to be a considerable trade between
Pulicat and the Straits Settlements, but of late years this has
considerably declined. The old Dutch cemetery, which was rescued
from preety by Sir Charles Trevelyan, contains many well-cur tomb-
stones, some of them nearly 309 years old. Roman Catholics resort
to Pulicat in great numbers on certain feast days. ’
Piilikonda (Pudlicondak, from Paititondai, ‘you Vie down”. —
Village in Vellore thlak, North Arcot District, Madras Presidency ;
situated in lat r2* 54° qo" x, and long. 75° 59° &, on the road
from Madras by Vellore to Bangalore distantsftem, the former place
97 miles, and from the latter 115 miles. Population (1881) 2405,
inhabiting 357 houses. It lies at the base of a high hill near the right
or southern bank of the Palir, ‘The trade is chiefly carried on by
Labbays (Lubbais). Gunny-bags are manufactured, ‘The sacred name
for the place is Adirangam. Annual fair; post-office ; fine pagoda.
Pilivendala (lit, Pili-mandalam «the abode of tigers),—Tulu& or
Sub-division of Cuddapah (Kadapa) District, Madras
Area, yor square miles, Population, (1881) 95,617; namely, eet
males and 46,611 females, dwelling in 2 towns and 103.
taining 19,787 houses. Hindus number 87,462; Mihara
8127; Christians, 27; and ‘others’ 1. ‘The Aé/wé is hilly; and the
greater portion of the land is unirrigated. Throughout the western-
most half spreads the rich loam known as cotton soil, Along the
eastern limits of the Af/wk, the waters of the Papaghni irrigate a
large area on both banks. Cotton and cholam (Pennisetum
typhoideum) divide the greater part of the land between them,
Other cereals and pulses, with oil-seeds, indigo, are also Brown.
Before the subjugation by the English of the Ceded Districts in
1800, Pulivendala si/wk was given up to the rule of several small
pélegdrs, whose memories still linger round their now, ruined forts:
dotted here and there over the country, These forts are, as a rule,
a mud enclosure, about 100 yards square, surrounded by ditch and
glacis, At cach corner stands a round tower, and midway between
each two corner towers a square bastion, loop-holed, as is the whole
face of the wall, for musketry. In 1883 the fd/ué contained 2 criminal
courts; police circles (¢hdnds), 10; regular police, 79 men, Land
revenue, £18,35; —
Palivendala,— Town in Cuddapah District, Madras, and head.
quarters of Pulivendala #é/wk. Population (1881) 1885, nti
397 houses. Government garden ; post-office.
Pullampet.— Zii/ué or Subdivision of Cuddapah (Kadapa) Dist
Madras Presidency. Area, about 979 square miles, Population (s881)
¥34,366, namely, 68,162 males and 66,204 females, dwelling iu
130 villages, containing 29,667 houses, Hindus, number 126,s933 |
242 PUNASA—PUNGANUR, ‘
numbered 6162; Muhammadans, 814; and Christians, 694, The
permanent European population of the place are chiefly
A convalescent depét for British troops from the whole Madras
Presidency and Burma is located here, the climate being very salu-
brious.. The number of men is usually about rsa A fine hospital,
with go beds, is built on the site of the old fort, the walls of which
have been levelled. There is no garrison, The fort played a con-
spicuous part in the wars of the Karndtik, Post-office and Government
use.
Pundsa.—Town in the north of Nimér District, Central Provinees ;
situated in lat. 22° rq’ N., and long. 76° 26’ &., 33 miles from Khandwi
Once a considerable place, held by Tudr chiefs. The fort, built in
1730 by Rém Kushal Singh, afforded a refuge for European families
during the Mutiny in 1857, The country round is mostly waste,
having never recovered from the ravages of the Pinddris; it has now
been converted into a Government reserved forest. The large”
was repaired by Captain French in 1846. A market is held every
Saturday.
Pandri.—Town and municipality in Kaith4l fafirif, Karnal District,
Punjab. Lat. 29° 45’ 30° ., long. 76° 36' 15° E., situated on the bank
of an extensive tank, known as the Piindrak ¢a/do, which gives its mame
to the town, and which nearly half surrounds it with bathing places
and flights of steps leading to the water, Population (1881) 4977,
namely, Hindus, 3343; Muhammadans, 1630; Sikhs, 3; and Jain, 1.
Number of houses, 342. Municipal income (1883-84), £196, or an
average of ghd. per head. The town is surrounded by a mud wall
with four gates, and nearly all the streets are paved. Several large
brick houses, and a good brick swrd/ or native inn. Little traile.
School and police station.
Punddr,—Tract of country in Keunthdl State, Panjab, lying
between 30° 58! and 31° 4’. lat, and between 77° 35’ and 77° 42
E, Jong. (Thornton). It consists of a mountain ridge, running north
cast and south-west, with an estimated elevation of from Gooo to 7000
feet above sea-level, It formerly belonged to Jubbal State, but after the
expulsion of the Gurkhas it devolved upon the East India Company,
who transferred it to
‘Pungam “
Presidency. Area, 523 square mi an 72,143, namely,
36,377 males and 35,766 females welling in x hosel and 68 villages,
andi Christians, 139
estate lies above the hats, in the northwest comer of the
District. Mysore State bounds it on the west. Large game is
abundant, and twenty-five years ago (1860) elephants were found. An
244 PUNJAB,
‘India north of Sind and Rajputina and west of the river Jumna. The
is bounded on the north by Kashmir, mere) and the Hill
‘States of Swét and Boner; on the east by the river Jurnna (Jamun),
the North-Western Provinces, and the Chinese Empire ; on the south
by Sind, the river Sutlej (Satlaj), and Rajputdna; and on the west by
Afghinistin and Khelit (Bahichistén). ‘The capital of the Punjab is
Lanors, situated in about the centre Province, but the principal
city in population and importance is DeLut, the ancient metropolis of
the Mughal dynasty.
‘The table on pp, 245 and 246 shows the Divisions and Districts of
‘the Punjab, with the area and population of each in 1881, together
with the Native States.
Physical Aspocts—In its strict etymological sense, the Punjab, or
region of the Five Rivers, comprises only the tract of country enclosed
and watered by the confluent streams of the Surin) (Satlaj), the Beas
(Bids), the Ravi, the Cuenas (Chindb), and the Jemam (Jhelum),
Bue modern territorial arrangements have Included under the same
designation three other well-demarcated tracts, namely—the Sind Sagar
Dosb, or wedge of land between the Punjab Proper and the Indus ;
the Derajdt, or narrow strip of country west of the Indus, and
stretching up to the Sulaimdn mountains ; and the cis-Sutlej Districts,
or table-land of Sirhind, between the Punjab Proper and the Jemma
(Jamund), the greater part of which belongs historically and physi- »
cally to the North-Western Provinces, though now transferred for
adininistrative purposes to the Lieutenant-Governor at Lahore.
As stated above, the Punjab includes two classes of territory, namely,
32 British Districts, and the States of 34 native chiefs, almost all
of whom pay tibute in some form or other, and all of whom are
subject, more or less, to control by the local government. Of the
107,010 square miles included in British territory, 11,170 square
miles are irrigated, 36,656 square miles are cultivated, 36,706 square
miles more are classed as cultivable, and would repay the labour of
the husbandman were means of irrigation available, while the remain-
ing 33648 square miles consist of inhospitable mountain-sides or
uncultivable waste.
‘The dominions of the 34 native chiefs vary in size and importance,
from the principalities of Patidla and Bahawalpur, with areas of 500
and 17,300 square miles, and populations of 1,500,000 and 600,c00
respectively, and ruled over by chiefs subject only to the most general
supervision, to the tiny State of Darkuti, with an area of 4 square miles
and a total population of 590 souls, whose ruler is independent in little
‘more than the name. They may be grouped under three main classes,
‘The Hill States, lying among the Punjab Himalayas, and held by some
[Sentence continued on f. 247.
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248 PUNJAB.
running in a generally north-westerly direction from the head-waters of
the Sutlej to the Indus,—the Western Himdlayas or Zanskar or Bara
Lacha range, the mid-Himalayas ‘of Pir Panjal range, and | ‘the outer or
sub-Himdlayas, From these three great ranges spring numerous
minor ranges as ribs from a backbone, the whole forming a confused
system of mountain chains and valleys, the breadth of which is some
ge miles at its eastern extremity, from Lahul to the Siwilike of
Hoshidrpar, and some 150 miles measured at its) mee esl
across Kashmir.
The Western Himélayas.—The Western Himslaya or Zande. or
Bira Lacha range separates the valley of the Upper Indus which Bes
to ils north from the mountain-basins of the five Punjab rivers, It
runs from the sources of the Sutlej along the northern borders of
Kanawar in Bashahs, Spiti, Lahul, Pangi (in Chamba) and the Kashmir
valley, till pierced by the Indus at the base of the mighty Nanga:
Parbat. Thence it passes on to join the Pamir and Hindu Kisls near
the sources of the Kuner and Gilghit rivers. It separates the Aryans
of India from the Bhotias of Tibet, and the cold, dry, treeless steppes
of Central Asia from the Juxuriant humidity of India. The average
height is 19,000 feet, or greater than that of the Andes; the average
height of the peaks being 20,770 feet, and that of the passes 15,700
feet. The snow-line lies at 18,500 feet on the southern and at 19,000:
feet on the northern face.
The Mid-Himdlayas.—The mid-Himdlaya or Pir Panjal range divides.
the valleys of Spiti, Ldhul, and Kashmir on the north from those of
Kulu, Plich, and Chamba on the south, and terminates on the Indus
at the Hazéra border in the celebrated peak of Mahiban, though the
‘Swat range may perhaps be considered its tans-Indus continuation.
Tts general direction is north-west, and it is divided into three well
marked sections by the great rivers which pierce its chain. ‘The
easternmost or Bashabr range is an offshoot of the Western Himdlayas,
and extends for a distance of 60 miles from Jamnotri to the Suthej.
below Ghatul, Beyond the Sutlej it is continued by the Labul range,
which runs for 160 miles to the great southward sweep.of the Chemab
in Kishowdr (Kashmir), Thence the Pfr Panjdl runs for about, 180.
miles to the great southward sweep of the Jehlam at Muzaffaritsid, and
across Jehlam and Hazdra Districts to the Indus at Darband. The
average height of its peaks is 19,000, of its passes 15,520, and of the
chain 17,900 feet in the Bashahr and Lihul. sections, ‘The Pir Panjal
range is probably some sooo feet lower, The snowline is at sbcoad
fect on the northern, and 17,000 feet on the southern face.
The Outer Himdiayas.—The outer ar sub-Himdlayas stretch in a
north-westerly direction, through Suket and Mandi and between Kangra
and Chamba, for a distance of some 300 miles, and terminate on the
250 PUNJAB.
in a confused mass of mountains, among
and the Kagdn vatley stretches out, like a
Enis
ranges
‘Himalayas and of the Safed Koh enclose to the
constitutes Peshdwar District; while the northern conti
the Sulaimdns runs up the western border of Bat
meet the Safed Koh, and throws out eastwards a serie
which cover the whole of Kohdt District, The circuit
by the Salt Range, which, starting from opposite
the mid-Himdlayas abut upon the Jehlam, runs first
bank of the river, then westwards across Shidhpur
to the Indus, where it turns down the right bank of that
Bann District, and follows the boundary between Bannu
Ismail till it joins the Sulaimdns. Rising abruptly from
and the great desert which lies to the south of it as a steep rocky
Tange of from 2000 to 5000 feet in height, the Salt Range of Jehlam
and Shdhpur falls away imperceptibly to. the north into a great table:
land enclosed by the range itself, the Hazira hills, and the Indus
river, crossed in every direction by chains of low hills, and cut up by
the streams which issue from them into innumerable ravines, Tt is this
table-land which constitutes the Districts of Jehlam and Rawal Pindi,
Lhe River System.—Vhe Himilayas, which stretch from Norther
Punjab and Kashmir far away into Tibet, give birth to seven great
rivers, which, after pursuing their courses for, in some cases, many
hundreds of miles among snow-clad mountain ranges, dcbouch on to
the plain country, and traverse the Punjab in a southerly dires-
tion on their way to the ocean. ‘The hills once fairly left belsind,
their fall seldom exceeds 2 fect in the mile, and their course is in
‘consequence exceedingly inconstant, varying, often considerably, from
| Thus in the process of time each stream has cut for
iverain lying well below the level of the surrounding
inks of which mark on either side the extreme limits of
* ithin these low lands, over the whole of which
n some time or other flowed, the river winds its way
in a narrow and evershifting channel, In the winter the stream is
cor ively small; but as the mountain snows melt under the
approach of the Indian summer, the waters rise and overflow the
‘surrounding country, often to a distance of several miles on cither
bank, As the cold returns at the close of the miny season, the waters
recede, leaving wide expanses of fertile loam or less fertile sand, moist
for the hand of the cultivator,
uu
: E
ine
#2
if
252 PUNJAB.
Jehlam at about the tidway point ofits course in the plains, and thoxe
of the Ravi about 50 miles lower down.
The Beas and Révi,—Between the Sutlej and Chena flow the smaller
streams of the Beas and the Ravi, The former rises in the Kula
Himdlayas, runs westwards through Mandi and Kangra, enters the
plains at the north-western extremity of Hoshidrpur District, and joins
the Sutlej after a south-western course of about 7o miles, “The latter
rises in Chamba, enters the plains about 15 miles west of the Beas, and
flows 260 miles to the south-west, to join the Chendb about go miles
above the confluence of that river with the Sutlej.
The Jehlam.—Kinally, the Jeblam, rising in Kashmir, flows due south
along the boundary between that State and Hazdra District for a
distance of 1co miles, and enters the plains at the town of Jehlam,
whence it flows south-west for reo miles, as far at Shahpur, and then
7o miles farther in a southerly direction till it joins the Chenib 45°
iniles above its confluence with the Sutlej.
The Punjab Plains—Sourh of the great Himilayas stretch the great
plains which constitute by far the larger portion of the Province. If we
except the Himdlayan and Salt Range tracts, the Punjab presents, from
the Jumna in the east to the Sulaimins in the west, one vast level,
unbroken save by the wide eroded channels within which the great
rivers ever shift their beds, by the insignificant spurs of the Aravalli
mountain system in the south-eastem corner of the Provinee, and by
the low hills of Chiniot and Karina in Jhang. ‘From the watershed of
the Jumna the slope is uniformly westwards towards the Tndus basin,
broken locally by the successive steps which part the catchmest-basing
of the Punjab rivers, and which, often almost imperceptible to the eye,
always lie close to the right bank of the channel. From the foot of the
hills the plain country slopes southwards till it approaches the southern
border of the Province, when it begins to rise again towards the
peninsular area. The lowest contour runs from Delhi west by nort
a little south of Rohtak and Hissir, and bifurcates between Hissiir ;
Sirsd, the northern branch going north-north-west along the Himalayan
spill to the south of Lahore, while the southern branch curves to the
south-west along the Aravalli spill to the west of Bikiner. ‘The
combined result of these two slopes is a fall in a south-westerly direction,
at right angles to the mountain ranges and parallel with the general
course of the rivers; but this fall is exceedingly gentle, seldom
two or three feet in the mile. .
‘The whole of these vast plains are of alluvial formation. Stones are
‘unknown, save at the immediate foot of the hills; micaceous river-sind
is to be found everywhere at varying depth: and the only mineral is.
nodular accretions of limestone (£ankar) which are produced im sift.
‘The soil is a singularly uniform loam ; true clay is almost unknown 5
254 PUNJAB.
‘ranges which fringe the central : poi omy enscgckieserniena at
the States of ‘Chamba, Mandi, and Suket, together with Nahan, Bashahr,
and the cighteen smaller States which are under the charge of the
Supetintendent of Hill States at Simla, the hill station of Simla, and the
great Kangra District, the latter including the Kulu valley, which
stretches up to the mid-Himdlayas, and the cantons of Léhul.and Spiti,
which, situated beyond the mid-Himdlayas, belong geographically to
Ladikh and Tibet, rather than to India. ‘This mountainous. tract
includes an area of about 19,840 square miles, much of which is wholly
uninhabited, and a scanty population of about 1,539,000, living
scattered abont the remaining area in tiny hamlets. perched on the hill-
sides or nestling in the valleys, each surrounded by its small patches of
terraced cultivation, irrigated from the streams which man Conm-€0e7
gully, or fertilized by the abundant rainfall of the hills, .
‘The people chiefly consist of hill Rajputs, including Thakars, Rathi
and Rawats, and of Kanets, Ghiraths, Brahmans, and the Dégis or
menials of the hills. But it is probable that only the very highest
classes among the Brahmans and Rajputs have preserved the purity of
their blood. It is certain that the Aryan and aboriginal st
mingled with unusual freedom ; and all between the very highest and
the very lowest form a practically continuous series, within which
it is difficult to draw any definite lines of demarcation, ‘The hill people
‘are, whether by origin or by long isolation from their neighbours of the
plains, very distinct from. the latter in most respects; and they speak
dialects peculiar to the hills, though belonging to the Hindi group,
except in the trans-Himdlayan cantons where Tibetan is spoken. They
are almost exclusively Hindus, but curiously strict as regards some, and
lax as regards others, of the ordinances of their religion, The nature
of the country prevents the growth of large towns; trade is confined to
the little that crosses the high passes leading into Tibet; and the
people are almost wholly rural, supplementing the yield of their fields
by the produce of numerous flocks of sheep and goats, and by mde
home manufactures with which they occupy themselves during, the
long winter evenings. ‘They keep very much to themselves,
being almost confined to ighbouring mountains and low hills,
The Submontane Tract.—Skirting the base of the hills, and including
the low outlying range of the Siwdliks, runs the narrow
zone, with an average breadth of 25 to 30 miles measured from | the
foot of the Himilayas proper. This tract, secure In an ample raingsll
and traversed by streams from the neighbouring hills, has an area
of about 6680 square miles, comprises some of the most fertile and
thickly-peopled portions of the Province, and is inhabited by a _Populae
tion of about 2,998,000, who occupy intermediate position in
regard of race, religion, and language between the peoples of the hills
256 PUNTAB.
Punjab where famine is most to be dreaded: The Sirhind Canal,
the main line of which was opened in 1882, will, however, protect a
large part of the central, and some portion of the southern tract.
‘The remaining or central portion of the eastern pilains includes the
larger part of the Sikh States. Its area is about 9980 square miles, and.
its population about 2,810,000, It occupies an intermediate position
in respect of fertility between the two preceding tracts, the rainfall
rae a ag ap enema ea et patter Marae dg La Hi in
the direction of the Jumna, the Sutlej, and the hills, and lowest and
worst in the centre and south ; pinledacsincer galipeae east the Ghaggar
system of hill streams inundates a certain area, and Neigh seo lak
Eee ang eid od See
‘The eastern plains include all the most fertile, wealthy, and
populous portians of the Province, and may be called the
of the Punjab, Within them lie the three great cities
Ammnitsar, and Lahore, besides a very large ia ht
towns; and the population is, by comparison
punjab, largely urban, ‘Trade and manufactures otis while,
the exception of the south-westward portions, where flocks and
pasture in extensive jungles, the greater part of the cultivable
under the plough,
The Western Plains. —The great plains lying to the west of the
soons, which have exhausted themselves of their vapour before they
reach their goal; and the rainfall, heaviest in the north and east,
and decreasing towards the west and south, is everywhere so seanty
that cultivation without irrigation is absolutely impossible. But in
this very circumstance they find their security against famine or
distress from drought, for their cultivation is almost independent:
of rain, @ failure of which means nothing worse than a scarcity of
grass, in itself a sufficiently serious calamity, Rain is, of course,
needed here as elsewhere; but its absence means only a diminished
yield, and not, as in the eastern plains, no yield at all; and so little
is sufficient if the fall comes at the right time, and absolute drought
occurs so seldom, that the crops may be said never to fail from this —
cause, Indeed, more danger is to be anticipated from excestive flood
than from deficient rainfall, ‘The tract is traversed throughout its
length by five great rivers, the Sutlej, Ravi, Chenib, Mvp
Indus ; and along either side of each of these runs, at a
few miles, a more or less distinctly marked’ bank which defines
excursions of the river within recent times as it has shifted from
to side in its course. These banks include between them strips
low-lying land which are periodically inundated by the rising &
‘258 PUNJAB.
tiversas there are lie close together within the submontane tract, the whole
of the country between and the area of closed drainage beyond them:
comparatively populous, and there are no natural boundaries of any
‘great importance, But west of that meridian, or throughout the greater
portion of the Punjab Proper, the teal obstacles to intercommunication,
the real barriers which separate the peoples one from another are, not the
rivers, easily crossed at any time and often fordable in the cold weather,
but the great arid steppes which lie between those rivers. ‘The advance
of the agricultural tribes has fallowed almost invariably the courses of
the great rivers, the new-comers having crept along both banks of the
streams and driven the nomads from either side into the intermediate
dodbs, where they have occupied the portions nearest the river Lands
from which they had been ejected, leaving the median area of greatest
aridity as an indefinite but very effectual line of separation,
The Salt Range Tract—There still remains to be described the
north-westem corner of the Punjab, situated in the angle where the
Safed Koh from the west and the Sulaimdns from the south meet the
Himdélayas from the east, and separated from the rest of the Province
by the Salt Range and the Upper Jehlam. It includes the Peshdwar
Division and the Districts of Rawal Pindi, Jehlam, and Bannu. It
presents in almost every respect the strongest possible contrast with the
Punjab Proper, and, indeed, as already remarked, can hardly be said to
belong to India, save by mere geographical position, |
‘The physical configuration of the Salt Range is so broken and con+
fused, that it is impossible without going into great detail toiseparatelt
into parts, each of which shall ris even approximately homogeneous.
‘The mountainous tracts of Hazdra, and the Murree and Kahdta
fahstis of Rawal Pindi District, with their ample rainfall, and the
leas favoured District of Kohat, cover an arca of 6g20 square miles,
and contain a population of about 715,000. re |
‘The remainder of this tract has an area of about 14,500 square
miles, and a population of about 2,209,000, Except ‘immediately
under the hills, the rainfall, while quite sufficient in ordinary years, |
leaves little margin as protection against distress in unfavourable
seasons; while, save in Peshdwar and the riverain portions of Bannu, —
irrigation is almost unknown. |
With the exception of Peshdwar and Rawal Pindi, the Salt Range ]
includes no town of more than 20,coo inhabitants. But the pore!
trade with Central Asia and Kabul, except the traftic of Dera Ismdil —
‘Khiin, passes through Peshawar ; and the Salt Range supplies almost
the whole of the salt used in the Panjab, ‘The silk and cotton fabrics
of Peshawar are the only manufactures of importance ; and the massof
the population follows agricultural, and in the mountain ranges pastoral
pursuits. “
360 PUNJAB.
the passage of the river at Jatatrux, in Jchlam District, he encoun-
tered the army of Porus (Purusba) at Mon, in Gujrit, and completely
defeated the Indian monarch, with a loss of 12,000 slain. Porus hime
self was taken prisoner, but restored by Alexander to his entire
kingdom. The conqueror halted for a month in the n
of the Hydaspes, and founded two cities, Nikaia and Bukephala; after
which he overran the whole Punjab, as far as the Hyphasis or Sutlej,
‘on its south-western border. East of that river, in the now barren
cis-Sutlej tract, lay a powerful and fertile kingdom, which Alexander
was most eager to attack; but the refusal of his troops to proceed
any farther from home compelled him to fall back once more upon
the Hydaspes. Here he embarked on board a flect with which he
intended to sail down the Indus; and he met with no opposition,
‘except at the hands of the Malls, who occupied the modern District of
MULTAN. At the siege of their capital, which probably stood upon the
same site as the modern city, Alexander received a severe wound, in
revenge for which he put every person within the walls to the sword.
After navigating the great river to its mouth, he despatched Nearchus
to explore the Persian Gulf, while he himself returned by the deserts of
Balhichistan to Susa,
‘The succeeding Indo-Bactrian dynasty, founded by Alexander's
military successors, spread its sway over a considerable portion of the
Punjab, and coins or other remains of Hellenic origin occur among
almost all the ruined cities throughout the Province. Shortly after
the retirement of Alexander, however, Chandragupta, King of Magadha,
added the whole Panjab to his domi 8 (303 B.C.) A century later,
the tide of Greck conquest again set eastward, and a Bactrian kingdom
once more spread over North-Western India, Between 264-223 2c,
the empire of Asoka, the great Buddhist ruler of Upper India, amd |
grandson of Chandragupta, extended over the country of the Five
Rivers; and his rock edictsare found as far north as the Yusafeai valley
in Peshdwar. Under this monarch, Buddhism appears to have
the dominant religion throughout the whole Punjab, where it
remained, though in a somewhat decadent condition, at the period of
Hiuen Tsiang’s pilgrimage in the 7th century 4p, No record exists
of the restoration of the earlier Hindu faith ; the ruins of the Buddhist
temples and monasteries are often rebuilt into Brihman shrines
and Muhammadan mosques. But the undisturbed ascendancy of
Brihmanism, between the downfall of Buddhism and the advent mt
Islim, was of short duration in the Punjab,
As early as the 7th century, Musalmin invaders from the west or |
snid to have begun to devastate the Punjab. In 682 a... ary \|
to Firishta, bands from Kerman, who had even then embraced the
faith of Islim, wrested certain possessions from the Hindi princes —
262 PUNJAB.
‘Under that magnificent line, the chief seats of the imperial family were
at Lahore, Delhi, and Agra ; and the Punjab formed the stronghold of
the Mughal party against the reactionary Pathin house of Sher Shih.
During the most flourishing age of the Mughals, however, a power
was slowly and unobtrusively arising in the Punjab, which was destined
in the end to supplant the imperial sway, and to raise up a great
independent monarchy in the valley of the Five Rivers,
‘This power was the Sikhs, originally a mere religious sect, founded
by Baba Nanak, who was born near Lahore in the latter half of the
15th century, and who died at Dera Nanak, on the Ravi, in 1539. A
full account of the sect will be found in Prinsep’s History of the Punjab
(2 vols., 1846), and Cunningham’s History of the Sikhs (2nd ed., 1853),
to which works the reader is referred for a complete or detailed inarra-
tive. Biba Nanak was a disciple of Kabir, and preached asa new
religion a pure form of monotheism, eagerly accepted by the peasantry
ef his neighbourhood. He maintained that devotion was due to God,
but that forms were immaterial, and that Hindu and Muhanimada:
worships were the same in the sight of the Deity. His tenets were
handed down bya succession of Gurus or spiritual leaders, under whom
the new doctrine made steady but peaceful progress. Ram This, the
fourth Guru, obtained from the Emperor Akbar a grant of land on the
spot now occupied by the city of AmniTsar (Umritsur), the metropolis
of the Sikh faith. Here he dug a holy tank, and commenced the —
erection of a temple in its midst. His son and successor, Arjun Mall,
completed the temple, and lived in great wealth and magnificence,
besides widely increasing the numbers of his sect, and thus exciting the
jealousy of the Mughal Government. Becoming involved in a quarrel
with the Imperial Governor of Lahore, Arjun was imprisoned in that —
city, where he died, his followers asserting that he had been cruelly put
to death. Pon
is act of tyranny,’ writes Elphinstone, ‘changed the Sikhs from
inoffensive quietists into fanatical warriors, They took up arms
Har Govind, the son of their martyred pontiff, who inspired them with
his own spirit of revenge and of hatred to their oppressors. Being now
open enemies of the Government, the Sikhs were expelled from
neighbourhood of Lahore, which had hitherto been their seat, and were
constrained to take refuge in the northern mountains. Notwithstanding
dissensions which broke out among themselves, they continued ‘their
Govind,
‘This leader first conceived —
Grecian lawgiver."
204
“In 1738, Nadir Shdh’s invading host swept over the Punjab like a
flooded river, ‘furious as the ocean,’ defeated the Mughal army at
Karndl in 1739, and sacked the insperial city of Delhi, Though Nadir
retired from India ina few months with his plunder, be had given the
death-blow to the weak and divided empire, ‘The Sikhs once more
the martyrs. ‘The next great disaster of the Sikhs was in 1762, when
Abmad Shah Durdni, the Afgbdn conqueror of the Mardthds at Panipat
in the preceding year, routed their forces completely, and pursued them
across the Sutlej. On his homeward march he destroyed the town of
Ainritsar, blew up the temple, filled the sacred tank with mud, and
defiled the holy place by the slaughter of cows. But, true to their faith,
the Sikhs rose once more as their conquerors withdrew, and they now
initiated a final struggle, which resulted: in the secure establishment of
their independence.
By this time the religion had come to present very different features
from those of Baba Ndnak's peaceful theocracy. It had grown into a
loose military organization, divided among several misés or confeder-
aces, with a common meetingsplace at the holy city of Amritsar, ‘The
Maghals had nominally ceded the Punjab to Ahmad Shih; but the
Durdni Emperors never really extended their tule to the eastern portion,
where the Sikhs established their authority not long afier 1763. The
Afghdn revolution in 18¢9 facilitated the rise of Ranjit Singh, a Sikh
adventurer, who had obtained a grant of Lahore from Zamda Shah, the
Durini ruler of Kabul, in 1799. Gradually the able chieftain spread his
power over the greater part of the Punjab, and even in 1808 attacked
the small Sikh principalities on the east or lefi bank of the Sutlej. (See
CisSuruey States) ‘These principalities sought the protection of the
British—now masters of the North-Western Provinces, with a pro
tectorate over the royal family of Delhi ; and an agreement was effected
in 1809 by which the States obtained the powerful aid of the British
Government, and Ranjit Singh entered into an engagement to preserve
friendship with the British Government, and not to encroach on the left
bank of the Sutlej, on condition of his sovereignty being recognised
over all his conquests north of the Suilej—a treaty which he scrupue
Jously reepected till the close of his life. J.
In 1818, Ranjit Singh stormed Miluin, and extended his dominions
to the extreme south of the Punjab; and in the same year be
crossed the Indus, and conquered Peshdwar, to which, shortly after, —
he added the Derajdt, as well as Kashmir, He had thus succeeded
during ‘his own lifetime in building up a splendid power, embracing
almost the whole of the present Punjab Province, together with
the Native State of Kashmir. On his death in 1839, his son Kbarak \
266 PUNJAB.
withdrawal of the prohibition against the killing of kine, and the restored
liberty of the much hated and formerly persecuted Mahammadans, the
villages were filled with the disbanded soldiery of the old Sikh army,
who were only waiting fora signal and a leader to rise and strike another
blow for the power they had lost. At length, in April 1848, the rebellion
of the ex-Diwdn Mulraj at Miltin, and the murder of two British officers
in that city, roused a general revolt throughout the Sikh kingdom.
Miiltin city was invested by hastily raised frontier levies, assisted after-
wards by British troops under General Whish ; the siege, however, had
to be temporarily raised in September, coming: tothe ripld prea
disaffection among the Sikh troops. ‘The two rebellious Sardirs,
Chattar Singh and Sher Singh, invoked the aid of the Amfr of Kabul,
Dost Muhammad, who responded by seizing Peshawar, and sending an
Afghin contingent to assist the Sikhs.
In October 1848, the British army under the command-in-chief of
General Gough, assumed the offensive, and crossed the Sutle). Proceed-
ing from Firozpur across the Punjab at an angle to the Sikh line of
march, it came up with Sher Singh at Rémnagar, and there inflicted on
him a severe check. ‘The Sikh army, consisting of 30,000 men and 60.
guns, made a stand at Chilidnwala, where an indecisive and sanguinary
battle was fought on the 13th January 1849, ‘Iwo or three days after
the action, Sher Singh was joined by his father Chattar Singh, bringing
with him Sikh reinforcements, and a thousand Afghan horse. General
Gough awaited the arrival of the column under General Whish (set free
by the fall of Multén on the 28th January), and then followed up the
Sikhs from Chilidawala to Gujrit, where the last and decisive battle
was fought on the 22nd February, the Sikhs being totally defeated with
the loss of 60 guns. The Afghdin garrison of Peshiwar were chased
back to their hills, the Amir Dost Muhammad himself narrowly escaping
capture. The remnants of the Sikh army and the rebel Sardars
surrendered at Rawal Pindi on the 14th March, and henceforth the
entire Punjab became a Province of British India,
‘The formal annexation was proclaimed at Lahore on the 29th March
‘£849, on which day terms were offered) to, and accepted by, the young
Mahérijd Dhulfp Singh, he himself receiving in return an annuity of
452,000 a year, > re i
His Highness the Mahdrijé Dhulip Singh shall resign for himself, bis
heits, and his successors, all right, title, and claim to the sovercignty of
the Punjab, or to any sovereign power whatever, and, All the propeny
of the State, of whatever description and wheresoever found, shall be
confiscated to the Honourable East India Company, in part payment
of the debt due by the State of Lahore to the British Government, and
of the expenses of the war. 3rd. The gem called the Koh4-ndr, which
was taken from Shah Shujé-ul-mulk by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, shall be
268 LUNAR.
Simultaneously with the vigorous
While the Hindustin{ troops were thus
reinforcements ta Delhi, an object of paramount importance, prac
without a break, About the 17th of May it hag become appar
the Punjab did not sympathize with the movement in Hindustin, and
that a good spirit prevailed in the Punjibi troops. It was
safe to augment them; and 18 new regiments were raised in the
Province during the later months of the year. As these forces were
being enrolled to supply the place of those who marched down to
Delhi, the stream of reinforcements was steadily maintained. Four
regiments from the European garrison of the Punjab formed the
gteater portion of the force that first marched upon Delhi, Next
followed two wings of European regiments of infantry. ‘Then a ccin-
siderable force of Native troops was despatched, including the Guides,
two regiments of Punjab cavalry, a body of Punjab horse, two
regiments of Punjab infantry, and a body of 1200 pioneers raised from
the Mazbi Sikhs; 7000 men, forming the contingent of the ckSutlej
chiefs of Patitla, Jind, and Nabha, accompanied the regular troops
to the siege. An irregular force of 1000 men was also detached
to clear the western part of the Delhi territory, Waggon trnins were
organized from Miiitin and Firozpur ei Ambdla to Delhi. Siege
trains, treasure, stores, and transport animals were poured down from
the Punjab for the besieging force,
Finally, in August one last effort was to be made to send ‘reinforce-
ments, in spite of the risk run in denuding the Province of Europeans
and Joyal woops. ‘Ihe meed for siding the force at Delhi was,
however, imperative; it was therefore resolved 10 send) Brigadier-
General John Nicholson with the moveable column and every
European who could be spared. Two half regiments of Fm
infantry, the sand Foot, and three regiments of Punjab infantry were
despatched. "These were followed by a siege train from Firoapur, a
wing of the rst Balch Regiment arrived from Sind, and a contingent
2000 strong from the Mabdrdjd of Kashmir, ‘There then temained
only 450 Europeans (including sick) to hold the Punjab,
‘The crisis had now come. If Delhi were taken specdily, all was:
well; if Delhi were not taken without delay, there would be a struggle
for cope dominion and existence in the Punjab itself The next
few weeks after the departure of Nicholson's column were weeks of
anxious suspense, in which all eyes were tumed to Delhi. The first
symptoms of the wavering faith of the people in the British power
appeared in local outbreaks at Murree in the north, and in the wild and
barren tracts south of Lahore, between the Ravi and Sutlej. ‘Both
were, however, soon put down, and the fall of Delhi on ae
ee aaa
peace
ry, afforded ample e'
poe af ee a ei
270 PUNSAB.
ment to the needy; and the result of all these causes was the ;
prosperity ‘of the people. With the close of the war, the Province
resumed its normal course, and has a tt
The suost aporaat fststs of tle pred srw Maree OOH
‘the opening of the Sirhind Canal, which is destined to irrigate a vast
extent of country; and in June of the same year, the Completion’ of
direct railway communication with Peshdwar,
‘The territories now under the administration of the Lieutenant-
Governor of the Punjab comprise —(1) The Punjab proper, west of the
Beas, annexed in March 1849, 0n the close of the second Sikh war.
(2) The Jalandhar Dodb and the hill District of Kangra, which were
ceded to the British Government by the treaty of Lahore concluded
‘in March 1846, after the termination of the first Sikh war, (3) The
country east of the river Sutlej, formerly designated the cis-Sutle)
States, and including—(e) the possessions of Maharaja Dhulip Singh of
Lahore, on the left bank of the Sudej, which were annexed to the
British territories in December 1845 ; (6) such of the States taken under
the protection of the British in 1808-09 as subsequently lapsed on
the death of their chiefs without heirs, or were confiscated and
‘brought under British administration in January 1847, in
‘of the misconduct of their chiefs in the first Sikh war; (¢) the hill’
trict of Simla, a portion of which was acquired after the Garkha wai ot
1814-16, and the remainder subsequently obtained by lapse, purchase,
or exchange for other territory. (4) The Delhi territory west of the
river Jumna, which was transferred from the Government of the North:
Western Provinces to that of the Punjab in February 1858, aed
separated into the two Divisions of Delhi and Hissar.
form of Administration.—On the annexation of the Punjab in March
1849, a Board of Administration for its affairs was constituted, to which
the Commissioners of the trans-Sutle} and cisSutlej States were also
made subordinate. The Board was abolished in February 1853, and
its powers and functions were vested in a Chief Commissioner, subordl-
nate to whom a Judicial Commissioner and a Financial Commissioner
were appointed. After the transfer of the Delhi territory from the
North-Western Provinces, the Punjab and its dependencies were com-
stituted a Lieutenant-Governorship from the rst January 1859,-—Sir
John Lawrence, who had hitherto been the Chief Commissioner, being
Appointed the first Licutenant-Governor. The succeeding Licvtenant>
Governors have been, Sir R. Montgomery, Sir D. M‘Leod, Sir HL
Durand, Sir H. Davies, Sir R. Egerton, and Sir C.U. sare IS
present (1886) Lieutenant-Governor.
In 1866, a Chief Court, consisting of two judges, a barrister ae
civilian, was substituted for the Judicial Commissioner, and was con-
stituted the final appellate authority in criminal and civil cases, with
ays PUNJAB.
produce of its cultivated lands, has actually decreased; while in the
Himalayas the statistics have undergone little or no change. The
Native States in the Punjab were enumerated for the first time in 1881,
and returned a total population of 3,861,683, giving a gross population
for both British and Feudatory territory of 22,712,120 persons,
The following are the principal Census details of the population
of the 32 British Districts comprising the Lieutenant-Governorship
of the Punjab in 1881. Separate statistics for each District have
been given in the table on pp. 245, 246, Area of the Province,
406,632 square miles; number of towns, 238; and of villages, 34,086;
number of houses, 3,517,008, namely, occupied, 2,706,914, and
unoccupied, $10,094. Number of familics, 4,128,440. Total popula-
tion, 18,850,437, namely, males 10,210,053, and females 8,640,384;
proportion of males in total population, 54°2 per cent. Average density
of the population (excluding the little tract forming Simla District),
177 persons per square mile, varying from 47 in Dera Ismail Khan to
597 in Jalandbar District. ‘The population is most dense in the
Jumna valley, the Jalandhar Dodb, the upper portion of the
Doib, as well as along the banks of the great rivers, and in the
submontane tract. It grows sparser in the hilly northwestern Die
tricts, and in the Derajat; while the central plateaux between the great
riyers of the western plains are almost uninhabited, and the wild
mountainous glens of Spiti and Lahul support only a few scattered
families, at the rate of one or two persons only to the square mile.
Average number of towns and villages, °32 per square mile; persons
per town or village, 549, or excluding towns, 481. Average number
of occupied houses, 25°4 per square mile; persons per occupied
house, 6°9.
Classified according to sex and age, the population comprises—under
15 years of age, males 3,928,577, and females 3,514,065; total children,
7,242,642, oF 38°4 per cent. of the population: 13 years and upwards,
males 6,281,476, and females 5,326,319; total adults, 11,607,795, or
6r6 per cent.
Re —The Census of 1881 thus classifies the population of the
32 British Districts of the Punjab, according to religion—Muham-
madans number 19,525,159, or 55°8 per cent.; Hindus, 7,130,528,
or 37°8 per cent. ; Sikhs, 1,121,004, or §°9 per cent.; Jains, 35,826;
Christians, 33,420; Buddhists, 2864; Parsix, 46a; and ‘others? amd
unspecified, 1183.
‘The Muhammadans are most numerous in the Peshdwar Division,
where they form g2‘2 per cent. of the whole population; and in the
Derajat, Rawal Pindi and Multdn Divisions, which are largely peopled
by tribes of Afghdn or Balichi descent. ‘They become Jess numerous
in the castern Punjab, and form a very small clement in the tract
274 PUNTAB.
and Peshawar, a: well as in the valley of the Jumna, Even in the
southern angle of the Punjab Proper, around Mifitin and Muraffar-
garh, the Sikh element forms a mete fraction in the population. The
‘Sikhs are famous for their personal bravery, and their religion prompts
them to hold life of little importance, one of their strictest sects being
known as Akali or ‘immortal,’ They are very illiterate, and Ranjit
Singh could neither read nor write. Their sacred CN
of the Granth.
Of the total Hindu and Sikh population (including Jains), ree
number 815,459; Rajputs, 325,216 ; Khattris, 377,710; and Baniyss,
316,282. The Hindu Jats, however, form the most numerous sec
tion of the Hinda population, as their Muharomadan brethren do
of the Muhammadan population, and are returmed in the Census
Report at 1,907,737, The other castes (Hindu and Sikh) include—
Chamdr, 793,964; Chihra, 550,077; Arora, 537,330; Tarkhdo,
259,976; Jhinwar, 241,890; Ghirat, 157,726; Kumbhir, 151,828;
Saint, 139,245; Gdjar, 122,1or ; Nai, 16,2633; Ahir, 112,512; Sonar,
1o55185 Lohdr, 97,813; Kanet, 74,5525 Rathi, 52,7333 and a
a
‘The Buddhists of the Punjab are almost entirely confined “s the
‘Tibetan tract of Spiti, in the Kulu Sub-division of Kangra District,
where they number 2860, out of a total returned at 2864. vty
The Christian population, numbering 33,420, comprises—European
British subjects, 10,761; other Europeans, including Americams,
Australians, and Africans, 17,015; Eurasians, 1821; and Natives,
3823. By sect, the Church of England numbers 18,911 adherents;
Roman Catholic Church, 8021; Presbyterian Church of Scothind,
16193 Baptists, 697; Wesleyans, 361 ; Episcopal Church of Scotland,
96; Protestants unspecified by sect, 1913; Armenian Church, 33;
other denominations, and unspecified, 1769. -
‘The Punjab presents two very distinct types of social structure, Ta
the eastern plains and throughout the Himdlayan region the institution
of caste obtains in its proper form, distinctions being based primarily upon |
‘occupation, and among the land-owning classes upon political piece
ance, and the tribe being a mere sub-division of the caste, yee
are by presumption hereditary, and different castes cannot i
But throughout the western plains and on the Indus frontier, cabal
‘not caste is the social unit among the land-owning classes; the latter,
in the widest sense of the term, either having dwindled to a mere
tradition of origin, ‘or being a mere ethnic distinction. Here, too, the —
only restriction upon occupation is that springing from the pollution |
attaching to certain callings ; while the chief festrictions upon inter-
marriage depend upon social position rather than upon tribe or caste
The cis-Indus Salt Range occupies an intermediate position between
276 PUNJAB,
from two to five hundred ; 6348 from five hundred to a thousand ; 2954.
from one to two thousand; 693 from two to three thousand; 349°
from three to five thousand; 115 from five to ten thousand; 20 from
ten to fifteen thousand; $ from fifteen to twenty thousand; 13 from:
twenty to fifty thousand; while 8 contain upwards of fifty thousand:
‘inhabitants. >
The Punjab * Vitlage’—The ‘village’ of the Census Report includes,
as regards British territory, all the population living within the area
of the mand, or village unit of revenue administration.
the greater part of the Province this is a perfectly natural and
unit, and embraces the lands owned and cultivated by
the members of a single village community who, with their attendant
traders, priests, and menials, live in one main homestead, though they:
occasionally occupy also one or more small hamlets situated in the
outlying fields, where certain families or parts of families live more or
Jess permanently for the convenience of being close to their work,
But on the great pasture lands of the Multén Division and in the
sandy plains of the Sind-Sdgar dod/, the large and compact village
communities of the Eastern Punjab are almost unknown. “Phe people
here have only lately abandoned a nomad life, and are still largely
pastoral in their habits. Much of the land has been brought under
cultivation, often since the introduction of our rule, by local notables:
holding grants from Government who have collected cultivators from
diverse sources and settled them here and there in small bodies
each in a separate homestead, or by individuals who have acquired
property by breaking up waste or by the construction of irrigation works;
and the local hollows, in which alone grass and water or cultivable land
are in many parts to be found, are occupied by small communities
consisting cach of only a few families and living at great distances from
each other, So in the trans-Jehlam and frontier tracts, whore Pathans,
Balichis, Ghakkars, and other dominant races have subjugated but not
expelled a peaceful agricultural population, the latter are similarly
scattered over the country in small detached homesteads surrounding —
the central stronghold of their conquerors; while where the tribal
‘organization exists in full vitality and the land is held and cultivated by
the dominant race, there is no intermediate step between the clan which
occupies a considerable tract of country, and its constituent families
of which every two or three form a separate group and inhabit a separate
hamlet, .
In these cases the hamlet is usuallytoo small to be recognised as a unity i
and the boundaries of the ‘village’ embrace an area, often enormous,
over which a scanty population is widely scattered in small communities
having no connection with one another beyond the mere fact of their
common inclusion in an artificial unit based upon considerations of —
PUNJAB.
whole of the Western Plains, with thelr rivers and canalk Excluding —
Native States, and the semi-independent possessions of the Nawab of
‘Teri in Kobat, and the Nawab of Tandwal in Hazira, the total assessed
area of the 32 British Districts in the Punjab in 1883-84 is returned
wee Add acres, of erat he acres are under cultivation;
7,24 acres are grazing 20,483,941 acres are
still untilled ; and 14,264,751 acres are absolutely barren, eed
‘The agricultural year is divisible into the rai or
orautumn batvest. ‘The former is the more important, the pr
being wheat, covering an area in 1875 of 6,282,687 acres, and in 2883
‘of 7,209,721 acres; gram, Saran ares ipa
in oer barley, 1,818,433 acres in 1875, and 1,681,849
1883-84, Oil-seeds are largely grown, occupying 594309
of the raéf area in 1883-84. yas 2 focal small
area, and tobacco and vegetables are grown on garden plots, Tea
cultivation is followed with success chiefly in Kangra District, the area
having extended from 5623 acres in 1875 10 9600 acres in 1883-84. “The
‘area occupied by the principal raéé crops has increased from 10,961,257
acres in 1875 to 12,502,416 acres in 1883-84. Rice cultivation, which:
forms the chief staple of the Aiarifctop, has decreased of late’ years,
having fallen from 802,014 acres in 1875 to $69,808 actes in 1883-84
Millets Cjodr and ddjra) were grown on 4,613,720 acres in
4/945,850 acres in 1883-84 ; Indian com, 1,039,594 acres in betsy
1,233,718 acres in 1883-84 ; and pulses, 1,604,006 acres in 1875, and
1,130,090 acres in 1883-84. Cotton cultivation increased fiom | 651,150
acresin 1875 to So2,534 acres in 1885-84. Sugar-cane was grown 06
344,993 acres in 1875, and 348,141 acres in 1883-84. ‘Total area
occupied by the principal Sharif crops, 9,610,266 acres in 1875, and
9.994.749 acres in 1885—84. ~ely
‘The methods of agriculture still retain their primitive simplicity,
scarcely differing from those in use during the Vedic period. Artificial —
irrigation is common, and is rapidly extending, about 25 percent, of
the cultivated area being irrigated cither from Government canals.
private works, The Biri Dodb, the Western Jumna, and the Sntlej_
inundation canals supply water to a large area; while the Sithind
‘Canal, the main line of which was opened in November 1882, and it
PUNJAB.
labour range from 3}d. to 53d, anges shy Se wad.
cans :
per di
Horse and cattle.
horse and 167 donkey stallions,
‘in the Punjab in 1883-84, at. h 7675 animals were ex!
prizes to the extent of £1135 were awarded. Twelve caitle fairs were
held in the same year, at which fees to the extent of £5049 were
levied, in return for an expenditure of £1329 on prizes and for other
purposes. ‘The demands made for carriage during the Afghan came
paign, a succession, of bad seasons, drought, and cattle disease for a
time seriously affected the number of cattle and beasts of burthen in
the Province; and although a return of better seasons has occurred of
late years, the last return of agricultural stock still shows the num!
horses, cows, and bullocks to be below what they were in 1868,
figures for 1885-84 return — Cows and bullocks, 6,707,904 5 horses,
$6,2283 ponies, 3,456; donkeys, 351,890; sheep and gouts, 4,906,883;
pigs, 65,955 5 and camels, 174,753. Carts numbered 100,669,
Forests.—The Forest Department of the Punjab administers an area:
‘of 4694 square miles in British territory, or in Native States of which
the forests have becn leased to Government. The latter, which are
situated principally in Chamba and Bashahr, are managed in accordance
with agreements made with the chiefs of those States, The former are |
subject to the Forest Act (vit. of 1878), the Hazdra Forest:
(u. of 1879), and in afew cases to rules’for the conservancy of hill
Districts, which were published in 1855. A further area of 13,000
square miles, covered more or less with inferior forest growth, is managed
by the District Deputy Commissioners, chiefly as. grazing | id,
Efforts have been made to secure the lease of a larger forest area in the
Simla Hill States, but without success, ‘The above area is divided into
ten Forest Divisions, namely, Hazdra, Rawal Pindi, Jehlam, Gujrdawéla,
Chamba, Lahore, Beas, Bashahr, Phillaur, and Muiltin. Of the total
forest area of 4694 square miles, 1228 square miles are ‘reserved,’ gia
square miles are ‘protected,’ and 3155 square miles are ‘unreserved,’
‘The forests ofthe Punjab may be roughly classified as follows »=—=(1
‘The deodar (Cedrus Deodara) and other pine forests of the higher
Himdlayan ranges in Hazara, Chamba, Kalu, and Bashahry (2) the
chil (Pinus longifolia and Pinus excelsa) forests in the Siwiliks and
other hill tracts in Kangra, Hushidrpur, Gurddspur and Rawal Pindi
Dietri (3) the Changa, Manga plantation and such of the shixiane
blocks in ti Indus valley. as have escaped the action of the tiver of
recent years; (4) the small sé/ (Shoren robusta) forest at
Ambila District; (5) the plain. rads, situated principally im the Ae
PUNJAB.
estimated that between one-fifth and one-sixth of the area is the property
of Government ; while upwards of four-fifths belongs to private owners.
‘The greater part of the area belonging to Government is, however, little
better than an arid prairie, and could not profitably be brought under
cultivation without the aid of extensive works of irrigation, Some of
the more favourably situated portions are preserved as forest or grazing
Jands, and others are held under lease from Government for purposes
of cultivation ; but almost the entire cultivated area of the Province is
included in the lands of private owners,
‘These lands are held subject to the payment of land revenue to the
‘State, or to grantees holding from the State ; and their revenue at pre-
sent caceeds £2,365,000 per annum, of which more then 295,000
is received by assignees who had, on various grounds, claims to con-
sideration from Government. In some cases, these assignments are of
the nature of the release of the revenue of lands belonging to the
assignees, but they have no necessary connection with proprietary right;
and in the majority of instances the grantees are merely entitled to
receive the revenue payable to Government, the amount of which is
limited in the same way as if it were paid direct to Government.
From the above figures it will be seen that the great mass of the
landed property in the Punjab is held by small proprietors, who eulti-
vate their own land in whole or in part. The chief characteristic of the
tenure generally is, that these proprietors are associated together in
village communities, having to a greater or less extent joint interests,
and under our system of cash payments, limited so as to secure a
certain profit to the proprietors, jointly responsible for the payment of
the revenue assessed upon the village lands, It is almost an invariable
incident of the tenure, that if any of the proprictors wishes to sell his
rights, or is obliged to part with them in order to satis{y demands upon
him, the other members of the same community have a preferential
right to purchase them at the same price as could beet
outsiders.
In some cases, all the proprictors have an undivided intoradaal
the land belonging to the proprietary community,—in other words, all
the land is in common; and what the proprictors themselves cultivate
is held by them as tenants of the community, ‘Their rights are regu-
“tated by their shares in the estate, both as regards the extent of the
eine te are entitled to cultivate and as regards the distribution of
profits; and if the profits from land held by non-proprietary cultivators:
aré not sufficient to pay the revenue and other charges, the balance
w ordinarily be collected from the proprietors msnordiog) to. Ho?
ar shares,
however, much more common for the proprietors to have their a
et separate holdings in the estate ; and this separation may extend so
284 PUNJAB.
‘should be duly adjusted with reference to the resources of the separate
holdings. They also, in general, involved the making over in joint
‘ownership to the proprietors of the separate holdings of waste land
situate within the new boundary in which no private property had
previously existed. The reason for this artificial inclusion of widely
separated tracts is that among the semi-nomad Baluchis there is no
intermediate step between the clan and the family. The dan hold a
considerable tract of country, over which the families live scattered
in tiny hamlets, each having separate property only in its cultivasion
and irrigation works, An analogous case exists along the Pathin
frontier, and in the Salt Range, where a dominant race lives in large
central villages, and a subject. population occupy scattered hamlets
among the fields which they cultivate. Here, again, these hamlets are
grouped for revenue and administrative purposes by inclusion within
purely artiGcial boundaries.
In some cases, the village comminities, while holding and managing
the land as proprietors, are bound to pay a quit-rent to superior pro»
prietors under whom they hold. The settlement is made according to
circumstances, either with the superior proprietor, who collects the
Government revenue as well as his quitrent from the communities, or
with the communities in actual possession of the land, who pay the land
revenue to Government and the quit-rent to the superior proprietor.
In cither case, the amount which the superior proprictor is entitled 40
collect is determined at settlement, as well as the amount of the land
revenue demand,
In the 30 Districts from which returns of tenure were received in
1872-73, only 435 villages, with an area of 514) square miles, are
shown as held by superior proprictors collecting the ‘Gavernment
revenue in addition to their own quitrent ; but this evidently does not
include cases where the superior proprictors are also assignees of the
Government revenue. ‘There are also 13,169 holdings of superior pro-
prictors who collect only their own quitrent and are not responsible
for the Government revenue. The latter are in many cases persons ta
whom the quit-rent was given in commutation of more extensive pro-
y rights, of which they had been dispossessed ie Seane eae the
‘There are sometimes also proprietors holding lands within the estates:
‘of village communities, but who are not members of the communities,
and are not entitled to share in the common profit, nor liable for
anything more than the revenue of their own lands, the village charges
etors, and the quitrent, if any, payable: to
propri ry body of the village, The most common examples of
this class are the holders of plots at present or formerly revenue free, in
which the assignees were allowed to get proprietary possession in con=
PUNJAB. 287
al feeders, salt and wool being imported, and sugar,
exported, (3) The export of grain and cotton
» plains, Ludhidna and Delhi being the
centre. (4) The salt traffic’ of the western Punjab, of
‘hich Tahore is still the headquarters, although not to the same
“gent as it used to be before the opening of the railway direct to the
- i eet epeaari
is essentially an agricultural country, the exports
cotton, salt, and other raw produce; while the
‘manufactured articles.
(See Mavo Mines, Kabapacu, Sarr Rance,
and Kouar Districts.) The principal manu-
erie tint cl cotton cet valued in 1883-84 at
oe. ‘The other main items include wood-work, iron, leather,
f er ae nh an shawls. The total number of manufac+
i r Province in 1875-76 was returned at sor,165,
1 workmen, with an estimated out-turn of 75,398,282.
$3, the last year for which statistics are available, there were
‘large manufactories at work in the Punjab, besides 484,399
small works, employing 919,396 native workmen,
al value of the out-turn being £15,710,062.
ions, ef. ~The railway system of the Punjab is a continua-
h extends from Calcutta into the North-Western Pro-
now been put into direct connection with the sea at
cf in Sind. ‘The East Indian Railway sends a
nna at Delhi, whence the Rajputina State Rail
Northern Punjab State Railway continues the
hdwar on the north-west fronticr ; while the Indus
a branch of the North-Western Railway) unites
ith Bahdwalpur, Sukkur (Sakhar), and Karéchi.
of in the Province in 1875-76 amounted to
d by 1833-84 to 1188 miles. A large purt of the
d by country boats on the Five Rivers, and
jough the river trade is now to a
Excellent metalled roads also
‘In 1883-84 there were 1817 miles of metalled and 21,949 miles of
unmetalled roads in the Province. The navigable rivers afford 2685
miles of water communication. ‘Total length of telegraph lines,
miles in 1883, ‘The Imperial Post-Office conveyed 9,887,643 letters
1869, and 23,764,182 in 1885,
number of
increased from 13 to §4.
Administration —For administrative purposes, the Panjab is divided
into 10 Divisions, namely, Dxtitt, Hissar, Ampata, JALANDIIAR,
Amerrsar, Lanore, Rawat Pinpi, Mura, the Derajat, and
Prstawar, cach of which sce separately. ‘These Divisions comprise
32 Districts, The total revenue of the Province for the year 1876-77
amounted to £/3,837,599 of which 42,005,814 was contributed by the
land-tax. ‘The expenditure for the same year was returned at £1,945,85S
Tn 1883-4 the total revenue of the Punjab—Imperial, Provincial,
Local—amounted to 43,388,589, and the expenditure to 42,111,400,
shown in detail in the table on opposite page.
Jaits and Police.—The Punjab contained in 1883-84, 35 Central
and District Jails, besides 18 subsidiary prisons or lockups, with
a total daily average of 12,355 prisoners, of whom 456 were Se
or an average of 1 prisoner in jail to every 1445 of the
The convict prison population averaged 11,469 per day. Phe tol,
cost of the jails, excluding new buildings and repairs, amounted to
4724733 Average cost per convicted prisoner, 4 Os, 6d
deducting prisoner’s net earnings, £5, 1% per head. “The total police
force (excluding the scmi-military frontier police) at the end
—including imperial, cantonment, railway, village, canal, and
police—consisted of 78 superior officers, 556 subordinate officers, 7’
mounted constables, and 19,141 foot constables; total of all
20,547, giving © policeman to every 5'18 square miles of area,
to every 916 of the population. ‘Total cost of police, sie
which £267,042 was paid from Provincial revenues, and ae
from tmunicipal and cantonment funds or other local sources, |
‘number of criminal offences returned as ‘truce’ in 1883 was 95,446, Of
which 73,892 were brought to trial Of 167,687 persons brought ,
Las 98,962 were acquitted or discharged, 66,011 were convicted, 223
ferred to other Provinces, while 24g remained under trial
a end of the year, Murder forms the principal serious crime alo
northwestern frontier and in the trans-Indus tract, con
chiefly by the semi-civilised Pathdn and Baluch clans, chiefly 7
motives of revenge or jealousy. In 1883, out of @ total of 346 murders
committed in the Province, 17§ occurred in the comparatively small |
trans-Indus tract, as against r71 in the whole of the rest of the Punjab,
lifting is also a very prevalent crime. [con eyon Be
‘200 PUNJAB.
Continued from page 288.]
Military. —Thirty-cight towns, cantonments, and military stations
the Punjab are garrisoned by the Bengal Amy, with a total
March 1884 of 15,868 European and 18,083
Frontier Force numbers in all (March 1884) 12,498 officers ar —
with 16 guns, Artillery numbers 957; cavalry, 2574; snd infantry,
9158. European officers number 186; Native commissioned officers,
2485; non-commissioned officers and fighting men, 10,837, fone
camp followers. ‘The maitt body of the force is cantoned along the
frontier at Abbottébid, Mardin, Kohdt, Edwardesibéd, Dera Ismail
Khin, Dera Ghazi Khan, and Rejanpur, with 46 outpost stations, of —
which 22 were held in 1884 by detachments of regular cavalry and
infantry and the remainder by locally raised militia levies, The
Punjab Volunteer Administrative Battalion consists of three rifle corps,
one with its head-quarters at Lahore, a second with its head-quarters at
‘Simla, and a third or railway corps stationed along the line of railway,
with its head-quarters at Eahore, Total strength of volunteers in
March 1884, 1583, of whom 1539 were efficients, Te
Education.—The Punjab University dates only from 1882, when its
first convocation was held at Lahore in the presence of the Viceroy, —
‘The institution is rapidly gaining in popularity, and in its second year
may be said to have rivalled the Calcutta University, so far as regards
natives of the Punjab. The principal educational institutions are the
Lahore Government College; Oriental College ; St. Stephen's College, —
Delhi; Lahore Medical School ; St. Thomas’ College, Murree; Bishop
Cotton School, Simla; and the Lawrence Military Asylum, Sandwar,
the largest Eutropean school in the Punjab. The following are the
educational statistics for the year ending grst March 1884. Univers
sity education is provided for hy 2 arts colleges, attended by 152 pupils;
secondary education by 26 high schools, with 928 pupils; and air
boys’ middle schools, with 6774 pupils. Boys’ primary schools —
numbered 1629, with 106,901 pupils. ‘Technical education is
by the Lahore Training College, with 57 pupils; the Mayo School of
Art, with 62 pupils; the Medical School, with 139 pupils; 4 normal
‘hools for male teachers, with 206 pupils; and 3 industrial schools,
with 79 pupils. Total schools for boys, 1878, with 14755 oe
For female education there are 6 middle and 336 primary
¢ irls; besides 6 normal schools with 19% pupils, —
19 pupils. ‘Total number of institutions
, of which 348 were for girls.
pupils, 125,906, of whom 10,588 were girls. ‘The above figures do not
clude the Lawrence Military Asylum School at Sandwar, which had
424 boys and girls on its rolls at the annual inspection in September
292 PUNJAB.
76°5 mean, 89's": December, maximum, 767"; minimum, 41°3"5
mean, 60'6", (2) Lahore—May, maximum, 112°5"; minimum, 64°6";
mean, 88°5*: July, masimum, r14°5°; minimum, 75"9"; mean, g2"3">
December, maximum, 73°7°; minimum, 36°; mean, 56%. (3) Dera
Tsmdil Khdn—May, maximum, 113°5°; minimum, S48" mean, 88°2";
July, maximum, £10°5° mninimum, 70'8"; mean, g2"4": |
maximum, 76-7"; minimum, 34°; mean, 338 (4) Simla— May,
maximum, 8774"; minimum, 44°6"; mean, 68%": July, |
765"; mini, 57°90"; mean, 66-9": Dereises: a 6rg 5
minimum, 31°6" ; mean, 45°8°,
Rainfall —The Punjab enjoys two well-marked seasons of rainfall
—the monsoon, lasting from the middle of June to the end of
September, which brings by far the greater portion of the annual
supply, and upon which the autumn crops and spring sowings depend ;
and the winter rains, which fall early in January, and although
insignificant in amount, affect very materially the prospects of the
spring harvest. ‘The rainfall is heavier in the Himdlayas than in any
other portion of the Province, the vapourladen air from thé south-
cast and south precipitating its water as it rises to top the great
mountain barrier across its path, The highest average of the
Province fs 26% inches at Dharmsila, Excepting the Alpine regions,
the rainfall is greatest in the cast of the Province. In the plain
country, the rainfall decreases rapidly as the distance from the ace
increases, and markedly also, though less rapidly,
cast to west. The submontane zone, which skirts the foot Ben the
mountains, has an annual fall of from 30 to 40 inches, while in
the strip of country lying along the right bank of the Jumna, the
average is between 25 and se inches, But in no other portion of the
Provinee, except in the portions of the Salt Range immediately under
the hills, are these figures approached. In the eastern plains the
annual fall may be said, roughly speaking, to decrease by about 1
inch for every 10 miles of distance from the hills, and ranges along
their southern border between 20 inches in the east (Rohtak) and/r5
in the west (Sirsa). But directly the meridian of Lahore is crossed,
and the great steppes of the western plains are entered, the figures
fall to 8 or 10 inches, while in the neighbourhood of Multan in the
‘extreme south-west of the Province, the yearly average is only from 5
to Ginches, The great rivers have a slight local effect in
the amount of rain precipitated in their immediate neighbourhood ; and
this influence is of more importance than appears from bare statistics,
as the addition thus made to the total annual fall is distributed in the
form of occasional showers which often bring timely moisture to the:
Medical Aspectt.—Vhe principal endemic disease of the Punjab is
fever, Small-pox and cholera in a more or less epidemic form are rarely
| PUNJAB NATIVE STATES, ‘ai
tatirely absent from some portion of the Province. ‘The total number
of births registered in x883-84 was 734912, giving a birth-rate of 39
SS ee per thousand in
i 1o'0g per thousand at Simla. ‘The registered
year numbered 475,741, or giving a deathtate of
ans, as shown in the table on next page. Until recently,
included among the Punjab States, but in 1877 it was
! ect political control of the Government of India,
ove 36 States, four, narcly, Patidla, Bahawalpur, Jind,
ure under the direct control of the Lieutenant-Governor
Kotla and Kalsia, with the twenty-two Simla Hill
; the Commissioner of Ambdla; three — Kapdrthald,
d) Suket, under the Commissioner of Jalandhar; onc—
the Commissioner of Lahore; one—Pataudi, under
of Delhi; and two—Lohdra and Dujdna, under the
Hissdr,
} Gozernment.—The relations of the British Govern-
are regulated by treaty ; those with the other States
is payable to
he Phulkidn chiefs,
by. .
Raja of RETIEED are bound by senad to execute justice,
‘prevent Sadi, slavery, and
2; lo, propane with the British Government against an
) furnish supplics to troops ; and to grant, free of expense,
railways and imperial lines of road. On the other
h Government has guaranteed them full and unreserved.
[Continued on page 295.
294 PUNJAB NATIVE STATES.
Area, PoPULATION, ETC., OF THE Punjap NATIVE STATES
IN 1881.
Poreuanon. <
No, of Teen |
| rae ie
Both Sexes | Males. | Females |
Plains. 1
Patidla, . | 5,887] 2,60 | 282,063 ! 328,668 | 1,467,433 | 806.984
Nébha, . «| “"ga8| “485! 42,019| 56.519] 261.824] 145,15:
Kaparthalé, -| 620] 617) 37.632| 62.057] 52.617| 138,63
[Jind -" | 1,232] 423| 42.078) 62,787] 249,862 136.909
‘aridkot,. .| 61a) 168 10,031 | 19,587| 97.034] 53,848!
iMdler Kotla, ‘| 64| 1s t2084| 10375] grost| 38iseo
|Kalsia, [| 378] 79| ‘oatt| ts.ato| — b7.708 896
Duyina, © < | atg| 28) 2198! S.022| 23.416] 3.525
| Pataudi, 48) 40) 2,537| 4.136] 17,847 9.510
Johar, . | 265| 54| 1.617! 2,500 13.754) 7.539
‘Bahawalpur, | 15,000; _922| 88,650 | 122,623 573.494| 314.395,
Total Plains, | 25,068 | 5.632 | 531,884 | 695.880 | 3,096,040 | 1,700,949
\
| Hills,
Mandi, . «| 1,000] 4.559) 24.331} 28,619] 147.017| 75,588
Chamba, } || 31180) “"356| 20,163] 24.684 60.382:
[Naan . —<| 3,077| 2,069} 21,62) 23.181 63,305
, Biltspur, . . 448) 1,073] 9,6a5| 18,600 47,433
| Bashahr, . . | 3.320! 836] 8,533 8.557 33,019
Nélagarh, | “asa! g3r| roaqo| 12.340 39,082
jSuket, ". [| 474. 220| 81658 1517 29,280
' Keunthal, . 116| 838] 6,318! 6,654 17,399
ray} 346] te4y6| 3.738 roe
288 472| 3,055 3.190 10,605,
'96| 327] s82| zor 6.720
90| 254| req4g) 1.522 4.920
4, 222| “626| 1.932 496
36| 178| 1.954] 21023 4957
3r{ 1g2| 11283] 1.343 2.878
7| 1g0| "863 3 2.020
26 ary 688 7 1,776
67} 43) 538] 549 1,850
16 TOS 435 55° 1.440
3) "e) 40] 4sr nor?
4| 33] 263 3 649
x2|33| 209| 225 3
3 8 133 134
5 8 92 95 295
t| 10 “4 45 EJ
10.749 | 12,914 | 123,508 | 151.588 41354
Grand Total.
| Grand Total of) 35.817 | 18.546 | 635.302 847.468] 3.861.683 | .112,909| 2.749.980 | sons
PURANDHAR SANITARIUM. 207
eee enemies Ines kw torts fi Barend aad
level is about 2800 feet above the sea; but
the bill of Purandhar i is nearly 1700 feet higher, on which, about 400
feet from the summit, is Purandhar fort, The Nira, with its small feeder
4677 wells are used for irrigation, The raw sugar of Purandhar is
much prized for its quality, which is said to be due to the peculiar
practice of keeping the cane in the ground 18 months. The cane
is planted in May or June, and cut in November or December of
the following year. ‘The chief crop is dra, which covers 48 per
cent. of the whole area under tillage; the next is jodr, with 27-2
per cent. Of the whole area under cultivation, 51'5 per cent. are
tinder early, and 48°5 per cent. under late crops. The height above
the sea, the unfailing watersupply, and the woody valleys, combine
to make Purandhar one of the pleasantest and healthiest parts of the
District. The western branch of the Southern Marithé Railway
(mow under construction) traverses the Sub-division, ‘The thrifty,
skilful hbusbandmen, the Nira Canal, and railway communication,
‘have combined to draw attention to Purandhar as the most favourable
part of the Decenn in which to try the experiment of an agricultural
bank. The area cultivated in 1881-82 was 124,046 acres, of which
2225 acres were twice cropped, Grain crops occupied 117,997 acres;
pulses, 5253 acres; oil-seeds, sor acres; fibres, gt acres; and miscel-
laneous crops, 2449 acres, of which 1022 were under sugarcane. In
1883 the Sub-division contained x civil and 2 criminal courts ; police
circle (thfmf), 1; regular police, 58 men; village watch (chawklddrs),
233- Land revenue, £9798.
Purandhar.—Once a fortress, and now a sanitarium for European
troops, in Purandhar Sub-division, Poona (Pina) District, Bombay
Presidency. 1t really comprises two hill forts, Purandhar and Wazir-
gath, and lies in lat. 18° 16’ 33" x., and long 74° o' 45” ®.; 20 miles
south-eust of Poona city, ‘The highest point of the mountain of
Purandhar is upwards of 1700 feet above the plain below, and 4472
feet above sealevel, Purandhar is larger, higher, and more import-
ant than Wacirgorh. The summit of both hills is crowned with «
fasonry ruin studded here and there with bastions. Purandhar is
varied by two elevations, on the higher of which, the loftiest point in
the range, isa temple to Siva. The hill on which this temple stands
‘is part of the upper fort of Purandhar. On the northern face of the
hill, 30 feet below the temple and upwards of 1000 feet above the plain,
AM
298 PURANDBAR SANITARIOM.
runs a level terrace on which stands the military cantonment, flanked
on the east by the barracks and on the west by the hospital, The
northern edge of the terrace is defended by a low wall with several
semicircular bastions, and a gate flanked by two towers, ‘This is called
the Michi or terrace fort. At the foot of the hill isa well-built resi~
house, from which the ascent leads by a wide, easy road. From the
middle of the cantonment, a winding read, 830 yards long, runs
towards the upper fort, ending in a flight of rude stone steps which
wind between a loop-holed wall of masonry and the basalt cliff on which
the fort stands. A sharp turn leads suddenly to the Delhi Gate, flanked
by solid bastion towers. ‘The defences, like most of the hill forts in
this part of the country, are of perpendicular rock, and are weakened
rather than strengthened by curtains and bastions of masonry.
‘The earliest known mention of Purandhar is in the sien of the first
Bahmant king, Al-ud-din Hassan Gangu (134771358), who obtained:
possession of almost the whole of Mahdrashtra, from the Purandhar
range to the Kaveri (Cauvery), and fortified Purandharin 1350. During
the early rule of the Bijdpur and Ahmadnagar kings, Puranchar was
among the forts which were reserved by the Government, and never
entrusted to jdyinddrs or estate-holders. ‘The fort of Purandhar
to Maloji, the grandfather of Sivajf, when Bahudar Nizim Shah of
Ahmadnagar (1576-1599) granted him Poona and Supa, In 1665 iz
was invested by the forces of Aurangzeb, under the command of
Rajd Jai Singh, the famous Rajput general, assisted by the Afghan
Diler Khan. ‘Though the defence by BAji Prabhu, a Dashpdndya of
Mhir, who was the commandant of the fort, was obstinate, Sivaji
appears to have been so intimidated at the prospect of the fall of
Purandhar that he surrendered it, together with Singhgarh, and
entered the service of Aurangzeb, He revolted, however, and
recaptured Purandhar in 1670. After the power of the Peshwds had
superseded that of the descendants of Sivaji at Poona, Purandhar —
was the usual stronghold to which the Peshwas retreated when unable
to remain in safety at their capital. In 1818, Purandhar was invested
by a British force under General Pritzler. On the 14th of March a —
mortar battery opened on it; and on the 15th, Wazirgarh admitted a
British garrison, As Wazfygarh commanded Purandhar, the com
mandant had to accept the terms given to that garrison, and the
British colours were hoisted at Purandhar on the 16th March 1823.
‘The fort commands a passage through the Ghats, called the Parandhar
Ghat Here, in (776, was concluded a treaty between the British
Government and the Marithd States; but its conditions were never
fulfilled, being overruled by the subsequent treaty of Salbéi in 1782
the Bombay Government and Raghuba, at the close of the
first Mardthé war,
PURANIGUDAM—PURI. 290
Purdnigud4m.—River-side village in Nowgong District, Assam,
whose inhabitants are engaged in fishing and trade, .
- Purdré.—Zomindéri or potty chiefship in the south-east of Bhandérd
District, Central Provinces, along the Bagh river; comprising 7 villages.
Area, 37 square miles, of which 7 are coltivated, Population (1881)
3517. ‘The chief is a Gond, and the population consists mainly of
Gonds and Goinis. ‘The forests contain good building timber, but are
infested by tigers. Purdrd, the chief village, is situated in lat. 21" 9° S.,
long. So" 26° x
Purf-—A District in the Lieutenant-Govemorship of Bengal, forming
the southern portion of the Orissa Division ; lying between 19° 27' 40"
and) 20° 16! 20° Wy. Int, and between 85" 0" 26" and 86° 28’. long. Area,
2473 square miles; population (1881) 888,487 souls. Bounded on
the north by the Government estate of Bankt, and Athgarh ‘Tributary
State; on the east and north-east by Cuttack District; on the south-
cast and south by the Bay of Dengal; and on the west by the Madras
District of Ganjém and the State of Ranpur. The head-quarters of
the District are at Puri Towx.
Physical Aspedte—Puxt District generally may be divided into three
imets—west, middle, and east. The western extends from the right
bank of the Dayd river across the stone country of Dandimal and
Khurdhd, till it rises into the hills of the ‘Tributary States. It contains
the only mountains found in Purf. A low range, beginning in Dompdrd
and running south-east in an irregular line towards the Chilkd Lake, con-
stitutes a watershed between this tract and the Mahdnadi river.. The
thdst important peaks are in the Khurdha Sub-division. On the north
‘of the Chilkd they become bold and very varied in shape, and throw
‘out spurs and promontories into the lake, forming island-studded bays,
with fertile valleys running far inland between their ridges. ‘The middle
and easter divisions consist entirely of alluvial plains, the south-western
part of the Mahinadi delta. They are watered by a network of channels,
‘which the most southerly branch of that river, the Koysikhai,
way into the sea, The middle tract comprises the richest and
most populous paryands of the District; the eastern is less thickly
peopled, and in the extreme east loses itself in the jungles around the
mouths of the Devi stream. The following scheme briefly shows the
river system of the District :-—
f Rosbhadri { Raneeaatt} Kushhadra } Bay of Bengal.
Koyakhai Bhargavi Bhérgavi |
~) Bhargavt Nin Chilkit Lake.
edu All | Riv i Daya ii 2
‘All these rivers are navigable by large boats during the rainy season,
but none is deep enough for boats of 100 maunds, or say 4 tons
PURI. gor
of Orissa, separated from the ocean by a narrow sandy ridge. On the
west, the lake is hemmed in by lofty mountains, and on the south it is
bounded by the hilly watershed separating Orissa from Madras. It is
4 pearshaped expanse of water, 44 miles long, of which the northern
half has a miean breadth of 20 miles, while the southern barely averages
§ miles. Its smallest area is returned at 344 square miles in the dry
weather, increasing to about 450 in the rainy season. Its mean
depth is from 5 to s feet, and its bed is in some parts slightly below
low-water mark. From December to June the lake is salt, ‘The
theories respecting the origin of the Chilkd are given at length in the
article under that heading. ‘The scenery of the Inke is very varied,
and in ‘places exceedingly picturesque. On its eastern side lle the
islands of Paxrxup, which have silted up behind, and are now partially
joined to the ridge of land shutting off the Chilkd from the sea, Salt-
making is largely carried on in this’ part of the District, The Purt
fivers enter the Chilkd at its northern end; and it is in the tracts
situated here that the greatest suffering occurs in times of general
inundation,
“There are no revenue-paying forests in Puri District; but the jungles
Yield honey, beeswax, ¢asar silk, the dye called gundi, and various
medicinal drugs The timber-trees include sdf; strst, ebony, jack-wood,
mango, wind, ete. Barmboos and rattan-canes abound. Game
of every kind is plentiful ; but in the open part of the country the larger
wild beasts have been nearly exterminated. Of fishes there is an endless
variety, and the fisheries have been estimated to give employment to
39/073 fishermen.
History.—The general history of Puri is that of Ontssa, ‘The only
two noteworthy political events that have taken place since the District
pasted into our hands, together with the rest of the Province, in 1803,
‘are the rebellion of the Mahdrija of Khurdhd in r8o4, and the rising
of the Affe or peasant militia in 1817-18,
The Rajd of Khurdhd, although stripped of a considerable portion
of his territory, had been left by the Mardthis i ive indepen-
dence within his own Av/é or fort. When we entered the Province, the
Raja passively espoused our cause, and the decisior h Com-
missioners to retain the paryamés taken by the “Marit is quiesced
in by him, “But after the European troops had returned to Madras,
and the native force at Cuttack had been cor ly reduced by the
pécessity of establishing detached outposts in different parts of the
country, the Kajé thought that a favourable opportunity had arrived for
recovering the lost territory, Asa tentative measure, he sent one of his
servants in July 1804 to collect the rents of one of the villages, named
lying within the Mughalband{, ‘This messenger was summarily
ejected ; and the Commissioners addressed to the Rijé a strong remon-
302 PURL.
strance, but the warning appears to have had but little effect. In
September of the same year (1804), the R4jd was detected in an
intrigue relative to the affairs of the Purl temple. He was therefore
forbidden to issue orders to any person whatever residing within the
limits of Mughalbandi territory, without the express sanction of the
Commissioners.
In October, exactly one month after the issue of this order, the Rais
troops—if a disorderly mob of pdiés and peons can so be called—made
a raid on the villages in the vicinity of Pippl{; and this affair, though
partaking more of the nature of a large dakdi#f or gang-robbery than
of an organized and preconcerted military aggression, occasioned co
siderable alarm. The majority of our forces had returned to Madras,
and what few troops remained behind were scattered over a lange
area. ‘The nature of the country rendered speedy communication
and rapid concentration impossible. Troops were sent for from
Ganjim, and a detachment speedily marched from Cuttack. The
rebels, driven out of Pippli, retreated to the fort at Khurdhd, followed
by our troops. In three weeks the approaches, which were stockaded
and fortified with strong masonry barriers, were carried by storm ; bat
the Rdjé made good his escape southwards. A few days later he
surrendered, and his territory was confiscated. The Rajé was released
in 1807 and allowed to reside in Puri, his estate being managed
as a Government 4Ads mahd/, and an allowance made for his main-
tenance.
In 1817, the pais or landed militia rose in open rebellion against
the oppressions suffered at the hands of the farmers, sarbardaddrs, and
other underlings, to whom was entrusted the collection of the revenue;
and also against the tyrannies of a venal police. They found a
natural leader in one Jagabandhu, an officer who had inherited from
his ancestors the post of commander of the forces of the Rajé of
Khurdhd, and ranked next to the R4jd himself, He had been unlaw-
fully deprived of his estate, and reduced to beggary. For nearly two
years he derived his maintenance from the voluntary contributions
of the people, and wandered about attended by a ragged band of
followers, bearing the insignia pertaining to his former position, The
rebels first attacked the police station and Government offices at
Bénpur, where they killed upwards of a hundred men, and carried off
about £1500 of treasure. ‘The civil buildings at Khurdh4 were bumt
to the ground; and another body of the insurgents advanced into
Lembai pargand, and murdered one of our native officials, who had
incurred their displeasure.
On the report of these occurrences, the authorities at Cuttack at
‘once despatched a force, one detachment of which marched direct to
Khurdhé, and another to Pipl. After some severe fighting, British
aT
304 PURI.
769. The bulk of the native Christians are Depeenr(sepreaarates
having a mission station at Pippli, with 522 followers in 1881.
‘The native population is nominally divided according to ieiadiient
‘or royal and military class ; and the Stidras, who comprise ithe residec
of the population, Tn order, however, to maintain some show of keep+
ing up the ancient fourfold division, several classes are admitted to
hold 2 position halfway between the Suidras and the Kshattriyas. The
most important of these are the Karans, who correspond to the
Kayasths or writer caste of Bengal.
The bulk of the population consist of Unit speaiiogy castes, but
many little colonics from other ports of India have settled in the
District. There is a considerable sprinkling of Rengalie among the
officials and landed classes. A number of Telingds have come from
the south, and established themselves on the shores of the Chilka, and
around the mouths of the rivers. Almost the whole boat traffic of the
District isin their hands. The Kumtis are immigrants from the adjoin«
ng District of Ganjim. The trading classes contain families who have
come from Bhojpur, Bundelkhand, and other parts of North-Western
India. A scattered Mardthi population survives from the time whem
the country was in the hands of their race. ‘They live chiefly by tradey
or enjoy little grants of land, and form a very respectable, although mot
a numerous, class. The Musalmiins, who also represent a once domi»
nant race in Orissa, exhibit no such powers of adapting themselves 10
their altered circumstances, They are generally poor, proud, and
discontented. They include representatives of Afghdn families from
beyond the confines of Northern India; but, as a rule, they are the
descendants of the common soldiery, camp-followers, and low-casie
Hindu converts. There are also two hill tribes, the Kandhs and the
Savars or Saurds; for a furthur account of whom, sec OxrssA TRMUTARY
‘Srares, ‘a
‘The population of the District is entirely rural, and the only towac®
containing upwards of five thousand inhabitants is Purf itself, with ==
resident population (1881) of 22,095. ‘There are 3871 villages with =<
than two hundred inhabitants; 1098 with from two to five hundred = —=
185 with from five hundred to a thousand; rr with from one t=
two thousand; and x with upwards of twenty thousand ; total, 5166
‘The chief towns in the District are—Puru, the capital, and the scat =>
the worship of Jaginndth; population (x882) 22,095: Prrets, 25 ‘nile
from Puri, the centre of considerable trade in rice and cloth, and ==
station of the Baptist Mission: and. BHUVANESWAR, the temple city =
Siva, and a place of pilgrimage, containing shrines in every stage of
Orissa art.
PURI. 395
Buddhism, for ten centuries, was the prevailing eg 0) OS
‘but its only existing traces are to be found in the cave dwellings and
rock habitations of the priests and hermits, and in recently deciphered
inscriptions, ‘heir principal settlement was at Kuaxborrt, about
halfway between Puri and Cuttack, The Snake, Elephant, and ‘Tiger
‘Caves here (for a description of the latter see Upayactni), and a two-
‘storied monastery, known as the Queen's Palace (Raxt-xur), are the
‘most interesting excavations, They form relics of the three distinct
Phases through which Buddhism passed. ‘The first, or ascetic age, is
represemted by the single sandstone cells; scarcely bigger than the lair
of a wild beast, and almost as inaccessible ; the second, or ecremonial
age, is shown in the pillared teraples for meetings of the brotherhood,
with commodious chambers for the spiritual heads attached to them;
the third, or fashionable age of Buddhism, reached its climax in the
Queen's Palace, adorned) with a sculptured biography of its founder.
‘Sun-worship is onc of the religions into which Buddhism disintegrated ;
and the most exquisite memorial of this is the temple of Kanarax
upon the Orissa shore, now a picturesque ruin. (For a full account of
these temples, sce Statistical Account of Bengal, vol. xix. pp. 72-91.)
© Materiat Condition of the People—The people are poor, and appear
even poorer than they are. They wear inferior clothes to men of the
‘in other Districts. The well-to-do settlers from the south
are distinguished by their carrings and necklaces of gold. A respect-
able shopkeepers house is built principally of wattle and mud. ‘The
front verandah is of brick, and the roof of thatch, firmly fixed on a
good ‘bamboo or wooden frame, The dwelling of a prosperous
merchant or landholder, with an income of {roo a year, consists of
‘2 series of houses built round two courts, which lead one into the other,
with the road in front of the outer court, and a garden behind the
inner one. The outer court is bordered by the chambers of the male
members of the family, and the inner court by the women’s apartments,
the family storehouses, and the cook-room, ‘The furniture of such a
house would consist of a few low bedsteads, a press or two, some
wooden stools, a few broken chairs, and perhaps a striped cotton
carpet for the reception-room. ‘The dwellings of the common people
consist of sheds or thatched huts built round a court The outer
Apartments are used by the men, and for the cattle Whe inner are
devoted to the women, to the cook-room, and the storehouse.
‘The food of a well-to-do shopkeeper comprises the following
2—Rice, splitpeas, vegetables, fish, milk, wif or clarified butter,
and occasionally goat's flesh. The family of a husbandman
in good circumstances, consisting of six persons, and able to spend
Rs. 8, or sixteen shillings, a month, would consume the following food
per diem —5 sers (10 lbs.) of rice, 2 dands 8 pies, or fourpence; vege
VoL. Xt. v
306 PURI.
tables or split-peas and fish, 6 pies, or three-farthings ; and oil and spice,
6 pies, ot three-farthings.
As regards occupation, the Census Report returns the male populstion
under the following six main headings :—Class (1) Professional, includ:
ing civil and military, 19,459 ; (2) domestic servants, inn and lodging-
house keepers, 4391 ; (3) commercial class, including bankers, trader,
carriers, etc., 6156; (4) agricultural and pastoral class, including
gardeners, 146,177; (5) manufacturing and industrial class, including
all artisans, 59,519; and (6) indefinite and non-productive class,
comprising male children and 34,637 general labourers, 210,907.
Agriculture —No trustworthy figures are available for the area under
cultivation, In 1870 it was returned at 1158 square miles, out of
then total area of 2504 square miles. For the purposes of the Census
the area was taken at 2473 square miles, of which about 800,000 acres
are estimated as under cultivation. Of rice crops, the following are the
most important :—The diddi, sdrad, ddlud, and mandud. The sdrad ot
winter crop is usually transplanted, a process ensuring a much lager
return, Pulses, jute, hemp, flax, and oil-seeds are also grown. Among
miscellaneous crops are—tobacco, grown on low moist lands; cotton,
sown early in the cold weather, and reaped in May or June, on sérsd
rice land; sugar-cane, on high land, with abundant moisture, or with
capabilities for irrigation ; turmeric (Aa/di); bdigun (Solanum melongens),
on homestead land; potatoes, red pepper, and fda or betel-leaf.
Manure is sparingly employed ; irrigation is effected from wells, tanks,
and rivers. Rotation of crops is not very generally practised.
The total crop of rice is estimated at about 5 millions of cwts.; the
cotton at about 21,000 cwts. ; and the pulses at about 25,000 cwts. It
is estimated that about 60,000 cwts. of rice are annually exported—
one-third by sea, and two-thirds by land and the Chilkd Lake; bet
the above figures must be received with caution. The yield per acres
from 16 to 36 cwts. of unhusked paddy, and from 8 to 16 cwts of
husked rice. The average out-turn from fair land may be put down
at 10 cwts. of rice.
‘Thirty acres forms a large holding, and 80 acres an unusually large
one. A husbandman with ro acres is supposed to be as well off as &
small retail shopkeeper, or a servant earning about Rs. 8, or 16, 4
month, The husbandman dresses worse, but he has more to eat. The
cultivators, as a class, are deeply in debt to the landholders, who make
advances of money and rice to their tenants. A large proportion of
them hold at fixed rates, and represent the shdnt rdyats of the Settle
ment papers, who hold their land under leases (Ad/ipatéds), granted by
the Settlement officers in 1836-37, and remaining in force until the
next Settlement in 1897. The average rates of rent in Purl District
vary from 6s. 3d. in the deltaic upland to 3s. 3d. in the neighbourhood
PURI SUB-DIVISION, 369
money and lands of £2517. The total machinery, therefore, for
protecting person and property consisted of 2471 officers and men,
giving 1 man to every square mile of area, or to every 360 of popula
tion. Total estimated cost, £9364, equal to an average of £3, 15%
844. per square mile of area, or 2}. per head of population, The total
‘number of persons convicted of an offence in ‘cognisable’ and ‘non-
cognisable’ cases in 1883, was 2151, or 4 to every 413 of the popula
tion. There are 2 jails in Puri, namely the District jail at the civil
Station, and a Sub-livisional lock-up at Khurdhd. In 1883 the daily
average number of prisoners was 98, of whom 4°50 were females,
Tn 1872-73, the number of inspected schools was 112, attended by
2802 pupils By March 1884, as the result of Sir George Campbell's
‘educational reform, the number of schools brought under the inspec-
tion of the Educational Department had risen to upwards of 2000, and
the pupils to 20,000, The Census Report of 1881 retumed 14,521
boys and ro$r girls as under instruction, besides 29,157 males and
1460 females able to read and write, but not under instruction, A
‘Sanskrit school has been established in Puri town,
‘The District contains one municipatity, namely Purf town, The
mainicipal income in 1876-77 amounted to £914, and in 1883-84 to
£1927 ; average incidence of taxation (1883-84), 1194, per head of
Popalation (24,336) within municipal limits
fure, ¢le—The average annual rainfall is 56°24 inches. ‘The
prevailing diseases of the District are malarial fever in all its varieties,
elephastiasis, dysentery, and cholera. Fairs and religious gatherings
are the great predisposing causes of cpidcmics, The Purl pilgrim
hospital and dispensary is the principal medical charity of the District ;
ranch dispensaries at Khurdhd and Pipplii These hospitals and
afforded medical relief in 1883-84 to 559 indoor and
12,326 outdoor patients, ‘The total number of deaths registered in
Piri District in 1883 was r8,or9, equal toa death-rate of 20'28 per
thousand. The principal cattle diseases are gusi, or cattle smallpox,
abd pAdtxd, or hoofdiscase, which occasionally break out in an epidemic
form, and are extremely fatal. [For further particulars regarding Puri,
see The Statistical Account of Bengal, by W. W. Hunter, val. xviii.
pp. 17-192 (Trabner & Co,, London, 187). Rofo C
wvissiomers to enquire into the Famine in Bengal
the Bengal Census Reports for 1872 and 1381 5 | the several annual
Bengal Administration and Departmental Reports from 180 to 1884.)
Puri.—Head-quarters Sub-division of Puri District, Bengal. Area,
F530 square miles; villages, 3852 ; houses, 97, 2. Population (1882)
565,082, namely, males 284,748, and females 280,334. Hindus number
$57,379; Mahammadans, 7114; and Christians, 589. Average number
of persons per square mile, 369; villages per square mile, 2°52; persons
310 PURI TOWN,
per village, 146; houses per square mile, 72"7; inmates per house, 5'8-
‘This Sub-division includes the 3 police circles ‘(thdnds) of Pari, Gop,
and Pipplii In 1883 it contained 1 civil and 5 cotirts ; with:
a regular police force numbering 311 officers and Tena tonh
watch or rural police 1638 strong,
Puri (commonly known as, nnd Chie tows of Purt Dieire,
Bengal ; situated on the coast, in lat, 19° 48" 17° , and long. 85" 51"
39° separated from the sea by Jow sandy ridges. In 1828, according
to Stirling, it contained $742 houses. In 1841 the houses numbered
6620, inhabited by 23,766 persons, ‘The Census of 1872 disclosed a
population of 22,695, of whom 12,077 were males and 10,618 fernales,
In 188r the population was returned at 22,095, namely, males Pala
and females 10,326, Municipal income (1883-85), £1927.
number of Hindus in 188r was 21,913 ; of Muhammadans, 181; oe
“other, 1. This is the ordinary resident population, bar during the
great festivals of Jagannith the number is sometimes mp eprnials')
many as a hundred thousand pilgrims,
Puri covers an area of 1837 acres, including the whole dade or
sacred precincts of the town. It is a city of lodgingyhouses, being
destitute alike of manufactures or commerce on any considerable scale.
‘The streets are mean and narrow, with the exception of the principal
avenue, which leads from the temple to the country-housé of Jagannath,
‘The houses are built of wattle covered with clay, raised on platforms
of hard mud, about 4 fect high, and many of them gaily painted with
Hindu gods, or with scenes from the Sanskrit epies: ‘The intervening
sandhills between the town and the beach intercept the drainage, and
aggravate the diseases to which the overcrowding of the pilgrims ives
tise,
‘The sanitary measures which have been taken for the ns
ment of the town are of three kinds,—the first directed to lessen the
number of pilgrims; the second, to mitigate the dangers of the roads
and the third, to prevent epidemics in the town. Tn seasons of cholera
or other great calamity in Orissa, it would be possible to cheek the
pilgrim stream, by giving warning in the Government @aseffe, and
the medium of the vernacular papers. ‘This was done in the famine
year 1866, and native opinion supported the action of Government.
But such interference is resorted to only under extreme’ circumstances.
‘The second set of preventive measures can be applied with greater ease,
and with more certain results. Thousands of pilgrims dic annually
upon the journey from exhaustion and want of food, nor docs it seem
possible to Jessen the number of deaths from these causes. Within the
last twenty years, pilgrim hospitals have been opened along the main
lines of road, and a medical patrol has been, through the energy and
devotion of the Civil Surgeon of Purl, established in the vicinity of the
PURI TOWN. yu
holy city, Great good has been effected by these means; but a heavy
drawback to their utility consists in the fact that the devotees will only
‘enter an hospital at the last extremity, and the surgeons say that the
‘great majority of pilgrim patients are beyond the reach of aid when
they are brought in.
» Cuttack city, the capital of Orissa, formerly suffered terribly from the
passage of the pilgrim army; but a sanitary cordon is now maintained,
ahead the public health has been marvellous. This in-
‘expensive quarantine might easily be applied to other municipalities
along the pilgtim highway. The devotees suffer no inconvenience ; for
5 soon as the change in their route is known, little hamlets of grain-
sellers spring up outside the cordon, Indeed, the pilgrims would be
gainers hy the change, in so far as they could purchase their food free
of octroi or other municipal charges, where such dues are enforced.
_ The great difficulty has been to check the overcrowding in Puri town.
Tn 1866, a Bill was introduced into the Bengal Council for the better
regulation of the lodging-houses for pilgrims, and finally passed with
amendments in 1368, It provides for the appointment of a health
officer, to inspect the lodging-houses, and report on them to the
‘Under this Act, no house may be opened without a
Tieenee ; and licences are granted only upon a certificate from the sur-
geen, stating the suitability of the tenement for the purpose, and the
number of persons which it can properly accommodate, Except in cases
‘where the lodging-house keepers are persons of known respectability,
their establishments continue under the surveillance of the health
officer, and penalties are provided for wilful overcrowding, and similar
breaches of the licence, Much good has resulted from the operation
of this Act.
The Government offices lie upon the beach, with the sandy ridge
between them and the town. ‘The site is salubrious; but the dwellings
ofthe English residents barely number 6 thatched cottages, much out
ofrepait. The monsoon blows so fresh and cool from the sca, that in
former days the officials from Cuttack used regularly to come to Purl
during the hot weather. During the rains it is less healthy.
‘The following description of the shrine of Jagannath at Purl is
condensed from the present author's Orissa (vol. i. chaps. 3 and 4) >—
For two thousand years, Orissa has been the Holy Land of the
Hindus; and from the moment the pilgrim passes the Baitarani river,
om the high road 40 miles north-east of Cuttack, he treads on holy
ground. The Province is divided into four great regions of pilgrimage.
‘On crossing the stream, the devotee enters Jajpur (lit. ‘ City of Sacri«
fice"), sacred to Parvati, the wife of Siva. To the south-cast lic the
matchless ruins, the relics of sun-worship in Orissa; to the south-west,
the temple city of Siva; and beyond this, nearly due south, is the
——SE 1
312 PUR TOWN.
region of pilgrimage beloved of Vishnu, known to every hamlet through-
out India as the abode of Jagannath, the Lord of the World.
As the outlying position of Orissa long saved it from conquest, and
from thet desecration of ancient Hindu shrines and rites which marks
the Muhammadan line of march through India, so Purl, built upon
its extreme south-eastern shore, and protected on the one side by the
surf, and on the other by swamps and inundations, is the corner of
Orissa which has been most left to itself, On these inhospitable sands,
Hindu religion and Hindu superstition have stood at bay for eighteen
centuries against the world. Here is the national temple, whither the
people flock to worship from every Province of India. Here is the
Swargadwira, the Gate of Heaven, whither thousands of pilgrims
come to die, fulled to their last sleep by the roar of the ocean.
This great yearning after Jaganndth is to some extent the result
of centuries of companionship in suffering between the people and
their god, In every disaster of Orissa, Jaganndth has borne his
share. In every flight of the people before an invading power, he
has been their companion. The priests, indeed, put the claims of
thelr god upon higher ground. ‘In the first boundless space’ they:
say, ‘dwelt the Great God, whom men call Ndriyan, or Parameswara,
or Jagannath’ But without venturing beyond this world’s history,
the earliest of Orissa traditions discloses Purl as the refuge of an exiled
creed. In the uncertain dawn of Indian history, the bighly spiritual
doctrines of Buddha obtained shelter here; and the Golden Tooth
of the founder of the Buddhist faith remained for centuries at Pari,
then the Jerusalem of the Buddhists, as it has. been for centuries that
of the Hindus,
Jaganndth makes his first historical appearance in the year 318. Dy
when the priests fled with the sacred image and left an empty city to
Rakta Bahu and his buccaneers (see Statistica! Account of Bengal, vole
xvii. p. 182). For a century and a half the idol remained buried in
the westem jungles, till a pious prince drove out the foreigners and
brought back the deity. Three times it has been buried in the Chile
Lake; and whether the invaders were pirates from the sea, or the:
devouring cavalry of Afghinistdn, the first thing that the people saved.
was their god. °
‘The true source of Jaganndth's undying hold upon the Hindu, race
consists in the fact that he is the god of the people, The poor outcast
learns that there is a city on the far eastern shore, in which priest: and
peasant are equal in the presence of the ‘Lord of the World,’ Inthe
courts of Jagannath, and outside the Lion Gate, 100,c0o. pilgrims:
every year join in the sacrament of eating the holy food, the sanctity
of which overlcaps all barriers of caste, race, and hostile faiths,
A Puri priest will receive food from a Christian's hand. The
Pf par ae
ef part in introd
PURT TOWN. as
and Kablr (1380-1420 An.) were the first reformers, ‘The moral
code of the latter consists in humanity, wuthfulness, retirement, and
obedience to the spiritual guide. Kabir was followed by Chaitanya,
the great prophet of Orissa, who was born in 148s, and miraculously
disappeared fn'1§27. According to his doctrine, no caste and no race
was beyond the pale of salvation, Chaitanya is the apostle of the
common people, being generally adored in connection with Vishnu;
and of stich joint temples there are at present 800 in the Province.
‘The death of this reformer marks the beginning of the spiritual
decline of Vishnu-worship. As early as 1520, a new teacher, Val-
labha-Swimf, appeared in Northern India, preaching that God was
hot to be sought in nakedness, hunger, and solitude, but amid the
enjoyments of this world, Vishnu was adored in his pastoral incar-
mation as Krishna, leading a glorious Arcadian life in the forest,
and surroundéd’ by everything that appeals to’ the sensuousness of
@ tropical race. His great annual ceremony is the Car Festival,
hereafter to be described. In a religion of this sort, great abuses are
fnevitable. The most deplorable of its corruptions at the present day
is that which has covered the temple walls with indecent sculptares,
and filled their innermost sanctuaries with licentious rites. It is very
difficult for a person not a Hindu to pronounce upon the rea) extent of
this evil. None but a Hindu can enter any of the larger temples, and
ome but a Hindu priest really knows the truth about their inner
mysteries. But between Vishnuism and Love-worship there is but
a step, and this step has been formally and publicly taken by a large
sect Of Vishnuites.
The devotion of centuries has made Jagannath a very wealthy god;
bot it is difficult to form anything like an accurate estimate of hig
present ‘income. During the twenty-one years ending 1831, the
Pilgrim ‘tax yielded a net total of £139,000, or £6619 a year,
after deducting £5955 a year from the gross returns for the temple
expenses and charges. It was felt, however, that the money thus
‘tectived was to a certain’ extent the price of a State sanction to
idolatry, and in 1840 the Government abolished the tax, and made
‘Over the entire management of the temple to the Rajds of Khurdhd.
A moderate computation estimated the offerings to the priests at
twice the gross sum which the British officers realized as pilgrim
tix; and now that the tax is withdrawn and the pilgrims enter the
city so much the richer, the oblations cannot fall much short of
three times the amount. This would yield a yearly sum of £37,000,
which, added to the £4000 derived from the temple lands, and to
‘the revenues of the religious houses valued at £27,000, makes the
total income of Jagannéth not less than £68,000 per annum, Tt
may be mentioned that Ranjit Singh bequeathed the celebrated
Temple
652 feet long, and 630 broad.
eyes by a massive stone wall 20 feet |
mystic wheel and ai of Vishnu.
or Lion Gate, in the square where |
exquisite monolithic pillar which
Temple of the Sun, twenty miles up the
Jagannath consists of 4 chambers, commut
vie —the Hall of Offerings; the Pillared Hall
dancing.girls; the Hall of Audience ; and, lastly, 1
containing rude images of Jaganntth, ‘his brother
his sister Subhadrié, Jaganndth is “represented
and partly in sumptuous ceremonials at stated
the year, The offerings are bloodless; but, n ‘
sacred enclosure is a shrine to Bimald, the ‘stainless’
All-Destroyer, who is annually adored with bloody
four festivals are held, consisting chiefly of V 0
tions, but freely admitting the ceremonials of other
the Red Powder Festival, Vishnu and Siva enjoy equ
in the festival of the slaughter of the
i familiar of Siva and his queen, the supremacy of
But the Car Festival is the great event of the'year, It
June or July, and for weeks beforehand the whole |
ferment, ‘The great car is 45 feet in height and 35 feet syaan
is supported on 16 wheels of 7 fect diameter,
sister of Jagannath have separate cars a few feet smaller. ) the
sacred images are at length brought forth and placed |
chariots, thousands fall on their knees and bow their
dust. ‘The vast multitude shouts with one throat, and, surging ‘back.
PURT TOWN. 317
wards and forwards, drags the wheeled edifices down the broad streets
towards the country-house of lord Jaganndth. Music strikes up before
and behind, drums beat, cymbals clash, the priests harangue from the
cars, or shout a sort of fescennine medley enlivened with broad
allusions and coarse gestures, which are received with roars of laughter
by the crowd,
‘The distance from the temple to the country-house is less than a
mile; but the wheels sink deep into the sand, and the journey takes
eisai
the garden-house is reached ; and the cars, deserted by the
grunts and groans. These men, 4200 in number, are peasants from the
neighbouring fiscal divisions, who generally manage to live at free
quarters in Puri during the festival. Once arrived at the country-hause,
prostrate bodies. When they have slept off their excitement, they rise
refreshed and ready for another of the strong religious stimulants of the
season. Lord Jagannith is left to get back to his temple as best he
can, and but for the professional car-pullers, would inevitably be left
at bis country-house,
In a closely-packed, eager throng of a hundred thousand men and
women, many of them unaccustomed to exposure or labour, and all
of them tugging and straining at the cars to the utmost under a blazing
sun, deaths must occasionally occur. There have, doubtless, been
instances of pilgrims throwing themselves under the wheels in a frenzy
of religious excitement; but such instances have always been rare,
and are now almost unknown. At one time, several people were
Killed or injured every year, but these were almost invariably the result
of accidental trampling. The few cases of suicide that did occur
were for the most part those of diseased and miserable objects, who
took this means to put themselves out of pain. The official returns
plice this beyond doubt, Nothing, indeed, could be more opposed
the spirit of Vishnu-worship than self-immolation. Accidental
death within the temple renders the whole place unclean, ‘The copious
literature of the sect of Chaitanya makes no allusion to self-sacrifice,
‘and contains no passage that could be twisted into a sanction for it,
‘The temple of Jagannath, that enldurio religionum, in which every
‘erced obtained an asylum, and in which every sect can find its god,
now closes its gates against the low-caste population. Speaking
generally, only those are excluded who retain the flesh-cating and
smimablifedestroying propensities of the aboriginal tribes; wine-sellers,
‘sweepers, skinners, corpse-bearers, are also shut out.
road, every: y
the shrine of Jagannith are a motley assemblage, at i
sixth of whom are women, . Ninety-five out of a-hundred come on
foot. Mixed with the throng are devotees of various sorts;—some
covered nprmgininarstun eis yt
stained hair; almost all with their foreheads streaked with red or
caravan of elephants, camels, led horses, and swordsmen, followed by
all the indescribable confusion of Indian royalty. ana ||
‘The vast spiritual army that thus marches its hundreds, and sometimes _
its thousands, of miles, slong burning roads, across unbridged |
through pestilent regions, of jungle and swamp, is annually recruited
with as much tact and regularity 2% is bestowed on any military force,
Attached to the temple is a body of emissaries, called pilgrim guides, —
numbering about 3000 men, who wander from yillge to village within
their allotted beats, preaching pilgrimage as the liberation from sin.
A good part of the distance can now be accomplished by rail, but the
northern pilgrims walk, as a rule, from 300 to 600 miles, although
recently a steamboat service between Calcutta and Orissa is attracting
steadily increasing number of pilgrims, The guide tries to keep ap
the spirits of the wayfarers, and once within sight of the holy city, the
pains and miseries of the journey are forgotten. The dirty bundles of
rags now yield their inner treasures of spotless cotton, and the pilgrims,
refreshed and robed in clean garments, proceed to the temple. As they
pass the Lion Gate, a man of the sweeper caste strikes them) with his
broom to purify them of their sins, and forces them to promise, on pain
of losing all the benefits of pilgrimage, not to disclose the events of
the journey or the secrets of the shrine. Ina few days the excitement _
subsides. At first nothing can exceed the liberality of the pilgrims.
to their spiritual guides; but thoughts of their retum journey soon
enter their minds, and the last few days of their stay are. (spent in
scheming a speedy departure, with as few more payments as possible
Every cay the pilgrims bathe in one of the sacred Jakes, and at the
principal one 5000 bathers may be seen at once. » At the,
as many a5 40,¢00 rush together into the surf at the ‘Gate of Heaven,
a tract extending about a quarter of a mile along the const.
No trustworthy statistics exist as to the number of pilgrims who yisit
Jaganndth, But a native gentleman, who has spent his life on the
spot, has published as his opinion that the number never falls short
‘of 50,000. year, and sometimes amounts to 300,00c. At the Car
Festival, food is cooked in the temple kitchen for 99,009 devotees; at
PURI TOWN. 319
smother festival for 70,000. The old registers, during the period when
c Ax notoriously fell below the truth; yet in five
scineneah during the last six days in June.
‘Missionaries in Orissa estimate the number of the
Se in some years, as high as
arian ype prbdiepoeing cates to disease among the
‘bad food, the unhealthiness of Puri town, and the crowding
| the lodging-houses, ‘The priests impress upon the pilgrims
the impropriety of dressing food within the holy city, and the temple
‘kitchen thus secures the monopoly of cooking for the multitude, The
{food consiéts chielly of boiled rice, which is considered too sacred for
So eerehemed to be thrown away. Consequently, it is consumed
b or other, whatever its state of putrefaction, to the very
As arule, the houses in Purl consist of two or three cells
with each other, without windows or ventilation of any
ety contains upwards of six thousand houses, and a
population, in 1881, of 22,095,
partment,’ says Dr, Mount, late Inspector-General
n the best pilgrim hotel of the place, in which $o persons
have passed the night It was 13 fect long, 10 feet 5
but one entrance, and no escape for the effete air.
ormal state of the best lodging-house in the broad main
it is not difficult to imagine the condition of the worst,
confined, backslums of the town.’ About
| Car Festival, there can be no doubt that as many as
are often packed for weeks together in the 5000
of Purl. At certain seasons of the year the miscry is
eping out of doors, but the Car Festival unfortunately
beginning of the rains. Cholera invariably breaks out
ts x; and it is impossible to compute, with ered
cy, the numbers that then perish. After the Car Festival,
ry stream flooded; and even those who can pay have
fordays in the tain om the bank, before a boat will
‘the ungovernable torrent. Hundreds die upon the road-
320 PURLA abit soni 5
some English station, for they are then taken into hospital. Personal
inquiries among the pilgrims led to the conclusion that, up to 1870, the
deaths in the city and by the way seldom fell below one-eighth, and
‘often amounted to one-fifth, of each company; and the Sanitary Com-
missioner for Bengal accepts this estimate. It is impossible to reckon.
the total number of the poorer sort who travel on foot at less than
84,000. It is equally impossible to reckon their deaths in Purl and on
the road at leas than one-seventh, or 12,000 a year. Deducting 2000
for the ordinary death-rate, we have a net slaughter of 10,000 per
annum,
It may well be supposed that the British Government has not looked
unmoved on this appalling spectacle, to which nothing but a total
prohibition of pilgrimage could put a stop. But such a prohibition
would amount to an interdict on one of the most cherished religions
privileges, and would be regarded by every Hindu throughout India
asa national wrong, The subject has come up from time to time
for official discussion; and in 1867, circular letters were sent to
every Division of Bengal, ‘The pilgrims’ lodging-houses in Puri have
been placed under special Acts; a system of sanitary surveillance and
quarantine introduced; and pilgrims! hospitals established along the
great line of road. ‘These efforts to reduce the loss of life to a minimum
have been described in a previous section of this article,
Purla Kimidi.—Ancient semindér! and town in Ganjém District,
Madras Presidency.—Se Paria Kimkor and Kimo.
Purna (the ancient Payoshni),—River of Berar, having its source im
the Sitpura range, lat. 21° N,, long. 76" t4°R. It Hows through Akola
District from. east to west, almost equidistant from the ranges of hills
which bound the valley north and south, It is not navigable by
boats, The banks, though soft, seem to a great extent to have resisted
erosion by the water, but there are exceptions; some villages on the
south bank, notably Wagoli, have had to move southwards, gradually
losing their ground to the north. The Purna has many tributary streams,
of which the chief are the Kata Purna, the Muma, the Mén, the Ghin,
the Shdhniir, the Chandra Bhdga, and the Wan, “Towards the end of
its course in Berar, the Purna for a space bounds the Districts of Akola
and Buldén4, and, passing beyond the latter into Khindesh, joins the
‘Tapti about 20 miles below Burhanpur, In the valley of the Purna
lie some of the richest cotton-producing tracts of Berar.
Purnabhabé.— River of Bengal; rises in the Brihmanpukhor
Marsh in the District of Dindjpur, and flows southwards for about
72 miles, until it enters Maldah District, Here it takes a south-
PURNGARH—PURNIAH.
passing through the dense Add? or highland
easier portion of Maldah District, and joins
‘lat. 24° so’ w,, and long. 88° 21’ £, about a mile
an grain mart of Rohanpur, which was
fora ais one of the approaches to Gaur by way of the
whine chief tributaries of the Purnabhabd in Dindjpur are
, Sidldanga, Hanch4-Katdkhdl, and Harbhangs,
Jeft bank; and the Mind on the west or right bank.
sandy, ‘and very deep in the upland tract, where the banks
are steep; elsewhere they are sloping or abrupt, according as the
‘current Sets from onc side of the river to the other; generally speaking,
‘they are jungly and uncultivated. ‘The river is navigable throughout
its by large boats in the rains, and by small boats during
ry season. ‘During the rainy months, the basin of the
‘is entitely filled by the flood of waters which come down
eee ‘of the Adéfd/, rising above the river banks; and at
may be said to expand into one vast lake, extending
area of adjoining low land.
Port in Ratndgiri District, Bombay Presidency, Lat.
73° 20° Twelve miles south of Ratndgiri. Popula-
) 512. The river Machkundi admits only vessels of small
“the ports of the Ratnagiri Customs Division, Average
‘of trade for five years ending 1881-82—imports, £5810,
Area, 4956 square miles; population (according
pert, L450. Fort,
s itish District in the aeltenahtGovernonhip of Bengal,
m1 25° ts’ and 26° g5' x», lat, and between 87° 2’ and
0 asus of 1881) 1,838,687. Pumish forms the northeastern
Bhagalpu It is bounded on the north
‘of Nep4l and Dérjfling District ; on the east by the
Falodigort Dindjpur, and Maldah ; on the south by the
which separates it from the Districts of Bhiigalpur and
; and on the west by Bhdgalpur, The administrar
are nt _Porsiaat town, which is also the most
‘and a few tracts of undulating country in the north
‘Nepal, the whole presents an almost dead level,
physical character, Purniah may be divided into two
jal size. East of a line running from the point
322 PURNIAN,
composed of & rich loam of alluvial formation, intersected by rivers and
natural canals, by means of which nearly every part of it is accessible
during the dry season. Large marshes also exist, which do not com
pletely dry up at any period of the year. In this tract, rice is the
great staple of cultivation, except in the north, in Krishnagunj Sub-
Division, where jute and tobacco occupy a considerable area.
In the western half of the District the physical features of the
country are different. The soil is here thickly overlaid with sand
deposited by the Kusi in the course of its westward movement, and
is but littke cultivated. ‘This tract apreads out from the vicinity of
Purniah town, chiefly to the north and west, in the form of radiating
stretches of land, opening out occasionally into fine grassy, prairiclike
plains, ‘These afford pasturage to great herds of caite, and towards
the south to numerous flocks of sheep. Villages are much rarer here
than in the east of the District, and the huts comprising them are
smaller and much less comfortable.
The rivers of Purniah group themselves into three systems, all
tributary to the Ganges, which forms the southern boundary of the
District. The Kusi forms the principal feature in the hydrography of
the District. ‘This river takes its rise in the Nepal per
formed by three principal hill torrents; and on reaching British
territory, it is already a large river neatly a mile wide, The Kusl is
remarkable for the rapidity of its current, and for the uncertain
nature of its bed. It has a constant westerly movement, so that
the present bed of the river is many miles distant from the ehannel
shown on old maps. Owing to these characteristics, its navigation
is at all times a matter of much difficulty. The channels of deep
water are constantly changing, new ones being yearly opened ‘Upy
and old ones choked by vast sandbanks. The Kusi is navigable
throughout the year by boats of about 9 tons burthen as faras the
Nepdl frontier, and by boats of 25 or 30 tons in the lower portions of
its course. Boats of any size proceeding up or down the river require
to be preceded by a regular Kusi pilot, who goes some distance in
advance, and. selects the channel to be followed. ‘The minor tribe
taries of the Kusi on its right or west bank, the Négardhér, Mara
Miran, and Réjmohan, have now nearly disappeared, their courses
bei ing almost entirely obliterated by the westward movemem of the
main stream. The Kili Kusi, the most clearly marked of the old
beds of the Kusi, still preserves to some extent the appearince of a
river, but with many diverging, reuniting, and interlacing
It runs southwards from Arariyd, past Purniah town, where it
‘receives its principal tributary, the Saurd, and continues its southerly
course, often by several beds, till it falls into the Ganges nearly
opposite Sahibganj.
PURNIAH. 323
‘The Pawan river is formed in’ the Matiydri police circle by the
confluence of a number of hill streams from Nepal. It flows a
southeasterly and southerly course, passing about ten miles cast of
‘Purniah town, and joining the Ganges in the extreme south-east of the
District. It is navigable by boats of 3 tons from a short distance
below the Nepdl frontier to the neighbourhood of Purniah town, and
afterwards by boats of about 9 tons to the Ganges,
‘The Mavaxaxpa, which rises in the lower mountains of Sikkim,
touches on Purniah District at Phansidewa, in the extreme north-east
corer, and forms the eastern boundary of the District for about eight
miles, as far ag ‘Titalya, from whence it flows first westwards, then south:
wards, and afterwards eastwards by a circuitous course, with several
tributaries on both banks, till it passes into Maldah District, where it
joins the Ganges, In its upper course it is unnavigable, but becomes
navigable by boats of about 3$ tons below Kilidganj, increasing in
Gepth and volume till, shortly before entering Maldah District, it is
pavigable by boats of 35 tons burthen. Many of the tributaries of the
Mahinandd are also navigable. The principal trading villages on the
banks of the Mahdnandd are — Kalidganj, Maldibdri, Kharkhari,
soar Duldiganj, and Barsoi.
Wild Animals—Tigers are found in all parts of the District, but
along the banks and among the sandy islands of the Kusi,
where they find shelter in the high grass jungle with which the country
is covered. Another tract much frequented by tigers is the scrub jungle
along the northern boundary of the District. A few also come from
néar Gaur, in Maldah District, and from the sd/ forests in Dindjpur,
are common along the Dindjpur frontier, and hyenas in the
north of the District, Deer are few, but antelope are plentiful on the
open plains in the north, Wild hog and jackals are common, Game
birds inclede peafowl, jungle-fowl, partridge, quail, plover, snipe,
varieties of wild geese, duck, teal, and widgeon.
Hittory—Poriat: fell into the hands of the Mahammadan con-
qguerors in the 23th century, previous to which time the southern
portion of the District is said to have constituted a portion of the
dominions of Lakshman Sen, the Inst independent Hindu king of
Bengal, It was not, however, apparently until the 17th century that
Pumiah became the valuable prize which it was afterwards considered.
Ditring the intermediate centuries it was regarded as an outlying
military Province of the Mughal Empire ; and its revenues were almost
consumed in protecting its own lands against the incursions of the
northerm and caster tribes. During the war between Sher Shah, the
Afghdn ruler of Bengal, and Huméysin, the Mughal Emperor of Delhi,
Purnish supplied the latter with some rough levies; but so little was
Kaown of this outlying tract from the 15th to the middle of the rth
324 PURNTAH.
century, that not even the names of its faujdérs or military governors
appear to have been recorded.
About the latter quarter of the 17th er
appointed faujdiér, with the title of Nawab, and
mand of the frontier army the fiscal duties of mit or superintendent
‘of the revenues. He was succeeded by Abdulla Khan, who was vested
with similar powers. Upon the death of Babhaniydr Khan in 1722,
Siif Khan, the greatest of the governors of Purniah, was appointed to
what had now become an office of great emolument and dignity. Under
his administration, and afterwards under that of Sayyid Ahmad, sonin-
Jaw of Alf Vardi Khan, Nawab of Bengal, who died in 1756, the power
of the Purniah governorship was consolidated. A considerable army
was equipped, and the fronticr was extended in many directions,
Sayyid Ahmad was succeeded by Shaukat Jang, whose character is
represented to have been as bad as that of his notorious cousin Sirdj-
ud-daul, the Nawdb of Bengal. Both young men, by their
conduct, gave offence to the old servants and officers of their fathers,
and alienated the affections of the people, ‘The chief among the dis-
graced adherents of the Nawdb, Mir Jafar Khan, a name sul
well known in British history, betook himself to the court of the
Purniah governor, and describing the weakness of his own master, urged
Shaukat Jang to advance an army towards Murshiddbdd, This advice
coincided with the natural impules of Shaukat Jang. War was declared,
and Sirdjud-daulé, who had just returned from Calcutta afier the
tragedy of the Black Hole, proceeded into Purniah to the
attack, A sanguinary battle was fought near Nawabganj, and lost by
Shaukat Jang, mainly in consequence of his own gross indolence and
city. He was himself killed in the battle, after a reign of only
nine months, and the victorious army entered Purniah two dayé later,
‘Temporary governors were then appointed ; but the country remained
in‘a state of anarchy until the last governor was superseded, in 177
by an English official, with the title of Superintendent,
‘The present jurisdiction of the District has been established gradually,
after large portions have been parcelled away to create the Distriet
of Maldah, and, more recently, to consolidate Bhdgalpur upon the
western fronticr, Purniah District is now divided into three Sub-
divisions, viz. the head~ quarters or southern Sub-division, Arariya in
the north-west, and Krishnaganj in the north-east.
Population. —In the beginning of this century, Dr. Bochahan-
Hamilton estimated that the population of the District was 2,964,380;
but this seems to be an excessive estimate, even after making allow-
ance for the greater extent of the Purniah jurisdiction at that
There are no grounds for supposing that the population has
According to the Census of 1872, which was very carefally effected, the
PURNIAH. 335
of Purniah District as at present constituted was
4,724,795, giving an average of 346 persons per square mile. At the
lst enumeration in 1881, a total of 1,348,687 was disclosed, showing
be E nine years of 133,692, or 8:72 per cent,
| results arrived at by the Census of 1881 may be
¢ follows :-—Area of District, 4956 square miles ; number
‘of villages, 5680; number of houses, 311,131, of
712 ied, and 6419 unoccupied. ‘Total population,
8,687, namely, males 937,080, and females 911,607; proportion of
males, 50°7 per cent. Average number of persons per town or village,
San eee ROSA PES Hour, 6707 ; average density of population,
square
ulation is most dense in the rich alluvial plain to the east ot
st t watered by the Mahdnanda and its affluents, where the
ion &§ 47x to the square mile. The east and central police
M denser population than the average of the District,
according to sex and age, the population consists of—
_ males 377,373, and females 349,008 ; total children,
39°3 per cent. of the population; 15 years and upwards,
o7, and females 562,599; total adults, 1,122,306, or 60°7
of the Mahdnanda river marks a distinct ethnical divi-
ople, To the west there is a large Aryan element, whose
es of language and physique predominate over the more
us mon-Aryan people among whom they are diffused. Tast-
mass of the people are aborigines, being an outlying portion
Koch or Kirdnti race, Whole villages of Goilis, or herdsmen,
d on the sandy plains formed by the Kusi, in the west of the
“The bulk of the population are Hindus, who were returned
Report of 1881 as numbering 1,076,539, or 58°2 percent.
et population, Muhammadans numbered 771,130, oF 41°7
‘Christians, 327 ; Jews, rz; and non-Hindu Kols, 679.
“Bigher castes of Hindus, Bréhmans number 34,822;
y 5s Baébhans, 11,842; Kéyasths, 12,761; and Baniyds,
"The principal lower or Siidea castes include the following —
herdsmen, the most numerous caste in the District, 131,629 ;
.22; Dhanuk, 35,584; Tell, 38,436; Musahar, 31,209;
9; Hari, 30,883; Koeri, 26,238; Chamdr, 21,968 ;
326 PURNIAE,
Keut or Kewat, 19,798; Kumbhdr, 18,732; Nipit, 18,2225 Tior,
16,028 ; "Tinti, 15,860; Mallah, 15,593; Kahdr, 15,190; Kurmi,
44,648; Barhai, 14,5225; Sunri, 14,146; Tatwi, £3,621; Dhobi,
13,620; Lohdr, 11,517 ; Madak, 9905 ; Kalwar, 9822; Sondr, 799;
Bind, 77485 Mali, 7172; Dom, ‘bos; Kandy, 58235 Nuniyd, $754:
Barul, 4795; and Gareri, 3648. Caste-rejecting Hindus number 7367,
of whom 3412 are returned as Vaishnavs. The Hinduaboriginal pope-
Luin cat opceind Shae sec thls jc best aaa
Kharwars, with a sprinkling of Gonds, Kols, Bhuinysts, and others.
The Muhammadan population is returned as under, according to sect
Sunnis, 735,889; Shids, 4422; and) unspecified, 30,819. The
Christian community consists of 94 Episcopalians and Church of
England, 31 Roman Catholics, 12 Baptists, 98 Protestants without
distinetion of sect, while the remainder are unspecified.
Tirnwn and Rural Population, et-—The population of the District
is almost entirely rural, and only seven towns have a population ex
ceeding five thousand inhabitants, namely, PuRN1aH, population (1881)
45,016; BANsGaon, 6158; Sivaurur Kuas, Gooz; Kxistacany,
000 ; RANIGANJ, 5978; BHATGAON, 57233 and Kasma, 5124.
‘These seven towns contain a total population of 50,001, or only 2-7 per
cent, of the District population, Three towns only are inunicipalities,
namely, Putniah, Krishnaganj, and Raniganj, ‘Total municipal income
(1883-84), £2205, of which £1814 was derived from taxation ; aver
age incidence of taxation, 14, 4d. per head, Of the total of 5687 towns
and villages, 2558 contain less than two hundred inhabitants; 2138
from two to five hundred ; 754 from five hundred to a thousands 212
from one to two thousand ; 16 from two to three thousand ; 2 from
three to five thousand; and 7 upwards of five thousand inhabitants.
‘As regards occupation, the Census Report classifies the male popula
tion into six main divisions, as follows :—Class (r) Professional, inclad-
ing civil and military, 6064; (2) domestic servants, inn and fodging-
house keepers, etc., 63,945; (3) commercial, including bankers,
merchants, traders, carriers, etc., 42,743 ; (4) agricultural and pastoral
class, including gardeners, 325,663 ; (5) manufacturing and industrial
class, including all artisans, 46,279 ; (6) unspecified and unproductive,
including general labourers, 452,386.
Agriculture —Rice is the most important crop in Purniah, Although
the area under rice is less than in Bengal proper, it is considerably
larger than in the more western parts of Behar, Next to rie, tobaceo
and jute are the most important products of the Distriet. ‘The best
tobacco is grown along the high strips of country extending from the
town of Purniah in a north and somewhat westerly direction. The soil
farther to the east, which is richer and moister, is not so well adapted
for the cultivation of this crop. Jute is grown over the north of the
4 — asi
PURNIAK, 37
| District, and indigo is raised on a considerable area to the south of
| Purniah town, Irrigation is not usually resorted to in any part of
‘Porniah. The total cultivated area of the District has been estimated
at 2,315,910 acres; the uncultivated area capable of cultivation at
285,440 acres, and the uncultivable waste at 571,029 acres. Seventy-
five acres would) be considered a very large holding, and 8 acres or
under, a very small one, ‘Twenty acres may be put down as a fair-
sized comfortable holding. Eight acres is as/much asa single pair of
ordinary bullocks can keep in cultivation.
_ There are but few intermediate permanent rights between the land-
Joni and the cultivator, Estates are generally let on shart leases to
farmers, who try to make a5 much as they can during their term. The
number of permanent under-tenures of all kinds is, according to the
road cess returns, only 1031, a5 against 2378 farming leases. Indebted-
hess among the cultivators is common, A late Collector estimated
that tenants with occupancy tights do not form more than a quarter of
the peasantry of the District, while those holding at rents protected from
enhancement under Act vill. of 1869 scarcely amount to one-+tixteenth.
‘The great mass of the cultivators are mere tenants-at-will, ‘The rates
‘of rent are gencrally low as compared with other Districts, ranging from
A nominal rate of 6d. to 8s. per acre. Besides the system of rents
founded on the nature and richness of the soil, there is another, current
in the pouth-west of the District, called 4é/-Aasfi, under which rent is
‘Sssessed according to the crops grown on the land.
A letter from the Collector to the Board of Revenue in 1788,
‘estimates the average earnings of the labouring classes at r rupee, or
33a month. In 1842, wages were from 3s. to 4s. month, At the
resent day, agricultural labourers are paid 7s., but the labourers who
come to the District for the season from Chutid Nagpur usually
demand Sa month. Skilled labour, when employed by natives, is
generally paid in kind. Blacksmiths can eam about 248.2 month;
carpenters, from 12s. (0 14s. ; bricklayers, from 8s. to 10. The prices
‘of food have increased in the eame LSugeinen 15 the wages of Inbour.
Tn 479%, the price of rice per cwt. 1s. 40.5 in 1878, it
was about 4% 10d, In 1885-84, a a price of common
rice and of wheat was returned at 6% ss per at the head-quarters
sarees .
ands to yield stitacanily, thus
destroyed by the inundation. 7
‘serious calamity than flood. of 1770) which was
attended with a terrible mortality i was occasioned by
the failure of nearly all the crops of the y: it particularly of the
PURNIAH. 329
cultural products, with dried fish and hides, form the chief staples of
‘the export trade, in retum for which picce-goods, spices, drugs, brass
and iron ware are imported, A considerable trans-fronticr trade, both
‘export ind import, is carried on with Nepal.
© Meant of Communication are not so good in Purniah generally
as in neighbouring Districts of Bengal and Behar, ‘The tract of
country, however, lying north of the head-quarters station is fairly
well opened out by roads, many of which were made during the relief
‘Operations of 1874; and as this whole system ‘of roads converges on
i great Dérjiling and Karigolé road, it is thereby connected with
the river Ganges, and beyond the river, by steamer, with the East
Indian Railway at Sthibganj. Purniah District will, however, be
shortly brought into communication directly with the railway system of
India. A line is in course of construction from the Darbhangah branch
Of the Tirkit State Railway, running castwards through Purniah for
some distance along the Nepal frontier, afterwards turning to the south
and running past Purniah town, till it touches the Ganges near Mani-
hast opposite Sdifganj, A line is also to be constructed from Sdifgan}
station on the above line, running eastwards through Dindjpur to Kuch
Administration—The revenue of the District of Purniah, according
to the records in the Collector's office, amounted in 1792 to £126,049 5
fa 2850-5 to £157,690} and in 1870-71 to £179,449 ‘The net
expenditure in 1792 was £27,204; in r8so-51, £24,258; and in
2870-71, £37,831. The increased revenue in the twenty years ending
870-71 is noteworthy, as since 1850 large transfers have been made
from Purniah to Maldah and to Bhdgalpur, involving a loss in land
Fevenuc to Pumiah of £20,000, “This loss, however, was met by a
ise receipts, a much larger sale of stamps, and
‘thie imposition of an income-tax. The additional expenditure was
‘distributed ‘through all departments of local administration,
“eIm 1883-84, the six principal items of District revenue ageregncd
in 1883-84 to £21,438. In 1883-84 re 1653 estates in the
District, owned by 5776 registered proprictors or coparceners; the
‘average amount of revenue paid by each estate being £70, 65. 6d.,
and by each proprietor, £20, 28 6d. The gradual steps by which the
land revenue of Purniah was assessed are interesting, and have been
in The Statisticat
Account of Bingal, vol. xv. p. 389 et seq.
‘Protection to person and property has steadily improved. In the
330 PURNIAH,
year 1800 there were 3 magisterial courts, 2 civil and 2 revenue courts;
in 1883 there were 6 magisterial and 7 civil and revenue courts
For executive purposes, the District is divided into 3 Subdivisions
and 1 police circles. In 1883 there were 1 suy
82 subordinate officers, and 459 constables in the regular and municipal
or town police, maintained at a total’ charge of £8565. ‘The village
watch consisted of 4398) rural policemen, maintained entirely by con-
tributions from the people at a total estimated cost in money and
jands of £15,237. The whole police force of the District amounted,
therefore, to 4940 officers and men, being at the rate of 1 policeman
to every square mile of area, or to every 374 of the population. The
total police charges, actual and estimated, were £23,802, showing an
incidence of about £4, 165 per square mile of area, or a fraction over
gd. per head of population. The total number of persons convicted
of an offence, great or small, in 1883, was 1579, OF X to every Tage
of the population. The average number of Leta in jail during
1883 was 132, of whom 5 were females.
Education of all kinds, and especially primary mducsion! has been
widely diffused in Purniah Distriet during the past few years) This
progress is due to the policy of Sir George Campbell, in recognising
the existing village schools of the country, improving them by Gowern-
ment grants, and incorporating them into the State systenraf public
instruction, The number of Government and aided schools increased
from 1 in 1856-57 to 12 in 1870-71, and 347 in 1874-75. The total
number of pupils increased from 66 in 1856-57 to 288 in 1870-71, and
to 8744 in 1874-75. In the latter year there were also 183 private
and unaided schools, subject to Government inspection. Full details
are not available showing the exact educational figures for 1883-84,
‘but the number of Government inspected primary schools in that year
had increased to 995, with 12,223 pupils. The District or i/d school
‘had 133 pupils in 1883-84. ‘These figures are exclusive of all umin-
spected and unaided schools. ‘The Census Report of 1881 returns
16 889 boys and 569 girls as under instruction in that year, besides
28,143 males and 1059 females able to read and write, but mot under
Krisbnaganj where the saatceal income was £325, incidence a
taxation 1s. oftd. ead ; and Raniganj, municipal income 6x3,
d. per |
Aspects.—Th climate of Purniah Distriet is of am ates
mediate character between that of Behar and Central Bengal, The
PURNIAH SUB-DIVISION AND TOWN. 35
eRe ee Mab Ebgahee ct wot eo bases io: Dind}pis
Purniah is the most eastern District 1!
eae Ocpibartekon the tains cease, and the flooded lands begin to
dry wp, filling the air with malarial exhalations from decaying vegeta-
tion. At this season the population suffers greatly from fever. ‘The
District is in consequence generally considered unhealthy by the
Medical relief is afforded by charitable dispensaries
at Purniah town, Krishnaganj, and Basantpur. [For further informa:
tion regarding Purniah, see The Statistical Account of Bengal, by W.W.
Hunter, vol. xv. pp. 219-444 (Tribner & Co, London, 1877). Also
Dr. Buchanan-Hamilton’s 13. Statistical Account of Purniak, compiled
about 1813; the Benga’ Census Reforts for 1873 and 3881; and the
several Bengal Administration and Departmental Reports from 1880
fead-quarters Sub-division of Purniah District, Bengal.
‘Area (1881), 1644 square miles; towns and villages, 1430; houses,
85,871. Population (1881) 511,945, namely, males 261,055, and
females'250,890 Hindus number 363,121, or 70's per cent; Muham-
tmadians, 150.548, or 29°4 per cent; Christians, 2645 and ‘Jews, 1%
of population, grr persons per square mile; average
villages, °87 per square mile; persons per village, 358;
Seospitebitaeg mile, 54; inmates per house, §°9. ‘This Sub-
division comprises the 4 police circles of Purnioh, Amiur- Kasba,
Damdahé, and Gondwara. In 1883 it contained 5 magisterial and 4
‘civil and revenue courts, with a regular police force of 334 men, and
@ Village watch or rural police of 1843 chawdidérs.
- Purniah. —Chief town, municipality, and administrative head-
quarters of Purnia District, Bengal j situated on the east bank of the
Tat. 25° 46’ 15° N., and long. 87° 30' 44" &. Population
5 (2881) ¥s,016, namely, males
Miinkcfpal income (1883-84), £1756, 0
}} average incidence of taxation, ts. tod. per head.
The old civil station of Rémbdgh, formerly a western suburb, now
Ties within the centre of the town. ‘The population has decreased
‘considerably in the Iast half-century, owing to the unhealthiness of the
consequent on the silting up of the river Kali Kusf, when it
of the Great Kusi. As that river worked westward, it
v ‘a chain of marshes connected by low strips of land, which
| in the rains, and formed at that season of the year a con-
332 PURULIA—PURUSHOTTAPER.
tinuous water communication, At the time of the English oceupstion
{about 1771), this change seems to have been mot yet complete; the
main body of water had been diverted, but enough still remained im the
Kali Kusi to keep the swamps deep, and very little of the bed was left
dry for any considerable part of the year, About 1820 the station
became one of the most unhealthy in Bengal; and the old graveyard
shows how great must have been the mortality among the European
residents during the sccond quarter of this century. About 3835 the
Government offices were removed to higher ground, 2 miles west of
the military lines of Purniah. After this change there was an appreci-
able improvement in the health of the officials and other residents;
but the town still retained its unpopularity. The native quarter is
even now subject to outbreaks of fever, passing into severe epidemics ;
and it is believed that in unhealthy years no Jess than go per cent. of
the native population suffer from this disease. Purniah basa consider
able trade in jute.
Purdlid.—Head-quarters Sub-division of Manbhim District, Bengal.
Area, 3344 square miles; towns and villages, 4366 ; houses, 147,305.
Population (1881) 861,644, namely, males 427,336, and females
434,308. Hindus number 794,359, or 92°2 per cent,; Muhammadans,
30,769, or 3°6 per cent. ; Santdls, 30,103, or 3°§ per cent. ; other non-
Hindu aboriginal tribes, $906, or “68 per cent.; Christians, 482; Bud-
dhists, 23 ; and Jews, 2, Average density of population, 25777 persons
per square mile; number of villages per square mile, 1°31} persons
per village, 198 ; houses per square mile, 44°7; inmates per house, 5°9.
This Sub-division contains the 11 police circles of Purdlid, Jaiper,
Jhalidé, Baghmundi, Ichhdgarh, Barabbiim, Manbdait, Raghunathpur,
Gaurandi, Para, and Chis,
Purélid.—Chief town and administrative head-quarters of Miin-
him District, Bengal. Lat. 23° 19° 38" N., long. 86° 24° 35° &
on (1872) 5695 5. (1881). 9805, namely, Mindus 77985
1883-84), ate of which £569 was derived from taxation >
idence of taxation, ts, 44d. per head of the population (8192)
jicipal limits. The town contains a Deputy Commissioner's
urt-house, jail, police station, dispensary, church, etc > the
ddsdr supplies the District — with cotton, salt, and other imparted
W the encroachment of the river, During the last twenty years: four
streets have been obliterated, Population (1881) 3962 Chiefly notable
PURWA TAHSIL AND TOWN. 393
(4 miles to the north), bearing an Edict of
ng protably about 250 B.C), similar to those at Dhauli in
f the fort at Allahdbid. “Round the pillar runs a ram-
‘mound, marking the site of a very ancient fort
ahd city, which covers a total area of about 144 acres, ‘The inscrip-
rei ta oanal ag on the Kephalinga hills. ‘The
Iktters are fast being worn away, but photographs have been taken
which secure the sense of the writing. ‘The mound is locally known as
the Lac Fort; its name being derived from the tradition that it was
‘made of lac (Coccus Lacca), and impregnable, as no enemy could scale
po mege ‘slippery walls. Station of a Sub-snagistrate, past
| Purwa.— Tulsi! or Sab-division of Unao District, Oudh ; situated
hetween 26° 8’ and 26° 40" wv, lat, and between 80" 37’ and ‘ér s' 30"
& Jong, and comprising the ten fargands of Purwi, Maurinwin,
ea teal Daundia Khera, Panhin, Behar, Patan, Mag-
Rasuldbid! and
on the east by Mohanlilganj
elie taksif and Fatehpur District,
547 square miles, of which 270 re vated.
= 278,527, sgn 263,793 Hindus and 14,734
miles, of which 54 are coltivated,
“the! principal erops are whet,
334 PUS—PUSAD,
from Purwa to Behar, Baksir, and Rai Bareli, ‘The town is noted! for
its shoes and leather-work. ‘Two markets are held weekly; and there
are three annual fairs, the sales at which amount to about £3100.
Besides the usual Sub-divisional courts, bole rib jeintcowan a)
and a school attended by upwards af 100 boys.
Piis.—River of Berar; rises at the village of Kata, just north of
Basim town, in lat. 20° 9' N., long. 77° 12° =; and, after a course of
64 miles, first south-east and: then north-east, empties itself into the
Pengangi at Sangam (lat. 19° 51’ N., long. 76" 47’ £). ‘The valleys
drained by the river, and by the Kata Purna, which rises close to it,
are generally narrow and confined. The soil is good, and fairly
cultivated.
Piisé.—Government estate in Darbhangah District, Bengal, Area,
4528 acres, The rcoords of the old Tirhit Collectorate show that the
village was acquired by Government in 1796, on muherrdrf lease
from the Maliks or headsnen of Lodipur Piisd, Chandmari, aud Despur,
who bound themselves and their heirs to give up all interest in the
lands, except the tight to the first year’s rental. In 1798, other waste
lands appertaining to Bakhitérpur were assigned to Government
without any additional rent, over
‘The estate was long used as a ind depét, but all stud operations
were closed in 1872 and in 1875 a model farm was established, the
soil being of the first quality, the situation good, and water-carriage
and large markets within easy reach, ‘The most important experiment
is that of investigating whether the garfd rice of Dacca can be made
to grow in high lands in Tirhiit as it does in Bengal, Another project
is to teach the Tirhit dyads, who take great interest in these experi-
ments, to grow and prepare safflowerdye according to the Bengal
method. The grounds at Pusi have been very well laid out. There is
a great deal of valuable timber scattered over the estate, ‘The total’
receipts from the model farm in 1873-74 amounted to £527. Still
‘more recently, the cultivation and manufacture of tobacco have been
undertaken at Pusd, in connection with the State model farm at Ghdzipur
in the North-Western Provinces. A professional curer of the leaf has
been obtained from America, In 1377~78,.a crop of 130,000 Ibs. of
cco was raised from 200 actes. of this, 15,000 Ths. was sent to
ingland, and there sold at prices ranging from 2d. to s}d. per Ib,
‘The population of Pust village in 1881 was 376.
Pusad.—Tilluk of Basim District, Berar. Area, 1273 squate miles;
containing two towns and 309 villages. Population (1867) 91,268;
(1881) 125,051, namely, 64,080 males and 60,97r females, or o8-23
persons per square mile, Area occupied by cultivators, 331,427 acres:
Hindus avmber 116.514 5 Muhammadans, 7668 ; ae 8475
Christians, 125 and Sikhs, to. The fdévé contains 1 civil and 2
PUSAD TOWN-—PUSHPA-GIRI. 335
‘eriminal courts; police circles (#hdnds), 6 ; regular police, tog men;
village watch (chawhidtrs), 1s Total revenue, £21,751) of which
Speed Chat tomy of snd ide, in Basim District, Berar;
situated in lat. 19° Sse and lang. 77° 36° 30" &, about 25
miles south-east of Bisim town, on the Piis river, from which it
takes its name, Population (1881) 5047, of whom 490 are Hindus,
679 Musalmans, and 178 Jains. ‘Though now decayed, it is still the
‘bead-quarters of a fadsildiir, and has been the residence of the revenue
officials for more than 1s years. There are two old Hindu temples,
‘and the ruins of some others; also a fine tank for irrigation, which has
‘baw silted up owing to a defect in the original construction. Pifsad
has a few well-to-do shopkeepers and dealers in country produce, and
ite weekly market is well attended. Vernacular school, police station,
post-office, and dispensary,
- Pusesévli—Town in ‘Sétita District, Bombay Presidency ; situated
in tat. 17° 26, and long. 74° 24’ ¥., 27 miles south-east of Sétara
town, Population (1881) 2569; municipal revenue, £95. Dispensary
j weekly market; school with 84 pupils in 1883-84.
.—Town, lake, and place of pilgrimage in Ajmere-Mer-
Lat. 26° go" w., long. 74°36" & Height, 2389
cet. Pushkar is the only town in India which contains a temple
Brihma, who here performed the sacrifice known as yajna,
whereby the lake of Pushkar became so holy, that the greatest sinner
‘it earns the delights of Paradise. The town contains five
temples, dedicated respectively to Bréhma, Savitri, Badri
(Naniyana, Variha, and Siva Atmateswara, all of modern construction,
> ees suffered severely under Aurangzeb. Bathing
the lake, and most of the princely families of Rajputina have
‘houses round the margin. No living thing may be put to death within
the limits of the town, Great fair in October and November, attended
by about 100,000 pilgrims, who bathe in the sacred lake. Large trade
horses, camels, bullocks, and mis merchandise,
lation about 3750, chiefly Bral
{or Siidrahmanya hild).—Prominent bullock-hump-
‘of the Sdbrahmanya range of mountains, a spur of
Ghats, at the north-western boundary of Coorg, in
District of Madras, and on the border of Hassan
Lat, 12° 40" s., long. 75" 44' #3 5626 feet above
‘The ascent is difficult, but can be managed on foot in about
On the lower slopes there is a dense jungle, haunted by
j On the summit are many ancient stone cairns. The
y extensive, An annual fair is held here in December, which
336 PUTERA—PYA-PUN,
Putera,—Estate in Ségar (Saugor) District, | Beart Provinces-—
See Prrumra.
Puthanapuram. — Tiluk ox Sub-division of Travancore State
Madras Presidency. Area, goo square miles, containing 8o-Aeras or
villages. Population (1875) 36,816; (1881) 37,064, namely, 28,594
males and 18,470 females, occupying $46 houses. Density of popul
tion, 92°7 persons per square mile. Hindus number 30,709; Muham-
madans, 2565 ; and Christians, 3790.
Putir.—Town in Uppinangidi sd/ut, South Kanara District, Madtas
Presidency. Lat. 12” 45" 45" N., long. 75° 14! 20" &. Population
(188x) 2481, inhabiting 452 houses. Hindus number 1765 ; Muham-
madans, 356; Christians, 338; and ‘others,’ 22. Purr was formerly
an outpost on the Coorg frontier, and troops were stationed here silt
1859. The head-quarters of the Uppinangddi safek, with a post-office.
Tt was the scene of a rebellious outbreak in 1837.
Putir. — Town in ‘Tirumangalam Afiuk, Madura District, ‘Madtas
Presidency. Lat. 9" §7' 30° N., long: 77° 52° 30° ® Population’
(1881) 7625, inhabiting 1230 houses. Hindus number 7490; Muham-
madang, 125; Christians, 9; and ‘others,’ 1.
Pu-zun-daung. — River in Hanthawadi District, Pegu Division,
‘Lower Burma; rises in the Pegu Yoma range, in about lat, 27" 3!
and, after a southerly course of 53 miles, falls into the Hiaixe just
below Rangoon town, It is about 440 yards wide at its mouth ; but the
river is now silting up, owing to the vast quantities of rice-husk dis:
charged from the mills on its banks. The upper part of the Pian
daung valley produces valuable timber, and the lower part large crops
of rice,
Pya-ma-law.—One of the mouths of the Irawadi (Irrawaddy), the
great river of Burma. At the town of Shwe-laung, situated in lat.
16° 44’ 30" 8., and long. 95° 23' 30” ¥., it leaves the Pansanaweriver,
and runs for about 6 miles to the north-north-east. ‘Then ir tums
‘west and. sourheouth west; and, after a course of go miles, falls into the
sea in about lat. 15° 50" N., and long. 94° 48" x, having, 15 miles above,
given off a large branch eastward called the Pyin-thalue The Pya-ma-
law is connected with the Trawadi by numerous: in
creeks, and is navigable throughout its whole course by river steamers >
its mouth is 4 miles wide.
ya-pun (Pya-fvon). — Township in Thin-gwa District, Trawadi
Division, Lower Burma, Bounded east by Hanthawadi District, south
by the Bay of Bengal, and west by Bassein. A level tract, Inverseeted
in its lower portions by numerous inter-communicating tidal creeks;
subject to inundation. Chief product, rice. The township comprises
8 revenue circles. Population (1877) 44,207 ; gross revenue, £26,322,
Population (1881) 78,299; gross revenue, A44tOry
-
PYA-PUN—QUETTA, 337
2 ah ope ee pigial ilies
ga Burma; situated in lat, 16° 16' x., and long, 95”
ig shin) an a a seafishing,
in Thin-gwa District, Lower
Burma, forming one of the mouths of the Trawadi, It branches
off southwards from the ‘To or China Rakir near Kun-ta, and has a
situated in lat. 16° 4o" x., and long, 96” 13° #,, on both
banks of the tidal creek Ka-ma-aung, which is spanned by several good.
sy a aap and small seyads or rest-houses.
(1877) 3766; 1881) 2043.
en (Pathdra)—River in the Nilgiri Distrit, ‘Madras. —See
').—The southern portion of Shwe-daung
town, Prome District, Pegu Division, Lower Burma. It is 7 miles
below Prome, on the left bank of the Irawadi.
‘Pya Cr ena in Taung-gni District, ‘Tenasserim Division,
ia a feck at the entrance to the Bassein
frawadi Division, Lower Burma. It leaves the T' haing
¢ yards,
rejoins it
ek 5 yards
338 QUETTA TOWN—QUILANDI.
in 1769-69. The decisive battle of this campaign was fought in the
neighbourhood of Mashad, and the Afghans would have been defeated
‘but for Nasir Khifn and his Brahufs, who retrieved the fortunes of the
day. The story gocs that when Ahmad Shah was distributing rewards
to his chiefs, on the return of the victorious army to Kandahdr, be
handed to Nasir Khdn a grant conferring on him the sovereignty of the
Districts above mentioned, saying at the same time, ‘This is your shal?
‘The District, before known as Rasulabéd, is said to have acquired its
modem and local name of Sha! from this circumstance.
Administration and Revenue,—Quetta District has been admini-
stered by British officers since 1877. At first its revenues were ac-
counted for to the Khin of Khelét, but in 1882 it was arranged that
the District should be leased by the Khan to the British Government
for a fixed annual quivrent of £2500. Since 1883 the administration
has formed part of the charge of the Political Agent for Quetta and
Pishin, who is under the control of the GovernorGeneral’s Agent in
Baluchistén, Subordinate to the Political Agent are the usual establish-
ments of an Extra-Assistant Commissioner, a #rAsiiddr, and also a police
force supplemented by tribal levies.
‘The revenue of the District is derived chiefly from land, ‘The culti-
vators may be divided into two principal classes, viz. (1) those whose
assessment is fixed, cither in cash or in kind, and (2) those who pay to
Government shares of the produce of their lands which vary according
to the nature of the water-supply. These shares are generally one-third
of the produce in case of irrigation from streams, and one-sixth of the
produce in case of irrigation from the artificial channels called Aires.
The land revenue amounts to about £2500 a year.
Medical Aspects—The climate is pleasant, but has lately not proved
healthy for Europeans.
Quetta (or Shddkot, as it is locally called).—Chief town of Quetta
0 It was occupied by troops in 1876, and formed
the base of operations in Southern Afghanistin during the war of
1879-80, It is now the head-quarters of a strong brigade, and the
defences of the old fort have been improved, Adjacent to the military
cantonment is a flourishing civil bdésér and native town, which are
administered on municipal principles, ‘The head-quarters of the Agent
‘to the Governor-General, the chief civil authority in Baldchistén, are at
Quetta. On the completion of the Bolan and the Sind-Pishfa
Quetta will be connected with the railway system of India, and will
doubtless increase in importance.
i (properly KoviZhendi ; corruptly Coilandé, Koyiliindi) —
Town in Malabar District, Madras Presidency, Lat. 11” 26° 25" x,
long. 75° 44° 11" . Population (1881), with surrounding township,
340 RABKAVI-RABNABAD. —
’ ‘Throughout the Middle Ages it appears to have been one
‘of the chief seats of the ‘Saint Thomas Christians,’ and it formed, with
Rave ellpata) 008 Of a vere renee eae /by Indo-Syrian.
Ue cela Le eS ‘Salle QteteaneWs rolell
P. 365, ek 1874.) ff Sole oS Vipin
ie the Portuguese carted x story wae (Cap Se?
150 years later. Besidés these changes, the towm was at
different times subject to Cochin, Cully Quilon, and ‘Travancore. In
1741, Travancore unsuecessfully besieged it, but in de ease
Raja submitted, From 1805 to 1850, a strong British garrison was
stationed here. ‘The subsidiary force is mow reduced to. one Native
regiment, whose cantonments lic to the east of the town. It is
connected, Eye seat naar Bass; with “Pianevellivand
Palameottah.—See KAYENKOLAM.
R.
Rabkavi.—Town in the Native State of Stngli Bombay Presidency.
Lat. 16° 28' 25° x., long. 75° 9 16° x Population (1881) so28,
namely, Hindus, 4557; Muhammadans, 4313 and Jains, qo. ‘The
population
consists almost entirely of bankers, traders, and: artisans,
Local affairs are managed by a municipal body, known asthe Daiwa,
‘There are four schools, one being for girls. An important trade centre.
Silk is dyed and made up into various articles of clothing. Cotton is
also dyed to some extent, with the permanent dye known as suraayi,
Rabkob—Chief village of Udaipur State, Churid Négpon, Bengals
situated in lat, z2" 28' 18" ~,, and long. 83° 4s" 25" &, near the
centre of the State, in a picturesque bend of the Mind river, which
at this point has carved its way through a vast mass of sandstone rock,
and flows in a narrow pass with perpendicular cliffs on either side. The
Raji of Udaipur maintains a police station and jail, and) poskesses a
large granary, in this village ; and a periodical market is held here,
Rabkob is noted for its gold mines, which have shafts sunk from 20to
69 feet in depth. ‘These are very close together, a3 the miners are
afraid to ron galleries underground. “The gold:is separated’ from the
sail washing in wooden troughs, Another plan is to cur small
watercourses before the rainy season, 80 as to catch the deposit of soil
carried down by the water; this soil is cleared out several times, and is
usually found to contain a certain proportion of gold, Some years ago,
‘a lease of the village, with permission to work the mines for seven
years, was obtained from Government, but the scheme had: to be
abandoned in consequence of the extreme unhealthiness of the climate. —
Rabnabdd.—An arm of the Bay of Bengal, east of the Haringbdek
RABNABAD—RADHANPUR. a4t
river, and on the western side of the entrance to the Meghna river,
im the Sundathans, with three large islands of the same name at
its mouth. ‘The westernmost channel is narrow, but is thought to
have 3 or sf fathoms of water; the eastern is supposed to be of
ee CES adie shoal water catends for a long way to
*“Pabndbéd—Thee falands at the mouth of the Rabndbéa chancel
in the Sundartians, Bengal. Their southern extremity is situated in
about lat. 21° so’ x., 18 or 20 miles to the eastward of the Haringhata,
‘end on the western side of the entrance to the Meghnd river, On parts
of the island, where the forest once ran unbroken down to the water's
‘edge, a belt of trees has been carefully preserved to protect the land
from the violence of cyclones and storm-waves,
“Town in Khirja ¢afsil, Bulandshahr District, North-
Western Provinces; situated 3 miles cast of the Jumna, and 19 miles
south-west of Bulandshahr town. ‘The place was founded by a Mewati
named Rabu, about S00 years ago. The Mewidtis were ousted by the
JaiewSr Rajputs in the days of Prithwi Raj, in the latter part of the
‘ath century. From the time of the Emperor Shih Alam, down to
#857, Rabupura was the centre of an estate comprising 24 villages,
which was confiscated after the Mutiny for the rebellion of the
Population (1881) 3830. Weekly cattle market; village
whool, A small housetax is raised for police and conservancy
Pia Tor wd municipality in Pippli Ards! Ambala (Umballa)
“ape eagle in Jat. 3e° 1' N., and long: 77° 10" £, on the
‘Thineswar, 40 miles south-east of Ambdla town, Population
namely, Hindus, 2488; Muhammadans, 1520; and
“Number of houses, 674. Municipal income (1883-84),
tate of 84d. per head. Head-quarters of a police circle
n jative State within the group under the supervision
iBoperintendent of Palanpur, in the Bombay Presidency; 3
a3) 26° and 23° 58° x. lat, and between 71” 28° and
‘Morwara and Terwara; east by Baroda; south by
District and Jhinjhiwira under Kathidwar ; and west by
of Warihi under Palanpur ;
of Radhanpur is 1150 square miles. Population (1872)
98,129, namely, 50,903 males and 47,226 females, dwell-
and 156 villages, containing 23,048 houses, Hindus
7 Muhammadans, W751 5 and * others, 5784.
pis flat and open. Its rivers, three in number, rise near
d the spurs of the Aravalli range, and fall into the Little or
34 RADHAPURAM—RAGHUGARE,
‘tme plague or pestis, visited: os carried away about onc-
half of its population. ernhas wl tial faite tract Ho
—Town in Nangiineri td/uk, Tinnevelli District,
Madms Presidency. Lat. 8° 16° 30” x., and long, 77° 44’ 30"
Population (1871) 5245, inhabiting 1194 houses; and
inhabiting 535 houses. Head-quarters of a Sub-magistrate, and mission
station of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel: Post-office.
Rae Bareli.— Division, District, 4a/s#/, and. town in Cone
Rat Barre. pag qhEa
sieagathi= Town in Partibgarh (Pratépgarh) Disriet, Ouah,—Se
ery
brea in Rew4 Kéntha, Bombay ie canye ae Oa
Raekot.—Town in Luchisina District, Punjab,—See Rarcor.
Baesen,—Fort in Malwa, Central India Agency, —See Rarsin,
Bagauli,— Village and hill in Banda Distriet, North-Western
Provinces. Lat, 25° 1'n,, long. 80° 22 5 5 distant from Ajaigarh 10°
miles north. ‘The old fort, now dismantled, was stormed by 1
forces in 1809, during the operations against Lachhman Singh, Raja of
Ajaigarh, whose uncle, Prasid Singh, had fortified this post with
considerable strength, The British carried the Jower defences with
some difficulty, and during the night the enemy evacuated | errr
Elevation above sea-level, about 1g00 feet. Population of Ragauli
village (1881) 86r, Meret |
Raghugarh (Adgtosurh).—Guaranteed chiefship, a feudatory of
Gwalior, under the superintendence of the Gina (Goona) Sub
Agency of Central India. The chief of Raghugarh is recognised: as
the head of the Kechi clan of Chauhén Rajputs, who originally held
possession of nearly all the country round Guina for a distance of —
eighty ora hundred miles. In 1780, Madhuji Sindhia im d
Raja Balwant Singh and his son Jai Singh ; and hostilities commenced _
which lasted till 1818-19, when, through the mediation and gr =
the British Government, Sindhia ceded to the chief the town and
of Raghugarh, with adjoining lands estimated to yield a /4&h-
10,000) of revenue. In 1843, owing to family disputes, a fires
arrangement was made, by which the figir was divided between the
three principal members of the family, viz. Bijai Singh, Chhatar Sdl,
and Ajit Singh. The present Rajd, Jai Mandal Singh, who succeeded
to Ajit Singh's ehare, holds 120 villages, yielding 2 revenue of about
£2400 per annum, “The State of Raghugarh contains, as it now stands,
‘88 villages with a total population in 1881 of 16,920, namely, g218_
les and 7702 females, Hindus number 14,301; Muhammadans, 7825
Jains, 295; and aboriginal tribes, 1542. The aborigines included—
Minds, 1198; Bhils, 218; Moghifs, 105; and Mhars 2x: Since —
1843, no less than 32 villages appear to have been deserted. ‘The
RAGHUGARH TOWN—RAHATGARH. 345
State, which lies about 18 miles south of Giina, contains a great deal
0f forest land, but the cultivation is generally indifferent. With better
See abe) anon rikhrb be ade to yield iar seed Ter
rerenne, —
__Bahagarh— chit ons of the State of Raghugarh, Central
|p situated in lat. 24° 26' x., and long. 77° 15" ®, on a tributary of
the Pisbati river, and on the road from Gina to Mhow (Mau), 16 miles
south-west of the former and 169 north-east of the latter. Population
(188) 3266. Raghugarh contains a fort, now much dilapidated, but
strong hough at the beginning of the century to withstand for some
priate of Daulat Rio Sindhia. The town was founded in the
(1627-58) by Lal Singh, a Rajput of the Kechi
clan, ancl is still considered the chief town of that clan,
il range in the south-west of Sylhet District,
north from the State of Hill Tipperab, Estimated
area, 62 square miles; height above sea-level, 200 feet.
Town in Ganjim District, Madras Presi-
| Lat 19° 43° 40" 8., long. 84° 5x" x. Population (1871) 5206,
#526 houses; (1881) 7634, inhabiting 1337 houses. Hindus
Hans seaabia Mubammadans, 47 ; and Christians, 2, Head-quarters
and the principal town of the ancient saminddri
Sak Tekkal, which pays 13 peshdask ot permanent tribute of £4908.
:—Hill in Manbhim District, Bengal, 8 miles west
Rises abruptly in three prominent peaks, the highest
== Seog eg ‘fo00 fect above the sea, Raghundthpur Hill is
\=Seomposed mainly of bare and jagged rock, but is in places thickly
|SSeSrered with dense jungle ; it is quite inaccessible to wheeled carriages
—ae and difficult for men, in some places requiring
‘cut for a foothold.
Village and police station in Nowgong District, Assam ;
Steumed 15 miles south-west of Nowgong ‘The population is
jing and trade, and there is an important ferry over the
3 own in Sdgar (Saugor) fakst/, Sdgar District, Central
@ Lat 23" 47' 8. long. 78° 25' &., les west of Sdgar
n (1881) 4or3, namely, 2803; Muham-
7 ; Kabirpanthis, 42; and Jains, Te was held by a
| of the Bhopdl family, one of whom, Sultin Muhammad Khan,
h till 1807, when Daulat Réo Sindhia took the place
seven months. In 1810, Rahatgarh was assigned to
other Districts, for the payment of the contingent;
6: it was ceded unconditionally to the British Govern~
Tn 857, Nawib Adil Muhammad Khén and his brother,
“Khan, descendants of Suitin Muhammad Khan,
346 RAHIMATPUR—RAHIMNAGAR PANDIA WAN,
with a band of insurgents, seized the fort, which was retakeo in
the following February by Sir Hugh Rose, Fazl Muhammad Khin
was hanged, but his brother escaped. ‘The fort stands onan eminence
to the south-west of the town, and is said to have beem fifty years in
building. ‘The outer defences consist of 26 enormous towers connected
by curtain-walls, and enclose 66 acres, ‘This space contained a large
bdsdr and many temples and palaces, among them the lofty Badal
Mahdi, or ‘Cloud Palace,’ attributed to one of the Raj. sof
Garhi-Mandld, ‘The cast wall was breached for nearly 1 by
Sir Hugh Rose's guns in 1858; and most of the buildings and the
outer walls are now in a ruinous condition.
Rihatgarh has a travellers’ bungalow, and two Government schools
for boys and girls, It manufactures excellent, shoes and a native cloth
called dasifi, which are exported to Sagar and: Bhopal, besides being
sold, together with all kinds of grain, at the market held in the town
every Friday, About a mile from the fort, the Bhopdl and Bombay
road is carried by a bridge of 14 arches over the river Bind, which
has some beantifully wooded reaches near Rahatgarh.
Rahimatpur.—Town in the Koregion Subdivision of Sétéra
District, Bombay Presidency j situated in lat. 27° 35° 35° Ny and long.
74° 14' 40° %, 17 miles south-cast of SAt4ra town, Population (1881)
6082. Hindus number 545 ; Muhammadans, 492; Jains, 1035 and
Christians, 2, Sub-judge’s court; post-office; weekly market on Thursday
and Friday ; two schools with 134 pupils in 1883-84, Rahimatpur is a
large trading centee with about 155 prosperous merchants, Bombay and
English piece-goods, twist, and silk, salt, cocoa-nuts, dates, and spices
arc imported ; raw sugar, turmeric, carth-nuts, and coriander seed are
exported, ‘I'he chief object of interest is a mosque and mausoleum,
‘The mausoleum seems to have been built in honour of Randulkt Khan,
a distinguished Bijapur officer, who flourished inthe reign of the seventh
Bijapur king: Mahmud (1626-1656), About a hundred. yards south:
east of the mosque is an elephant water-lift, a tower of about so feet
high, with an inclined plain | est, which supplied power for
the mosque fountain, ‘The m lity was established in 1853,
and had in 1883-84 an income of £140; incidence of taxation per
head, 54d.
Reahimnagar Pandidwaén.—Town in Lucknow District, Oudh ;
situated on oa right bank of the Sai. Population (1881) 2098, dwell-
ing in 360 mud houses. The largest of a group of 12 villages belonging
to Pdnde Brahmans, Although, as its name imports, it claims a
Muhammadan. origin, it is now chiefly inhabited by Hindus A
Pathén family, who live in a hamlet of the village called Balvichgashi,
assert their original right to the land, which they state was granted to
their ancestors in fdgiv’ by the Delhi Emperors, but taken from them
348 RAHURI-RAL BARELL
the early crops. Four miles of the Ojhdr canal, and 17 miles of the
‘Lakh canal, traverse the Sub-division, Early and late crops are grown
in about equal proportions ; the early crops chiefly in the hill villages,
and the late crops in the plains. Of 172,172 acres, the actual area
under cultivation in 1881-82, grain crops occupied 154,629 acres, of
which 84,249 were under fodr (Sorghum vulgare); pulses, £2,591 acres;
oilseeds, 2404 acres; fibres, 300 acres ; and miscellaneous crops, 2257
acres. The Dhond and Manméd State Railway traverses the Sab-
division from north to south. ‘The manufactures are quite insignificant,
there being only about 125 looms, of which roo are for weaving coarse
woollen blankets, and 25 for weaving cotton cloth, Survey rates were
introduced into Rahiri Sub-division in 1849-50; average incidence,
1s. ad. an acre. In 1879-80, the Sub-division, which had meanwhile
undergone some slight territorial changes, was reassessed. The average
incidence of the new rates was go per cent. above that of the previous
settlement. The average annual rainfall for the eleven years ending
1884 was) 21°67 inches, ranging from 10°57 inches in 1876 join ot
88;
Rahiri.— Town in Abinadnagar District, Bombay: Presideccys
head-quarters of Rahiiri Sub-division, with a railway station and weekly
market. Sit Jat. 19° 23" w., and long. 74° 42’ BE, on the nomh
bank of the Mula river, and 25 miles north of Ahmadnagar, Popu-
lation (1881) 4304. Independent Marwari traders have a capital of
about £15,000. The station of the Dhond-Manmdd Suute line is
situated 5 miles to the east. Weekly market on Thursday. es
Government schools for boys and one for girls. wah
Raéi—Port in the Salsette Sub-division of ‘Chéna (Tanna), Districy
Bombay Presidency. Average annual value of trade for the five years
ending 1873-74, returned at £116,979, namely—imports, £44, and
exports, £116,035 ; and average annual value for the five years ending
1881-82, £22,651, namely—imports, £4163, and exports, £18,488.
Valve for 1881-82—imports, £12,683, and exports, £59,037) Rat
is one of the seven ports forming the Ghorbandar Customs Divisions,
Post-office. veel,
Rai Bareli (Roc Bareli\ or Bareilly). —Division or Commissionership
southernmost Division of a and comprises the three: Districts of
Rat Barewt, Sunrawrur, and Partancarit ). It is bounded
on the north by Bara Banki and Faizibdd Districts; on the east by
Azamgarh and Jaunpur Districts of the North-Western Provintes; on
the south by Allahdbdd and Fatehpur Districts ; and on theswest |
Unao and Lucknow, Area, 4881-7 square miles, Population (1869)
RAL BARELL Mo
2,814,916; (1831): 2,736,864, namely, males 1,362,761, and females
4,394,103, showing a decrease of $5,052, or 2°9 per cent, in thirteen
years. Number of towns, 5; and of villages, 6431 ; occupied houses,
367,908. Average’ density of population, $647 persons per square
ee eee are mile, T9905 persons per town or
village, 428; number ses Per square mile, 116; persons per
occupied house, 4°. -Claisified according to sex and age, there are—
under 5 pears of age, males 532,136, and females 478,564 ; total
children, 1,010,697, or 36:7 per cent. of the population: 15 years and
upwards, males $30,625, and females 915,542; total adults, 1,746,167,
ro number 2.493.536, or 90°4 per cent. of the whole
population ; Muhammadans, 262,892; Sikhs, 192; Christians, 226;
Jains, 27; and Pérsf, x, Among the higher class Hindus, Brihmans
number 383,915, constituting the most numerous caste in the Di
som; Rajputs number 219,190; Bhats, 14,684; Kayasths, 35,356 ;
sex! Baniyéis, 61,029: Of the lower or Siidra castes of Hindus, the
‘most numerous are the following :-—Abhir, 331,381; Chaméar, 292,329 ;
Kannl, 271.935} Pasi, 059,797 ; Kichhi, 126,502 ; Gachiria, 83,963 ;
Lodhi, 65,984) ‘Teli, 52,027; Kori, 50/215; Nai, 47,465; Kahdr,
37,669; Kumbhdr, 35,866; Bhurji, 35,1545; Kalwsir,
SH702 ; Dhobi, 33,296 » Mallah, 26,460; Loniyd, 26,154; Barhai,
| 17,098 ; Sondr, 10,768; Mall, 86595 and Gosain,
‘The Mubammadans according to sect consist of—Sunnis,
Shids, 4663, ‘The Muhammadans include 17,915
“Rajputs by race, 10,806 Gujars, and 359 Mewatls. The Christian
‘Somumiunity consists of—Europeans, 89; Eurasians, 72; and Natives,
HE om we
Twn and Reral Popuiation.—The population of Rii Bareli Division
‘Bes purely rural, and there is no tendency on the part of the people to
Only five places in the whole Division contain
‘thousand inhabitants, namely, Rat Baret, popula-
) 925782 5 Jars, 11,044; SULTANPUR, 93745 Buta or Mac-
ena and DALMAv, 5367. ‘These five tov
of 43,417, or only 2°6 per cent, of the population
Division. ‘The only three municipalities are Rai Bareli, Sultin-
‘Pur, and Bela towns, with a total municipal me in 1883-84 of
fwhich £1944 was derived from taxation ; average incidence
ts. 3d. per head! of the population (30,175) within muni-
& Of the 6436 towns and villages comprising Rai Bareli
contain fess than two hundred inhabitants ; 2403, from
3 4189 from five hundred to a thousand ; 435 from
‘two thousand ; 65 from two to three thousand ; 21
thousand ; 3 from five to ten thousand; and 2
ing all general labourers and male children, 591,385.
Agriculture—Of a total assessed area of 3,677,930 actes, ‘or-4872
square miles, in 1883-84, 1,589,639 acres, or 2455°8 square miles,
were returned ax under cultivation ; 788,648 acres, or "3 Square
miles, as cultivable ; and 739,643 acres, or 11§7'7 square miles, as
uncultivable waste, Irrigation is more largely resorted to in Rai
Bareli Division than in any other part of the North-Western Provinces
and Oudh ; and of the cultivated area, no less than 1,171,638 acres, oF
1830°7 square miles, are returned as artificially irrigated entirely by the
people themselves, and wi Government irrigation works,
‘The total crop area of the Division in 2884 (including lands bearing
two harvests in the year) was 1,907,897 acres, or 2981 square miles,
made up as follows:—Rice, 421,726 acres; wheat, 203,715 acres;
other food-grains, 1,197,129 acres; oil-seeds, 2867 acres; sugarcane,
19,559 acres; cotton, 3898 acres; opium, 38,545 acres; indigo, Go77
acres; fibres, 2352 acres; tobacco, 2352 acres; and vegetables, 8677
acres. The total adult agricultural population, male and female, of the
Rai Bareli Division in 1881 was returned at 980,736, comprising land-
holders, 47,886 ; cultivating tenants, 708,866; agricultural Jabourers,
222,376; and estate agents, 1608, The male adult agricultural popula-
tion numbered 3395 tivated area being at the rate of 2°53
acres for each male adult agriculturist. The total population, however,
f q returned at 1,998,933, or 72°51
vision. Excluding 453°7 square niles
otal overnment assessment in 1881, including local
<d on the land, £364,064, oF an average of 4%. Bek.
amount of rental, including cesses, paid by
tors, £691,243, or an aremge ofi8a: 4S) aie aa
ication in 1883-84 included 287 minal
of made roads, and 6} miles of railway,
RAT BARELI DISTRICT: a5t
aero
| Adwinistration. —The total revenve of Rai Bareli Division in
2885-84 amounted to £461,748, of which £340,944 was contributed
by the Iand:tax. Total cost: of civil administration, a8 represented by
the cost of Distri and police, £53,852. patients
1: the three Districts comprising the Rai Bareli
Tiivision are sub-divided into 10 sahsils, 29 pargands, and 26 thdnds or
police circles. Justice is administered by a total of 4r magisterial and
49 civil and revenue officers of all grades. ‘he total regular police
ree it A 1375 officers and men, of whom 84 were
ni i | Or mbnicipalities, maintained at a total cost of
14.960, ¢ BD ce cea ee paid en rer rete ‘There
s als stag ‘watch or rural police consisting in 1883 of 8574
ehewbiditrs, waintained at a cost of £17,390. The daily average
‘of prisoners in jail in 1883 was 986:92, or one person always
2793 of the population. Government-inspected schools
323) attended by 13,520 pupils. ‘The Census
(12,128 boys and 207 girls as under instruction in
dis which were attended in 1883 by 2001 in-door and
Banga! patients. The total number of registered deaths in
nted to 75,003, of which 54,289 were from fevers and 8153
_ Average rate of mortality, 27°2 per thousand of the
[For further particulars and details, see the separate
pon Rar Baxett, Sucranrur, and Paxrapoarn.]
District of Oudh in the Rai Bareli Division, under
‘of the Lieutenant-Governor of the North-Western
d between 25" 49’ and 26° 35's. lat, and between
Seo go’ we dong Area, 1758 square miles. Popula-
905. It forms the central District of
“eg on the north by Lucknow and Bara Banki;
¢—RAi Barell has undergone many changes of
‘At the time of annexation, it consisted of the four ¢aAsils
Bareli, and Haidargarh, ‘These were afterwards
nds among
f the Oudh Dis-
352 RAI BARELI DISTRICT.
to Unao, while Haidargarh was transferred to Bara Banki, On the
other hand, the paryands of Simrauta, Mohanganj, Inhauna, and
Rokha Jris were added to the District from Sulténpur; and Salon and
Parshddepur pargands from Partdbgarh. Before these last transfers,
Rai Bareli District contained an area of 1350 square miles and a
population (1869) of 782,874. Its present area is returned in the
Provincial Census Report for 1881 at 1738 square miles, with a
population of 951,905, The District is at present composed of 4
tahsiis as follows (1) R4i Bareli talsid, consisting of the pargamd of
Rai Bareli; (2) Dalmau ‘adsid, with the 3 pargands of Dalmau, Sareni,
and Khiron ; (3) Digbijdiganj éa4sif, with the © fargands of Inhauna,
Bachhriwin, Kumbriwin, Hardoi, Simrauta, and Mohanganj; and
(4) Salon éaAsti, with the 3 fargends of Salon, Parshidepur, and Rokha
Jas.
Physical Aspects.—The general aspect of the District is that of a
slightly undulating plain, which, as the country is beautifully wooded,
chiefly with mango and mahud groves, gives it a variety not often
seen in the valley of the Ganges, The fertility of the soit is remark-
able; and the cultivation being of a high class, the beauty of the
country is not to be surpassed by any part of the plain of Hindustan.
Seattered here and there all over the District, and more specially
towards the Ganges, are noble trees, generally dargad or pipal "Trees
are not, however, grown for timber. The Jad is not plentiful, and
the bamboo is very scarce, while the sAiskam and the #im, both of
which thrive well, and would yield a cerain revenue from lands
which are too broken for cultivation, are only found in the District
where planted as ornamental trees since our occupation of the
country,
‘The principal rivers are the Ganges and the Sai, the former skirting
the District for 54 miles along its south-western boundary, while the
latter runs through the centre of the District in a tortuous direction
from north-west to south-east. The Ganges is everywhere navigable by
its of 1200 maunds, or nearly 50 tons burthen, ‘The Sai is navigable
rains, but few or no boats now ply. ‘The banks of both are
high and generally precipitous, and the level of the water is 7o or Soe
feet below the surface of the Pera the beds are sandy. “The rivers an=
0 igation, except for the alluvial bottan
‘There are no large towns on th
and no centres of trade or commerce, Very little fishing is
on except in the jatls, The Sai is spanned bya fine bridge at
1864, and is crossed by numerous ferries ‘The +
RAI BARELI DISTRICT. 353
ee eae mos inaswamp in Unao, and, after a
‘miles in Rai Baroli, falls into the Ganges in Dalmau
Pargand ; the stream
dries up in the hot weather: (2) the Bastha, a
few miles west of Rai Bareli town: (3) the
‘watercourse dry during the hot months; ir enters this
n ;, and flows in three channels during the rains,
into Sultanpur District, and one finding its way
principal jhif is the Muing #4/, a shallow Jake about
ly used for irrigation by the neighbouring
for its fish and water-fowl.
trees are fin (Cedtela Toona), shirham (Dal-
seas Sooty dhék (Butea frondosa), and dad (Acacia arabica).
‘Numerous varieties of thatching grass are found, and a variety of rice
| and grows wild in many tanks and marshes. Lae and silk
Os SS eeu jungle products. Herds of wild cattle
Sdlon pargand near the Sai river, and did much
“ scarcely any are now left. They are generally
small animals, but occasionally a fine bull is seen among
catch the male calves, which, if taken young, are
and they grow into tolerable bullocks, Vledé are
the Ganges, and wolves are occasionally met with in
Tigers or leopards are not found,
—The population of Rai Bareli in 1869, after the trans-
ina previous section of this article, was returned at
ast Census in 188% returned the population of the
Mt 952,905, showing a decrease of 37,103, or 3°7 per cent.,
(years since 1869, mainly owing to the heavy mortality
d by the famine of ¥877-78. ‘The results arrived at by the
(881 may be summarized as follows:— Area of District,
miles, with 3 towns and 1759 villages ; number of houses,
‘Total population, 953,905, namely, males 466,906, and
; proportion of males, 49°05 per cent. Average density
Mm, $47°6 persons per square mile; villages per square
“persons per town or village, 540; houses per square mile,
per house, §°2. Classified according to sex and age,
der 15 years of age, males 173,466, and females 163,400;
341,866, or 35"9 per cent. of the population: 15 years
‘males 288,440, and females 321,599; total adults,
‘per cent.
Hindus form the great majority of the population, num
ty 874,345) OF 91S be cent. 5 Muhammadans number
per cent. ; Jains, 13; Cl 1233; and Sikhs, 165
z
ae RAI BARELD DISTRICT.
Among the higher class Hindus, Brihmans number 113,212, form
ing the second most numerous caste in the District; Rajputs
number 68,491 ; Bhats, 4872; Kayasths, 13,247; and Baniyds, 16,610,
‘The lower or Stidra castes include the following:—Ahir, 114,369,
the most numerous caste in the District, ee
aboriginal tribe, 82519; Chamr, 83,608; Kachhi, 55,830; Lodhi,
$4,932;) Kurmi, 45,227; Korl, 30,680; Gaddria, 26,813; “Tell,
20,782 ; Ndi, 19,3545 Dhobi, 11,615; Bhurji, 11,472; Kumbhér,
13,212; Barhai, 11,198; Kahdr, 10,296; Lohdr, 10,081; Kalwar,
008; ‘Tamil, 74233 Loniyd, 6342; Mali, 4966; Sondn 4596;
Dom, 3879; and Gosain, 280g. ‘The Muhammadans classified
according to sect consist of —Sunnfs, 75,222; and Shids, 2203.
The Muhammadans include 4256 Rajputs, 6438 Gijars, and 20g
Mewatis by race descent. The Christian community consists of—
Europeans, 34; Eurasians, 44; and Natives, 48,
Town and Rural Population —Vhe population of Rai Bareli District
is purely rural, the only three towns with upwards of five thousand it
habitants being—Rat Bares, population (1881) 11,7815 Jats, 11,044 5
DaLMav, 5367: total urban population, 28,192, or only 279 per cent.
of the District population. The only municipality is Rai Bareli town,
with an income in 1883-84 of £1906, of which £1073 was derived
from taxation; average incidence of taxation, rs. 39d. per head of
the population (16,269) within municipal limits. Of the 1762 towns
and villages in the District, 503 contain less than two hundred
inhabitants ; 656 from two to five hundred; 377 from five hundred
to a thousand; 177 from one to two thousand; 31 from two to
three thousand; 5 from three to five thousand; and 3 upwards of
five thousand inbebitents, As regards occupation, the Census Report
classifies the male population under the following six main headings >—
(1) Professional class, including civil and military, 5964; (2) domestic
servants, inn and lodging-house keepers, etc, 1STSi (3) commercial
class, including bankers, merchants, traders, carriers, ete., 35335 (4)
including gardeners, 232,328; (5) manu.
facturing and industrial class, luding all artisans, 45,0525 (6)
indefinite and Sees class, comprising all general labourers
e individuals from wells, tanks, es
Tangely resorted to, and 4237 72 acres were ‘thus irrigated in 2883-85.
The total crop area of Rai Bareli District in 1884 (including landsae
bearing two harvests in the year) was 676,110 acres, or 10564
square miles, made up as follows: — Rice, 128,698 acres; wheat,
RAT BARELI DISTRICT: 385
79,251 acres; other focd-grains, 436,853 acres; oilseeds, 684 acres;
Sagar-cane, 819 ficres; cotton, 2976 acres; opium, 21,869 acres;
indigo, 57 acres; fibres, 436 acres; tobacco, 879 acres; and vege-
tables, ee acres.
Rates of rent are reported to be much higher than the general
average for the Province, owing to the density of the population, and
to the irrigation facilities afforded by numcrous masonry wells, An
official return gives the average rates in 1883-84 as follows :—Rice,
9% per acre; wheat, rss 6d.; inferior grains, 8s. 2d.; opium, 17%
6d. ; oil-seeds, 98; sugar, 16s, 9d.; tobacco, £1, 15. 9d.; cotton,
438 3d. The highest rents are for lands in the vicinity of the towns,
Opium-fields so situated pay as high as Rs. 13 per local dighd, or
4%, 15 Gi. per acre; ordinary wheat lands, irrigated from the tenants’
own wells pay Rs. 7 per dighd, or £1, 28. 4d. per acre; and unirri-
gated lands, which grow nothing but gram, barley, and arhar, pay
Rs. 5 per dtyad, of 168 per acre, if the soil is not very sandy. Poor
‘sthdy boils, remote from village sites, rent as low as 28, an nere, The
‘setrlement officer estimates that one man with a single pair of bullocks
can cultivate fairly about 4 acres, from which he may calculate on
am average yield of 12 mawnds, or 8] cwts, per acre. The average
vale of the total produce, together with the straw, is about £9, 128. ;
and taking the landlord's share at one-third, the rent of the holding
would be about £3, 48. or 16s, per acre,
‘The total agricultural population, male and female, of Rai Bareli
is 1881 was retumed at 374,052, comprising 9282 landholders,
273)135 tenant cultivators, 90,082 agricultural labourers, and 1553
estate agents, etc. ‘The male adult agricultural population numbered
230,912, giving an average of 2°47 cultivated acres for each male
adult agriculturist. ‘The total population, however, dependent upon
the Soil, is returned at 700,379, or 73°58 per cent, of the District
popiilation. Excluding 4r6°9 square miles which are held revenue
free, the arca assessed for Government revenue is 132174 square
miles Total Government assezsment in 1881, including local rates
and cesses levied on the land, £134,570, or an average of qx. 7fd.
per cultivated acre. Total rental paid by cultivators, including cesses,
ete, £278,017, oF 9s. 84d. per cultivated
“The average out-turn per acre of the different crops is thus returned
for 1883-84 :—Rice, 521 lbs, ; wh Ibs. ; inferior food-grains,
654 1s, ; indigo, 22 Ibs. ; cotton, 59 Ibs i
Ths. ; fibres, 486 Ibs. ; sugar, 918 Ibs ; and tobac
and village servants are paid chiefly ir mn :
ee land in payment. Unskilled labourers are paid at the rate of
fd, and ekilled Iabourers 74d. per he agricultural
py ‘of the District in 1833-84 was returned as. follows :—Cows and
356 RAI BARELS DISTRICT.
bullocks, 337,898 ; horses, 23495 ponies, 4281 ; donkeys, 5720; sheep
and goats, 115,402; pigs, 67,0125 igo 3507 nd-plonghs, 92%)837-
‘The average prices of food-grains and. other produ 1833-85
48. oil. per ewt,; rice, best, 88. ad, per cwt,, common, 6s, 10d, per ewt.;
gram, 38 rod. per ewt.; sugar, refined, £1, 16s. per cWts and up
Tefined, 96.124, per.cwt.5 and salt, 10s, rd, per cwt. !
Natural Calamities,—In_ years of scarcity, Rai Bareli is morse ¢
than other Districts of Oudh, having as yet (r885) no railway, ‘and.
only 83 miles of water communication along its outer border. On the
other hand, its masomy wells afford it a greater assurance against
famine, its drainage is superior to that of other Districts, it suffers com-
paratively less from floods, and its area of artificial irrigation is so large
that absolute famine ought to be almost unknown, Great scarcity from.
a deficiency of rainfall in October for the winter rice, and in, Jo
for the spring crops, is, however, common, On an average, in five
years out of ten, the October and January rains are so scanty as to.
be of no practical value. The average annual rainfall, is 33. inches, or
about the same as Lucknow ; the rains were specially deficient in 1864,
1868, 1873, and 1877-78, when the rainfall was respectively 22, 19,
41, and 13°9 inches. In 1873, although the rainfall was above t
average, the distribution was unequal, and the September-October mins.
were deficient, The year 1784-85 was one of severe
famine, and considerable scarcity occurred in 1570and 1810. In 2864,
1869, and 1874, there was very considerable scarcity in the sane
approaching to famine. No special Government measures were
for, and the people were employed on the local roads. In 1877-7
the deficiency in the rainfall was followed by widespread scarcity,
causing acute distress for a considerable time, while actual famine pre~
vailed for about two months. Special relief measures were organized ;
relief works put in hand, and poorhouses opened by Government. The
landlords and well-to-do classes generally also niece rn by
furnishing work and food to those in distress.
‘The food of the people is the same as that consumed tthe:
rest of Oudh. Afoth, or pens pottage, and barley bread, or cakes made.
‘of barley and “mixed, form the ordinary food of the corel
‘There are generally two meals in the day, at noon and at sunset
if the people are very poor, they content themselves with one meal, at
sunset, and a little of what is left served up cold the next morning, and
called édsé. Siinzedn and Aodo are largely consumed in the rainy season.
“Rice and maize are less used than in Northern and Westem Qudh,
‘Three-quarters of a ser, or 1 Ib., is reckoned a meagre daily allowance
for aman, and 10 ehhatéks, oF xf Ib, & famine allowance of the grains
above alluded to,
RAT BAREL! DISTRICT. 357
‘The Land Tenures arc principally diwkdér’, “The returns received
for the first edition of thie work show 1198 villages held under this
537 held as saminditri by smaller propric-
tors, Among the latter, sub-division of property has been carried to
< the'537 villages being held by no less than about
‘¥i,cce small proprictors, two-thirds of whom possess on an average not
‘more than ro acres of land each, On the other hand, in the #éluhddrt
proprietors hold among them 350,000 acres 5 and no less
than 816,000 acres, oF two-thirds of the entire District, are held in 62
Uno alates roo chiefs Thirty-five si/ukddrs pay a Govern
ment revenue exceeding £500 a year, varying from £643 for the Usah
estate of | and an aren of 5000 acres, to £11,342 for the large
Property of , which comprises r29 villages, and covers an area
‘of 92,260 actes. ‘The principal landed proprietors arc the Tilok Chandi
Bui, Whote estates lie in the west of the District, comprising par-
sole Rai Bareli, oh Khiron, Hardoi, and others; and
the Kanhpurias i in the east, who hold Sélon, Rokha Jais, Parshddepur,
Mohanganj, and Simrauta.
| Meaiis of Communication, et-—Rai Bareli District contains 5164 miles
‘of made road, the principal lines being as follows:—(1) From Rai
Bateli i Dalmau to Fatehpur, length within the District, 17 miles;
il el aed vid Délmau to Unao, 38 miles; (3) from Rai
to Allahabad, 14 miles; (4) from Rai Bareli wid
fiadito Partdbgarh, 10 miles; (s) from Rai Bareli vid DAlmau to
ur, 8 miles; (6) from Radi Bareli of@ Dalmau to Faizdbid
» 12 miles; (7) from Rai Bareli vid Dalmay to Lucknow,
les; (8) from Rai Bareli vid Dilmau to Haidargarh, 28 miles;
() from Rai Bareli vd Lélganj to Réipur, 28 miles; (10) from
Yr Bachhriwn to Haidargarh, go miles; (11) from Dilmau
‘miles; (12) from Dighijaiganj vid Bachhrdwan, 18 miles;
from Bebsr to Purwa, 6 miles; (14) from Behar to Baksir, 12
(rs) from Chiindakitur to Unao, 36 mi (16) from Chanda-
‘to Silon, ro miles; (r7) from Lucknow vid Haidargarh to
(3 miles Only the first-named ig metalled. ‘There
fs as yet (1885) within the District, but the projected line
to Jaunpur will, when completed, intersect Rai Bareli
Pits entire length from east to west. Water communication
by the Ganges, which flows along the south-eastern boundary
“Total length of navigable rivers, 83 miles.
manufactures consist of a little cloth-weaving for local
of brass and copper utensils, and a little glass-~ware,
for holding Ganges water.
ation. —Rai Bareli is administered by a Deputy Commis-
Siooer, assisted by one or more Assistant Commissioners, 2 Native
358 RAT BARELI DISTRICT.
Assistant Commissioners, 4 éahsildiérs, and 7 Honorary Magistrates.
‘The jutdiction ‘of the Civil Judge extends aver the neighbouring
Districts of Sultinpur and Partdbgarh, Subordinate Civil Judges
(munsifi) are stationed at Rai Bareli and Dalman, ‘The District is
divided into 4 éaAsils or revenue pent Pea pce jisiny
as follows:—(1) Dalmau fa/sid, comprising the
Sareni, and Khiron ; (2) Rai Bareli saAs#!, which is pipet
Rai Bareli pargand ; (3) Dighijiigan} taksif, comprising pargands
Inhauna, Bachhrdwin, Kumbriwin, Hardoi, Simrauta, and Mohan-
ganj; (4) Stlon fais’, comprising paryands Sdlon, Parshiadepur, and
Rokha Jais.
‘The total revenue, imperial and local, of Rai Bareli District. in
1872-75 was £149,306, of which £122,411 was derived from the land-
tax. The expenditure in the same year amounted to £28,597. In
1883-84, the total District revenue amounted to £155,152, the principal
items being—land revenue, £130,035; stamps, £9807; and excise,
414,166. The civil expenditure, as represented by the cost of the
District officials and police, amounted in the same year to 425.073.
Rai Bareli containg r7 civil and revenug, and 20 magisterial courts.
For police purposes, the District is divided into. 10. police circles,
namely, Réi Barcli, Bachhriwdn, Mobanganj, Digbijsiganj, Girbaksh-
gan), Délmau, Sareni, Mau, Jagatpur, and Sdlon, ‘The total regular
police force in 1883 numbered so9 officers and men, of whom 3% were
employed in town duty; maintained at a total cost of £5472, of which
45298 was paid from Provincial revenues. There is also a village
watch or rural police, consisting in 1883 of 3215 men, maintained at a
cost of £7788, The total police force of the District, therefore,
amounted to 3624 of all ranks, being at the rate of one poner to
every "5 square mile of area, or one to every 263 of population; total
cost, £13,260, or £7, 128. 7d. for every square mile of area, 1 3ha
per head of population. ‘The daily average number of prisoners its jail
01, of whom 64 were females.
Government-inspected schools, includ
station, attended in 1883-84) by $685
popils. This is exclusive of unaided and uninspected schools ; and
the Census Report of 1881 retumed 6034 boys and 122 girls as under
instruction, besides 25,103, males and 332 females able to psy =
write, but not under instruction.
115; November, ieee
year, 32°89 inches. The rainfall, however, is very capricious, asad
RAI BARELI TAHSIL AND TOWN. 359
is'when itis most needed for
total for the year may Deena
returns are available,
| ‘The prevalent disease is fever, but cholera ley yor ie sere
‘cary off yearly numbers of victims. Cattle-disease is common. Five
es Spee medical relief in 1883 to 518 in-
ourdoor patients. ‘The total number of registered
See the Saligon. "hace tue of moray
» Average rate. 3t94
‘per thousand jas against a mean rate of 33°74 per thousand for the
five previous years, [For further particulars regarding Rai Bareli,
‘see the Gazticer of the Province of Oudh, vol. iii, pp. 171-260
Press, 1878); the Land Settlement
by Mr. J. F. MacAndrew, CS. (1872); the
Census Report of the North-Western Provinces and Qudh for 188x ;
‘and the several annual Provincial and Departmental Reports from
“1880 to 1884.)
_ Bai Bareli —7wisi! or Subdivision and pargaud, both conterminous,
, reli District, Oudh; bounded on the north by Mahardjganj,
by Sflon, and on the south and west by Lélganj and
3744 square miles, or 237,730 acres, divided into 363
lich 244 are held in ad/uhddrd, 58 in saminddri, anc 6x in
Population (1869) 212,905 ; (1881) 199,095, namely,
and females 100,892; decrease of population since 1869,
"5 per cent in twelve years, caused bel by the
mn, there were
A25/517 at the mte of as. 23d. per a ‘The Sub-division
in 1884 (including head-quarters) 3 civil and ar criminal
with 2 police circles (¢hdnds), a regular pales ieee of 36 men,
rs of the District ; Si aera benks ofthe Si, 48 ls
a Laxcknom, in lat, 26 3° so" Ny and long, 81° 16' 25° B.
rib the mame to the fact of the place having long been
on of a Kayasth family bearing the title of Réi, After
on of the Bhars by Ibnihim Sharki of Jaunpur, early in the
¥, the town passed into the possession of the Muham-
Population (1869), including the suburb of Jahdndbéd,
RAIDHAR—RAIDRUG. 368
| Raidhék.—River of Northern Bengal; rises in the Bhutin Hills,
and flows southwards through the Western Dwiars of Jalpaiguri District,
till it enters Kuch Belar territory near the small village of Bhurjkuti,
In its upper course through Jalpdiguri, which it enters in lat. 26° 43°
go" n., and long, 89" 48' , this river forms a large island by throwing
of a branch stream, called the Miindgdéon medi, which leaves the
Reidhsk at the point where it enters the District, and rejoins it about
$ ot 9 miles lower down, The Raidhdk cuts across the eastern angle
of Kuch Behar, and unites with the Kaljani, flowing in the same
direction, t0 form the Sankos. The combined streams fall into the
Eeeceesnctal below Dhubri.
Taluk or Sub-division of Bellary District, Madras Presi-
imp Area, 898 square miles’ Population (1881) 83,799, namely,
42,773 males and 41,021 females, dwelling in 1 town and 147 villages,
containing 16,017 occupied houses. Hindus number 78,899 ; Muham-
madans, 4875; Christians, 10; and ‘others, r5. In 1883 the sdduk
contained 2 criminal courts; police circles (¢dénds), 8 ; regular police,
Gomen. Land revenue, £13,439. Cotton soil in the north and west.
‘Raidrug .—Town in Réidrug #dluk, Bellary District,
Madras Presidency. Lat. 14° 41’ 50” ™,, long. 76° 52' 50” &. Population
(188r) 8766, inhabiting 1571 houses. Hindus number 7298; Muham-
madans, 1455 ; Christians, 2; and ‘others,’ 11. Consists of a citadel and
lower fort, the latter containing the town, which is regularly laid out.
‘The citadel occupies the summit of a mass of granite rocks, rising to
‘the height of 1200 feet, and connected by a lower ridge with 2 group
‘of wild hills, which form the north-eastern boundary of the plain of
‘The south face of the rock is abrupt and inaccessible.
‘Yhe lower fort is guarded by a triple line of works, and a narrow path-
‘way hewn in the rock leads from it to the citadel, At intervals along
this path are gateways of solid masonry and fresh lines of fortification.
About half-way up the hill is the old palace of the pdlegdr, said to have
been built about the beginning of the 16th century; and close by are
two handsome temples dedicated to Rama and Krishna. There are
ee ete oases and gardens on the rock, but few people now
‘The earlier Adlegdrs of Raidrug were Boyas; and it is said that the
palace and the forts were built by one of them, named Janga Nayak.
About the end of the r6th century, this family seems to have been
a and one of the descendants of the ex-Commander-in-Chicf
succeeded in making himself master of Raidrug and the
Speci etonians te In 1766 the ¢déegdr assisted Haidar
Ali at the siege of Siri, as a reward for which his tribute was
reduced to Rs, 56,000 (say 5000) as soon as Haidar became master
of the country. Subsequently the sddyifr, Venkatapati Ndyudu, gave
only allowed the Rani’s claim to the territories which
¢ of British occupation. Niir-ul-Nissa died in 1831,
by her daughter-inlaw, widow of Rai Alyds, by
B On her death in 1854, the.British Government
nephew and adopted son, Imém Bakhsh Khdn, as heir
of the neighbourhood. Population (1881) gz19,
dans, 5281; Hindus, 2855; Sikhs, 838; and
Number of houses, 1384. Police station, post-office,
Municipal revenue in 1883-84, £368, or 94d. per head
gal. Estuary in the Sundarbans, Bengal, Its entrance is
42 miles eastward of the Guasupa River; and about
the sen it receives the united streams of three rivers—
ing& being the westernmost, the Rdimangal proper the
Jamund the easternmost, The point of land on the
Be entrance is situated in lat. 21° 37' N., with a depth
joms im the channel close to it, and with from 10 to rz
towards the Haéridbhdngd river. From the point to
¢ depth decreases gradually to 4 fathoms in the western
‘outer part of which is separated fram the Guasubd by a
stretches out from the land between them, The
leads directly to the entrance of the Réimangal and
having a sandbank between it and the western channel,
inside. According to Captain Horsburgh’s Switing
a iy | considerable reefs of breakers have formed on the
of the channel leading to these rivers, situated respec-
10 miles from the land,
in the District of the Twenty-four Pargands,
ge and “idné or police station in Bardwan District,
23° 4’ 20" N., long. 87° 56° 40” & Population under
—Fort in Keunthdl State, Punjab, Lat, 31° 7' x, long.
RAIPUR, 367
‘of the District, and flows due west for about 30
teas nao lo pcs ni ro rs leer
@ narrow valley, in places only 500 yards wide,
into more open country, it roils on in a northerly or north-ensterly
2 unites with the Seonith. During its course in Réipur,
adi is swelled by the Pairl and Sundar, which meet belore
with the Mahdnadi, and by the Kesho, Kordr, and
Se from the east through hilly tracts, along narrow but
valleys, and fall directly into that river. In this part of the
the river beds are wide wastes of sand, dry for more than half
at no time, except during high flocd, containing much
¢ in Raipur the country is dotted with tanks, These are
by throwing a dam across a hollow: but in most large
or more tanks may be found embanked on all sides, and
nted Reese tha work of 120 publicepirited villager, or perhaps
ne enterprising Banjdraé who used to pasture pack-bullocks in
village in the days when the jungle was yet uncut, Such tanks,
almost entirely on the rainfall for their supply, give
water than those formed by damming the valleys; but
‘care ia taken to keep them clear, the water generally becomes
ass of impurity in the hot weather. Wells were unknown until quite
"years; but the regulations granting land rent-free to persons
n, has led to the construction of wells lined with masonry
es, Near the Mahdnadi, and to the south of the District,
bl sie of Raipur,
t TG pistes only csoepd hy
soil is generally fertile. Th stritain
bly a soft eette freq
Surface, and is constantly found in the beds of the
368 RAIPUR.
Tron-ore abounds, that found at Dalli in the Lohdra estate, and in
the hills to the west of Ganddi, being reckoned the best. The red
ochre of Gandaj and Thakurtold also bears a high repute. Apart from
the trees round the tanks, but few are to be seen throughout the greater
part of the plain, The teak, which once grew luxuriantly on all the
river banks, has nearly disappeared, and scarcely a mango grove em-
bellishes the country. The commonest tree is the maAwd, which is
always preserved when the others are cleared away. The uplands on
the borders, however, are still covered with forests ; though few of these,
except the great sd/ forest lands of Sehdwd and Bindri Nawdgarh, and
that along the Kamtdra md/é in the Deori and Kaurid seminditris or
estates, yield much valuable timber, The Ganddi and Lohira semin-
ddris also contain large tracts of young teak; and among the hills of
the Gaurdgarh plateau, as well as on the high range in the south of
Sehdwé, spread noble forests of sdf and fendé, Raipur offers great
attractions to the sportsman. In the hot months, tigers and
are found near the streams ; on the hills, bears abound ; and to the east,
bison ; while in every direction antelope, spotted deer, and other varieties
of game are met with.
History, — According to Gond traditions, Raipur was originally
inhabited by a race of giants, endued with supernatural powers ; who,
however, at length yielded to the marvellous prowess of the Gond
heroes. ‘Those critics who think that a poetic legend must always
contain a kernel of prose, refer these mythical victories to the conflict
of the Gonds with the Bhunjiyés and other Kolarian races, with whom
the Gonds came in contact in Chhatisgarh, as elsewhere in Central
India, To the east of the Mahdnadi, the Bhunjiyds and Binjwsdrs
maintained themselves till a late period, and the ruined forts
the river still testify to the raids of the Kolarians from the sees
Hills,
Our earliest historical knowledge of Raipur reveals the District 2x
forming part of the dominions under the HaihaiBansf dynasty of
Ratanpur. On the accession of Surdeva, twentieth of his line, about
7 the Chhatisgarh country was divided; and while Surdeva
ined the northern half, his younger brother, Brahmadeva, moved to
Raipur, and governed the southern section. From this time, two
separate Rajds ruled in Chhatisgarh ; for when, after nine generations,
the direct line from Brahmadeva became extinct, a younger scion of
th Ratanpt house, Deranith Singh, the son of
‘Singh D
tinued in uninterrupted possession until the arrival of the Marithis,
The elder branch of the Haihai-Bansi family, however, always claimed
a certain supremacy over the southern kingdom. Probably some time
elapsed before the Raipur Government was firmly established ; for an
RAIPUR. 369
inscription in & temple at Rajim, dated Samvat 796, or a.p. 750, com+
Maeve Or ccituraiern chief named Jagat Pl, who scems to
eee xt Dey iy Bcroge connection with Prthwf
“Deva, the successor of Su at Ratanpur.
ieee ictestinetnato sie me ‘no alteration ‘in the system
o established by the Gonds. ‘The clan, not the village, formed
the socéa and while in Upper India the family developed into
throughout Chhatisgarh the clan settled in a
cluster of villages, which were formed into a Aflwé All the original
inhabitants of each A#/«k either were or deemed themselves connected
‘mith the chief by ties of blood. Immigration from Hindustdn, and the
mere lapse of time, however, gradually relaxcd the bond of union till
nothing was left to combine the people except their common depend-
‘ence upon a central authority. Thus, with the decay of the ruling
ace, all national fecling faded away; and the Marathds met with little
i when they entered the country.
rst Manithd invasion took place in 1744, when Bhiiskar Pandit,
‘on his way to attack Bengal, defeated Raja Raghunath Singh at Ratan-
per; but neither he nor Mohan Singh, who was put in charge of
Chhatiogarh by Raghuji 1. of Nagpur in 1745, at first interfered with
Atwar Singh, the Raja of the younger line ruling i
ater, however, Amar Singh was ee far say
Ba etected some improvement
Vitthal Devdkar, the
37° RAIPUR.
tahstls, two of which, Dhamtdri and Raipur, lay within the present Dis-
trict, and Drig was made a /a/si/ in the following year. In 1861,
Bildspur was formed into a separate District, and in 1863 a fourth
fafisid of Simgi was added to Raipur. The District suffered but little
during the Mutiny, the only disturbances being
hanged in 1858, and his estate confiscated. Since then the raids of the
hill tribes into the east ofthe District have entirely ceased, and the tracts
they desolated are fast becoming the most flourishing portions of Raipur.
on. — Réipur is both the largest and the most
Distriet of the Central Provinces. A rough enumeration in 1866
returned the population at 1,322,662 persons. The Census of 1872
disclosed 1,437,255; and the last enumeration in 1881 returned
1,832,237. ‘The above returns include the population of the four
Feudatory States attached to the District; but as a separate article is
devoted to each of these dependencies (see under CHMUIKITADAN,
Kanner, Kiarraaru, and Nawpoaoy), the following examination of
the people will be confined to the £4désa, or portion of the District under
direct British management.
‘The Census of 1872 disclosed a population of 1,093,405 persons, on
an area of 11,885 square miles, residing in 4431 villages and inkabit-
ing 241,922 houses, In 1881, the Census, taken over the same area,
returned the population at 1,405,171, showing an inerease of 311,766,
or 28'5 percent., in nine years. ‘This increase, however, is only apparent,
and is the result of more careful cnumcration in 1881, as the increase
of registered births over deaths was only 6°3 per cent, and immigration
is small.
‘The results of the Census of 1881 may be summarized as follows =
—Area of British District, 11,885 square miles; number of towns
and villages, 4743; number of houses, 460,306, namely, occupied
446,651, and unoccupied 13,655. Total population, 1,405,175, namely,
males 696,242, and females 798,929; proportion of males, 49°5 per cent.
Average density of population, 118 persons per square mile ; villages per
square mile, 0°45 persons. per town, 296; occupied houses per square
aiile, 37°65 inmates per occupied house, 3°15. Classified according to
sex and age, there are—under 15 years of age, males 306,854, and
females 292, 337; total children, 599,191, or 42°7 per cent, of the
ulation : 15 years and upwards, males 389,388, and females 416,592 5
805,980, of 57°3 per cent.
Religion. —Classified according to religion, the population consists of
—Hindus proper, $56,492, or Go'9 per cent. of the whole population ;
Satndmis, 223,447, or 15°9 per cent. ; Kablrpanthis, 143,178, or o"2
per cent,; Muhammadans, 14,991, or 1°r per cent.; Christians, 821 5
Jains, 513; and non-Hindu aborigines, 165,729, or 11°8 per cent.
ind industry, yet, generally speaking, they are a
rarely attain wealth or comfort. In the jungles
on of the tribe is disappearing, and while all Gonds
yand Diilé Deo (the latter being the household god),
Know little of the distinctive gods of the Dhur Gonds,
the Chhatisgarh Gonds belong. ‘They are all
and worship the numerous local deities assidu-
it in the jungles, the Baigd, or village priest, is as
it), Tell, or Ahfr, as a Gond,
or trae 19,333 in number, who conquered the
inal Bhuiyds, and who supplied the chief
conformed ra
imoatig Hurt Deo and
‘among them, however, all wish
Kanwdrs are chiefly foun
large colony of them in
i ii
«ate to their ancestors by the fail
however, it 8.
et, who 0c: :
Raipur faésii, and are the most industrious of the jungle
4325 in mumber, and Kamins, 36qr, utterly
372 RAIPUR,
refuse to cultivate, and generally live in the most remote jungles,
supporting themselves on jungle fruits and small game. “The only other
aboriginal tribe that need be mentioned is the Khirwdr, 13,481 in
number, a branch of the Kols, which has now become almost com-
pletely Hinduized.
Among the orthodox Hindw population, the Brihmans number 20,261,
‘The majority of them are residents of Jong standing, and claim tobe the
descendants of Kanauj Brihmans imported by Kalydh Sabi, the great
Haihai-Bans! Rajé, in the 16th century. ‘They are looked down upon
and regarded as impure by their brethren who have settled in the
District in more recent times; but they make good landlords, and are
not unpopular with their cultivators, The Marithd Brihmans arc of
recent origin, and almost all the villages held by them have been
acquired by the ousting of older proprietors. ‘The Rajputs, 9393 in
number, for the most part belong to families who have been settled here
for many generations. They are generally descendants of immigrants
from the north; though in the Dhamtiri éeAsi/ there are a few Rajpurs
who have migrated from the Madras State of Jaipur, and it is only this
Jatter class who will hold the plough. ‘The other respectable castes are
—Baniyis, or traders, who often hold lind, 3634 in number; Gosains,
also a landholding class, 3046; Biuits, or genealogists, 27315 and
Kéyasths, writers, Government officials, and landholders, 1044.
The lower or Sidra castes of Hindus include—Chamar, the most
‘numerous caste in the District, returned at 248,429, Among the
Chamdrs are included large numbers of the Satndmf sect, described
below. Next to Chamiirs comes the Telf caste, 203,503 ; followed by
the Abfr caste, 141,983; Kurmi, 58,293; Keut or Kewat, So,o23;
Ganda, 35,728; Mardr, 35,096; Pankd, 31,659; Mehni, 26,796; Kallar,
25391 ; Dhobi, 19,063; Koshti, 17,433; Dhimdr, 17,813; Labar,
Gadarif, 9222; Banjdri, 8518; Kumbhdr, 7562;
be) 70795 Bairagi, 6507; Sondr, 57185 Dom, 4763 ; Ghisld, 47053
Mali, 3575; and Marathd, 2967.
‘The ‘Satndmis, 225,447 and the Kabirpanthis, 143,178, are Hindus
ally recognise no distinction of caste, The
ury; the ‘modem Satnimi creed is a revival of the doctrines of
Das, preached by Ghdsf Das in the early part of seit Present
The found ready acceptance among the low-raste
: ‘ity of that caste are now included in the sect,
although other castes are also admitted. ‘The Kabirpanthis, of fol-
sighs Ki religious reformer and also a disciple of Rémanand,
re very imilar to the Satnimis, but are principally found among
ae Pankiis, Gindis, and Telis. Though theoretically the Kabirpanthfs
RAIPUR, 373
bre Go SS caste, it would now be difficult for a Chamiér to
obtain admission into the brotherhood.
Tren and Rurat Popwlation—Riipur District contains only two
towns with upwards of five thousand inhabitants, namely, Raipur,
population (1882) 24,948; and Daaarans, 6647. Total urban popue
bation, 31,595, or 2°3 per cent. of the population of the District, The
ity is that of Raipur town, with an income in
1882-83 of £4862, of which £3642 was derived from taxation, mainly
octroi duties; average incidence of taxation, 2s. 10fd. per head. Of
the 4743 towns and villages in the MDistrict, 2136 contain less than
to hundred inhabitants; 1938 from two to five hundred; 587 from
five hundred to a thousand ; 72 from one to two thousand; 5 from two
to three thousand; 3 from three to five thousand; and 2 upwards of
five thousand inhabitants. As regards occupations, the Census Report
groups the male population under the following six main headings :—
(2) Professional, military, and official class, 11,162; (2) domestic class,
and lodging-house keepers, etc., 4616 ; (3) commercial class,
Wocleding merchants, waders, carriers, ete. 6004 ; (q) agricultural and
pastoral clas, including gardeners, 356,841; (5) industrial and manu-
facturing class, including all artisans, 53,120; and (6) unspecified and
‘waproductive, comprising general labourers and male children, 264,399-
Agriculture. —Of the total area of £1,885 square miles, only 3636 are
cukivated, and of the portion lying waste, 4827 square miles are returned
‘ascultivable, and 3422 square miles as uncultivable waste; 10,405 acres
care irrigated entirely by private enterprise, ‘The aren assessed for
‘Government revenue is 10,405 square miles, of which 3577 square miles
are cultivated, 4290 square miles cultivable, and 2538 square miles un-
cultivable waste. Rice forms the staple crop of the District, and appears
‘to have once been the only produce of Chhatisgarh. Even now the
fice crop alone ix under the special protection of Thakur Deo, the
great local god, and his priest the ddéza ; while the questions as to the
‘tinte of sowing the modern wheat crop, the colour of the bullocks to be
yoked! to the plough, and the direction in which the sower is to proceed,
‘are referred to the Brdhman puroAit, In 1883, rice occupied 1,372,618
neres. ‘The other AAari/ crops are cotton, which was grown on 38,163
and kod. ‘The last, a hardy; and prolific pulse, supplies
the chief food ‘of the poorer classes, who find 2 pound of odo as
“satisfying: as twice the quantity of rice. For all these crops the land
twice before sowing, and the sced is sown brondeast
harvest, the principal grain , covering 215,544 acres
‘in 7883-84 It is sown on the be lands after repeated plough-
ings, while for gram, eastoroil, and. the other radi ‘erops the land is
"generally ploughed only once or twice, Sugarcane was grown on 3498
"meres, anid, though requiring much labour, amply repays the cultivator 5
34 RAIPUR,
6570.Acres were devoted to tobacco. Rotation of crops is not practised;
and the agriculture of the District is for the most part slovenly.
‘The average outturn per acre for different crops was returned
as follows in 1883-84;— Rice, 271 Ibs5 wheat, 4og Ibs; inferior
grain, 600 Ibs ; oilseeds, 200 Ibs. ; sugar (gtin), £448 Ibs 5 tobacco,
12g lbs. Of the adult male and female agricultural population in
1881, 13,375 were returned as landed proprictors; 450.474 os tenant,
cultivators, of whom 289,293 were tenants-atwill ; 55,937 were tenants
at fixed rates or with a right of occupancy, 28,505 assistants in home
cultivation, and 199,261 were agricultural labourer. Estate agents,
farm bailiffs, shepherds, herdsmen, ete,, bring up the total eet
population of Réipur District to 666,304, or 47'42 per cent. of the
District population ; average area of cultivated and cultivable band, &
acres per head, ‘The rent rates per acre for the different qualities of
land in 1883-84 are returned ns follows:—Land suited for rice or oil-
seeds, 15.5 for wheat, 1s, 6d, ; for inferior grains, 18. 4}d_; for cotton,
45, 30.5 for tobacco or sugarcane, 38 Total amount of Govermn-
ment assessment, including local rates and cesses levied on the land,
£58,440, or an average of 64d. per cultivated acre. Total rental
paid by cultivators, £126,809, or an average of 15, s4d, per cultivated
acre. The agricultural stock consists of—cows and bullocks, 5218265
horses, 8445 ponies, 11,285 ; donkeys, 527; sheep and goats,
pigs, 67245 carts, $9,860; and plough, 175,526. A skilled | labourer
receives 13. per diem; an unskilled labourer, 3c. 10 qd. “The ordinary
price of produce per cwt, was—tice and linsced, 45, ; wheat, gs. Sday
cotton (cleaned), £2, 118, 10d.; raw sugar (gar), 115. oe refined
sugar, £2, 45. 94.
Natural Calamities—So land-locked @ region as Réipur. teases
siderable risk of famine, but the hills which shut in the District also.
‘ensure in most years an adequate rainfall, In 1835, and again in 1894,
however, terrible famines desolated the country; and in 1869, Raipur
suffered severely both from famine and from the cholera epidemic
which accompanied it.
Commerce and Trade—The chief trading towns in the District are
Raipur, Balodé, Simgd, and Rani Talio, which have a considerable
trafic in grain, lnc, and cottons and Dhamtéri and Réjim, where lac
Dongargarh in
dgarh, and Nandgdon in Nandgion State—although not in British
i jet within the geographical limits of the District—haye of
jisen into considerable imporlance as cmporia.of the grain
j and their position on the new Négpur-Chhatisgarh railway will
probably, when the line is fully opened out, ina few years raise them
into the position of the centres of the Réipur grain trade, The
commerce of Raipur is of quite recent creation. Under the Marithds,
RAIPUR. 33
heavy traisit duties prevented its development, and cowries formed the
‘only circulating medium. Metals constitute the chief import, English
piece goods had not tit recently penetrated beyond the wealthier
chses; the bulk of the people taking the produce ‘of their patch of
cetton to the mative weavers, who are found in most villages, to be
converted into clothing for themselves and their families. English
pitee-goodsyand the conrser fabrics from the Nagpur mill, have now,
toa Considerable extent, supplanted the indigenous hand-looms. The
Manith® women wear sarfr woven by local weavers; bat even in this
case, the thread is generally imported from Nigpur or Bombay. ‘The
Jocal yield of cotton now mostly finds its way to Cuttack and Sambalpur.
‘The principal export is grain ; but cotton, sugar, and coarse cloth arc
ako exported. There were, in 1883, only r70 miles of road, entirely
Of the second lass, in Raipur. ‘The Nagpur-Chhatisgarh railway has
been opened ont as far ax Nandgéon, a length of 149 miles from Nagpur
town, and will afterwards be extended to Biléspur, and ultimately to
eo. | railway system at Etéwah, The most important road
follows two principal routes, one by the Great
, and the other by w line passing through Khainigarh, and
to Ndgpur.
Number of civil and revenue judges of all so
“10; maximum distance from an
Average distance, 14 n
A73%3 being x pol
e The number of Gi ni
hie District in 1885- peanat
a6 RAIPUR TAHSIL AND TOWN,
sudden or viojent changes. Average temperature in the shade during
1883 at the civil station May, highest reading 114°6° F., lowest 74°0"5
July, highest 92'6", lowest 69'6"; December, highest 78°6", lowest 42°6" F.
In 188g the rainfall was 47°8 inches; the average fall is stightly
under so inches, The prevailing diseases of the District are fevers and
small-pox ; cholera, for which Raipur formerly bore an ijl mame, is now
a less frequent visitant. Stone is also a common complaint. In #883,
5 charitable dispensaries afforded medical relief to a total of 46,897
patients, Vital statistics showed in the same year a deathaate of 29°8
per thousand, as against a mean of 36 per thousand for the previous five
years. [For further information regarding Raipur, see the Gasefteer
of the Centrat Provinis, by Mr. (now Sir Charles) Grant, K.C-S.1, pp.
403-424 (Nagpur, 1870). Also the Settlement Report of Réipur District,
by Mr, J. F, K. Hewitt, C.S. (1869); the Census Report of the Central
Provinces for 1581; and the several annual Administration and Depast-
mental Reports of the Central Provinces from 1880 to 1884.)
Réipur.—Central ¢zisi? or Sub-division of Raipur District, Central
Provinces, Area, 5791 square miles, with 1958 towns and villages,
and 141,332 houses, Population (#881) 466,091, namely, males
233:793 and females 232,298; average density of
persons per square mile, The total adult agricultural population (male
and female) numbers 213,900, with an average of x1 acres of culsivaved
and cultivable land to each. Ofa total area of 5791 square miles, 469
square miles are held entirely revenue free, while 3961 square miles
are made up of seven saminddris or petty chiefships, which pay a total
peshkash or permanent tribute of £282, The Government lands of the
tehsil comprise an area of only 1361 square miles, of which 759 square
miles are cultivated, 543 square miles cultivable, and 59 syuare miles
are uncultivable waste. Total amount of Government assessment,
including local rates and cesses levied on land, £514,638, or an average
of 74d. per cultivated acre, Total rental paid by cultivators, 432,178,
oran ee as of 18, 344. per cultivated acre. In 1884 the Sub-divsion
District head-quarters) 7 civil and 1o criminal
police force of 87 officers and men.
town of Rilipur District, and head~ quintet of
8 ;
miles east of Nigpur, on the road from Nagpur to Calcutta
apur, Raipur first appears in history when
ved his court here in 750 4D. ‘The site of the
| out the main street, which is nearly 2 miles
nee 88) contains a ead édedr and many fine houses, some of them
RAIPUR TOWN. 377
with | 2 ocean pillars and balconies, Population (1872)
Nemcae 24,948, namely, males 12,447, and females 12,501,
Hindus number 19,181; Satndmis, 278; Kabirpanthis, 94; Jains, 307;
Mahammadans, 4406; Christians, 532; and non-Hindu aborigines,
ty income of the town in 1832-83 amounted to
24234, of which £3642 was derived from taxation ; average incidence
Of taxation, 28, r0fd. per head,
_ Tanks and groves of trees surround the town. The Buirha tank, to
the east of the fort, and, like it, over 400 years old, covered nearly a
Square mile, but has been reduced in extent by recent improvements.
Un its eastern side, public gardens have been laid out. ‘The Mabsirdjt
tank, south of the fort, takes its name from Mahdréj Dani, a revenue
‘farmer under the Marithds a century ago, who constructed an embank-
‘tment half's mie from the fort, and converted a pestilential swamp into a
‘beautiful tank, covering about halfa square mile. Close to the embank-
ment stands a temple to Ramchandra, built and endowed in 1775 by
‘Bhonsla, Raji of Raipur. The Koko tank, constructed by
“Kamdvisdar of Raipur, about fifty years ago, has stone
‘retaining walls on three sides, with steps down to the water. Into this
tank are thrown the images of Ganpati at the close of the festival of
‘Ganesh Chaturti. The Ambd tank, constructed by a Teli merchant
205 years ago, was repaired about 1850, and faced with massive stone
‘erraces, having steps to the water on three sides, at the cost of Sobharim
Mahijan of Riipur. This tank lies a quarter of a mile to the north of
‘the town, and supplies a large quarter with excellent drinking water.
‘A mile to the west of the city is the Rajd tank, constructed two cen-
fn the time of Rajd Baridr Singh, with one side faced with
) Teli Bandh, constructed fifty years ago by Dinanath, father
ome has also one side faced with stone ; though
lds deep water. Lastly, the Kankdili tank, in the middle of
‘constructed of stone throughout, about two centuries
oa ‘Gir Mahant, who also buile a small temple to Mahédeo
Speen ate woter ‘has a fetid smell, but is used by the people for
The Raipur fort was founded by Rajé Bhuvaneswar Singh in 1460 5
ahd before recent improvements in artillery, it must have been a place
‘ofimmense strength, Lts outer walls, nearly a mile in circumference,
“copsisted of five bastions, with connecting curtains, pierced by three
Jone postern. Tt was protected on the east by the Biirhd
‘on the south and west by the Mabdraj/ tank, Immense
‘limestone and granite were used in constructing the
quarries exist in the neighbourhood. ‘The main gate,
‘on the north side, ‘was entire when the British took possession in 1818 ;
ig down one of the bastions, the workmen came
378 RAIPUR TAHSIL—RAIRAKHOL.
‘on some old tombs 20 feet below hts Nighy are by
stone walls, but without any inscription:
R4ipur carries ona large and increasing | (eadehionentcd “na, cottons
and other produce. Tt contains, besides the ordinary District offices,
the court, civil and criminal, of a Divisional Commissioner. It is also
the head~quarters of a circle of education, and possesses a thriving
Anglo-vernacular school, and a normal school, It has a main and
branch dispensary, a post-office, and a handsome police station ; and
since 1863, a church, a travellers’ bungalow, a sardé for mative
travellers, and a central jail have been crected. ‘The garrison consists
of regiment of Native infantry, under the Brigadier-General com-
manding the Kamthi (Kamptee) foree.,
Bdipur (also called Amethi)—Tirhstl or Subsdivicion of Sulténper
District, Oudh; bounded north by Muzaflarkhdna éaAsif, east by
Sulténpur, south by Partibgarh, and west by Mahdrdjganj. Area, 366
square miles, of which 163 are cultivated, Population (1881) 198,934,
namely, males 96,861, and females 101,873. Hindas number 1885905
Muhammadans, 10,143; and Christian, x. Average density of popu-
lation, 543 persons per square mile; number of villages (murunds) 457)
of which 32s contain less chan five hundred inhabitants. This Aatsié
comprises the two fargands of Amethi and ‘Tappa Asl. ‘Land revenue,
£24,338, In 1883 iteontained 1 criminal court; two police stations:
(thduds) ; a regular police force of 39 men; and a village watch or rural
police of 637 chaukiddrs.
Réirakhol (Rehrako/).—Petty Native State attached to Sambalper
District, Central Provinces, lying between 20° 55’ and 21° 20’ x, Iat.,
and between 84° and 84° 48'® long. Bounded on the north by Bamed,
on the east by Athmallik and Angul, on the west bySambalpur District,
and on the south by Sonpur, Population (1882) 17,750) (of whom
12,690 were Hindus), residing in 199 villages or townships, and $349
houses, on an areca of 833 square miles, 150 of which are cultivated,
while of the portion lying waste 275 are returned as cultivable, The
principal rivers, the Chanpali and Tikkird, are insignificant streams,
‘The soil is light and sandy. Rice forms the staple crop; but pulses,
oilseeds, sugarcane, and cotton are also grown, Rairakhol contains
valuabl eel forests, besides other useful trees ; but for want of means of
transp¢ rt, the timber can find no market. The forests yield sé? resin
and beeswax, and lac is found in considerable quantities, Tron-ore of
excellent quality abounds, and smelting is carried on in eight or ten”
Villages, ‘Traders from Cuttack come up periodically and carry off the
iron on pack-bullocks. The smelters pay the Raja but a trifling tax for
the right to work up the ore; but as: most of them are deeply indebted
to the traders for advances, the profit goes almost entirely into the
pockets of the traders, The main road from Sambalpur to Cuttack nit
UE an eaeRE 379
pass centre of the State; to the northward, also,
another road leads to Cuttack, which has now fallen into disuse.
i to Bémrd, but was erected into an
one of the Garhjat cluster, by the Patna
Réjds about a century ago, The chief is a Janamuni Réjput. His
Supposed gross revenue amounts to £2200, and he paysa tribute of £538.
‘The revenue has of late fallen off, through over-assessment and other
talsmansgement. Education is utterly neglected. In 1872 no child
fas returned asunder instruction; and-only 18 persons between twelve
and twenty years of age, and soabove twenty, were said to be able to
read and write. The climate, like that of Sambalpur, is unhealthy:
Fever is the prevailing disease, especially from September to November 5
and cholera is frequently epidemic.
Réiri (Aedi, or more properly Yashwntgarh).—Fort in Ratndgiri
District, Bombay Presidency ; situated in lat. 15° 45° Ny and long,
73 44%, on a rocky height at the mouth of a small navigable river,
225 miles south of Bombay, Built (according to Grant-Duff) in 1662
s Sree cere atithspomeancas ohtbanie=a
a stronghold 0
Bekicirererted | in 1819 to the I
confirmed in 1820, The fort stands on a
is crossed by a wall that run: he
fortifications. ‘Through a gate in this wall is a sq)
Might of steps and through a third gate
E>_”"
RAJA JANG—RAJARULARAMAN. 38
fang, the Chinese pilgrims; the latter gives an account of the hot
ings found at this place. The five hills surrounding the city,
tioned in the Maddéidrete and in the Pali annals, have becn
unined by General Cunningham. The first, Balbhar, is undoubtedly
: Webhars Mountain of the Palf annals, on the side of which was the
ous Sattapanni Cave, where the first Buddhist synod was held in 543
{ The second hill, Ratndgiri, is the one called by Fa-Hian *The
ptree Cave,’ where Buddha meditated after his meals, identical with
} Rishigari of the AMehftAdrate, and the Pandao of the Pali annals.
paved zigeag toad leads to a small temple on the summit of this
fantain, which i¢ still used by Jains, ‘The third hill, Bipula, is
arly the Weyullo of the Pali annals, and the Chait-yaka of the
2hdbhérate, The other two hills have Jain temples,
‘Traces of the outer wall around the ancient town of Rajigrii
be seen, about 4f miles in circumference, The new R.
Out two-thirds of a mile north of the old town, According to
ddhist annals, it was built by Srenika or Bimbisira, the father of
fa Satru, the contemporary of Buddha, and therefore not Jater
tm 560 mc. Dr, Buchanan- Hamilton stated that the town stood
6m the north-west comer of « fort, which is an irregular pentagon
form, and apparently of great antiquity. At the south-west extremity
{ traces of a more modem fort, with stone walls, which might have
fm a kind of citadel. It occupies a space of about 600 yards. ‘The
and northern faces had no ditch, but there was a strong stone
about 18 feet thick, with circular projections at intervals. The
approach to Rajdgriha was protected by a stone wall 20 feet
and running zigzag up the southern slopes of the hills. A
‘on the extreme eastern point of the range corresponded
4 similar tower immediately over the city. One tower still exists,
the foundations of the second tower. South of the ancient
‘Réjiigtiha are found inscriptions on huge slabs of stone, which
natural pavement. So far as is known, the characters have
deciphered.
Jang.—Town in Kasir fa/si/, Lahore District, Punjab;
three miles from Raiwind on the branch road from that place
Singhwéila. Population (1881) §187, namely, Muhammadans,
3560; and Hindus, 533. Number of houses, 798. ‘The
‘an unpretentious collection of native houses, chiefly of unburnt
ith no paved streets or ddsdrs. Primary vernacular school,
branch of the Lower Biri Dod) Canal passes close to the
Town in Godévari District, Madras Presidency. —
[AMENDKI.
—Town in Srivillipatiir séiua, Tinnevelli District,
—
382 RAJAMAHENDRI TALUK AND TOWN,
Madras Presidency ; situated in lat, 9°23" 30° n., and long. 77” 40° 30"
&, on the Tinnevelli road, Population (6881) 5408, mostiy engage
in agriculture ; number of houses, 110g. wh
(Rdjdmandri)— Tiiluk of Godavari District, Madras
Presidency. Area, 481 square miles Population (1881) 131,196,
namely, 66,023 males and 65,173 females, dwelling in 2 towns and 130
villages, and occupying 23,365 houses, agen) number 126,518;
Muhammadans, 3984; Christians, 653; and ‘others, gr. In 1883
the Aik contained 2 civil and 3 criminal courts; police circles
{sAdnds), 6; regular police, 304 men, Land revenue, £15,361, “Rajd-
mahendri td/uk is partly hilly and partly flat. ‘In some places ft is very
rocky. ‘I'he special industry of the ddéwé is the manufacture of cotton
carpets, A considerable trade is also carried on inaobacesiadad in dry
Raj ijimahendravaram, Rojahnandri), Town in
Réjdmahendri tétuk, Godsvari District, Madras Presidency ; situated in
lati 77°, and long. 8:* 48" 30°) on ‘the’ left bank of ahe Godiva
30 miles from the sea and 365 miles northeast of Madras, Poptilation
(1871) 19,682, inhabiting 3486 houses; (1881) SSS re bee
males and 12,265 females, inhabiting 3624 houses” Hindus number
22,480; Muhammadans, 1785 ; Christians, 285; and Bae S The
town gave its name to the old District of Rajdmahendri, now incor-
porated with Goddvari, and is at present the residence of a Sub-Col-
lector, with the courts of a District Judge, District mmwsif, and
Magistrate. Contains post and telegraph office, 2 churches, civil
dispensary, public garden, musewmn, provincial college, and’ several
schools, ‘There are 2 jails, in the largest of which, the central prison,
are 955 convicts, Rajdmahendri is a fairly built town (the saburb of
Innespet being excellently laid out), connected by road or exnal with
every other place of importance in the District, Municipal income
(1883-84), £748 ; incidence of municipal taxation, 1s. per head.
The court-house and judge's residence stand on an elevation over
Jooking the river, which is here 3 miles wide. Portions of the okt
ramparts still exist. The Europeans reside on the north and |
of the town. ‘There is a Protestant mission connected |
American Evangelical Lutheran Church, which has joo Christian
converts, and costs annually about £600. The Government school
was established in 1854, and was one of the four Provincial schools
sanctioned by the Government of India for the Presidency of Madras,
‘Tradition divides the merit of founding the city between the Orissa
and the Chélukya princes; and General Cunningham believes it to
have been the capital of Kalinga at the time of Hiuen Tsiang's visit.
‘This Fergasson disputes, and with apparent reason ; but there is litle
doubt that the city of the Vengi kings was identical with ‘the site’ of the
| RAJANPUR TAHSIL AND TOWN, 383
eee also was the seat of the Orissa power in.
at Ase sh cee stein ans shaiden Vea
oie Eillore,, and is.now: known.ax Pedda Veogior
Olahe pete
ri was taken by the Muhammadans, In 1512)
a Riya | the city, and restored it to Orissa. For over
tule continued ; and Rajdmahendri withstood two
eee 4571-72 it yielded to the Musalmdns of the
Decean, under Rafar ; Khin, For the next century and a half, Rijae
mahendri was the scene of perpetual fighting, and at last fell to Gol-
onda, and became one of the 4 Nawdbships of that Government, It
‘eas granted to the French in 1753, and was Bussy’s head-quarters from
475410 1757, Hither, retreating before Forde, came the remains of
alter the battle of Condore (1758), only to be driven
‘out by the British sepoys. Shortly afterwards, Forde proceeded
ain | Afasulipatam ; and during his absence, the French recaptured
nent), evacuated it almost immediately.
ther éatsé? of Dera Ghazi Khin District, Punjab ;
of & strip of land stretching from the Suldiman mountains
Andus. Area, 1615 square miles; towns, and villages,
, 13.7085 number of families, 1703.
can eas Commissioner, far
es, presiding over 5 civil and
¢ Indus, on the high
pail Khin, through D ie hin on to Jacobiibid.
732-33 by Makhd) k hy who ousted the
384 RAJA PALAIVAM—KAJAPCR.
population. Réjanpur was a small unimportant village until 1862,
when the town of Mithankot was washed away by the Indus, and the
of the Assistant Commissioner were transferred from
Mithankot to Rajanpur. The latter town has also attracted a com
siderable amount of the export grain trade formerly monopolized. by
Mithankot. ‘The Assistant Commissioner's court, Sub-divisional courts
and offices are all situated north of the town, which contains also a
post-office, telegraph office, dd& bungalow, middle school, and public
garden, ‘The cantonments, with accommodation for a regiment of cavalry
and two companies of infantry belonging to the Punjab Frontier force,
lie about half a mile north-east of the town. Considerable exports of
grain and cotton to Sakkar, and of opium and indigo to Multan and
Amritsar,
Réjapaldiyam.—Town in Srivillipatdr ¢d/wk, Tinnevelli District,
Madras Presidency. Population (1881) t2,023, namely, 5914 males
and 6107 females, inhabiting 2688 houses, Hindus number 11,913;
Muhammadans, 75; and Christians, $3. Police station ;
Rajdpur.—Subdivision of Ratndgiri District, Bombay Presidency.
Bounded on the north by Ratnagiti and Sangameswar Subvdiivisions; on
the cast by Kolhdpur; on the south by the Vijaidrug creek ; and on the
west by the Arabian Sea, Area, 512 square miles, containing 1 town
and 173 villages. Population (1881) 127,999, namely, 60,775 males
and 67,226 females, occupying 16,570 houses Hindus number
117,705; Muhammadans, 10,080; and ‘others! 214.
‘The coastline of the Sub-division s:retches from the Vijaidrug creek
to the Machkandi river, a distance of 20 miles, Soil poor, except in
the valleys. No forest. ¢ principal passes across the Sabyidri range
are the Anaskuda and Kajirda. Chief port of the Sub-division,
Jaitdpur. Average rainfall, 113 inches. The Vijaidrag creck has no
bar, and is navigable throughout its course in R4jdpar, Water-supply
good for 12 miles inland.
Tn 1877-78, the area under actual cultivation was 40,445 acres—grain
cupiedl 37,134 acres, of which 14,744 were under rice; pulses,
1057 -seeds, 870 acres; fibres, 767 acres; and miscellaneous
crops, 617 acres. In 1883 the Sub-division contnined 1 civil and 2
criminal courts; police circles (¢hdnds), 8 ; and regular police, 73 men.
Rajapur.—Chiet town of the Rijdpur Sub-division of Ratndgiri
District, Bombay Presidency ; situated in lat. 16° 39' 107 x, and Jong.
3’ 20 X, at the head of a tidal creek, 30 miles south by east of
atngiri town, and about 5 miles from the sea, Population (185%)
(8, namely, Hindus, 4742; Muhammadans, 2685 ; Jains, 155 and
‘Christians, 6. Rajdpur is the oldestJooking and best preserved town
in the ‘Konkan ; its streets are steep and narrow, and the markets pared
and roofed. The old English factory, a massive stone building with
_RAJAPUR TOWN. 385
an enclosure leading to the creck, now used as a Government office,
gives the town a special interest. It is also peculiar as eae
Ratndgiri port to which Arab boats still trade direct, Rajapur is not
now the port it once was, and vesscls of any size cannot ply within
3 miles of the old stone quay. Jaitdpur, situated 11 miles lower
down, is the outlet forthe sea traffic from Rajdpur, and the place of
call for coasting steamers, Municipality. established in 1876; income
in 1833-84, £0245 incidence of taxation, 28. rfd. per head. The
y of the town is from a lake, upwards of half a mile long,
average breadth of 250 feet, containing about 60,000,000
gallons of water, which has been formed by damming the Kodivli river
bta point 3 miles above the town, The demand for Rajdpur being
only 100,000 gallons a day, the balance is applied to irrigation, Sub-
Loner hahaa and post offices; school with 197 pupils in
aoe the: time of the first Muhammadan conquest (1312), Riljdpur was
the chief town of a District. In 1660-61, and again in 1670, Sivajt
plundered the town, sacking the English factory. In 1743, Rajdpur
was handed over to Angria, In 1756 it was taken by the Peshwd from
Angria ; and in 1818 it came into British possession, together with the
Peshwa’s dominions.
(or Afdjhtgdon).—Commercial town in Maw fadsid, Banda
the produce of the District, especial!
best to Allahabad, and so up the
business to Satnié in R
d traffic ton great extent.
Taper and all
tdpur and Kérwi,
386 RAJA SANSI—RAJGARH,
by the inhabitants; amongst others, that no houses (except shrines)
should be built of ste Saat the wealthiest merchants still living in
mud houses. Several handsome temples. Four annual fairs. Police
station, Ferry, Jet at an annual rental of £350.
Réjé Sansi—fown in Ajndla sadsi/, Amritsar (Umritsir) District,
Punjab ; situated on the Siilkot road, 7 miles north-west of Amritsar
city, Founded in 1570 by Rajé Sansi Jas, from whom it. derives
its name, His brother, Kirtu, was common ancestor of it Singh
and of the Sindhanwidlia family. ‘The latter still reside in the town,
which owes its importance to their presence, They rose to “aay
distinction under the Sikh Government, and still own 36 villages in
fdgir. Sardir Bakshish Singh, the present head of the family, has
a handsome mansion in the town, finely decorated; he exercises
the powers of a Deputy Commissioner within his jdgfr. Population
(1868) 3922, Not separately returned in the Census Report for 1881.
Postoffice. Anglo-vernacular school.
Raéjauli—Town and municipality i in Nawddé Sub-division, Gaya
District, Bengal. Lat. 24° 39° N., long. 85° 32° 25" & Population
(1881) 4812; municipal revenue (1883-84), £44; incidence of tax
tion, 24d. per head ; police force, 14 men. Manufacture of gAi for
export to Calcutta; jungle products, from the adjacent hills, and tale
are brought here Sor distribution among the ne
eighbouring
A metalled road connects Rajaulf with the towns of Nawadd and
Behar.
+h. — Native State in Milwd, under the political superin-
tendence of the Bhopal Agency of Central India, The District known
as OmaTWaRa was conquered during the decline of the Mughal power
by the Omat Rajputs. In 1448, the chief of Omatwara received the
title of Rawat, which is still barne by the chief of Réjgarh. The
family trace back theit descent to Réjé Bhoj, and through him to
Vikramaditya. About 1681 A.p., the chiefs son, who was also the
diwén ox minister, compelled ie father to divide the tering. ‘The
Portion assigned to the dimwién was called NARSINGHOARH, while that
retained by the chief or Rawat was known as Rajgarh.
Narsinghgarh became tributary to Holkar, and Réjgarh to Ne The
area of Rajgarh (including Sutalia) is 655 square miles,
(1881) 117,533, namely, 56,977 males and 60,556 females,
dus number 104,166; Muhammadans, 5830 ; Jains,
Sikhs, 4; and aboriginal tribes, 7475. “Th
68 ; Minds, 3209 ; and Moghids, 398. The revenue is
150,000, of which 48517, 4s. is paid to Sindhia as
for the ‘District of Tallian; and about £100 to Jhdldwir al
pargand. ‘The prinicipal products of the State are opium | ae
In 1871, the Rawat Moti Singh announced his conversion to the
RAJGARH—RAJGHAT.
| to the chiefship; the latter died in 1882, and was suc-
Seeded by his ton Balbahddur Singh, the present chief, Having been
but @ child at the timeof his grandfather's change of faith, Balbaha-
dur Singh has been again received by his brother chiefs as one of
themselves, and the family have resumed their position as Rajputs
of the Omat clan. The military force consists of 240 cavalry, 360
infantry, 4 field and 8 other guns, with t2 artillerymen. The town of
@ population (1881) of 688r, namely, Hindus, 5617 ;
14345 and ‘others,’ rze. It lies in lat. 24” 0 23° 8,
and long. 76° 46° 38" F. ; elevation above sea-level, 1210 feet.
juaranteed ‘Thikurate under the Deputy Bhil Agency
India. Population (188t) 706. ‘The chief or Bhimia
holds the villages of Rajgarh (with a hill fort) and Dhal under a
séead from the British Government dated 18th March 1871, and
a from both Holkar and the Dhar State, on condition
of keeping the roads free from thieves, and being answerable for all
robberies tn certain tracts,
Pargand in Mul wast, Chindd District, Central Pro-
vinees; comprising 140 villages, with an area of 447 square miles, The
‘Waingangd river bounds it on the east; it is intersected from the north
by two branches of the Andhirl, which meet about its centre, and a
third | Hows along its western boundary in a south-easterly
direetion. ‘The western and northern portions are billy and covered
ith fore in the lowlands, the soil is sandy, and produces rice and
ir . Principal towns, Saottr and Mut. Rajgarh formerly
to the Gond princes of Wairdgarh.
Fort in Sirmur (Sarmor) State, Punjab. Lat. 30° 52’ .,
“23° © Situated upon a natural terrace, projecting from the
Untain. Square outline; tower at each corner, about go feet
d 20 square. Fired and nearly demolished by the Guirkhas in
cently festored. Elevation above sea-level, 711g fect.
6° 37 50" Bs, Tong. 74° 40°35". Ruins of a fort, with rampart of
ieee sok sth: Small lake, apparently artificial. Held by
before the ascendency of the Rahtors, and restored in
dant/of its original rulers in 1874.
pelts Benares District, North- Western Provinces,
he city of Benares, and situated on an eminence 50 feet
in, at the junction of the Barna river with the Ganges,
388 ee
and Rohilkhand Railwayat Rajghdt, Considerable remains of Buddhist
buildings have been found on the site of the fort,
‘Réjgir—Ruins in Parnd District, Bengal. —See Rayaorina.
Rajim—Town in Raipur saci, Réipor District, Central Provinees,
‘at the junction of the Pairl and Mahdnadi rivers, 24 miles south-east
of Raipur town, Lat. 20” 58’ 30° ,, long. 8t" §5° 0" &. Famous for
the temple of Rijfva Lochan, and for the pilgrimage and fair held in
his honour every February. ‘The fair lasts a month, and attracts from
20,000 to 30,000 persons. The temple contains an image 4 feet high,
of black stone, standing, and facing the west. Its four arms hold the
Hindu emblems of the conch, the discus, the club, and the lotus
Garuda, the bird of Vishnu, faces the god in a posture of devotion ;
and behind him are images of Hanumin and of Jagat Pal, the founder
of the temple. The doorway between them, finely carved with Nagas
(serpent demi-gods) entwined in endless folds, leads to two miodern
temples of Mahddeva; and a third, behind, is dedicated to the wife’of
an olf-seller, contemporary, according to a popular story, with Jagat Pal.
In the same court of the great temple are shrines sacred to Narsinba,
Wa4man, Vardha, Badrindth, and Jagannath, The temple of Ram-
chandra contains two ancient inscriptions, one of then: dated Samvat
796, or A.D, 750. Both commemorate the origin of Jagat Pal, and
recount the enemies he conquered. Mention is also made of a fort
called Durgi (doubtless Driig, 25 miles west of Raipur), which Jagat
Pal obtained by marrying the Rajé’s daughter, On a small rocky
island at the junction of the rivers stands a temple of Mahiideva, called
Kuleswar, stid to have been built by the widow of Jagat Pal Tt bears
an inscription, now illegible. Rajim has a town school, a District post-
and a police station. Population (1881) 3252, namely, Hindus,
Satndmis, 369; Kabfrpanthis, 713; and Muhammadans, 61.
is ‘iso a depot for the collection and export of Inc, eee
of Napa ‘and Jabalpur,
/Rajkot—Native State in the Halldr division of Kéthiteds, Bom
bay Presidency. Area, 283 square miles, comprising 1 town and 60
(188: 46,540) namely, 24,778 males and 21,762
” 2836, An undulating
al streams, of which only one, the Aji is
rincipal agricult iral products, ‘They are exported from Goge and
id to @ certain extent by rail from Wadhwa, Carts are the
RAJKOT TOWN—RAJMAHAL, sso
but pack-bullocks and horses are also employed.
econ sag bot js the ownage eekore oe oo
generally healthy. Rainfall, 2. inc! prevalent
disease is fever. cet ;
Rajkot is an offshoot of Nawdnagar, and ranks officially as a ‘second:
class’ State in Kathidwir, In 1807, the ruler executed the usual
‘engagements. The chief has power to try his own subjects for capital
offences, without the express permission of the Political Agent. ‘The
family follow the rule of primogeniture in matters of succession, and
hold no saad authorizing adoption. ‘The present (1881-82) chief,
‘Thikur Sahib Bawéji, is a Hindu of the Jarcja Rajput caste, and
administers his State in person. He received his education at the
Rajkumar College at Rajkot. He enjoys an estimated gross yearly
revenue of £17,273, and pays a tribute of £2132 jointly to the
‘British Government and the Nawib of Jundgarh. He maintains a
‘tuilitary foree of 336 men. The State contains 14 schools, with a total
rior No transit dues are levied.
Raj ki fief town of the State of Rajkot i in Kathidiwar, Bombay
Bat. 22° 17/ 40° %., long. 70" 55° 45" m Population
one exclusive of the civil and military station; (1881)
45)139, namely, 7725 males and 7414 females, Hindus number
49,305; Muhammadans, 3032; Jains, 17955 Christians, 23 and
‘Pirsis, 5. Rajkot is a cantonment, and the head ~quarters of the
0 for Kathitwar, Population of the civil and military
(#881) 6013, namely, Hindus, 3908; Muhammadans, 163% ;
; Christians, 126; Jains, 89; and ‘others,’ r17. It con-
‘tains a college for the sons of chiefs, a sort of Eton for the aisto:
‘eracy of Western India, which has already done good work in the
“education and moral training of those who will hereafter be the rulers
“of the Kathidwdr Native States. Famous for its dyes; good general
a arcs telegraph offices; School of Art Alfred High Schoo! ;
“"Réjmahal.—Sub-tvson of the Santil Pargands District, Bengal.
“Tat 247 42! 15" to 25" 18! 30" w., and long. 87° 29' 45° to 87° 57’ &
‘square miles; villages, 13265 houses, 47,241. Popu-
Bry 253,825, namely, males 126,420, and females 127,405.
‘of population, 338 ns per square mile; average
samt of le per square mile, 1°8; persons per village, 190;
‘mile, 62°05; inmates per house, 5°37. Classified
to religion, Hindus number 114,702; Muhammadans,
5, x82; Jains, 2; Jews, 6; non-Hindu Santals,
non- Hindu aborigines, 17,253. In 1884 the Sub-
390 «- RA/MAHAL TOWN—RAJMAHAL HILLS.
division contained g civil and 3 criminal courts, with a regular police
force of 41 ies: Aw lags eh eccealates eae
Rajmahal_—Town i ‘in the Santal Haars District, Bengal ; situated.
in Jat. 25” 2' 51" N., and long, 87° 52’ 52%, 0n the right bank of
the Ganges. Now a mere collection of mud huts, interspersed with
a few respectable houses. ‘The ruins of the old Muhammadan citys
buried in rank jungle, extend for about: cer ne
moder town. Man Singh, Akbar’s Rajput) general, after
from the conquest of Orissa in 1g92, selected Rajmahal
Agmahdl) ag the capital of Bengal, on account Sarasa
position with respect to that Province and to. Behar, and
commanding the Ganges and the pass of Telidgarhi, through which
the railway now runs, ‘The chief antiquities of Réjmahdl are. the
Jama Masjid of Man Singh, the palaces of Sultén Shuji and Mir,
Kasim Ali, Nawdb of Bengal, the Phulbdri’ or flower- garden, and)
numerous mosques and monuments. [For a full account of these, and
of the ae ‘of Rajmahil, see Statistical Account of Bengal, vol. xiv. pp.
325) 326. fy l— aun
In the beginning of the present century, Dr. BuchanamH, soltom,
<stimated that the town contained from 25,000 to 30,000 person In
1881, the Census returned the population at 3839, Rajmahdl is a
distributing centre for cotton goods, and also a seat of export trade: in
grain, fasar silk, small-sized timber, hill bamboos, oil-seeds, ete. In
1860, when the loop-line of the East Indian Railway was.
this town, an arm of the Ganges ran immediately under the 9,
forming a navigable channel for steamers and boats of all sizes In_
1863-64 the river abandoned this channel, leaving an alluvial bank in-
its place. Radjmahdl was, till 1879, 3 miles distant from the main—
stream of the Ganges, and could only be approached. by large boats
during the rains. In 1879 the Ganges returned to its old bed, but in”
1882 it showed indications of again deserting it. In consequence of
these changes, the bulk of the trade has been transferred to SaHiBGANy,
though Raijmahal still retains the local traffic across the Ganges with
Maldah District. te ea
Rajmahél Hills—Hill tract in the Santél Pargands District, Bengal,
known as the Déman-ikoh ; estimated to cover an area of 1306 square
miles. The height nowhere exceeds 2000 feet above sealevel, and
the average elevation is considerably less, The most striking feature
of the northern portion of this range is the great central valley, which !
extends 24 miles north and south, with an average width of 5 miles,
and is surrounded by hills on every side. “The Réjmabdl Hille were |
Jong regarded as acontinuation of the Vindhyan range of Gentral India;
‘out Mr. V. Ball, of the Geological Survey, after a detailed examination
of these hills, came to the conclusion that they form an. isolated
RAJNAGAR~RAJPIPLA, 39r
group, the north-eastern extremity of which constitutes the. turning-
point of the Ganges. Geologically there is nothing in common between
the twa. The Vindhyas are composed of quartzite, sandstone, lime:
stone, and shales of great age; while the Rajmahél Hills consists of
overflowing basaltic trap of comparatively recent date, resting upon coal
amétasures and metamorphic rocks of a gneissose character.
‘Rajnagar.—Town and fort in the Native State of Udaipur, Raj-
potiina ; situated on the southern side of the Raj Samand lake, about 39
‘miles notth north-east of Udaipur city.
Réjnagar.—Town in Birbhum District, Bengal. —See Nacar.
‘Rajoli. — Zamindéri estate in Sakoli fadsif in the south-east of
Bhandird District, Central Provinces; comprising 12 villages, with an
area of 43 square miles, less than'2 of which are cultivated. Population
(1881) 1625. Thechief is a Muhammadan ; but the population consists
for the most part of Gonds and Gaulis. The forests afford pasturage to
large herds of cattle, The village of Rajoli lies in lat. 20” 40! w., and
long. So 16" &.
Rajpara.—Petty State in the Gohelwdr pranth or division of Kathia-
wit, Bomlay Presidency. It consists of 1 village, with 2 separate
shareholders or tribute-payers, Population (1881) 610. Area, 1 square
mile; situated 2} miles north-east of Jesar, ‘The revenue is estimated
at £22; and tribute of £25, 125. is paid to the Géekwar of Baroda,
= ¥, 168, to the Nawad of Jundgarh,
ive State within the British Political Agency of Rewa
Kintha, Bombay Presidency, lying between Int. 21° 23/ and 2x” 59° 8.,
and between long. 73° 5’ and 74" % Bounded on the north by the
fiver Narbadé (Nerbudda) and the Mehwisi estates of Rewd Kantha ;
on the east by the Mehwasi estates under the District of Khdndesh; on
the south hy the State of Baroda, and Surat District; and on the west
by Broach District, Its extrerne length from north to south is 42
mifles, and) its extreme breadth from east to west, 60 miles, Area.
; ‘y town and aur villages), 1514 square miles. Population
(1872) 120,036, of whom about 60 per cent. were Bhils The Census
Report of 1881 returned males 59,834, and females 54,9225 total,
124,756 ; occupying 22,494 houses; density of population, 75°8 persons
per square | Hindus numbered 47,811; Muhammadans, 516;
and * others,’ 61,784, mostly Bhils.
Two-thirds of the State are occupied by a continuation of the
‘Sdtpura range, known as the Rajpipla Hills, nowhere exceeding 2000
feet in height above the sca, which form the watershed between the
rivers Narbadé and ‘Tpti, Towards the west, the hills gradually
subside into gentle undulations, The State contains several forests,
ic teak, blackwood, and other timber, which is exported
in) Tange quantities to the neighbouring British Districts In the
RASPIPEAL
392
Narbadd valley the soil is alluvial nnd very productive, and by far
the largest share of the revenue is derived from lands lying in the
vicinity of that river. The more valuable crops, such as cotton, oil-
seeds, tobacco, and sugarcane, are grown on lands annually submerged
by the Narbadd floods, The principal rivers of Rajpipla are the
Narbada, skirting the territory north and west for nearly too miles;
and the Karjan, which rises in the hills of the Nanchal pargand, and,
flowing north into the Narbadd, divides the State into two equal
portions. Carnelian mines are worked at Ratanpur, a village about 14
miles above the town of Broach. Iron of good quality used to be made
fear Ratanpur. The chief routes through the country are a cart-track
between Khdndesh and Gujardt, and a road from Surat to Maled,
which crosses the Narbada at Tilakwara. The climate is exceedingly
unhealthy, malarious fevers being prevalent from September to February.
Rainfall, 58 inches in 1881.
The family of the Rajpipla chief is said to derive its origin
from one Chokréna, son of Saidiwat, R4jé of Ujjain, a Rajpuy of the
Parnar tribe, who, having quarrelled with his father, left his own country
and established himself in the village of Pipla, in the most inaccessible
part of the hills to the west of the modern town of Ndndod. ‘The
only daughter of Chokdrdna married Mokers or Makheraj, 2 Rajput of
the Gohel tribe, who resided in the island of Premgar or Perim, in the
Gulf of Cambay. Makherdj had) by her two sons, Dungarjt and
Gemarsinghji. ‘The former founded Bhaunagar, and the lattersueceeded
Chokdrina. Since that time (about 1470) the Gohel dynasty has raled
in Rajpipla.
‘The Musalmdn kings of Ahmadiildd had before this siberian
agreement from the Raja to furnish 1000 foot-soldiers and goo horse
men, This arrangement remained in force until Akbar tock Gujantt,
in 1573, when he imposed a tribute on the country of £3555 in
u of the conti ~ This was paid until the end of the reign
irregular, ani pol
Subsequent to the overthrow of the Muhammadan authority,
he latter half of the r8th century, succeeded in
hralf'shan of four of ‘the most fertile subdivisions of the terri-
RAJPIPLA CAPITAE—RAJPUR, 393
chief is thirty-six years of age. His estimated gross revenue in 1878
we none 8 fbojooe: peta baesbt eatin as
10 the Gickwdr of Baroda, through the British Government. He
‘of 566 men, horse and foot, and is entitled to a
salute of x1 guns. He has power to try for capital offences, with-
out the permission of the Political Agent, any person except British
subjects. ‘The capital of the State, Naxpon, is situated on the river
‘Karjan, in Jat. 217 54’. long 73° 34° A palace was built here
about fifty-five years ago, previous to which time the rulers of the
‘Country resided'in a fort on the hills, called Rajpipla. ‘Ten schools for
bopsand one for girls. Dispensary.
“capital and fort of Rajpipla State, Rewd Kantha,
} situated on a spur of the Devsdtra hill, about 3
miles west of Nandod, the present capital. On the spur are two forts ;
one, | being the original stronghold of the chiefs, where they lived
Seis men inaccessible to any but a Bhil. No wheeled
the road lying through a narrow gorge between high
overhanging hill, In former times it was a sate retreat, when, if
a ce blocked the path with wood and rubbish. ‘There
‘f the village, now inhabited only by a few Bhils.
‘The new fort of Rajpipla, built about 1730, is approached, along the
Dank of the Karjan, through two miles of awild and beautiful mountain
Ls Salers the hills overhanging the stream are crowned by
ie the road is rugged enough to make access to the fort
difficult In front of the fort, the Ld! Darwdsa, a gateway with
‘Banking towers, completely bars the road. The fort, a square court
10 feet high, enclosing an area of 8 acres, contains the
try structure with flanking towers,
‘Petty State in the Jhaldwdr division of Kathidwdr, Bom-
idency ; consisting of 2 villages, with 1 tribute-payer. Situated
‘miles north-east of Wadhwcn civil station, and close to the
d Baroda Railway. Area, 15 square miles, Population (1881)
nue is estimated at £1400 ; f £241 is paid to
Government, and £18, 12s, to the Na wails of Junggarh.
State of Rewa Kantha, Bon ys Area,
- The chief is named Rawal Sur Singh. ‘The revenue
£26; and tribute of £5, 25. is paid to the Gdekwar of
“Fown and municipality in the District of the Twenty-four
nga Population (1881) 10,576, namely, males stor,
475. Hindus number 9733; Muhammadans, 841; and
£640, of which £592 was
taxation, 15. tid. per head.
in Dehra Duin District, North-Western Provinces
394 RAJPURA—RAJPUR ALL
situated 7 miles north of Dehra town, at the foot of the bills. Popula-
tion (188r) 3293. The town or rather village is simply a halting-stage
‘on the road to Masuri, where ponies, coolies, etc, are procured for the
Inst stage of the journey up the hill Ritjpur contains three or four
hotels, and a rest-house for hse ae J ‘Postoffice
and dispensary.
-Réjpura.—Petty State in the Hallér division of Kathidndr, Bonny
Presidency. Consists of 7 villages, with 1 tribute-payer. Situated
14 miles south-east of Rajkot. Area, 1 square mile, Population
(1881) 2094. The revenue is estimated at £1200; tribute) of
£292 is paid to the British Government, and £24 to the Nawab of
Jundgarh.
Rajpur Al.—Native State under the Bhopiwar Agency of Central
India; lying between the Narbad& (Nerbudda) river and the Vindhya
Mountains. Area, 837 square miles, Population (1875) 29,000;
(1881) 56,827, Hindus number 35,834; Muhammadans, 1871; Jains,
167; and aborigines, 18,955. ‘The products are édjra (Holeus spicatus)
and makita or Indian com. No richer crops can be raised in the hilly
‘tracts, of which the greater part of the State is composed. ‘The revenue
in 1870-71 was returned at £16,154, and the expenditure at £12,9775
revenue (1882), £9500; expenditure, £8874.
‘The chiefs of Rajpur Ali are Sesodia Rajputs, connected with
the Udaipur (Oodeypore) family. There is no record of the date
when the State was established, or of its first rulers It appears,
however, owing to its wild and hilly position, to have been little
disturbed during the turmoils caused by the Manithd invasion of
Malwa, Immediately before the establishment of British supremacy in
Malwé, Rind Pratt Singh was chief of Rajpue Ali, “He had in his
service a Mekrini adventurer named Musdfir, who pat down pretenders
to the succession, and managed the State, after the Rand's death, in
trust for his posthumous son, Jaswant Singh. Jaswant Singh died in
1863, leaving a will by which he divided the State between his two
sons. ‘The British Government, in consultation with the neighbouring
chiefs, set this will aside, and allowed the elder son, Gangdeo, to succeed
to the whole State; but during the later years of Gangdeo’s life, bit
incompetence, and the anarchy arising therefrom, compelled the British
authorities to take the territory temporarily under management.
Gangdeo died in 1871, and was succeeded by his brother Rupden, who
dic ‘The State is at present under British
while the adopted. chief is being educated during bis minority at the
Rajkumar College at Indore. The State pays a tribute of £r10o
to the British Government, of which £1000 is paid over to the
¢ of Dhar, to which Rajpur Alf was formerly feudatory, Réjpur
Ali also contributes £150 per annum towards the cost of the Malwa
RAJPUTANA. 395
eens military force consists of 2 guns, 9 horsemen, and
‘The chief is entitied to a salute of 9 guns. The
State contains (1882) one Urdu and six Hindi schools.
-Raéjputdna—tIn the administrative nomenclature of the Indian
Empire, Rajputéna is the name of a great territorial circle, which
includes 20 States, having cach its own autonomy and separate chief,
together with the Brith District. of Ajmere-Merwdré. ‘These
territories lie between 23° and go" N. lat, and between 69° 30’ and
78° 15" x. long. ; their total area is estimated at 132,461 square miles
eae ‘square miles, the area of Ajmere-Merwdr4); and
their total population (including 460,722, the population of Ajmere-
Merwira) at 10,562,771 souls, In addition, Rajputina contains the
Bhil population of the States of Udaipur, Saree Dungarpur, and.
‘Banswira, of whom no accurate census could be taken, These Bhils
are supposed to number 166,343. ‘The following table gives a detailed
estimate of area and population, etc. for 1881 :—
"se
295-005)
215,371
ug
i
y anust GER
Sindhia, Holkar, and the Gdekwadr of Baroda.
Tt may be useful to give roughly the geographical position of the
several States within this area.
‘The States of Jaisalmer, Marwir or Jodhpur, and Bikaner form a
homogeneous group in the west and north,
In the north-east is Alwar (Ulwur), and a tract called Shiikhulwati,
subject to Jaipur,
Jaipur, Bbartpar, Dholpur, Karauli, Bundi, Kotah, and Jhilldwar may
be grouped together as the eastern and south-eastern States,
The southern States are Partdbgarh, Banswir4, Dungarpur, Mewdr
of Udaipur, with Sirohi in the south-west.
In the centre lie the British District of Ajmere, Kishengarh State,
the petty chiefship of Shahpura, with parts of Tonk. As the last
State consists of six isolated patches of territory, it docs net fall
wholly into any one of these rough geographical groups.
Physical Aspects. —The Aravalli mountains intersect the country
almost from end to end, in a line running nearly north-east and south-
west. About three-fifths of Rajputdna He north-west of this line,
leaving two-fifths on the south-east. The heights of Mount Abu lie at
the south-western extremity of this range ; whilst its northeastern end
‘may be said to terminate near Khetri in the Shaikhdwati country,
though a series of broken rocks and ridges are continued fn the direc
tion of Delhi, In the following paragraphs, and throughout this article,
an excellent account of Rajputina, supplied by the Foreign Office,
Caleutta, is used. Its bela! AG: pages), however, precludes the
incorporation of the arti
Looking first at the division ee Rajputina that lies northwest of the
‘Aravallis, a vast tract stretches from Sind on the west along the
Southern Ponjab frontier to near Delhi on the northeast. As a whole,
‘this tract is sandy, ill watered, and unproductive ; improving gradually
from a mere desert in the far west and northavest, to comparatively
{fertile and habitable lands towards the north-east, ‘The Great Desert,
RAJPUTANA. 397
some degree protect it from the desert sands; and still farther
rd is The Little Desert,' which runs up from the Loni between
et and Jodhpur into the northern wastes.
_ ‘The desert region is the same everywhere. It is covered with sand-
hills, shaped generally in long, straight ridges, which seldom meet, but
mun in patallcl lines, separated by short and fairly regular intervals,
something like the ripple marks on a seashore upon a magnified
scale, Some of these ridges may be 2 miles long, varying from 50 to
too feet in height. ‘Their sides are watermarked, and at a distance
they look like substantial low hills. Their summits are blown up
and curved like waves by the action of the periodical westerly winds,
‘They are sparsely clothed with stunted shrubs and tufts of coarse grass
in the dry season, and the light rains cover them with vegetation. The
* villages within the desert, though always known by a local name, cannot
be reckoned as fixed habitations, for their permanence depends entirely
on the supply of water in the wells, which is constantly failing or turning
brackish ; and so soon as the water gives out, the village must shift. A
indicated by successive
ie poe ee we maa
‘ 1 the sandy inferior land
sicts: south-east; but
nel
398 RAJPUTANA.
‘The south-eastern division of Rajputina, which is considerably
smaller in extent than the other, consists of the higher and more fertile
countries behind the Aravallis. ‘This division may be circumscribed
by a line starting from the south-western extremity of that range, and
sweeping round first south-eastward, then eastward along the northern
frontiers of Gujarit and Malwi. Where it meets Gwalior territory,
the border-line turns northward, and eventually runs along the
Chambal, until that river enters the British dominions Tt then
skirts the British possessions in the basin of the Jumna as it goes
northward, past Agra and Muttra, up to the neighbourhood of Delhi.
In contrast to the sandy plains, which are the uniform feature, more or
less modified, of the north-west, this south-eastern division has a very
diversified character. It contains extensive hill ranges, and long
stretches of rocky wold and woodland. It is traversed by considerable
rivers, and in many parts there are wide vales, fertile tablekands, and
breadths of excellent soil, Behind the lofiiest and most clearly
defined section of the Aravallis, which runs between Abu and Ajmere,
lies the Mewar (Udaipur) country, occupying all the eastern flank of
the range, at a level 800 or goo feet higher than the plains on the west.
And whereas the descent of the western slopes is abrupt towards
Marwar (or the Jodhpur country); on the eastern or Mewar side, the
land falls very gradually as it recedes from the long parallel ridges
which mark the water-parting, through a country full of high hills and
deep gullies, much broken up by irregular rocky eminences, until it
spreads out into the open champaign of the centre of Mewdr,
Towards the south-western corner of Mewdr, the broken country
behind the Aravallis is prolonged farthest into the interior; and)
here the outskirts of the main range do’ not soften down into level
tracts, but become entangled ina confused network of outlying hills
and valleys, covered for the most part with thick jungle, which forms
that very peculiar region known to British political administration as
the Hilly Tracts of Mewar.
All ‘the south-sast of Rajputina is watered by the drainage of the
re mountains, carried north-castward by the Bands and Chambal
. North of Jhdlra Patan, the country on the eastern side of the
erritory rises to a remarkable plateau called the Piitar, upon which lies
all Kotah State, with parts of Bindi on the north and of Jhaldwar
on the south, Eastward, this plateau falls, by a very gradual descent, to
very rugged and hilly region along the frontier line of the
Chambal in Karauli State ; and farther northward, the country opens
out towards Bhartpur territory, whose flat plains belong to ae alluvial
‘the Jumna,
RAJPUTANA, 399
Revers end Water System—1n the north-west division of Rajputdna,
the only river of importance is the Loni, which rises in the Pukar
valley close to Ajmerc, and runs south-west for about 200 miles into the
Rann of Cutch, It receives and cuts off from the western plains all
the drainage brought by the mountain torrents down the western slopes
of the Aravallis between Ajmere and Abu, Running for the most part
over a sandy bed between low banks, its waters are brackish, and the
Ded oceasionally yields salt—hence its name, meaning ‘the salt river!
When very heavy rain falls, the Loni overflows its banks to a breadth
of some g§ miles, leaving as it recedes a rich alluvium, which gives
excellent crops.
_ North-west of the Loni there arc no perennial streams in the country;
and the north-east of Rajputina has hardly one worth mentioning, nor
does any water penetrate from this region eastward into the Jumna
water until as far south as the Bangangd river, which runs out
Bhartpur. The high watershed of the midland country about
Ajmere and Jaipur sends all its appreciable contributions of water south-
ward into the Bands.
“The south-eastern division of Rajputéna has a river system of
importance. The Chambal flows through the territory for about one-
third of its course, and forms its boundary for another third. It enters
Rajputdna at Chaurdsgarh, on the south-east border of Mewar, where
the old fart of that name stands 300 feet above the stream, and the
stream level is 1166 fect above the sea, the width of the bed being
about 1000 yards, Thirty miles lower down, at Bhainsrorgarh, it meets
the Eetroni river, at an elevation of 1009 feet above the sea. Just above
‘occurs the series of small cataracts locally known as Chulis,
the total fallis about 8o feet. In its course through Kotah
| receives several large streams flowing northward from the
‘Vindhiyas, and so much of the drainage of the Mewar plateau as is not
intercepted by the Bands. Farther northward it receives its two
tributaries, the Parbati from the right and the Bands fron
the left. It emerges into the open country near Dholpur, and finally
discharges itself into the Jumna after a total course of about s60
mie
‘The Bands, which is next in importance to the Chambal, rises in
near Kankraoli in Mewdr. It collects nearly all the
drainage of the Mewar plateau, besides that of the south-eastern slopes
‘and hill tracts of the Aravallis. It joins the Chambal a litte beyond
the north-esstern extremity of Bindi State, alter a course of about goo
miles.
“Among the south-western hills of Mewar, the Western Bands and
take their rise, but attain no size or importance until
after passing the Rajputana frontier towards the south-west.
400 eapeirane
through ihe tavhoron o¢ Penge
begins nor ends in Rajputdna. Its chief
the Gulfs of Cutch and Cambay.
Rajputdna has no natural fresh-water lakes, the only”
basin being the well-known salt Jake at Samauan. There a
fine artificial lakes in Mowdr State; the largest are those near Debar
and Kankraoli, of which the former ig a noble sheet of water, about
25 or 30 miles in circumference, constructed in 1681 A.D. by Rand Jai
Singh, and named from him the ‘Jai Samand,’ ‘There are also artificial
Jakes in the Eastern States, about Bundi and Kotah, and in the British
District of Ajmere-Merwiri_
Hills, —The Aravallis are the only mountains in Rajputina. “Taking
the range from the north-east, it first appears on a large scale near
Khetri, in the north of Jaipur; thence trending in a south-west
direction, it skirts the western limit of the Sdmbhar lake, continues in
the same direction to Ajmerc, and on to the south-west of Beawar,
where the hills begin to assume the consistency and compact elevation
of a range, separating the plain of Marwdr from the upland country of
Mewar. ‘The chain loses its distinctive formation amid wide tracts of
hilly wastes extending southward over the whole western half of Mewdr,
‘The heights of Mount Anu lie at the south-western extremity of this
range.
‘The other hill ranges of Rajputdna, although numerous, are com-
paratively insignificant. The towns of Alwar and Jaipur lie among
groups of hills more or less connected. In Bhartpur State is a range
of some local importance; the highest peak being Alipur, 1557 feet
above sea-level, South of these are the Karauli hills, whose greatest
height nowhere exceeds 1400 feet above sealevel. In the caste
States, a low but well-defined range runs transversely south-west and
north-east, ‘This range presents a clear scarp for about 2 miles om its
southeastern face, and gives very few openings for roads, A series of
steep hills runs along the northern or left bank of the Chambal river,
as a continuation of the Bundi hills, through Karauli to Dholpur. ‘The
Makomdara range runs across the south-western portion of Kotah State
from the Chambal to beyond Jhdlra Pitan. This range has a curious
pation of two separate ridges, running parallel at a distance
the interval being filled with dense jungle, and
tina may be divided into three geological Tegions— |
& central, and the largest, comprising the whole width of the Aras
system, formed of very old sub-metamorphic and gneissic rocks;
RAJPUTANA. or
eastern region, with sharply defined boundary, along which the most
ancient formations are abruptly replaced by the great basin of Vindhyan
strata, or are overlaid by the still more extensive spread of the Deccan
imap, forming the platean of Malwd; and a western region, of very ill-
defined margin, in which, besides some rocks of undetermined age, it is
known or suspected vhat tertiary and secondary strata stretch across from.
Sind, beneath the sands of the clesert, towards the flanks ofthe Aravallis
Compared with many parts of peninsular India, Réjputina may be
considered rich, if not in the quantity, at least in the variety, of metals
it produces. Ore of cobalt has not been obtained from any other
leeality in India; and although zine blend is found elsewhere, Raj-
a is the oy part of the country in which zinc is known to have
been extracted. Copper and lead exist in several parts of the Aravalli
range, and in the minor ranges of Alwar and Shaikbiwati; and iron-
ores abound in Alwar, Mewar, Kotah, and Jhalawar,
Unfortunately very little has yet been ascertained in detail about
this great mineral wealth, or as to the probable increase in yield that
Bight be obtained from improved processes of mining. ‘The most
copper-mines are those near Khetri in tl
pds and here some of the hills are honeycombed with the
(hematite) occus
on a small seale to.
e only known Indian ore
as sella, occurrin| in small
Khetri (Shaikhdwati).
received the name of
Beerta Tt was at firet suppos: 1
subsequent examinati ‘rendered it unre that antimony:
and arsenic are also contai the mineral, The ore was formerly
Wwely used for colouring enamels, bangles, etc., of a blue colour,
‘abd, it is said, for giving a rose colour to gold—an art unknown in
Bisore, ‘and deserving of further inquiry.
4o2 RAJPUTANA.
‘The rocks of Rajputina are rich in good building materials, Two
of its forms of limestone—(r) the Raialo limestone, a fine-grained
line marble, quarried at Raialo in Alwar, and at Makrina in
Jodhpur; and (2) the Jaisalmer limestone—are well known for their
beauty and usefulness, The Makrina quarries supplied the chief
portion of the stone for building the Téj at Agra, as well as the marble
used in decorating many other buildings iu Northern and North-Western,
India, About 1000 workmen are employed at the present day in
quarrying and working the stone at Makdna alone,
‘The sources of the salt for which Rdjputina is celebrated are
practically confined to that tract which lies north of the Arayallis,
(See Sampwan Lake.)
Forests —Although the woodlands are extensive upon the south-
western Arayallis and throughout the adjoining hilly tracts, there are no
forests of large timber in Rajputdna. Mount Abu is well wooded from
base to summit, and possesses several valuable kinds of timber; and
from Abu north-westward the western slopes of the range are still well
clothed with trees and bushes up to the neighbourhood of Merwdrt.
Below the hills on the westem side runs a belt of jungle, sometimes
spreading out along the river beds for some distance into the plain,
All vegetation, however, rapidly decreases in the direction of the Loni
river; and beyond that river, Marwar, Bikaner, and Jaisalmer have
scarcely any trees at all, except a few plantations close to villages or
towns.
In Sirohi and ail aver the south-western part of Mewdr, the wood-
lands stretch for many miles, covering the hills with scrub jungle and
the valleys with thickets, In many places, teak and other valsable
timber trees would thrive well if the forests were not periodically burned
by the Bhils and other halfsavage dwellers in these tracts. In the
eastern States, the woodlands are considerable, South of the Bamis
and along parts of the Chambal are immense wolds, covered for the
most part with small trees; and near the capitals and around forts
of the principal chiefs the woods have been carefully preserved for
game or for defence, while deep thickets may be seen which are
sacred to some deity. The southernmost States of Bansward, Dungar
pur, and Partibgarh are perhaps the best wooded in proportion to
their area. In Bhartpur there are some valuable reserved woodlands,
‘one of which occupies an area of about 40 square miles, and is worked.
for fucl. Nowhere, however, have the woods been more closely eit
down than in the British District of Ajmere, Large wastes have now
been set apart to repair this loss by careful conservation.
Réjputdna docs not possess a flora peculiar to itself, but rather
‘presents a field on which the floras of dry India and of the deserts
of Western Asia and Northern Africa meet, There are no species
493
Peculiar to this area, every plant in it being found also either in the
adjacent Provinces of Central India, Gujanit, the Punjab, North Western
eee Deon and Southern India ;
‘several of them occur also in countrics far beyond the limits of the
Empire.
_ History. — As of other parts of Todia, the history of Rijpuiina
hefore ‘the advent of the Muhammadans is very obscure, and its
‘taaterials are scanty. ot Sree eee eres
dition of the country; and these indicate that it was subject for the
fost part to two or three powerful tribal dynasties The Rahtors,
whose seat of dominion was at Kanauj, were for a long time the family
Send was strongest and most widely extended; whilst much of
“Réjputéna was ruled by a dynasty whose head-quarters
were in Gujarét’ With these, and in succession to them, other tribal
@ynasti¢s arose, In the 11th century, at the tim
of Mabmid of Ghazni, the leading tribes were
Ashilward in Gujarat, the Chauhdns of Ajm
partinndaiadi ober gree eee 5.
Ss Senay they have held successfully up to the present
ing aside for the the two Jit States of Bhi
et ee the Ape: penapely of Tonk), a
‘may be described as the region within which the pure-blooded Rajput
dans have maintained a sort of independence under their own chieftains,
and have kept together their primitive socicties ever since their principal
404 RAJPUTANA.
dynasties in Northern India Rea te ata i
Ghaznivide conquerors ; the Rabtors settled down among
Miarwar or Jodhpur; the Sesodiis pushed inward from north-¢ast and
south-west, concentrating on the Mewdr plateau behind the scarps of
the Aravallis ; while the Jaduns were protected by the hills and ravines
that ns along the Chambal.
process by which the Rajput clans were gradually shut up within
ete Been aiseah cone which still more or Jess marks
‘off thelr possessions, continued with varying fortune—thelr frontiers
now receding, now again advancing a little—until the end of the
rgth century. Early in the 13th century, the rich southern Province
of Malwa was attached by the Musalmans to the Delhi Empire; and ot
the beginsing of the rath century, Ald-ud-din Khilji finally exter-
minated the Rajput dynasties in Gujardt, which also became an
imperial Province. When at length, with the decline of the Tughlak
dynasty, independent Muhammadan kingdoms arose in Mdlwé and
Gujarit, these powers proved more formidable to the Rajputs than
‘even the Delhi Empire had been; and throughout the rsth century
there was war between them and the clans.
For a short interval, at the beginning of the 16th century, came a
brilliant revival of Rajput strength. ‘The last Afghin dynasty at Delhi
was breaking up, and Mdlwi and Gujardt were at war with each other,
when there arose the famous Rand Sanga of Mewdr, chief of the
Sesodid clan, ‘The talents and valour of this chief once more obtained
for his race something like predominance in Central India. Aided by
Medni Réo, chief of Chanderi, he fought with distinguished success
against both Malwa and Gujarat. In 1519 he captured the Musaiman
King of Malwa; and in 1526, in alliance with Gujarat, he totally
subdued the Malwa State, and annexed to his own dominion all the
fine eastern Provinces of that kingdom, and recovered the strong places
of the Eastern Marches. ‘This was the time at which the power of the
Rajputs was at its zenith, for Rind Sanga was now not merely the chief
of a clan, but the king of a country. The Rajput revival was, however,
as short-lived as it was brilliant, A month before the capture of the
capital of Malwa, Bibar, with his Mughals, had taken Delhi; and in 1527,
Rana Sanga, at the head of all the chivalry of the clans, eheountered
the invader at Fatehpur Sikri, when his army was utterly defeated after
desperate fighting, and the Rajput power hopelessly shattered. Next
year, Medni Rao, with the flower of his clan, fell in the defence of
Chanderi, which was sacked by Babar, ‘The hegemony of the Rajputs,
RAJPUTANA, “495
which passed to Méldeo Rio, the Rahtor chief of Jodhpur, was no
Jonger that of a victorious empire. The clans, harassed first by the
Attacks of the Musalmén King of Gujanit, then by the Afghdn Sher
Shéh of Delhi, were finally either conquered, overawed, or conciliated
by the genius of the great Akbar—all but the distant Sesodid clan,
which, however, submitted to Jahangir in 1616.
‘Akbar took to wife the daughters of two great Rajput houses, He
gave the chiefs or their brethren high rank in his armies, sent them
with their contingents to command on distant frontiers, and succeeded
in attaching the Rajputs generally. Under the carly Mughal Emperors,
the chiefs constantly entered the imperial service as governors or
generals—there were at one time 47 Rajput contingents—and the
headlong charges of their cavalry became famous in the wars of the
empire. Jahangir and Shah Jahdn were sons of RAjput mothers ; and
Shah Jahdn in exile was protected at Udaipur up to the time of his
‘Thus, whereas up to the time of Akbar, the Réjput clans
had to a certain exient maintained their political isolation, though
mithin Mimits that were always changing, from the end of the 16th
century their chiefs became feudatories of the Empire—which is their
‘natural and honourable relation to the paramount power in India,
Tn the family wars which resulted in the accession of Aurangzeb, the
Réjputs were generally found on the side of their unfortunate kinsman
‘Died ; still, even Aurangzeb employed them in distant wars, and their
peer duty ar his ear He was, how bi
thes | ween competitors for the
he clans took sides a5 usual ;
success to the swords of his
Serres Palary eervice
iple
leading clans—the Sesodid, the Rahtor, and the Kachwaha ; and this
406 RAJPUTANA.
compact was renewed when Nadir Shih threw all Northern India into
confusion. But the treaty contained a stipulation, that in the succession
to the Rahtor and Kachwaha chiefships, the sons born of a wife from
the Sesodids should have preference over all others; and this invidious
preference was the fruitful source of disputes which eee up the
federation.
About 1756, the Marithds got possession cof Asie, bedi called
in by one of the Réhtor factions; and from this time Rajpatina
became involved in the general disorganization of India, ‘The primitive
constitution of the clans rendered them quite unfit to resist the pro-
fessional armies of Mardithds and Pathdns; and the Rajput States
vety nearly went down with the sinking Empire. ‘The utter weakness
ofsome of the chiefs, and the general disorder following the disappearance
of a paramount authority in India, dislocated the tribal sovereignties,
and encouraged the building of strongholds against predatory bands,
the rallying of parties round petty leaders, and all the general symptoms:
of civil confusion. From dismemberment among rival adventurers, the
States were rescued by the appearance of the English on the political
stage of Northern India.
In 1803, all Rajputina, except the remote States of the northwest,
had been virtually brought under the Marithds, who exacted tribute,
held cities to ransom, annexed territory, and extorted subsidies. Sindhia
and Holkar were deliberately exhausting the country, lacerating it by
ravages, or bleeding it scientifically by relentless tax-gatherers ; while
the fields had been desolated by thirty years’ incessant wan Under
this treatment, the whole group of ancient chieftainships was verging
towards collapse, when Lord Wellesley struck in for the English
interest. The victories of Generals Wellesley and Lake permanently
crippled Sindhia’s power in Northern India, and forced him to loosen
his hold on the Rajput States in the north-east, with whom the English
made a treaty of alliance against the Marithis; Holkar, too, after
various turns of fortune, was compelled in 1805 to sign a treaty which
stripped him of some of his annexations in Rijputéna: Upon Lord
Wellesiey’s departure from India, the chiefs of Central India and R4j-
putina were left to take care of themselves; and the consequence was
that the great predatory leaders plundered at their case the States thes
abandoned to them, and became arrogant and: aggressive towards
during the interval.
i 1 ied all over the country into Pindari hordes, wncil in 281g
Amir Khan was living at free quarters in’ the heart of the Rajput
States, with an army estimated at 3¢,000 horse and foot, and a strong
force of artillery. The two principal Rajput chieftainships of Jodhpur
and Jaipur had brought themselves to the brink’ of ‘extinetion by the
RAJPUTANA, 497
famous feud between the two rulers for the hand of a princess of
Udaipur; while the plundering Marithdés and Pathdns
and strenuously aided the two chiefs to ruin each other, until the
dispute was compromised upon the basis of poisoning the girl.
In 2813, Sir Charles Metcalfe, Resident at Delhi, reported that the
minor chiefs urgently pressed for British intervention, on the ground
that they had a right to the protection of the paramount power, whose
Obviows business it was to maintain order. At length, in 1817, the
Marquis of Hastings was at last able to carry into action his plan for
breaking up the Pindéri camps, extinguishing the predatory system, and
making political arrangements that should effectually prevent ita revival,
iti were to be put down, the general scramble for territory.
was to be ended by recognising lawful governments once for all, and
fixing their possessions, and by according to each recognised State
Biitist protection and territorial guarantee, upon condition of acknow-
ledging our right of arbitration and general supremacy in external
disputes and political relations, Accordingly, the Pinddris were put
down, Amir Khan submitting and signing a treaty which constituted
him the frst ruler of the existing State of Tonk. By the end of 1813,
all the Rajput States, except Bhartpur, had executed treaties with the
fAramount power, There was a great restoration of plundered Districts
aad rectification of boundaries. Sindhia gave up the Province of
Ajmere to the British, and the pressure of the great Maratha powers
‘upon R4jputdna was permanently withdrawn.
"Since then, the political history of Rajputdna has been compara-
itful. ‘The great storm of the mutinies of 1857, though
Gingerous while it lasted, was short. The capture of the town of
Kotak, which had been held by the mutinecrs of that State, in March
1858, marked the extinction of armed rebellion in the Province. The
‘only serious disorders in Rajputina had been caused by mutinous
‘Mercenaries in the service cither of the British Government or of the
‘thief, There was no question of internal treason, or of plots for the
webrersion of chiefs or dynasties; and the country at large probably
suffered little,
| Fopudation—The following detailed retums of the population of
Rajputsina are confined to the Native States ; Ajmere-Merwérd, although
tinder the jurisdiction of the Governor-General’s Agent for Rajputina,
in strictly @ British District. In exhibiting the total population under
the juriediction. of the Governor-General’s Agent, in the table at the
in jis article, Ajmere-Merward was necessarily included. But
in dealing with the population of the Native States, which form the
geographical area of Rajputina, it is expedient to exclude the British
District of Ajmere-Merwiré. The Census of the Native States of
‘Réjpatina taken in 1831 was the first general enumeration of the
408 RAJPUTANA,
people attempted since the British took possession of the peninsuls
of India. ‘That Census may be regarded, on the whole, as/satisfactory.
‘Bat owing to the repugnance among the Bhils to being enumerated, no
accurate Census could be taken of that tribe, ‘The authorities had to
be content with counting the Bhil houses in some States, and allowing
an ayerage of four persons to each house.
‘The total population of the Native States Release caved
exclusive of the 166,343 Bhils only enumerated by houses,
10,102,049, Of whom 5,461,493 were males Pa cee icy
‘The total area of the Native States of Rajputina was estimated at
129,750 square miles. ‘The total number of occupied homses was
retuned at 2,101,451; and the number of persons to each house at
48g. Average density of population, 79°14 persons per square mile;
houses per square mile, 16; total number of \towna andieillages,
39,001.
With regard to religion, Rajputéna iseminently Hindu. The Census
returned the Hindus as numbering 8,839,243 ; Muhammadans, 861/747 5
Jains, 378,672; Christians, 1294; Sikhs, 9; Pirsts, 73 ‘others? not
specified (non-Hindu aborigines and wild tribes), 21,077+
Sub-divided into castes, the Hindus include :—Bréhmans, 906,463 ;
Rajputs, 4795545 Mahdjans, 634,4405 Chamars, 567,093; Minas,
427,672 5 Gujars, 402,709; Jake, 425,598; Abirs, 130,653; Hindu
Bhils, 105,870 ; Dhakurs (Thikurs), 75,008 ; Balais, 61,530; Sondiias,
43740 5 Katch, 19,1185 and ‘others,” 3,344,867.
Sub-divided into tribes, the Muhammadans consist of—Shaikhs,
120,110; Pathdns, 70,242 ; Meos, 45,949; Mughals, 32,146; Sayyids,
24,755 5 and * others,’ 353,098.
No attempt could be made to collect any information regarding. tbe
non-Hinda or aboriginal castes and tribes of Rajputina, or to in any
way classify the Christians, In the above figures, the caste and tribe
tables for Jodhpur State have been omitted from the calculation, as
he i fi
i
aad ante statistics are to a considerable extent
conn but the outline is somewhat as follows:—In the Rajput
States, the pure Rajput clans occupy the first rank; though by: rigid
“Mewar, ‘Thei total number in 1881 was returned at nearly half a
‘million, With the Brihmans may beclassed the peculiar and important
caste of Chérans or Bhits, the keepers of secular tradition and of
RAJPUTANA, 409
the genealogice. Next in order follow the mercantile castes, mostly
belonging tw the Jain sect, some of them undoubtedly of Rajput
extraction, though sepamted by difference of profession and of worship.
from the clans, Then come the principal cultivating tribes, suchias the
‘Jats (425,598) and Gujars (402,709).
After these may be mentioned the tribes of uncertain origin peculiar
to Central India, who occupy the outlying tracts and the skirts of the
‘open country, of whom the Minas (427,672) and Mers are the best
specimens. Most of these claim irregular descent by halfblood from
Rajputs, while some of them are closely connected with the Bhils; and
they shade off, ‘off, according as they are more or less settled down to
cultivation and » quiet life, from industrious agriculturists into preda-
tory tribal communities, The Meos (now converts to Islim), the
‘Mets, and the Minas are evidently allied tribes, whether by similarity
of origin and way of life, or by remote descent from the same stock,
is uncertain. Some reasons have been given for tracing the earliest
habitations of the Minas and Meos to the Indus valley and the
‘Upper Punjab; and the Mers have been conjectured to be a relic
‘of the Meds, an IndoSeythian tribe from Central Asia,
are non-Aryan groups of pure Bhils, inhabiting long
‘Stretches of wild and hilly tracts, where they are almost independent,
holding together under their own petty chiefs and head-men, paying
‘ipregular tribute or rents to the chief of the State, or to the Rajput
landowner upon whose estate they may be settled. ‘There are also,
of course, a good number of Bhils, as of all other half-tamed
tribes, who have mixed with the general population, and are to
be found scattered among: the villages on the outskirts of the wild
country.
| The geographical distribution of the Rajput clans is broadly as
follows:— "The Rahtors are probably the most numerous of all;
‘they greatly predominate in the north-west, in the country of Mérwdr,
Bikaner, and Jaisalmer, in the State of Kishengarh, and all about the
central portion of Ajmere. In Jaisalmer, the Bhattis tule. In the
Horth-cast States is the Kachwaha clan, very strong in Alwar and in
Jaipur; some districts in the north of J: being altogether in the
hands of the Shaikhawat sept of the Kachwahas. ‘The Chauhdns, once
famous in the history of the north-west of India, are now most in-
fivential in the eastern States, where the Hara sept has been long
Gominant; and the Deoras, another sept of the Chauhins, still hold
Sirohj, while the Khichie also belong to the same stock. In the north-
tence of the ancient predominance of the Chauhdns at
ip of Nimréna, held by Chauhians
j; and in the extreme north-west,
the Rao of Kusalgarh in Bénswérd is the head of a Chauhdn colony.
410 RA/PUTANA,
All over Mewar and the north-western States of
Tndia; and their social prestige may be measured by observing that
there is hardly a ruling family (a5 distinguished from a caste) in all
India which does not claim descent from, or irregular connection with,
one of these Rajput stocks, The Rajput proper is very proud of his
warlike reputation, and most punctilious on points of beige, ‘The
Land Tenures), primogeniture exists. Bat the custom of equal division
of inheritance is more or less in force among the Rébtors of the
‘Mallani country, among the Shaikhdwat sept of the Kachwihas, and
in certain other tribes. The marriage customs ate strictly exogamous,
a marriage within the clan being regarded as incestuous; thus, each
clan depends on the other clans for its wives, for, of course, no Rajput
can take a wife elsewhere than from Rajputs,
The mercantile classes are strongest in the cities of the north,
where are the homes of almost all the petty bankers and traders who
have spread over Norther and Western India under the name of
Mirwiiris, The number of these petty traders or Mérwirls ia Raj-
putdna was 634,440 in 1881. Perhaps the Oswal section of the Jains,
which had its beginning in Réjputdna, is the wealthiest among. the
eee: and many of the hereditary officials belong to the commercial
Gone cultivating tribes not belonging to pure Rajput clans, the
principal are the Jats and Guijars, north of the Aravailis, and along the
ers towards the Punjab and the Jumna, from Bikaner round to
The Ahirs, Lodhas, Kachhis, Malis, and
meet with the Kelis, 40 common i bese
Muhammadans are numerous in the north-eastern and easters
States; and also in Ajmere, where is the shrine of one of the most
RAJPUTANA. ae
| saints in Tndia. rata i eras
they are rare, perhaps rarest in Mewar; but
eae cise nea tne oe thee into ‘The special
feature of Iskim in Rijputina is to be found in the clans or indi-
who have been converted to the faith; such are the
dais, the Khdimkhtnis, the Meos, the Merits, and the
_ The Khidnafdahs, principally found in Alwar, and in the north of
Sa are er? ck elles of uncertain
FaSpaN et agit co of Mewar during the 16th century. cone
fought on the Rajput side against Babar in 1528. y
are now numerically insignificant, and are not reckoned among the
aristocracy. In social rank they are far above the Meos, and, though
recent Hindu extraction, arc better Musalmins.
no Hindu festivals, and will not acknowledge that they
to Hindu shrines. But Brahmans take part in their
i and some Hindu marriage ceremonies are observed
ceo tetorig generally as poor and ignorant as the Meos, they,
‘Unlike the latter, say their prayers and do not Jet their women work in
the fields. No Khanzidahs now hold any jdgir or rentfree villages.
‘emigrated castward, and taken to trade in the Gangetic
cities Those, who have not abandoned the traditions of their clan,
are often glad of military service. A few have enlisted in British
its; and many have joined the service of the Alwar chief. ‘There
c in Alwas, in most of which the proprietors
s work in the field and follow the plough. No other settle-
war are known,
imkhdnis, also most numerous in Alwar and Jaipur, were
q Rajputs, converted to Islim. They are said to
‘owned the tract of country now called Shaikhawati,
pat dispossessed by Shekhji, the founder of the
na ‘of Rajputs.
Sere who are very strong in Alwar and Bhartpur, have
n in India, according to the Kulad Tawédrith, for 8g0 years.
originally Hindus, and became Mubammadans at the time
dof Gharnf, in the rth century. ‘Their origin is obscure,
lai from the Rajput races of Jadun,
may have some Rajput blood in
but they are probably, like many other similar tribes, a
from ‘various stocks and sources, ‘There is reason to
‘very nearly allied to the Minas, who are a tribe of
ruc and species. The Mcos are divided into 52 clans,
of which are identical in name, and claim the same
the first six clans of the Minas. Intermarringe between
RASPUTANA. 413,
claim descent from the pure Réjput clans by irregular marriages,
and because their own society is framed on the model of the Rajput
clan, while there is every probability that they really derive largely
from a crossing between the Rajputs and the more primitive tribes
whom the Rajputs overeame and superseded. As a body, however,
these tribes sccm to be mixed agzregations of all sorts of persons who
have taken to an independent and predatory life in the wilder parts of
‘Of these tribes, the most important is that of the Minas, who inhabit
several distinct tracts in different parts of R4jputina, and are also found
sparsely scattered among the population in the neighbourhood of those
tracts. Minas were formerly the rulers of much of the country now held
byJaipur. The earliest annals of the Rajput conquests are full of tradi-
fions of the eriel and unscrupulous extermination of the people whose
‘Seized by force or fraud ; and in the eastern States, places
ae still shown where some Mina Chicf made his last stand, or was
} Into massacre by the Rajput hero who founded his clan's
n . The tracts now occupied by the Minas in the interior
na are the holds and fortresses where they have found
. ‘They are also found in the northern part of Jaipur and
‘Alwar, where they are famous for organized robberies all over Northem
India,
‘The Minas of Jaipur and Alwar reckon themselves superior to the
other groups of their tribe, neither intermarrying nor eating with them.
‘This section of the tribe consists of two classes—raminddrs or agri-
calturists, and chowkiddrs or watchmen. The former are excellent
nd aire well behaved, The chawkidtri Minas, though of
tribe as the other class, are quite distinct. They consider
ns soldiers by profession, and somewhat superior to their
= brethren from whom they take, but do not give, daughters
‘Those of the chawkidéri Minas who take to agricul-
to some extent. ‘These chawhiddri Minag are famous
‘They travel in bands, headed by a chosen leader, as
h os Haidanibid (Nizins’s Dominions), where they commit
bber ‘They are the principal class which the Dakditi
ent has to watch. So notorious are they as
the late chief of Alwar, afraid lest they should corrupt
tural brethren, and desirous of keeping them apart, forbade
or even smoking of associating with members of the
cted class, In 1863, orders were issued placing the
Minas under surveillance ; and subsequently, lists of them
‘ovt, periodical roll-calis enforced in the villages, and
4 leave-certificate punished. The Minas still hold a
position, as Rajputs will eat and drink from their hands,
ay RAJPUTANA,
and they are the most trusted guards in Jaipur, On every succes-
sion in Jaipur, a Mina performs the ceremony of éa or investiture of
‘the new chief.
‘The wilder Minas have their special habitation in - particular
tracts. sie anpeniersitcr mess enh ae
in the northeast comer of Mewdr. They call themselves
Minas, claiming hal-blood with the well-known Réjput Purihars. _
are famous as savage and daring marauders, Zalim Singh, the
ohibeehieniel sil coset in us
IAADS TSS rare eee anes 30h tag
muel ity in 1860 by the Rajput Cl ey
Seer si eanees feo ea
Farther southward again, in the south-east dr, it
another stretch of hill country and jungle called
high lands are studded with Mina villages, lying »
estates of Mewir nobles, whose orders they obey.
in the most inaccessible parts among the hills;
regular fixed villages. Each homestead is complete in it
of several grass and wood huts for grain and cattle
enclosure, This tact wed an acd fr oe
Last come the Minas in the south-west of Rajputdna, who, eeapy ine
wild country in the north of Sirohi State, and are et
plunder most, maintaining incessant guerilla warfare with Ss
authorities ; and they occupy the lowest grade in the social seale,.
little for caste rules, and being ineligible for intermarriage the
other groups of Minas.
‘The Mers or Mhairs form another tribe of mixed origin, claiming
descent from Rajput chiefs who took Mina wives; and they are
evidently connected with the Minas. The country they. inhabit is
called Merwdra. They appear to have held their own in this tract
from time immemorial, though attempts to subjugate them are on
record, They gave great trouble to the Muhammadan governors of
Ajmere, to the neighbouring Rdjput chiefs, and to the Marithds,
until they were subdued, not without some sharp skirmishes, by
British officers about 45 years ago. One section of the
-Mewdéts, is, as already stated, Muhammadan,
‘customs of the tribe, a sonless widew retains posession of her
property till 1 ease ee or till her death, She
ch s
order to pay ‘her
funds. Paar expense of her daughter's
‘Danghters do not inherit when there are sons alive, All,
RAJPUTANA, 415
Laks, ctr tha db may be adopted. Sons by slave girls,
whe are numerous, are granted lands to cultivate, which they cannot
transfer. The custom of widow marriage prevails. Much money is
spent on funeral feasts,
‘There is a widely-spread tribe of professional thieves, which is by
otigin evidently nothing but an association for the purpose of robbery,
Sapte ecm to any common descent, though it is, in a
loose: a distinct caste. These people are called Baorias north of
the Aravallis, and Moghins south of the range, but they are under
stood 10 be one tribe under two names. To the north they are found
mostly in Marwir, and to the south they are most numerous in the
country round’ Nimbhera and Nimach. Formerly they were well
Known a$ mercenary soldiers, bold, hardy, and most licentious ; and
they their share in the disorders at the beginning of this century.
‘They eat/all kinds of flesh, and drink liquor. These people pretend to
@remote descent from Rajputs, and shape their internal society upon
@ Rajput clan. The tradition is that, in the time of the
Kings f Delhi, a princess of Gujardt was sent in charge of a few
puts to wed the king then reigning. They halted one day in
‘A pelagd at a well. The princess thinking it beneath her
Gignity to have to go to her future husband, instead of him coming for
resolved to destroy herself, and therefore jumped into the well and
drowned. Her escort feared either to go back and relate what
had happened to her relatives, or to go on to Delhi and tell their story
there, and therefore remained at the well. After they had exhausted
‘the little money they had, they took to robbery, and were called by the
People in the neighbourhood the Baorias, from *Baori,’ a well. ‘They
‘Married women of other castes, and eat the flesh of animals
forbidden to RAjputs, and were in consequence made outcastes by the
*
‘of the Moghias is similar to that of the Hindus: they
Swerip the same gods and observe the same funeral and marriage
‘<tremonies. Those who adhere to all jous rites, ete, are called
Gipal or pure, those who do not are called Ait/a or impure. They do
‘Fao take life except in self-defence or to escape capture, when they do
do so. Every one of the tribes, no matter how wealthy,
miserable dress and manner of living. “They invariably
outside the village or town where they reside. ‘The
built in small enclosures, with a passage between cach, and
u& outlets in the enclosure to admit the inhabitants to escape if
al, Or any one likely to want them, is seen approaching. The
‘now been brought under the stringent provisions of the
“Tribes Act, and up to 1885, 6252 male adults had been
416 RAJPUTANA.
The only tribe in Rajputdna that may be termed aboriginal is that of
the Brits (g.v.), who numbered in 188 about 270,000 in all.
The towns of R4jputdna have their special characteristics. The
largest are the capitals of the principal States, which have usually grown
up around the forts of the chiefs, in situations that, originally chosen
for defence or retreat, are now striking and often picturesque. The
Rajput capital is nearly always named after its founder. Its citadel is
usually on a hill close above, or placed in some commanding position
over against the town ; and the chief’s ancestral palace is sometimes
within the fortified lines, sometimes lying below the stronghold, with
ready access to it in case of need; while, here and there, a modem
palace has been built apart from the fortress within the town. But the
fortress and the palace, whether combined or separate, are the two
conspicuous features of a Rdjput town. The suburbs often contain
gardens and stone pavilions, while country houses of the chiefs and
nobles lie a little beyond; and the chaffris, or domed cenotaphs
erected where chiefs or men of mark have been burned after death,
often with their wives and female slaves, are usually at a little distance.
Jaipur, the most modem of the R4jput capitals, is also the largest ;it is
laid out with spacious streets, and the hereditary taste of the ruling
family has decorated and improved it for generations. Jodhpur is a
fenced city in the desert; and Bikaner and Jaisalmer are towns of the
same type, built upon islands of hard rock amid deep sand. Ajmere,
Alwar (Ulwur), and Udaipur are all remarkable for picturesque beauty
and for excellence of situation. Bhartpur, Tonk, Kotah, Bundi, and
Jhalra Pétan are the other important places. The forts and castles
of Réjputdna are numerous, and often exhibit the best specimens of the
architecture of this part of India, The most remarkable are Tari
garh above Ajmere, Chitor, Kumalmer, and Gogunda in Mevdr,
Alwar (Ulwur), Jaipur, Khetri, Bhainsrorgarh, Mandalgarh, Indr-
garh, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Bindi, Kotah, Gagron, and Rinth-
ambor.
Religious Sects.—The vast majority of the population are Hindus
with a very strong infusion of Jainism. ‘The Réjputs, though super-
stitious, are not remarkable either for devotion or for fastidiousness
about caste rules and sacred personages. Of local sects most in vogue,
may be mentioned the Dddu Panthis, whose head-quarters are in Jaipur
State, to whom belong the armed Nagas; and the Rém Sanehi sect,
which prevails in Alwar (Ulwur) and Mewér, with its head-quarters it
Shdhpurd. Both these sects have a special book of precepts, in favour
of which they reject all others, and a spiritual founder who transmits
a special grace and insight divine to his chosen descendants. Secret
societies are said not to be uncommon in the country; the obscent
sect of the Vallabhacharayas have two shrines in Mewar. Astrology is
RAJPUTANA, 4ir
universally practised ; and a professor of the occult art must be con-
sulted at all critical conjunctures, political or social, The belief ia
witcheraft still strongly
Agriadiure—Westward of the Aravallis there is a good strip of sail
along the banks of the Loni, which occasionally overllows, and on the
subsidence of the waters an alluvial deposit remains which yields good
ops of barley and wheat. Excluding the fertile portions of Mérwir
‘enclosed within the branches of the Loni, nearly the whole country to the
north-west of this river, including most of Marwér, the States of Bikaner
and Jaisalmer, and the District of Shaikhawati, is a vast sandy tract.
Water is far from tho surface, and scarce. Irrigation from wells is
for not only is the supply af water too scanty to admit of
it being used for this purpose, but also the depth of the wells usually
‘exceeds 75 fect, the maximum at which wellirrigation has been found
profitable in Jaisalmer and Bikaner, The water in the wells is often
from 300 to 500 feet below the surface. The people have thus to
spend for their supply of grain entirely on the produce of the crops
the rainy season, which in part of the country is of very
uncertain character, When rain does fall, it sinks into the sandy soil
and does not flow off the surface, so that a very light rainfall suffices
{or the crops.
_ The system of agriculture is simple, and only one crop is raised in
the year. At the commencement of the rainy season, the sandhills are
ee ee and ee is then planted very deep. After
ba ick movers, '
48 RAJPUTANA,
‘The main wealth of the desert lands of Marwar and Bikaner consists
in the vast herds of camels, horned cattle, and sheep which roam over
their sandy wastes and thrive admirably in the dry climate, Camels
and cattle are bred in such numbers that they supply the neighbouring
Provinces, What are called and sold as Gujardt cattle are often in
reality Mawar cattle of the Nagar breed, celebrated for their size and
pace. The stock is yearly sold at great fairs. In Western Rajputdna,
camels are also bred in large quantities; snditenes Deere te
used as beasts of burden, they are employed in
Bikaner camel is the finest, swiftest, and handsomest in India. ite
Mérwdr camel is more enduring, but not the equal of the former in
speed. The Jaisalmer camel isa dark, stall, and ugly animal, but docile
and the easiest ofany in his paces The sheep of Mdrwdr and Bikaner
are exported in great numbers to Bombay and other markets: “Phe
endurance of the horses of Malldni is proverbial.
In other parts of Rjputiina, south and east of the Aravallis, wo crops
are raised annually, and various kinds of cereals, pulses, and fibres are
grown. ‘The principal crops in the hilly tracts of Mewar, and in
Dungarpur and Banswaird, are Indian corn and oilseeds for the Aherif,
and grain, barley, and wheat for the raéi harvest, On the plateau near
Nimach in the State of Partibgarh, the chief crops are jadr for the
#arif, and opium, wheat, and d/ for the vadf. ‘The staple produce of
Jhéldwar is opium; nearly 10,868 maxndr (or 420 tons) were exported
in 1882-83, while 7943 maunds were imported, and 2438 awmds
passed through the State. Kotah is a grain-producing country, in
which artificial irrigation scarcely exists ; the soil, being black mould
(disintegrated trap), is retentive of moisture, and large quantities of
wheat are grown for the spring harvest, and sar for the autumn harvest.
‘The extensive plains of the Mewar plateau are fertile whem irrigated ;
almost every village has its artificial lake or tank, Behind the retaining
embankments, or in the beds of these tanks, and wherever there are
wells, large crops of wheat are grown, and here and there cotton,
opium, and sugarcane. In 1882, the State of Mewdr expended
£23,862 On irrigation, the profits from the existing irrigation works im
that year being £14,000. ‘To the east of Ajmere, including Kishengarh,
the southern half of Jaipur, Tonk, and Alwar (Ulwur)as far as Bhartpur,
the soil is fertile though light, and produces erops of wheat, barley,
cotton, jodr, and opium. The District of Shaikhdwati in Jaipur re-
sembles in character of soil and productions the deserts of the west.
Much of Dholpur possesses the physical charazteristics of Karaali—
hills and ravines, Where these exist, cultivation is much strait-
ene ; but elsewhere, the crops grown re thie suns aa
neighbouring tracts to the west.
Land Tenures. The characteristic of land tenures ia” veh ‘Rajput
RAJPUTANA, 49
‘States proper, in the west and southwest particularly, is that a very
reat proportion of the land is held on frechold tenure by the kinsmen
of the chief, and by other clans of Réjputs. The word 'frechold’ is
here used to denote the holding of a free man by service not unbe
coming his birth, and upon payment of the customary share of the
Produce of the all in whlch. chief and clan are coparceners—the ‘fruits
of worship,’ as it is devoutly expressed.
~ Here and there are also some assignments or grants of land in the
nature of fdgirs proper,—that is, the revenue has been allotted to certain
péteons as a convenient way of paying the estimated cost of civil or
establishment or other services, All large estates are held
wader the implied condition of keeping up the police within their
borders, protecting traffic, preventing heinous crimes, and pursuing
offenders hot-foot when the hue and ery is raised, or when the tracks
of fiying brigands are followed across the boundaries. In many parts
‘of the country, the estate passes entire tothe eldest son, the others being,
entitled only to maintenance; in other
the land as the family increases and |
pay nothing to their chief, The Pa tenures are mos eaeonte in
ui it quit-
watch and ward of villages,
not, like those.
420 RA/PUTANA,
dominates, and a good cultivator has a firm root in his fields, which
can be mortgaged or sold, and which pass by inheritance. A distinction
is recognised, naturally, between lands which have come to a cultivator
‘by inheritance, or which he has himself cleared or improved, and
lands which have changed hands recently, or which have been assigned
in an ordinary farming way. The real point of importance, however,
is, of course, not the nature of tenure, but the limitation of rent
demand ; and this is practically unfixed, except where English officers
have prevailed upon a chief to accept and uphold a regular land
revenue settlement. In rack-renting States, all particular tenures are
loose and undefined; and though the village community, as a body,
generally sticks to the township, yet between the rent-collector and the
money-lender, the peasant is apt to sink into the condition of a predial
serf rather beld to, than holding by, the land.
‘There are, speaking broadly, no middle-men in Rajputdna between
the tax-collector and the rent-payer, though the head-man of @ village
‘often contracts for a fixed payment for a short term of years. The
pidtel and patwdri are merely the local agents in the villages for culti~
vating and collecting arrangements; they are paid by remissions of
rent demand, but have no rights or solid status, and the village come
munity, as an institution, is feeble and depressed, The revenue is
assessed on an assumed proportion of the crop, this being taken usaally
in kind, but sometimes at a money valuation, varying from year to year,
and arbitrarily calculated. In places a fixed mate is assessed upon the
measured éighd, according to the kind of crop or upon the plough.
But the rent-rate proper is often only a fraction of the real demand
upon the cultivator, which is made up of sundry and manifold cesses.
‘After the freeholding classes, perhaps the strongest and most pros
perous cultivating bodies are to be found in the Jit and Gdjar villages
in the north and northwest, where the peasant is occasionally a sub-
stantial farmer, and where large herds of cattle are kepts
Industria! Occupations —Whilst the mass of the people is oceupied
jin agriculture, in the large towns banking and commerce flourish to a
degree beyond what might have been expected in so backward a
Jodhpur and Jaipur from the great saltlakes, which are the most
valuable possessions of tle northern States, and in Bhartpur from
brine wells, From the great plains north of the Aravallis, especially
from the Shaikhdwati country, comes wool ; and from these pasture
Jands a great many sheep are driven annually to Bombay, Cotton is
ea
RAJPUTANA, er
grown inthe midland and eastern districts ; while the rich, well-watered
bliek soils which send opium to Malwa are owned by Mewér and the
south-eastern States, Kotah and Jhaldwir in particular.
Of Late years an unwonted depression in the opium trade has been
complained of all over Rajputina, Although the trade is depressed
and the exports are falling off, poppy cultivation is spreailing, and
the culture is nearly coextensive with irrigation, The falling off in
the export may be estimated by the fact that only 2809 chests
passed the scales at Udaipur in 1882-83, as against 4659 chests in
1881-$2, a great decrease on the average weighing of the previous
eleven years, which was 6550 chests, Of late, a species of inferior
opium called Chota Battis is produced for home consumption, and is
scorth from £4 to £5 per 8o Ibs. less than the superior drug. The
‘opening of the railway has had the effect of extending the cultivation of
“The headquarters of banking and exchange operations may be said
to be Jaipur, the largest, most modern, and richest city of Rajputina ;
Peer mntcal firms ‘of Mélws and of the northern cities of British
shave agencies in most of the towns, ‘The employment of capital
in Sia is becoming less prodactive, and is diminishing since the
peculiar sources of profit formerly open have been disappearing. At
the beginning of the present century, great firms often remitted goods
maintenance of a Government. Now, | ieee
gridiially levelling profits on exchange
(peater prosperity and stability of |
Empire, render ther more and more
Yankers. OF course, there is an immen: e ss
‘the peasantry,
The Largest ‘commercial fairs
aa Pukir (Pushkar)
Beers, Rajput 0 ity
Salt be included under this head. ine wool
‘oven ; and Jeather-working is on in most of the
ROrthern States. In the finer and more artistic man
takes a high place. ee
Climate and Hygiene—The vrainfall is ‘very tumequally distributed
RAJPUTANA. 433
aford an indication of the state of saargelainck cite
paeslinehibe viele tact
Thbtaticacmeuriee OF THE RatnraLn oF Rajevrana, DIVIDED uy
THe ARAVALEE HiLis ivro Taree SECTIONS.
| nthe summer, the sun's heat is much the same all the Province,
‘being, except in the high hills, great everywhere; in the north-west,
‘ery great, ‘Hot winds and dust-storms are experienced more or less
in the sandy half-esert tracts of the north they are as
itherly pasts they are
ey by. “hills, verdure, and water, n i
‘the north is much colder than i: in the
2) Fi, min, 34°); Nasirdbéd (max, 93
os Fs ‘min. 70"); Alwar (max.
fall; excessive ay heat
of temperature durin
434 RA/SHAHT,
another; vast sandy tracts in the north-west, an immense extent of salt
deposit, and a watersupply in parts very deficient, brackish, not good for
drinking, and sometimes failing altogether, The epidemic diseases
swhich ui imight be expected, and which actually do prevail, are principally
of the paroxysmal or malarious type, Cholera visitations occur most
virulently in the eastern States; for the sparsely populated and semi-
desert nature of the western tracts, over which the winds travel freely,
prevents the spread of cholera in that direction, ‘The scanty and
unwholesome nature of the water-supply, and the comparative poorness
of the grain—ddjre (Holeus spicatus)—which forms the staple food of
the people in the north-west, give rise to many dyspeptic maladies, and
also to skin diseases, But the most formidable enemies of human life
in Northern Rajputéna are the frequently recurring dearths caused by
failure of the always uncertain rainfall, which periodically desolate the
country, Within the last thirty years, two very serious famines—in
1848-49, and in 1868-69—have deeply affected the whole condition
of the people; the second famine was intensified by the ravages of
locusts, which breed in the deserts by myriads, Of late years,
important sanitary improvements have been effected in the cities of
‘Udaipur, Alwar, Tonk, and Jaipur.
Of vital statistics, there are yet none for Rajputdna asa whole;
though some records have been made in Ajmere which indicate a very
low death-rate. Notwithstanding its many drawbacks, and excepting
some towns urgently needing sanitary reforms, Rdjputéna may be
reckoned one of the healthiest parts of India, at least for natives. The
total number of dispensaries in the Native States of Rajputdina was 64
in December 1882. Of the patients treated, 18 per cent, were suffering:
from abscesses, boils, and other skin diseases; 17 per ccnt, from malarial
fever and spleen diseases; 6 per cent, from respiratory diseases ; and
4 per cent, from bowel diseases. Cholera annually causes a large
mortality, and small+ pox annually recurs. The number of persons
vaccinated was 51,826 in 1872; and 105,642 in 1882.
‘Three military bodies are maintained in Rdjpubina—the Merwini
Battalion, the Deoli Irregular Force, and the Mewar-Bhil Corps In
‘the last two, Minas and Bhils are chiefly enlisted. The Merwdrt
Battalion numbers 600 men.
‘Education is reported to be making fair progress. The Mayo College
at Jaipur had 64 pupils in 1882, and an income of £2900 in the same
Female lucation is neglected throughout the States.
is ivision or Commissionecrship under the jurisdiction of
Ane a7’ 12"
30° long.
Districts of Drsairon Meh
and Dacca Districts; on the south
or Padma river, separating it from
Reanipnas Netliphjandi Mucthidabdd) Districts andl-on ther ieest iby
Maidah and Purniah Districts, and the independent kingdom of
Nepal. Area, 17,428 square miles. Population (1872) 7,380,777 ;
(1881) 7,755,775, namely, males 3,925,710, and females 3,808,
showing a total increase of 352,998, or 4°78 per cent, in nine years,
‘The greatest increase was shown in the thinly populated: Districts of
Dézjiling and Jalpdiguri, partly duc to defective enumeration in 1872,
and partly to immigration caused by the great development of the tea
industry of late years. Number of towns 27, and of villages 28,827 ;
number of houses, 1,285,874, namely, occupied 1,254,164, and un-
occupied 31,710. Average density of population, 443°7 persons per
square mile, varying from 125°7 per square mile in Darjiling, to 719°2
per square mile in Pabni, Number of towns and villages per square
mile, 1°66} persons per town or village, 268; number of houses per
Square mile, 73°8; persons per occupied ‘house, G2, Classified
according to sex and age, the population consists of—under 15 years,
males 1,618,022, and females 154945299 § y total children, 3,112,321, or
males 2,307,688, and females 2,313,766; total adults, 4,621,454, or
59° per cent.
Religion. —The bulk of the population are Mubammadans, the faith
of skin being professed by 4,885,165, or 63-1 per cent. of the total popu-
lution. 5 Buddhists, 19,379 ;
33 Jews, 2; and
The total aboriginal
240,062, or 16 per
of the royal line of Kucl = the
whom the Brihmans have discov
426 E RASHAML,
Sunri, 49,646; Godlé, 39,036; Kumbhdr, 33,272; Bagdi, 32,154;
Madak, 30,933 ; Lohdt, 29,0375 Teli, 28,162; Tanti, 26,7715 Chamdr,
24,0545 Barhai, 22,9365 Jugi, 20,179; Kurmi, ee ‘Kahdr, 12,1525
Mall, 11,757; Mallah, 8830; Dhobi, 8684; Kapdlf, 8695; Sadgop,
75173 Dom, 7216; Dosidh, 7056; and Barul, 6856. Caste-rejecting
Hindus are returned as numbering 93,212, of whom 91,668 are
YVaishnavs,
‘The Muhammadan population according to sect are divided into—
Sunnis, 4,739,293 5 Shids, 85,259; Wahdbis, 863; and unspecified,
59,750 The Buddhists are almost entirely confined to Dirjiling
District, and the Jains are almost equally divided between Rangpsr
and Pabné. The Christian community consists of 841 Europeans, §
Americans, 4 Australians, 4 Africans, 153 Eurasians, Ta Natives,
78 ‘others’ They are thus classified—Protestant, sect unspecified, 193;
Church of England, 681; Roman Catholic, 2g2; Church of Scotland,
156; Baptist, 196; and ‘others,’ 328.
Town and Rural Poputation.—The principal towns in the Rajshihi
Division are Sirajoany, population (1881) 21,037; Ramrur Brau.ean,
19,228; Paswa, 15,267; Raxarur, 13,320; Dinasrur, 12,560; BARAK.
HATA, 11,3935 Buoopanani, 10,892; and Dutta, 10,503. There are
also. 17 minor towns with between five and ten thousand inhabitants,
containing an aggregate population of 123,079. ‘The total urban popu-
lation thus disclosed, therefore, amounts to 237,279, or only 3°07 per
cent. of that of the whole Division, Seven towns are
with a population of 120,513 souls, Total municipal income (2883-85),
£23195 of which £11,019 was derived from taxation; average
incidence of taxation, 1s. 93d, per head of municipal population, Of
the 28,85 towns and villages in the Rajshihi Division, 27,778
contain less than two hundred inhabitants; 7363 from two to five
hundred; 2572 from five hundred to a thousand ; gog from one to two
thousand ; 149 from two to three thousand; 58 from three to five
thousand ; and 25 upwards of five thousand inhabitants,
As reganda occupation, the Census Report classifies the male popu-
Jation under the following six principal headings :—(x) Professional
including civil and military, 56,931; (2) domestic servants, inn
-house keepers, etc., 105,144 ; (3) commercial class, includ:
merchants, traders, carriers, etc., 128,226 ; (4) agricultural
and pastoral class, including gardeners, 1,871,495; (5) manufacturing
cand industrial class, including all artisans, 226,550 ; and (6) indefinite
and non-produs class, comprising all general labourers and male
-For administrative, fiscal, and police purposes, the
seven Districts of the Rajshah( Division are further split. up into 15
Sub-divisions and 74 police circles (/Aénds). The Sub-divisional
RAJSHAHT DISTRICT, c 427
system! has not yet been introduced into Bogra and Dindjpur Dis-
trict. "The whole is under the direct supervision of a Commissioner,
subordinate to whom are 29 civil judges and 52 stipendiary magistrates
ofall grades. The six main items of Government revenue in 1883-84
aggregated £723,857, made up as follows :—Land revenue, £492,6195
excise, £64,633 ; stamps, £104,976 ; registration, £6405 ; road cess,
444155; and pwnicipal taxes, £11,019, The land revenue is derived
from 5437 separate estates, and is paid by 30,956 registered pro-
peietors ; average payment from each estate, £90, 128, or by cach
proprietor, £15, 185. 3d. ‘The total regular police force in 1883
nambered 2489, of whom 264 were employed on town or municipal
duty, maintained at a total cost of 448,174. There is also a village
‘watch or rural police force, consisting in 1883 of 17,331 chauttddrs, and
iaintained by the villagers and landholders at an estimated cost in
mosey or lands of £69,827.
‘The principal educational institutions are the College and Madrasa
at Rampur Beauleah, and a siMé school at the head-quarters of each
District ; the Doveton College and St. Paul's School at Darjiling, and
stella Karsiang, the last three being for European or Eurasian
boys The total number of inspected primary schools in the Division
in 1883-84 was 3319, attended by 79,974 pupils, The Census Report
of 2881 returned 98,630 boys ond 3825 girls as under instruction,
‘There were also 201,83 males and 6266 females returned in the same
year as able to read and write, but not under instruction.
Medical relief is afforded by 37 hospitals and dispensaries, which were
attended in 1883 by 2014 in-door and 121,298 out-door patients, ‘The
fotal number of registered deaths in 1883 amounted to 171,436, or a
deathrate of 22°17 per thousand of the population. [For further parti-
eallars and details, sce the separate District articles under the headings
Dikajrur, Rayswaut, Rancrur, Boora, Paona, Darynano, and
Jacpatcurr]
A British District occupying the south-western comer of
Division, under the Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal. It
lies berween 24° 3° and 24° 59’ w. lat., and between 85° 20° 45" and 89°
$0" © Jong, the Ganges river forming the continuous southern
» Area, 2361 square miles, Population (1881) 1,338,638
Botinded on the north by Dindjpur and Bogrd; on the east by Boge
‘aad Palin ; on the south by the Ganges and Nadiyd District ; and on
the west by Maldah and Murshidabid. ‘The administrative head
Quarters are at Ramrur Beautran on the Ganges, which is also the
fesidence of the Commissioner of the Rajshahi Division.
| Physical Aspects —Risjshaht District presents the usual appearance of
a recent deltaic formation, being one uniform alluvial plain, seamed
with old river beds and studded with wide marshes. The general level
428 . RAJSHAHI DISTRICT.
of green paddy-fields is only broken by the raised village sites, and the
groves of trees in which the villages are embowered. In the north-wes,
bordering on the Districts of Maldah and Dindjpur, is a small tract of
comparatively undulating ground, where the soil is a stiff red clay and
the low jungle of brushwood is yet unreclaimed. ‘Towards the east, the
marshes increase in number and size, until they merge in the great
Chalan 4i/ on the District boundary.
‘The river system is composed of the network of streams and water
courses, which anticipate the confluence of the main channels of the
Ganges and Brahmaputra. The Ganges itself only fringes the southem
boundary of the District, from below its junction with the Mahdnandi,
which latter river also borders the District for a few miles. Its two
most important offshoots are the Narad and Bardl, which finally mingle
their waters with those of the Atr4ii The chief representatives of
the Brahmaputra system are the Atrdi and Jamund, both navigable
throughout the year for small cargo boats. The drainage of Réjshihi
District is not carried off by means of its rivers, but through the chains
of marshes and swamps, which lie for the most part below the level of
the river banks. The Chalan 4#/ is, in fact, a great reservoir for the
surplus water-supply of the whole surrounding country. It has
open connections with all the rivers and watercourses, which here lose
their identity ; and during the rains it swells till it covers a total area of
about 120 square miles. ‘The discharge is from the southern extremity
into the Brahmaputra. No artificial canals exist in R4jshahf, and none
are needed. Embankments have been erected to protect the station
of Rémpur Beauleah, which is exposed to the full force of the Ganges
floods.
Reclamation of river-banks and marshes, with the object of cultivating
the finer varieties of rice and other crops, is only carried on to a very
slight extent in Rajshah{. A late Collector states that the marshes in
which reeds grow indigenously, and the coarse foro rice is cultivated,
are very profitable in their present state, and he is doubtful whether their
reclamation would increase the value of the land. Long-stemmed rice,
which grows with the rise of the water to a height of 20 feet or upwards,
is extensively cultivated in the low-lying lands and swamps. Reeds
and canes grow wild in almost all the marshes, but are not cultivated.
No revenue-yielding forests are situated in Rajshahi. A large portion
of the north-western angle is covered with brushwood, interspersed with
occasional trees, and a small amount of charcoal is made there by
Dhangars—an aboriginal tribe from the western Districts of Bengal.
The jungle products consist of a little honey and beeswax collected
by Dhangars. There are no large uncultivated pasture-grounds in the
District, nor does any class of the population live by pasturing cattle in
the jungle.
RAJSHAHT DISTRICT. 429
wild beasts, tigers are to be found, especially
the Chalan #4, and in the jungle tract in the
‘on Maldah; but they are nowhere numerous,
d destructive. A few herds of wild buffaloes
tigercat, civeteat, fox, jackal, hog-deer, and
‘ipal game birds met with in the District are snipe,
of wild duck, for which the Chalan éf! is a great
¢ francolin or black partridge, a few peafowl, the
Teka the rivers and tanks, and nearly all
in fishing to a greater or less extent. It
nar the value fn the fisherles in the Ganges alone,
trict, is about £20,000 a year.
Rajshihi presents « typical example of the process by
saminddri has been moulded into a British District.
dia Company obtained possession of the dinwdéni or
on of Bengal in 1765, the wealthiest landholder
wete brought into direct relations was the Didhman
or, Ramjdn, the first of the present family. His official
1s not of old standing, for it only dated from £725; but the
caste, his lavish charity, and the immense area of his
ons, caused him to be regarded as one of the first
Province. His estate was known as Rajshahi; and the
dopted for the British District, whose original bound-
nous with the estate. In those days Rajshdhf seems
from on the west to Dacca on the cast,
included a large sub-division called Nij Chakld Rdjshdhi,
bank of the Ganges, which stretched across Murshiddbdd
far as the frontiers of Birbhim and Bardwin. The
as estimated at 12,909 square miles, or about five times
the present District; and the land revenue was sitkd
5 oF £292,760. ‘The territory is thus deseribed by Mr.
his Analysis of the Finances of Bengal, dated 1786 :—
/ most unwieldy, extensive seminddri in Bengal, or
India; intersected in its whole length by the great
lesser branches, with many other navigable rivers and
} Producing within the limits of its jurisdiction at
hs of all the silk, raw or manufactured, used in or
the Empire of Hindustin, with a superabundance of all
hest productions of nature and art to be found in the
ies of Asia, fit for commercial purposes ; enclosing in
d benefited by the industry and population of, the over-
of Murshidabid, the principal factories of Kastrabstadr,
markhdli, etc.; and bordering on almost all the other
RAJSHAHI DISTRICT. 43
Rajsh4ht were finally fixed very much at their present lines, by the
erection of Pabni and the adjoining police circles into an independent
jurisdiction. The only marks of its former pre-eminence that Réjshthi
now retains are to be found in the fact that remote estates in other
Districts still exercise the privilege of paying their land revenue into
the parent ‘treasury, and in the preservation of the old name for the
Commissionership or Division of Rajshaht.
| Pepulation,—Various attempts were made in early times to estimate
the population. In 1784, when the District was at its largest, the
Humber was put at 2,000,000 souls; in 1801, after the separation of
the trans-Gangetic tract, at 1,500,000. In 1834) when the size of the
a se very different from what it is at present, an
official enumeration showed a total of 1,064,963; and a more exact
‘Census two years later raized the number to 1,121,745. The Census
of 1872 disclosed @ population of 4,319,729 persons, on an aren
corresponding wit Di
Jast Census in 1881 returned the population at 1,338,63
slight increase of 27,999, or 2°14 per cent, in the nine
S72 and 1881. This trivial advance denot
eee males 660,2:
ensity of population, 259 percons
432 RAISHAHL DISTRICT
and unspecified, 3244. ‘There can be no doubt that in Réjshhi, as in
the rest of the Sevartic: dra, te area Ea pe ano eet
aboriginal descent, and that on the Muhammadan invasion of Bengal,
the majority willingly adopted the conquering faith of Islim, im prefer-
ence to remaining outcastes beyond the pale of exclusive Hinduism.
‘The Census Report shows the non-Muhammadan aboriginal populasion
as numbering 20,184, all of whom, except 7, are returned as Hindus.
‘The Muhummadans almost entirely belong to the cultivating ¢lass, and
engage little in trade. Tt is stated that Fardizi fanaticism is not very
prevalent among them, and that at the present day Isidm gains no
proselytes from the Hindus,
Among Hindus proper, the Bribmans number 16,523, including many
of the largest landholders; Rajputs, 1233; Kadyastbe, 8378; and
Baniyds, 3732. Among the Stidra or lower Hindu castes (many of
which contain a large aboriginal clement), by far the most numerous
is the Kaibartta, with 65,134 members; the despised Chandi comes
next with 29,792; followed by the Jaliyd, 13,774; Goald, 92735
Népit, 8462; Kumbhdr, 6991; Tell, 6284; Sunri, 6252; Chamar,
5709; and Lobdr, g11g, Caste-rejecting Hindus (Vaishnavs) number
17,081.
The small Christian population consists of 40 Europeans and
Americans, 2 Eurasians, 71 Natives, and 8 ‘others’ The native
Christians include 34 converts in connection with the Presbyterian
Mission at Rampur Beauleah, The Brihma Samaj has a com-
paratively numerous following among the Government officials at
Beauleah, who have built for themselves a substantial meeting-house,
At the same town there is also a wealthy community of Jain merchants.
Town and Rurad Population.—The population is almost entirely
rural. Only three towns are returned in the Census Report of r88x a5
each containing more than 5000 inhabitants — Rampur BeAULEaH,
population 19,228; NAtToR, 9094; and Pariya, 6249; showing a total
urban poptlation of 34.571, or 2°6 per cent. It is noticeable that in
these towns the Muhammadans are considerably below the general
proportion. The only municipalities are Rampur Beauleah and Naitor,
Municipal income (1883-84), £2709, of which £2480 was derived
from taxation ; average incidence of taxation, 13. 8§d, per head of the
population (29, within municipal limits.
tendency whatever to gather even into large villages, Goddgtri on the
G ind Ndogion on the Jamun, conduct a considerable river
|ailpur, also on the Ganges, is the centre of, a flourishing
industry i in jewellery and brass-ware; and several other places have
local importance as the sites of frequented temples and mosques.
Of the 5159 towns and villages in the District, 2926 contain less
than two hundred inhabitants; 1603 from two to five hundred; 515
RAJSHAHT DISTRICT. 433
from five handred to a thousand; 103 from one to two thousand; 6
from two to three thousand; 3 from three Ts Sco
upwards of five thousand inhabitants.
i lg eile ced in te connection of he eng
, both of' shopkeepers and cultivators, consist, in the rural parts,
ly of bamboos for the uprights and rafters, straw mats or reeds for
‘grass, and a little string. In the towns and larger
villages, however, almast all the respectable shopkeepers have brick
houses; and even those in poorer circumstances have tiled roofs.
Each house consists of at many rooms as there are married members
of the family, besides a cooking shed, cow shed, rice-husking shed, and.
a storeroom, which is also used for the reception of guests, and as a
sleeping apartment for the unmarried male members of the family
‘The food consumed in the houschold of a well-to-do shopkeeper consists
of rice, pulse, fish, vegetables, fruit, oil, salt, milk, clarified butter (g/l),
curds, sugar, and some sweetmeats. That of a cultivator in ordinary
circumstances consists of the same, with the exception of milk, gil,
‘segar, and sweetmeats. The estimated cost of living for a middle-sized
family of the cultivating class is returned at about 15s. per month.
‘This represents the cost which would have to be incurred if the articles
fait to be purchased in the market. ‘The actual cost, however, is much
less, a8 the cultivator grows rice and vegetabies for his own consump-
tion, and also catches most of the fish consum
AS ‘occupation, the Census of 188:
tion | the following six iain
including civil and military, 10,37:
aaaeperders, ¢ aie) ah
ete, 27,055; (4) 9
including gardeners, 299,
‘fe grown to a small extent ;
from the dus rice-felds during
about 14,000
In the extreme
s rich is grown the gma
(Cannabis sativa), which supplies the smokers drug throughout
ES 28
a4 RAJSHAHL DISTRICT.
a great part of India. No adequate reason is assigned for the extremely
limited nature of this cultivation, The total area under guafd is
estimated at goo acres, and the annual produce at jo00 cwts., valued
at £20,000, which is nearly all exported. ‘The demand for the drag
is kept down by repeated augmentations in the rate of the excise
duty. f weit a
Manure is but litle used throughout Rajshahf, Irrigation is practised
in the case of rice-ficlds, the water being conducted from tanks
or natural watercourses by means of small trenches. Land is” ee
ever pennitted to lie fallow; at most, one crop is oceasionally sub-
Matas for: exoiten Spare land is only: to be seen in the clevared
tract to the north-west of the District. ‘The average produce of an acre
‘of good rice land, renting at from 63. to 9s, is 20 cwts,, valued at
At, 16s In the eastern part of the District, a second crop of pulses
or oil-seeds is raised from the dus ricedields, which yields from 4 to 6
cwts. per acre, worth from 188. to £1, 4s. The lowest rate of rent is
3% per acre; the highest is 18s, paid for mulberry, sugarcane, and
yarden lands, Prior to the Decennial Settlement of 1790, the rent
paid for ordinary lands was under 18 an acre. ‘There is but little |
liarity in the land tenures of the District, except the small number of
fain’ or permanent underleases. A few large sanrindérr, of whom the
Rajd of Narror still ranks as the most respected, though no longer the
tose wealthy hoki the esta pote ea ia
is “eultivator’s holding in Rajshthf exceeding 33 aeres in extent
would be considered a very large farm, and anything below 5 aeres
a very small farm. A farm comprising about x7 acres: would be
considered a fair-sized, comfortable holding for a husbandman, A
single pair of bullocks cannot plough more than between § and 6
acres, A holding of about 5 acres in extent, although it would not
make a cultivator as well off as a respectable retail shopkeeper, would
‘enable him to live quite ag well as a man receiving money wages of 168,
amonth The produce of a farm of this extent is ordinarily worth
about £12 a year, Very few cultivators of Réjshdhé are continually in
debt; but most of them incur liabilities to the village merchant at
seed-time in the shape of advances of grain, which are repaid with interest
after the rice crop has been harvested. ‘The great majority of the
husbandmen of the District hold their lands with a right of occupancy,
the proportion of these cultivators to ordinary tenants-at-will being
estimated to be as twenty to one. The number of mawriiss jotdirs, or
husbandmen holding their lands in. perpetuity and at a
fixed rate of rent, is, however, very small; and the Collector di
whether they amount to even « per cent, of the general | a
Ahusbandmen cultivating with occupancy rights, No class of small
RAJSHAHI DISTRICT. 435
proprictors exists in Rajshahi District, who own, occupy, and cultivate
their hereditary lands themselves, without either a saminddr or superior
landlord of any sort above them, or a sub-tenant or labourer of any
sort below them.
‘The ordinary rates of wages have approximately doubled within the
past ten years, A common coolie now receives 3d. a day; an agricul-
tural labourer, 39d. ; a blacksmith or carpenter, od. ; 2 mason or brick-
Jayex, 6d. Itdoes not appear whether the prices of food-grains have
ison in proportion, Im 1870, common rice sold at from 28. to 25, 8d.
petewL ; wheat at 5%. 5d. The highest price reached by rice in 1366,
the year of the Orissa faminc, was 135. 4d. perewt, The average price
of common rice for five years ending 1882-83 was 20} sers per rupee,
or 5% 6d. per cwt. ; wheat, 16 sers per rupee, or 7s, per cwt.; and
pulses, 179 sers per rupee, or 6s. 4d, per cwt. The year 1883-84 was
one of deficient rainfall, and prices ranged somewhat higher than the
average, common rice being retumed at 164 sers per rupee, or 6%. 104d.
per owt. ; and wheat at 163 sers per rupee, or 6s. od. per cwt.
Rijshthi is liable, to some extent, to both the calamities of flood
and drought. ‘The inundation which covers the country every year with
Jwater is usually only of such a character as to fertilize the soil; and the
rowing rice crop can keep pace with a moderate daily rise of the water,
But ap two of three occasions within the memory of the present
iow, violent floods have injuriously affected the general harvest,
‘On the other hand, in 1873, the deficient and capricious rainfall pro-
duced an amount of suffering which required the institution of relief
works by Government. By help of the Gangesand the Northern Bengal
Railway, the District is sufficiently well provided with means of
omustinication to prevent a local searcity from intensifying into famine,
No system of irrigation works or embankments has ever been proposed
fonadoption. If the price of rice were to rise in January, after the
dmare harvest, to 6s. 8d. per cwt., that should be regarded as a sign of
approaching distress.
_ Manufactures, et—In former times, the preparation of indigo and
‘the winding of silk were largely conducted by European capital ;
but both these industries are now on the decline. The annual
‘out-tum of indigo in 1870 was estimated at about 700 cwts., from three
factories ; in 1881-82, indigo manufacture had decreased to less than
G00 ents. valued at 419,652. The European and native silk filatures
Which produced about 400,000 Ibs. of raw silk in 1870, valucd at
(£372,002) bad by 1881-82 decreased to 110,000 Ibs. of raw silk,
valued at £82,333. Up to the time when the Company abandoned
trade in 1835, the head factory at Rémpur Beauleah was
oa flourishing centres of sericulture in Bengal. A little
of the mative-wound silk is woven into a coarse cloth for local use; and
436 RAJSHAHI DISTRICT.
there is a special ainsufe fund imi cerissa vegan Peete Ln sae
ware of a peculiarly fine quality,
‘The position of the ipreat smajority-of the’ mannfaeturing claasee ts
said to be about the same as that of the poorer cultivators and day-
labourers. ‘Their ordinary wages vary from Ss. to £r, according to
the skill required. For really good skilled labour, the rates of wages
range, according to the particular class of work, from £1, ros. to £2 a
month, and even higher. ‘The manufacture of raw silk and indigo is
conducted by capitalists entirely by means of hired labour. As to
other manufactures, there is no well-marked distinction between capital
and labour, Weavers work in their own houses, cither on their own
account or to order. Artisans either work for masters abroad, at a
_ fixed rate of wages, or else carry on their work in their homes, anel setl
their productions to merchants, Advances to cultivators for growing
indigo are frequently made by the planters, Oceasionally, also, mer-
chants make small money advances as loans to operatives, on the con-
dition that the articles manufactured shall be sold to them at a rate
somewhat below the current market price. The total number of skilled
workers, mechanics and artisans, in Rajshihi District in 1861, was
retumed at 27,079 male adults,
River traffic is brisk in all parts of the District. The chief marts are
Rampur Beauleah and Goddgéri on the Ganges; and Naogdon, Kali-
ganj, and Buridah on the network of streams which lead through the
Chalan $i? into the Brahmaputra, The principal export is rice, together
with some jute from the northern tracts, to which may be added silk,
indigo, and gény, ‘The imports comprise plece-goods, salt, sugar, gram,
brass-ware, kerosine oil, and spices The local trade is conducted at
bi-weekly markets, in the towns and larger villages, and at
religious gatherings. The registration returns of river traflie for 1876~77
showed a total export from Rajshahi valued at £907,955) against
imports valued at £439,799. The greater portion of the traffic con-
verges at the railway stations of Godlanda and Kushtid, but there is
some export of rice up the Ganges to Behar. The chief exports were
—rice, 899,700 maunds of 82 Ibs., and paddy, 394,500 manmds, valued
together at £219,399 ; jute, 402,303 mands, valued at £120,699; raw
silk, 7784 mawnds, valued at £389,200 ; indigo, 1290 maunds, valued at
£25,800. The imports comprised—European piece-goods, £63,510;
salt, 214,600 maurds, valued at £107,300; sugar, refined, 91,600
maunds—unrefined, 84,700 maunds, valued together at £143,910;
coal and coke, 175,139 mawnds. Of the local marts, the trade of
Rémpur ‘Beauleah valued at £342,019 exports and £199,161
imports ; Goddgiri, 417,089 exports, and £193 imports; Nidogdéon,
122,959 exports, and £34,378 i imports. The single mart of Buridabs
exported 206,000 manny of jute. No systematic registration of District.
RAJSHAHI DISTRICT. ast
exports and imports is now maintained, and it is not possible to
pete ‘more recent trade statistics than those quoted above for
1876-77.
‘The Northern Bengal State Railway, opened in 1877, intersects the
whole District from south to north, In 1882, the total length of the
District roads (exclusive of village cart-tracks) was returned at 279 miles,
maintained at o cost of £10,803. But the chief means of communi-
cation are the natural watercourses, by which nearly every village in the
north and east of the District can be approached during the rainy
season.
Administration—In 1870-71, the net revenue of Réjshahf District
amounted to £136,808, towards which the land-tox contributed
£103,456, or 75 per cent. ; the net expenditure was £46,438, or just
one-third of therevenuc. It would be misleading to compare these totals —
with those for earlier years ; but it may be mentioned that in 1793-94,
when the area of the District was fivefold larger than it is now, the net
revenue was £175,734, and the netexpenditure £19,815. In 1883-84
the six main items of Government revenue aggregated £123,099,
made up as follows:—Land revenuc, £88,584; excise, £85005
Stamps, £15,128; registration, £882; road cess, (£75255 and
ipal taxes, £2480. In 1883-84 there were 1409 estates in the
District, owned by 6os9 registered proprictors, the average Govern-
Ment revenue paid by each estat ng £62, 175. sd, or by each
Proprictor, 414, 128. sd. In 1883 there were 3 covenanted officers
stationed in the District, and 9 magisterial and 5 civil and revenue
‘courts open.
‘anor, Godagari, Putiy4, C!
division, with the fee
d sum, in
herefore, for the
438 RAJSHAHT DISTRICT.
every 742 of the population. By far the greater ptoportion of the
convictions were for petty offences. The Binsin cece oe
which has fecently heen converted into a central jail for the neighbouring
Districts, and two Sub-divisional lockups, In 2883, thé average daily
number of prisoners was 677, of whom 36 were females; the laboaring
convicts averaged 653. The above figures show 1 person int jail to
every 1977 of the population.
Education has widely spread of recent years, chiefly owing to the
reforms of Sir G. Campbell, by which the benefit of the grantimaid rules
has been extended to the pdthsdfds or village schools, In 1856 there
were only z Governmentinspected schools in the District, attended by
209 pupils; by 1870 these numbers had grown to 174 schools and 4862
pupils. In the latter year, the total expenditure on education was
£5225, towards which Government contributed £2714. In 1876 the
schools had further increased to 319, and the pupils to roost. By
1883-84, neatly all the schools in the District had been brought under
the Government system of education. In that year the primary schools
alone, under inspection by the Education Department, numbered) 60s,
with 16,194 pupils. In 1881, the Census returned £4,265 boys and
933 girls as under instruction ; besides 29,914 males and 1458 females
able to read and write, but not under instruction. "The chief educa-
tional establishment is the Rajsh&hf College at Rampur Beauleah,
with its attached collegiate school, established through the Hberality of
a local s¢ménddr, who has endowed it with an estate worth Zsco a
year. At the end of 1883-84, the Rajshahf College bad 81, and the
collegiate school 414 pupils on its roll.
Medical Aspects, —The climate of Rajshabt docs not differ from that
‘common to all Lower Bengal ‘The rainy season sets in about the
middle of June and lasts till the end of October. ‘The annual rainfall
for a period of 25 years averaged 61°36 inehes, the monthly mean being
as ee =—January, 0-30 inch ; February, 1-07 inch ; March, 1-22 inch 5
7 inch; May, 5°6r inches; June, 11°22 inches; July,
hes ; ‘August, 11°25 inches ; September, 11-16 inches ;
inches ; November, o-3 inch ; and December, 075 ivich; “The
year 1883 was one of greatly deficient rainfall, and only 35°06 inches
fell, or ee over half the average. In 1868 the mean tempertture for
turned at 783° F, No later thelnometieey Saeee
| ‘pro
pagated by contagion at the religious gatherings page
epidemic small-pox are not uncommon, The vital statistics for 1885
RA/SHAHI—RAMACHANDRAPURAM, 439
‘show 45,990 registered deaths in the year, being a death-rate of 32°86
perthousand, There were, in 1883, seven charitable dispensaries in the
District, at which 340 in-door and 21,855 outdoor patients were treated
during the year. [For further information regarding Rajshahi, see The
Statistica! Account of Bengal, by W. W. Hunter, vol. viti. pp. 1-126
(London, ‘Trabner & Co,, 1877) ; the Bengal Census Reports for 1872
and 188r ; and the several annual Bengal Administration and Depart
mental Reports up to 1884.)
_ Rajshab—Sadr or headquarters Subdivision of Réjshahi Distres,
Bengal. Lat. 24° 3/ 15" to 24° 56° v., and long. 88° 21’ to 8p" 11' &
Area, 944 square miles, with 2 towns and 2215 villages; number of
houses, 101,415, namely, occupied 97,683, and unoccupied 3735.
‘Total, 599,547, namely, males 297,166, and females 302,351.
Average density of population, 635 persons per square mile; towns and
villages, 2°35 per square mile; persons per village, 270; houses per
‘square mile, persons per occupied house, 6°24. Classified
eee. religion, Muhammadans number 484,816; Hindus,
114,562; Christians, 101; Buddhists, 55; Jains, 4; Jews, 2; and
aborigines, 7. This Sub-division comprises the 6 police
circles (didnds) of Rampur Beauleah, Godagiri, Tanor, Baghmdra,
Patiyd, and Charghat. In 1884 it contained (including head-quarters
courts) ¢ civil and 5 criminal courts ; a regular police numbering 257
men of all ranks, and a village watch or rural police of 1472
~ Rakabdey.—Village in the State of Udaipur, Rajputina. Situated
45 miles south of Udaipur city, and 10 north of Khairwari. The
famous Jain temples of Rakabdey, sacred to Adinsth or Rakabnath, are
supposed to have been built in 1375, over the spot where the effigy of
Rakabndth—brought originally from Dungarpur in Baroda in 1260—
was discovered buried in the ground by a devout banker, to whom the
fact was revealed in a dream. ‘The temples are famed for their
‘sculpture, and are a great resort for pilgrims from Gujarit and
" Raldang (or West Kailds)—Mountain in Bashahr (Bassahit) State,
Punjab... Lat. 31° 29’ s,, long, 78° 2x. ‘Thomton states that it rises
from the Kundwar valley, and divides the basin of the Baspa frown that
of the Tidang. The highest peak (according to Thornton) has an
elevation of 21,103 feet above sea-level,
—Tiitwk or Sub-diyision of Godavari Dis-
trict, Madras Presidency. Area, 400 square miles. Population (1881)
220,780, namely, 109,427 males and 111,353 females, dwelling in
villages, containing 39,559 houses. Hindus numbered 217,221 ;
3505; Christians, 48; and ‘others,’ 6. Land revenue
(0883) £84,754
be
ao RAMALLAKOTA—RAMANMALAL
dddwk, the largest and most important in the District, is a
es irrigated Goddvari delta, Six anicut main
channels run through it, all of them admitting of navigation. Lands
thus watered pay a ceas of 85. an acre for wet crops, 4% for dry crops,
and £65, when water is supplied all the year round. The Aifwk is
productive and healthy, except in the cold season, when it is feverish.
Criminal courts, 2; police circles (thémds), 8 ; regular police, 76 men.
The head-quarters of the 4é/wt are at Ramachandrapuram, situated in
the centre of the Af/w&, and north of the Mandapeta canal. Popula-
tion (1881) 2992, occupying 560 houses,
Rémallakota, — 7i/ut of Karnil (Kurnool) District, Madras
Presidency. Area, 334 square miles. Population (1881) 94,608,
namely, 48,393 mals and 46,305 females, dwelling in x town and
106 villages, containing 19,029 houses, Hindus number 77.138;
Muhammadans, 17,005; Christians, 548; and ‘others’ 7. Civil
courts, 25 criminal courts, 2; police circles, 13; regular police, 297
men. Land revenue, £15,158.
-puram (or Admndd).—Chief town of Rimindd aemfndied
in Madura District, Madras Presidency,—Se Raman
Raémandrig.—Hill sanitarium in Sanddr State, Bellary District,
Madras Presidency.—See RAMANMALAI. ‘
Raémanka,—Petty State in the Gohelwdr granti or ‘division of
Kathidwar, Bombay Presidency. Seven miles northof Dhola junction,
on the Bhaunagar-Gondal Railway, Arca, 2 square miles, Population
(1881) 509, Remanka consists of one village, held by two separate
shareholders. The revenue is estimated at £150; tribute of £57
is paid to the Gdekwdr of Baroda, and £10 to the Nawdb of
Junagarh,
Mi (Rimandrig, Rdmadurgam),— Vill sanitarium in
Sandur State, Bellary District, Madras Presidency, Lat. 15° 6° $07 8.
Tong. 76° 30' 30k. ; 38 miles west of Bellary town. Populatiom(1881)
568. Inthe year 1846, the Madras Government obtained permission
from the Chief of Sandir to establish a Convalescent Dept for the
European troops, serving in the Ceded Districts of Madras Presidency,
on the plateau of Ramandrig in the Sandur territory. The station is
built at a height of 3150 feet above the sea-level, 1660 abave Bellary,
and 1200 above the surrounding plain. ‘The plateau is from a mile to
a mile and a half long, by half a mile to three-quarters of a mile broad.
The average temperature of the hill very much resembles that of
Bangalore, but the climate is much more equable, and the variation of
the thermometer less. From its solitary position, even in the hottest
seasons, the air reaches it fresh, being rarified in its passage over a
lofty tableland. ‘There are several well laid out riding-paths on both
sides of the platean, which afford from all points beautiful views of the
RAMAS—RAMDRUG. at
surrounding country, On the plateau itsclf there are wpwards of 3
level road practicable for vehicles. Many good bridle
roads have been cut along the sides of the hills to the north and south.
‘The depét can accommodate Go single men and 10 families. The
residents of Bellary have 1g houses on the plateau.
Bamés,—Petty State in Mahi Kantha, Bombay Presidency, Esti-
mated area under cultivation, 2562 acres, Population (1881) 1745.
‘The revenue is returned at 4244; tribute of £15, 16s. is paid to the
GdekwSr of Baroda. ‘he Chief of Ramas, Mith Kali, is a Muham-
-Rambha.— Village in Ganjdm District, Madras Presidency.
Simated on the banks of the Chilka lake, and on the trunk road from
Madras to Calcutta, about 23 miles north-east of Ganjdm town, Popu-
‘Tition (1881) 3222, occupying 597 houses. A large two-storied house
_ buile in 1792 stands in a beautiful situation overlooking the lake,
” Postoffice.
Rambréi.—Petty State in the Khdsi Hills, under the presidency of
a Hew named U Amar Singh. Population (1881) 22025 revenue,
A4w The produets are rice, chillies, millet, Indian cor, ginger, job's
tears, ete. Cotton cloth is woven.
Ramdés.—Town and municipality in Ajndla f/sié, Amritsar
(Urariteur) District, Punjab ; situated in lat. 81 w.,long. 74° 58° E,
nearthe Kirnin stream, 12 miles north-east of Ajndla town. Popula-
Sakae 4498, namely, Muhammadans, 2539; Sikhs, 2645 and
‘Hindus, 1685. Number of houses, 959. Municipal income (1883.
one ‘average of 74d. per hea
ose Bidhé, «a discipte of Baba
faith, but pores its present nami
a. Area, 140 square m
fy £4,576 males and
442
RAMESWARAM. 443
time connected with the mainland. ‘The eastern half is merely a
narrow strip of sand. Rameswaram island contains one of the most
venerated Hindu shrines in India, founded, according to tradition,
by Rama himself, It is associated with Rama's journey to Ceylon in
search of Sitd, and plays an important part in the Rdmdyana. For
centuries this temple has been the resort of thousands of pilgrims, who
‘come from all parts of India through Rammnid to the crossing ; and it
is to their control of the passage from the mainland that the chiefs
of Rémeudd owe their hereditary title of Setupati, ‘Lord of the Bridge or
‘Causeway.
‘The island is to a great extent covered with daddf (Acacia arabica)
frees Cocoa-nut palms and a few gardens make up all the culti-
vation. It is principally inhabited by Bribmans and their followers,
who are supported by the profits derived from the temples. South
of the great temple is a fresh-water Jake, about three miles in
circumference,
“The great temple, or cei, stands on rising ground im the northern
part of the island, in a quadrangular enclosure 657 feet broad by about
#000 feet long, and is entered by a gateway roo fect high, The height
of the temple is about r20 feet; and, with its majestic towers, its vast
and gloomy colonnades, and its walls encrusted with carved work and
Satuary, it exhibits a grand example of the Dravidian style, The best
and oldest portion is built of a dark and hard limestone, to which there
is nothing similar in the rest of the building. Local tradition asserts
that it was erected by the Vara Raja Sekkarar of Kandy, with stone
eat and polished in Ceylon. The inner prttdram or corridor is
ascribed to the exertion and piety of an early Madura Nayak; and
it is known that the svkfatan, or magnificent mantapam outside,
was the work of two of the Ramndd Setupatis, The stone of this
Tatter building is a species of friable limestone quarried on the island,
requiring a thick coat of plaster to preserve it from decay under the
action of the sea-air. Its cost is said to have been defrayed by the
‘seaport dues of all the coast towns of the estate during the year that
dt was building. ‘The most striking features of the temple are the
‘tmassiveness of the workmanship (slabs of yo feet long being used in the
doorways and ceilings), and the wonderful pillared halls which surround
‘the inner shrine. ‘
“Mr: Jamies Fergusson, in his Aistory of Eastern Architecture (ec.
1876), thas describes this celebrated :—‘If it were proposed to
select one temple which should exhit the beauties of the Dravidian
style in their greatest periection, and at the same time excinplify all its
characteristic defects of design, the choice would almost inevitably fall
upon that at Rameswaram. In no other temple has the same amount
industry been exhibited as here ; and in none, unfortunately,
445 RAMESWARAM,
has that labour been so thrown away for want of a design appropriate
to its display. Tt is not that this temple has grown by successive
previousl; saa ered Cee eueligt cartied |
ly settled plan, as regularly as out
as at Tanjore, but on a principle so diametrically opposed to it, that
while the temple at‘Tanjore produces an effect greater than is due to its
mass or detail, this one, with double its dimensions and ten times its
elaboration, produces no effect externally, and internally ean only be
seen in detail, so that the parts hardly in any instance aid one another
in producing the effect aimed at.
* Externally, the temple is enclosed by a wall 20 feet in height,
with 4 gopuras, ane on each face, which have this peculiarity, that
they alone, of all those I know in India, are built wholly of stone from
the base to the summit. “he western one alone, however, is finished.
"Those on the north and south are hardly higher than the wall in which
they stand, and are consequently called the ruined gateways Partly
from their form, but more from the solidity of thelr construction,
nothing but an carthquake could well damage them. ‘They have never
been mised higher, and their progress was probably stupped in the
beginning of the last century, when Mubammadans, Mardthds, and
other foreign invaders checked the prosperity of the land, and destroyed
the wealth of the priesthood. ‘The eastern fagade has two entrances
and two gupuras, The glory of the temple, however, is in its corridors.
‘These extend to a total length of nearly ooo feet. Their breadth varies
from 20 feet to go fect of free floor space, and their height is apparently
about 30 feet from the floor to the centre of the roof Each pillar or
pier is compound, and richer and more elaborate in design than those
of the Parvati porch at Chidambaram, and certainly more modern in
date,
*None of our English cathedrals are more than goo feet long, and
even the nave of St. Peter's is only Goo feet from the door to the apse.
Here the side corridors are joo feet long, and open into transverse
galleries as rich in detail as themselves. ‘These, with the vatied devices
and modes of lighting, produce an effect that is not equalled
wher
p and “consequently from much of the vulgarity of the age to
which they belong, and, though narrower, produce a “more pleasing
effect, ‘The central corridor leading from the sanctuary is =
on one side by
century, and, op
ever, would be tolerable, were it not that within the last eit
they have been painted with a vulgarity that is inconceivable on
the part of the descendants of those who built this
these, but the whole of the architecture, hag first
RAMESWARAM TOWN—RAMGANGA, WESTERN, 443
Tepeated coats of whitewash, so as to take off all the sharpness of
detail, and then painted with blue, green, red, and yellow washes, so as
to disfigure and destroy its effect to an extent that must be seen to be
believed.
‘The age of this temple is hardly doubtful. From first to last its
style, excepting the old vimdéna, is so uniform and unaltered, that ils
in could hardly have Jasted during a hundred years; and if this
im have been during the 17th century, when the Ramndd
mt the height of their independence and prosperity, and
Thelt ally ‘or master, Tirumala Nayak, was erecting buildings in
© identical style at Madura, Jt may have been commenced
j earlier (r550), and the erection of its gopuras may have
‘extended into the 18th century, but these seem the possible limits of
deviation. Being so recent, any one on the spot could easily ascertain
the facts. They could, indeed, be determined very nearly from the
‘were it not for the whitewash and paint which so disfigure
the details 25 to make them almost unrecognisable.’
‘The temple, its ceremonies, and its attendant Bréhmans are main-
tained from the revenue of 57 villages, yielding an annual income of
about £4509, granted by former Rajds of the Ramadd samtaddrh.
‘The dingam is supposed to have been placed here by Rama ; and the
symbol is washed with Ganges water, which is afterwards sold,
‘Rémeswaram.—Town in Rimnid samindéri, Madura District,
Madras Presidency; situated on the eastern shore of Rameswaram
land. Population (188) 6119, namely, ‘indus, 5467; Muham
madans, 236 ; and Christians, oe Number of 6,
‘level; holds a generally
nto the: rjuat Rameswar.
‘Kumdun, with a very rapid
Bijnaur (Bijnor) District, alrea
it receives
446 RAMGARH COALHIELD AND HILL.
the rains for country boats, but remains fordable during the dry season ;
thence, flowing through Buddun into Shahjahdnpur, it ceases to, be
fordable at Jaldlibdd, and becomes navigable for boats of considerable
burden, which carry on a traffic in cereals and pulses, in the hands of
waders from Cawnpur; it next crosses into the Oudh District of
Hardoi, and finally joins the Ganges, nearly opposite Kanauj, after a
total course of about 373 miles. Its principal tributaries are the Kusi,
the Sanka, and the Deoha or Garah. During its whole course through
the plains, the Ramgangd flows in a shifting and uncertain channel
It changed its bed about the middle of this century, so 23 to run into
the Dajora and pass Bareilly city; but in the mins of 1871 it returned
to its old channel, about ro miles distant. During floods, the river
spreads out widely on either side, and deposits a fine alluvial muds
though in places where the current runs fiercely, it leaves instead a
layer of barren sand. Its waters are little used for purposes of
irrigation. ;
Rémgarh.—Coal-ficld in Hazdribagh District, Bengal ; in the D&mo-
dar valley, near the old village of Ramgarh, whence the field takes its
name. Its total area does not exceed go square miles; the
Jength from east to west being 14 miles, and the greatest width from
north to south about 8 miles. ‘The southern boundary is formed
by a fault; and owing to the peculiar way in which this has cut off
the rocks, it is extremely difficult, except in the case of the ironstone
shales, to estimate with any degree of certainty the thickness of the
several formations, The following ig a8 near an approximation as can
be made :—(1) Talcher series, 850 to goo feet; (2) Damodar series,
Barikhar group, 3000 feet ; ironstone shales group, 1200 feet; Raniganj
group, unknown, ‘The boulder conglomerate occurring at the base of
the Talcher racks is considered by geologists to be a shore deposit,
formed from silt gradually accumulating as the waters advanced
over the sinking surface, upon a fa/vs composed of boulders and
weathered masses of gneiss resting on the flanks of the
hills. ‘The usual carbonaceous ore of iron is found in the ironstone
shales; but it i quality, and its proportion is below the
average obtained in other fields. ‘The Rimgarh field is of but small
value in an economic point of view. The coal in the eastern part
occurs generally in thick seams, some of them having low dips ; but the
quality is so variable, thin bands of coal frequently al it
strong carbonaceous shale, that it is improbable that the former, even
under the most fayourable conditions of market and carriage, coald
ever be extracted with profit,
Rémgarh.—Hill in Sargija State, Chutid Ngpar, Bengal. A
rectangular mass of sandstone rising abruptly from the plain, about
‘8 miles west of Lakhanpur village. It is descended from the northem
RAMGARH TAHSIL AND TOWN, 447
side by a path, which follows the ridge of an outlying spur nearly as
far as the base of the main rock. Here, at a height of 2600 feet, is
an ancient stone gateway, the lintel of which is sculptured with an
image of Ganesha. A little west of this, but at the same level, a con-
‘stant stream of pure water wells out, in a natural grotto, from a fissure
in the massive bed of sandstome. A second gateway crowns the most
difficult part of the ascent. Colonel Dalton considers this to be the
best executed and most beautiful architectural antiquity of the entire
region, which abounds in remains indicating a previous occupation of
the country by some race more highly civilised than its present inhabit-
ants, ‘Though the origin of these gateways is unknown, the second is
unsestionably the more modern work, and belongs to that description
of Hindu architecture which bears most resemblance to the Saracenic,
On Rémgarh Hill are several rock-caves with roughly cut inscriptions,
and ruins of temples containing figures of Durga with twenty arms,
Hanuman, and other deities, But the most striking feature is the
eet in the northem Jace of the is known as the Hathpor,
and in its neig
hood, and its cave-tunnel, see Statistical conn tof Benga, vol. x
236-249]
i eh 7985
les fons
a8 RAMGARH FORT AND TOWN.
flows the Burhner, separating RAmyarh from the village of Amarpur,
the site of an phe pes pedir; In 1680, Ramgarh, with the title of
Raj, was bestowed by Rajd Narendra Sd on a chief who had assisted.
him in recovering his dominions, from which he had been expelled by
a cousin, aided by a Mubammadan force. The qui-rent was fixed
at £300, and was still in force at the British occupation in 1818,
On the execution of Raja Shankar Si—the descendant of the Gond
kings of Garhd-Mandld—at Jabalpur (Jubbulpore) for rebellion in 1857,
the Rani, who then represented the family on behalf of her lunatic
son, Amdn Singh, seized Ramgarh in her son's name, She beaded
her troops in several skirmishes with the English, but was at length
compelled to take to flight When the pursuit grew warm, she dis:
mounted and plinged a sword into her own bosom, She was carried
into the English camp, where she soon afterwards expired. Amin
Singh and his two sons then surrendered. The former was deprived
of his title of Réjé, and of his estate, a stipend being assigned to the
family for their support, Ramgarh village was formerly the head-
quarters of Raingarh fafsi/, which has now been shifted to Dinddrl
village, 16 miles to the north, Ramgarh is now simply a police outpost
station,
Rémgarh.—Fort i in Hindir State, Punjab. Lat: 31° 5’ x, Jong.
76° 51’ & Stands on a steep ridge which runs from the Himélayan
range to the left bank of the Sutlej (Satlaj). Dering the Giirkha war
‘of 1814, General Ochterlony invested the fort, and succeeded in con
veying guns up the steep and pathless slopes of the hillside;
which, after a short cannonade, the garrison Elevation
above sea-level, 4054 feet. ‘The fort is very substantially built im several
compartments, and is supplied with masonry reservoirs for the storage
of rain water, About a mile down the hill, on the north slope, isa
monument erected to the memory of Lieutenant G. T. Williams of the
rd Native Infantry, who fell in the action fought here with the
nate the 26th November 1884.
‘h.—Guaranteed Thikurate under the Bhopal Agency of
eat India. The Thikur receives through the Political Agent the
following fankhas or pecuniary allowances in lieu of rights over lands,
viz—from Holkar, £100; from Sindhia, £681; from Dewds, £10;
rom ,
13, i ely, $488 males and 5825 females,
jans, 2320; and * others,” 57. Contains many palatial
most imposing appearance as it is approached:
office.
RAMGHAT—RAMKAIL. 449
Ramghat.—Town in Aniipshahr ¢a4sid, Bulandshahr District, North-
Western Provinces. Situated on the right bank of the Ganges; distant
from Andpshahr 20 miles south-east, from Bulandshahr town 42 miles
southeast, One of the sacred ghéés to which pilgrims in the neighbour-
‘hood resort to bathe in the Ganges. Population (1881) 2903. ‘The
population of the town has largely decreased of late years, as Réjghdt,
with its station on the Qudh and Rohilkhand Railway, and its
permanent bridge over the Ganges, has become a more popular place
of resort The river also has taken a new course, which threatens
‘entirely to wash away the town, A bridge of boats conveys the Aligarh
and Islimnagar road across. the Ganges for cight months of the year,
‘Trade with Robilkhand; and, by boat, with Benares and Mirsdpur.
Village school, girls’ | school, police station, post-office. The Marithds
were defeated here in 1763 by a combined British and Oudh force,
Numerous Hindu temples, none of architectural importance. A small
house-tax is raised for police and conservancy purposes.
‘Ramgiri,— Hill in Bangalore District, Mysore State, on the left
bark of the Arkavati. Lat. 12° 45' N., long. 77" 22" x. Crowned with
the ruins of fortifications, captured by the British in 2791. On the
foundation of Closepet in 1800, the inhabitants of Ramgiri removed to
the new settlement, 2
Raémia Bihér.—Village in Kheri District, Oudh ; situated on the
south side of an old channel of the Kauridla, now closed up and form-
ing a lake, Population (1881) 2103, namely, 1852 Hindus and a5¢
Mesalmins. Picturesquely situated between fine groves east and west
of the village. Small market.
_ Ramisseram,—Island and town in Madura District, Madras
Presidency. —See Ramnswanas.
‘Rémkail.—Fair held annually on of the Hindu month
of Jaishtha (about the middle
Gaur, in the immediate neighbou
Déstrict, Bengal. Pilgrims and oth ict
‘sect, flock hither to sede pe m
450 RAMKOT—RAMNAD.
6 in Sitdpur District, Oudh; bounded on the
north by Sitipur Agrgand, on the east by Khairibad, on the south by
Machhrehta, and on the west by Misrikh. A small pargamé with an
area of 20 square miles, of which xx are under cultivation, Population
(1881) 7666. ‘The incidence of the Government land revenue is at the
rate of 3s. 44d. per acre of cultivated area, 2s. 3d. per acre of assessed
area, or 1s, rigd, per acre of total area, The village of Ramkot, from
which the paryand derives its name, is said to have been founded by
Rama himself during his wanderings in exile. It is situated 7 miles
from Sitdpur town ; noted for its fine tanks, and a favourite resort of
the European residents of the civil station. The Af/atddrs are Janwar
Rajputs, the descendants of a chief who acquired the tract in 1707 by
conquest from the Kachheras.
Rammén.—One of the tributaries of the Great Ranjit river in
Darjiling District, Bengal It rises under the Phalilum mountain in
the Singflild range, which separates Dirjiling from Nepdh ‘The
Raroman first touches upon theformer District in its extreme north-west
portion, whence it flows along the northern boundary from west to east
until it falls into the Great Ranjit, in lat. 27" 8' N., and long. 88° 19" &
‘The banks of the river are abrupt and covered for the most part with
forest and jungle, its bed is rocky, and it is not fordable at any season
ofthe year. ‘The principal tributaries of the Rammadn within Darjiling
District are the Ratho and Sri.
Ramnid.—Zamindéré estate in Madura District, Madras Presi:
dency ; lies between lat. 9° 3° and 10" 2's., and long. 78" and 79° a4’ 8.
Bounded’ on the ‘north’ hy Sivagangn: saiéndet mud
taluk ; on the east by Tanjore District and Palk’s al ‘on the south
by the Gulf of Manaar; and on the west by Tinnevelli District.
‘The chief is the head of the Maravdr caste. Pokaldr, now a small
hamlet on the Madura road, xo miles north-west of Ramndd,
was formerly the family seat; but about the commencement of the
18th century: they moved their capital to the present town, and
it. ‘The fortifications (now destroyed) consisted of a wall 27
n ands fcet thick, surrounded by a ditch, now filled with
In the centre of the fort is the royal palace, Amid the
which followed on the death of Tirumala in 1659, the
d title of the Rajds of Ramndd) succeeded in Jains
tegrity of his ancestral dominions. But in the
tury a succession of famines desolated the country.
ternal dissensions ; and in 1729 the king-
ered. ‘Three-fifths were left to-the legiti-
vorfifths were | igned to a rebellious vassal, whose
descendant now bears the title of Rajd of Sivagangé. ‘Thettreaty of a792
provided that the gdlegdrs dependent on the Sudadsiirl or Governor
RAMNAD TOWN—RAMNAGAR. 4gt
ship'of Arcot should be placed under the British Government. On
‘this occasion Colonel Martyn was sent with a small force to occupy
Ratoni, and to arrange for the punctual collection of the revenue due
from the estate, In 1795 the samingdr was deposed for rebellion,
and sent as a prisoner to Madras, Im 1803 the Government made
‘over Ramndd to the elder sister of the deposed samindér, the
assessment being fixed permanently at two-thirds of the gross revenue,
as then estimated, The estate is now in the hands of the Court
of Wards, the sewinddr being a minor, He will not come of age till
1889.
The general appearance of the country is flat and uninteresting.
Large groves of palmyra palms form the only featare in the landscape.
‘The Vaigai river, which waters Madura, supplies the large tank at
Rimndd, capable of irrigating over 6000 acres of land. The total
number of tanks in the zeminddri is about 2000. The population was
returned by the Census of 1871 av 500,653 persons, The Census of
2881 returned a total of 432,542, namely, 201,990 males and 230,552
females, dwelling in 80,797 houses. Hindus number 344,188 ; Mubam-
madans, 60,436; Christians, 27,910; and ‘others,’ 8, The area is
about 2400 square miles; the total revenue is estimated at £74,1745
the fesktash, or tribute payable to the British Government, is £31,400.
In 1769, the famous Jesuit, John de Britto, was put to death by the
Raja of Rémndad.
Ramndd (Aimandthe-puram, Rimantde-puram).— Chief town ot
Ramnad momiadért, Madura Distriet, Madras Presidency; situated
in tat. 9 22° 16" w,, and long, 78° 52' 9° « Population (1871)
45.442; (1881) 10,519, namely, 4853 males and 5666 females, residing
fn 2027 houses, Hindus number 8532; Muhammadan:
‘Christians, 294. Within the fort, the »
upon service about the palace.
Chettis and Labbays, in whose hands is the
‘8 a neat Protestant church, bel ; to ‘iety for the Pro-
n here ; two Roman Catholic
the resort of the
pilgrims | passing through RAmn:
town was captured by General Smi
‘princes claimed the title of
(Causeway, in allusion to the Teger it)
pit Adam's Bridge and ‘oar
about 2 mile above Benares city, of which it may be
considered a suburb, and on «! opposite or or southern bank. It is the
a2 RAMNAGAR TOWN AND VILLAGE,
residence of the Mahirajf of Benares, who has a palace In the town.
Interesting old fort; handsome temple, tank, and arden, commenced
by Chait Singh, and finished by the present Mahdrajé. Population
(1881) 11,859, namely, males 6060, and females $799. Hindus
number 9382, chiefly Brthmans and Bhuinhdrs; and Muhammadans,
2477. Two broad and well-kept roadways bisect the town, lined with
masonry shops and several ornamental private buildings In the
streets leading off from the principal roadways, the houses are mostly
built of mud, and are tileroofed. Rimnagar is a considerable com-
mercial centre, The gol ‘or grain mart, situated near the fort, is a
small square with busy grain shops, pirhreimthccetit) zie ‘speciality
in the manufacture of tiding-whips, and wicker-work stools and chairs.
‘The public buildings consist of a police station, postoffice, and an
English school, On the southern outskirt of the town is a welbkept
Sardi or native inn. A small house-tax is levied for police dnd con-
servancy purposes.
ar.—Town and municipality in Wazirdbid tadstt, Gujnin-
walé District, Punjab; situated below the high bank of the river
Chenab (Chinab), 22 miles southwest of Waziribad, and 28 miles
north-west of Gujcinwdld town, in Tat. 32" 19, and long. 73° so"
Population (1881) 6830, namely, Muhammadans, 4609; Hindus,
1845; Sikhs, 33¢; and Jains, 45. Number of houses, 148%, Meni-
cipal income (1883-84), 4514, or an average of 18. Gd. per head.
‘The town, originally known a3 Rastilnagar, was founded by Nur
Muhammad, a Chattah chieftain, who possessed great power in the
Punjab during the first half of the 18th century. Tt rapidly grew
into importance under his family, Tr was stormed in 1795 by Ranjit
Singh, after a gallant resistance made by Ghulim Muhammad, the
reigning Chattah chief, and received from the Sikhs ite new name of
Ramnagar. The population has decreased of late years. Manufveture
of leathern vessels, used as sacks and bottles. Annual fair on 1st of
April, attended by 25,000 persons, Several fine buildings, erected
during the Chattah supremacy, still remain. During the ‘second Sikh
war, Lord Gough first encountered the Sikh troops of Sher ‘Singh near
Ramnagar i in 1848.
imnagar,—Village in the District of the Twenty-four Parganits,
Bengal Market twice a week.
Rémnagar.—Village i in Champdran District, Bengal, Lat 29° yf
53° Ny long. 84° 22° 2" B; 13 miles northwest of Bettid. Only mote
worthy as the residence of the R4jd of Raimnagar, whose title was) first
conferred by the Emperor Aurangzeb in 1676, and confirmed by the
British Government in 1860, His revenue is principally derived from
the produce of the Rémnagar jungles. ‘The village has a very bad
reputation for fever,
RAMNAGAR PARGANA—RAMPA, 453
Ramnagar, —Jrgand in Fatchpur éahsi, Bara Banki District,
Qudh; bounded on the north by the Chaukd river; on the east by
Bado Sardi Aargand ; on the south by the Kalyani river; and on the
‘west by Fatehpur fargand. Area, 112 square miles, or 71,716 acres, of
which 50,732 acres are cultivated. Population (1881) 80,559, namely,
males 42,649, and females 37,910, Of the 168 villages which com-
prise the paryand, 138 are held in fé/uddéri, 2 in saminddri, and 28 in
Seni Government land revenue, £6850, at the rate of 3
per cultivable acre. ‘The principal proprictor is a Raikwdr Rajput,
fans Sarabjit Singh. Communication is afforded by a metalled road
with the great timber mart of Bahramghat, which lies within the far
gand, and by the main road from Faizdbad (Fyzabad) to Sitdpur and
Kher The surgund contains 6 village schools, 2 post-offices, police
sation, and registration office,
~—Town in Bara Barki District, Oudh ; situated about
4 miles from Bahramghdt, in lat. 27° 5' N., and long. 81° 26’ go" B.
peerinn (£881) 5376, namely, Hindus 4398, and Muhammadans 978.
‘of houses, ys6. Formerly the head.quarters of a faAsil or
Sino. but this has been recently removed to Fatchpur, Police
station, registration office, and branch dispensary, A small house-tax
is levied for police and conservancy purposes,
~—Town in Mandi District, Central Provinces; 10 miles
ext of Mandl town. Situated in and long. 80” 33' E., at
a
‘Chaurdgarh by the Bundelds, and the Be | of the Mughal Empire on
the one hand, and of the Deogarh Gon' i on the other, made it
tired stronghold
de Sd, sith of
the ling, fixed on Ramnagar, whic
eight reigns, until Narendra,
Ramnagar was a large and i important
nk in the centre,
mall temple beats
Gond dynasty for
Dy to the time of
_ Ramps (Xmpo#)—Hill division, portion of what is
Known as the ‘Agency Tract ir jadras Presidency.
Tat. 177 18' 40" to 17° 49' N., and {or 34° 30" to 82° x Popula
RAMPAILI—RAMPUR, 455
seni beasts, Two small schools—one at Chod:varam, and another
at
Rémpéili.— ‘Town in Tirord faAsi4, Bhandaré District, Central
Provinces. Population (1881) 2157, namely, Hindus, 1696; Muham-
madans, 207 ; and non-Hindu aborigines, 254.
—Petty State in the Jhaldwae front or division of
Kithidwér, Bombay Presidency. It consists of 1 village, with two
Separate holders. Area, 5 square miles, Population (1881) 423, The
revenue Is estimated at £103; and tribute of £7, 105. is paid to the
British Government.
"Native State in Rohilkhand, under the political super-
intendence of the Government of the North-Western Provinces ; lying
between 28° 25’ and 297 10'S. lat, and between 73° 54’ and 79° 28°
& long. Bounded on the north and west by the British District of
Moradibdd, and on the north-east and south-east by the District of
Bareli (Bareilly). ‘The area is returned by the Census Report of 1881
at 899 square miles, but the North-Western Provinces Gasetteer puts it
at 945 square miles. Population (1881) 541,914. ‘The chief town, and
the residence of the Nawab, is Rampur.
Physical Aspects, —Rimpur State is a level, fertile tract of country,
abundantly supplied with water in its northern division by the Kosila
and Nihal rivers. Both of these streams hold a generally southerly
‘course nearly parallel to cach other, the Nabal flowing about ten miles
ast of the Kosila. The southern i
the Ramgangf, which, after receiving
easterly direction into Bareilly District. tbe
is from north to south and south-eas
of Rampur, a few miles father ae
‘The country in the vicinity of the cay
i
as far as ee Central Tn
will sometimes fetch as much as £20 or £3
History—The first Robilli Afghins who |
were two brothers, Shih Alam and Husain
456 RAMPUR.
of the 17th century came to seek service under the Mughal Emperor.
The son of the first of these, David Khdn, distinguished himself in the
Mardthd wars, and received a grant of land near Buddun. His adopted
son, Alf Muhammad, obtained the title of Naw4b and a grant of
the greater part of Rohilkhand in 1719. Having offended the
Subahddr of Oudh, Safdar Jang, who was jealous at his rapid rise to
power, Alf Muhammad was compelled to surrender all his possessions
in 1746, and was kept a close prisoner at Delhi for six months, after
which he was released and appointed governor of the Mughal Province
of Sirhind, where he remained for a year. But taking advantage of the
confusion consequent on the invasion of Ahmad Shah Abdali, he
regained supremacy over Rohilkhand in 1747, and eventually obtained
confirmation of this territory from the son of the Emperor Muhammad
Shah. After the death of Ali Muhammad, the estates were divided
among his sons, and the jdgtr of Rémpur Kotera fell to Faiz-ulld, the
younger son, On the incursion of the Mardthds, the Rohilld Sardrs,
as the chiefs of the family were termed, applied for aid to the Nawdb
Waztr of Oudh. This was granted on the promise of a payment of 40
dskhs of rupees, The Rohilld4s, however, failed to fulfil their pecuniary
obligations, and the Nawd4b Wazir turned his arms against them and
defeated them in the battle of Mirénpur Katra in Shahjahdnpur District,
in which Nawdb Hafiz Rahmat Khan was slain. By the intervention
of the British authorities, a treaty was concluded in 1774, by which
Faiz-ullé Khan was secured in the estate of Rampur on condition of
military service to the Wazir. This obligation was afterwards com-
muted for a cash payment of £150,000. On the death of Faiz-ullé in
1793, dissensions broke out in the family, the eldest son was murdered,
and the jdgér usurped by a younger son. As the State was held under
British guarantee, the aid of British troops was given to the Nawdb of
Oudh in ejecting the usurper and installing Ahmad Ali Khdn, son of
the murdered chieftain.
On the cession of Rohilkhand to the British Government, in 1801,
the family were confirmed in their possessions. For his unswerving
loyalty during the Mutiny of 1857, Muhummad Yusaf Al{ Khdn, the
Nawab of Rémpur, received a grant of land assessed at £12,852 in
perpetuity, in addition to other honours and an increase of guns in
his salute. He was succeeded, in 1864, by his son, the present chief,
Nawib Muhammad Kalb Ali Khan, G.CSI, CLE, who at the
Imperial Assemblage at Delhi received a standard, and an addition for
life of two guns to his salute, which is now 15, the salute of the chief-
ship being 13 guns. The Nawab has been an invalid since 1875, but
still continues to administer the most important affairs of the State.
His son and heirapparent, Nawdb Mushtak Ali Khdn, is now (1885)
27 years of age.
RAMPUR. 457
Pepulation—Wn 1872; 0/Census taken concurrently with that of the
North-Western Provinces retumed the population of Rampur State ar
507,004; the Census of 1881 showed a population of $41,914, being an.
increase of 34,910, or 6-9 per cent, notwithstanding that in the nine
years’ interval the State suffered, in common with the rest of Rohilkhand,
from the severe ‘scarcity of 1877-78, and epidemics of malarious fever
in 1878.and 1879.
‘The details of the Census of 1881 may be thus summarized >—Area,
899 square miles; number of towns 3, and of villages 1070; houses,
103,279, ‘Total population 514,914, namely, males 285,359, and
females 259,555. Average density, 603 persons per square mile 5
persons per town or village, ado persons per house, 5*2.
Religion —The population is entirely divided between Hindus and
the former numbering 302,980, and the latter 258,925.
Among the Hindu castes, Brihmans number 16,029; Rajputs, 8802 ;
Kafyasths, 6487; and Baniyds, 9341. Of the lower castes, the most
important numerically are the following: —Chamdr, 47,362; Lodh,
90,125; Kuni, 35,319; Mali, 20,8795 Kachhi, 17,9515 Kahds,
Gadarid, 6770} Kumbhar,
4166; Bhurjl, 3758; the
ng less.
maliepe
Muhammadans,
are but few Mughals in the
458 RAMPUR,
cultivation, and ft is believed that at no very distant period nothing
but absolutely barren tracts will be left uncultivated. A. decrease in
the cultivated area has, however, recently taken place in a few villages
on the éardi border, owing to the malaria that prevails there; and
in a few other villages along the banks of the Rémgangd and Kosi
rivers, owing to unusually heavy floods. The Bahgul Canal irrigates
portions of the Bildspur ¢a/sté, An imigation canal from the Kosila
to the Rimgung4, a length of 37 miles, is under construction by the
State.
Commerce and Trade, et.—The principal exports of Rémpur State
‘are sugar and rice, sent to the west; hides to the east, chiefly to Agra
and Calcutta; and Afes (a kind of damask), for which the capital is
famous, to all parts of India, The imports comprise piece-goods from
Caleutta, salt from Rajputina, and spices for local consumption. There
is a considerable trade in elephants and horses, and enormous numbers
of goats are brought from the western Districts for food. Besides
sugarrefining and Akes-weaving, the only other manufacture wotthy of
hote is a rough glazed pottery, which has recently attracted much atten-
tion. Tt differs from the blue and white pottery of Mullidp, the
blues used being much lighter in shade and tinged with green. It
is said that the peculiar clay of which alone this pottery can be made,
is only found in a tank near Rampur town. Eight firms were employed
in this industry in 1881-82,
Administration—The total income of the State in 1880-81 amounted
to £158,657, of which £155,805 was derived from the land; the
expenditure in the same year was £151,484, including 9,057 for
civil administration, £35,218 for public warks, £26,693 for troops
and police, and £15,562 for the personal expenses of the Nawib and
his family. ‘There are 3 courts in the State, following the principles of
Hindu or Mubammadan law, according to the religion of the parties.
In criminal matters, the provisions of the Indian Penal Code are
carried out as far as practicable, All sentences of death require
confirmation by the Nawdb. ‘The civil courts of first instance are of
two kinds—one for suits for debt, and the other for claims relating to
» etc, There arc 2 appellate courts, while a final appeal
Nawab in person. ‘The military force of Rampur ordinarily
consists of 28 guns, with 300 artillerymen; 570. cavalry ; 300 military
foot police ; and 730 ‘miscellancous foot.” ‘The State contains a jail,
with a daily ‘average of about 400 prisoners; 2 postoffices 5, 5 dispen-
10 State schools, with 316 pupils in 183%, besides x52
‘indigenous chools (maktads), with 1048 pupils, Rampur is famous
» and many students come from
Afghdnistin, and even Bokhéra. No tuitionfee is taken from these
visitors; on the contrary, if they live in a mosque, the people of the
RAMPCR CAPITAL AND TOWN. 459
neighbourhood support them, and they always receive a shore of the
public charities,
Medical Aspects.—No regular meteorological observations are taken
in Rampur; but it is believed that the rainfall, owing to the proximity
of the State to the hills, is greater than in the neighbouring British
Districts of Moradatdid and Barcilly. ‘The climate is also said to be
cooler for the same reason. ‘The northern part of Rampur adjoins the
fandé at the foot of the Himilayas, and shares its characteristics. This
part of the country isa marshy forest, overrun with jungle and gras of
such tuxuriant growthas to conceal a man on horseback. ‘The air in
Consequence is pestilential, except in the coldest period of winter, and
during the heaviest rains.
Rémpur.—Capital of Rampur State, North-Western Provinces, and
the residence of the Nawab, situated in Jat, 28° 48' 30° N., and long.
79° 5° 30° &, on the left bank of the Kosiln river, about 18 miles
due east from Moradibéd town, with which it is connected by a
‘tmetalled road. Another metalied road runs south-east to Bareilly.
Population (1881) 74,250, namely, males 36,355, and females 37,895.
Muhammadans H
enclosed by a broad, dense, nearly
to miles in circumference ; it has
guards are stationed. ‘The Jama
small but crowded Safdarganj squar
circular area. To the north-west a
hall; the Aduwrshid Mansif or sa
accommodated ; the Afachhi Bhan
and the swméma buildings. TI
_
north of the town, consists of a rai
b of a rai
town, but the lanes are narrow
460 RAMPUR VILLAGE AND ZAMINDARI.
numerous brick-built houses, with handsome fronts, especially those
belonging to the Jain prfearnasecsaletins ipa! Ce aa
an active trade in grain. Handsome new Jain temple, with gilt
"Pd ara ent bere teen (Suh op RARAIRAE eR EP eA by
Sdldy Masadd, Manufacture of glass bangles; which employs 6 lane
ovens. Religious fair in June, at the tomb of a Muhammadan saint,
Shaikh Ibrdhim, attracts a lange number of devotees, Furgand school,
police station, post-office. ‘The town contains several gardens, and. is
surrounded by numerous groves. A stall hoase-tax is levied for police
and conservancy purposes.
Raémpur.—Village in Aliganj ¢adst/, Etah District, North-Western
Provinces. Distant from Aliganj 4} miles north, from Etah town
32 miles east. Busy little trading town, but chiefly remarkable as the
residence of Rajd Ramachandra Sen, a lineal descendant of the Last
Rahtor Raja of Kanauj, and tenth in descent from Raja Ram Sahai,
who founded the town in 1456 Ay The Raja of Rampur ranks as
head of the Rahtor clan in this part of India. ‘The village is com:
monly known as Rampur Raji. Population (1881) 46705 ipiaceally
Brébmans and Kachhfs. Market on Sundays and Wednesdays.
small house-tax is levied for police and conservancy purposes.
Rampur,—Town in Bashahr (Bussahir) State, Punjab, and the
winter residence of the Rdjd. Lat 32" 27’ 6, long. 77° 40! ms
Mentioned by Thornton as standing at the base of a lofty mountain,
overhanging the left bank of the Sutlej (Satlaj), and 138 feet above the
stream. Cliffs surround the town and confine the air, so that during
summer the radiation from the rocks renders the heat intolerble. ‘The
houses rise in tiers, many of them being built of stone. The town is
famous for its fine shawls, the well-known Rampur chadars, The RAs
palace, at the north-east corner of the town, consists of several buildings,
‘with carved wooden balconies, exhibiting marks of Chinese style. he
Gurkhas did much damage to the town and its trade during the period
of their supremacy ; but it has begun to recover under British protection,
The resides at Rampur during the winter, and retires to the cooler
Sardhan for the hottest months. Elevation above seadevely
— Zamindéri estate attached to Sambalpur District,
Cental Provinces, Area, 190 square miles; villages; 108; houses,
59 Population (1881) 23,248, namely, males 6776, and females
6472; density of population, 69'7 persons per square mile, Chief
products — tice, oil-seeds, Dulses, etc, Sdé, si, dhderd, ebony, and
other timber tees grow in the forests; iron-ore is found in many
parts ‘The estate was originally granted by Chhatra Sé, Raja of
Sambalpur, in 1639, to Prin Nath, a Rajput. In 1855, some relations
of Rajd Nardyan Singh were murdered by the brothers Surendra Sa
| RAMPUR PARGANA—RAMPURA, 46t
and Udant Sd, who were condemned to imprisonment for life. While
‘undergoing their sentence at Hazirlbigh, they were released by the
munineers in 1857; and at once stirred up rebellion in SaMBALPUR.
having joined ‘the rebel forces of Surendra Sé, was out
lawed and his estate confiscated. He, however, came under the terms
of the amnesty, and the estate was restored to him. On his death in
170 he was succeeded by his grandson, Bakhtawdr Singh, the present
chief. ‘The annual income of the chief is estimated at £180 ; tribute
of £70 is payable to the British Government. Rampurvillage contains
@ school, with an average attendance of 4o pupils,
+= Pargand in Behar tafsid, Partibgarh (Pratabgarh) District,
‘Ovdh, extending from the river Sai on the north almost to the Ganges
‘on the south. Area, 179 square miles, of which 79 are under cultiva-
fom. Population (1881) 73,962, namely, males 36,374, and females
37588. Number of villages or townships (wausds), 191, all held in
tilekdért cenure ; forming wo estates, owned by the Bisen Kshatrriya
oo ia ame and the Kanhpuria Kshattriya Raja of Kaithaula,
Walled town in Tonk State, Réjputdna, now known as
Lat. 25° 57’ 53” x. long. 76° 7' 26" BE; 70 miles
south of Jaipur (Jeypore), go south-east of Nasirdbid (Nusseenibéd),
145 west of Agra. Captured by the British in 1804, restored 10
Hotkar in 1805. In 118, when Holkar's dominions had been
conquered by the British, Rampurd was added as a free gift to the
ions which had been guaranteed in 1817 to Amir Khan, the
founder of the Tonk family. Population (1881) 3378.
.—Pewty State in Rewa Kantha, Bombay Presidency.
anes: square miles, There are 8 shareholders. ‘The revenue is
estimated at £558 ; and tribute of £142, 4s. is paid to the Gickwar
of Baroda. Soil rich, yielding the better kinds of crops,
‘The site of famous Jain temples, situated in the Sadn
‘on the western border of Udaipur State, Rajputina. ‘The
temples, which comprise two buildings sacred to Parasndth, are said to
have been crected by Dharma Seth in 1440, during the reign of Rana
Kumbhu, ata cost of 75 Métis of rupees (£750,000). They are built
‘of sandstone from the quarries at Narlai, +3 miles distant, ‘The first or
smaller teniple consists of an oblong building raised high above the
with only one door, opposite which is the image of Pirasndth,
carved out of black marble, the only one of that colour in the place,
‘The outside is handsomely carved and covered with figures. ‘The larger
temple covers a rectangular piece of ground, measuring 260 by 244
feet, enclosed by an outer wall, having 86 sikras or shrines, exch con-
taining an image of PArasnith, built against its internal facc. The
‘entrance is at the west, with a flight of steps up the plinth about 12
feet high, whence a beautiful view of the interior is obtained, Immedi-
462 RAMPUR BEAULEAH—RAMPUR HAT.
ately in front is the largest and most finely carved dome, three
storeys in height, with a figure of Indra and eleven others, suspended,
as it were, from the roof, Underneath is a figure of Ganesh. In the
centre is an open colonnade, with no less than 420 richly-sculptured
pillars, supporting a roof with a shrine at each corner, each of which
also contains a figure of Pérasnéth. This colonnade surrounds an open
space in the centre of the entire enclosure in which stands the principal
shrine, beautifully carved both inside and out. It has four doors,
opposite each of which is a life-sized figure of Parasndth, carved out of
white marble. There are said to be huge vaults underneath the
temple, containing many more images of Pérasndth. Upwards of ten
thousand pilgrims meet at these temples during the fairs held in March
and September.
Rémpur Beauleah.—Chief town and administrative head-quarters
of Rajshah{ District, Bengal ; situated on the north bank of the Ganges,
in lat. 24° 22 5" N., and long. 88° 38’ 55” £. The seat of administra-
tion was transferred to this town from Néttor in 1825. Rémpur
Beauleah was first selected by the Dutch, in the early part of the last
century, for the establishment of a factory ; and subsequently for many
years it was the head-quarters of an English commercial Residency.
‘The town is of modern growth, and is built for the most part on river
alluvion ; it is liable to encroachments of the Ganges, and has suffered
severely from inundations, Population (1881) 19,228, namely, males
10,210, and females 9018. Hindus number 9522; Muhammadans,
9632; and ‘others, 74. Municipal income (1876-77), £1111:
1883-84, £1909, of which £1741 was derived from taxation ; average
incidence of taxation, 18. 5]d. per head (20,024) of the population
within municipal limits. Rampur Beauleah conducts a large traffic by
river with the railway station of Kushtid on the opposite bank of the
Ganges. In 1876-77 the total exports were valued at £342,000,
chietly sik (£251,000), rice (£21,000), oilseeds (£7000), hides
(£6000), and indigo (£3000). The total imports were valued at
£109,000, including sugar (£109,000), salt (£24,000), and piece-
goods (£18,000), Owing to a change in the system of registration,
no later trade returns are available.
Rampur Hat —Sub-division of Birbhtim District, Bengal, transferred
trom the neighbouring District of Murshidibéd in January 1873. Area,
660 square miles: number of villages, 1368; houses, 65,782. Popu-
lation (1881) males 148,266, and females 162.241 ; total, 310,507.
Clasitied acconding to religion, there were — Hindus, 220,328 ;
Muhanimadans, $0,707; Christians, 9 ; Santils, 0146 ; other aborigines,
Average density of population, 464 persons per square mile;
ges pet square mile, 2°04; persons per village, 227 ; houses per
square mile, 109; persons per house, 47. This Subdivision com-
RAMPUR HAT HEAD-QUARTERS—RAMRI, 463
prises the 3 police circles (#idnds) of Rampur Hit, Maureswar, and
Naltati, In 1883 it contained r civil and 1 criminal court, with a
regular police force of 57 officers and men, and 2670 rural police or
Lene Separate cost of Sub-divisional administration,
pe haies ‘Hét.—Head-quarters of the Rampur Hat Sub-division,
Birbhim District, Bengal ; situated in the north-east of the District, in
Jas, 24° 9' x. and long. 87° 49’ 30” &. Station on the East Indian
Railway, 136 miles from Howrah.
»—Village in Hata tahsl/, Gorakhpur District,
North-Western Provinces, 38 miles from Gorakhpur town.
Rampur —Vown in Sitipur District, Oudh; situated 1
mile east af the Chauka and 3 miles west of the Gogra river, 44 miles
south-east of Sitdpur town. Population (1881) 2315, residing in 385
mud-built houses, Market; Government school.
Bamri.—tsland off the coast of Lower Burma, included in Kyauk-
pyd District, Arakan. [t contains the townships of Ramri and
Kyave-rvy, in the latter of wi ich is Kyauk-pyu ‘Town, the head-
i is crossed by a range of moun-
and south-southeast direction,
from 500 to 1500 feet; highest
‘of Ramri are timber, rice, indigo,
und on the island.
own. as Ranart District,
ik-twe, Nig-yaur
ort In ret e
464 RAM SANEHT
side of an amphitheatre formed by numerous low ranges of partially
wooded hills, separated by small hollows and ravines. Daring the
existence of the Arakan kingdom it was the seat of the governor of
the island, and was then, and is still, called by the Arakamese
‘Tanmyo.' After the Burmese conquest, it was retained as the head-
quarters of the governor, but was known to the Burmese as
*Yan-bai.myo,’ and to the Arakanese as *Ran-breh-myo,’ which mame
has been corrupted by Europeans into Ramri,
Ramri town was probably in its most flourishing condition about
1805 ap, when its inhabitants carried on an extensive trade with
Bengal, Bassein, and ‘Tavoy. A few years Inter, it suffered much from
the rebellion of Khyin-bran and from the retaliatory measures of
the Burmese. Khyin-bran appears to have had many adherents in
the town ; and, after his defeat, large numbers of the inhabitants were
killed or forced to fly the country. During the first Anglo-Burmese
war, the place was occupied without resistance by the troops under
General Macbean, the Burmese having evacuated the judiciously
constructed defences before the arrival of the British force, One
of these defences was an unusually strong stockade, within which all
civil and military business had been carried on. On the conquest
of Arakan by the British, Ramri was made the head-quarters of a
District of the same name, and so remained until 1852, when, in com.
sequence of An and Ramri being joined together, Kyauk-pyd, till then
the head-quarters of An, became the chief town of the new District.
Tn 1853 the population was estimated at about 9006, of whom nearly
twothirds were Arakanese. On the removal of the head-quarters
to Kyauk-pyi, Ramri sank to the position of the chief station of a
township, and has decreased in importance. In 1876-77 it bad only
4028 inhabitants, who carried on a coasting trade with Chittagong,
Sandoway, and Bassein, In 1881 the population was 46%. ‘The
public buildings include a court-house, police station, and an old and
new market-place,
Rém Sanehi,—7Zir/sid or Sub-division of Bara Banki District, Oudh
aa on the north by Ramnagar, on the east by Nawdbganj, on
the south by Muzaflarkhina, and on the west by Haidargarh and Bara
Banki feAsiés, Area, 588 square miles, of which tides are cultivated.
Population (1869) 383,410; (1881) 354,706, namely, males £77,477,
and females 177,229. Decrease of population in nine years, 30,704,
or $'4 per cent, Classified according to religion, there were in 1881—
Hindus, 296,464 ; Mubammadans, 57,862 ; Jains, 373; and * others," 7,
Of the 625 towns and villages comprising the fafsi, 374 contain
less than five hundred inhabitants; 174 from five hundred to a
thousand; 75 from one to five thousand; and 2 upwards of five thou-
sand, This éaAsif comprises the 5 farywnds of Sunijpur, Darydixid,
RAMTAL—RAMTEK, 465
Rudaali, Basrohi, and Mawai Maholdrs, In 1884 it contained x civil
and 2 criminal courts; police circles (¢idnds), 5 ; anda regular police
force of 67 officers and men, besides a rural police or village watch.
Rémtal.—Lake on the Ramthi madi in Darjlling District, Bengal.
As measured on the map, it is 550 yards long, by about zoo yards broad.
For 30 or 49 yards from each bank, in the upper part of the lake, dead
stamps of trees fx séfe appear above the surface of the water, showing
that the Raimtfl has increased in depth within the time that such
timber can remain under watce without falling to pieces, For more
than a quarter of a mile extends a delta of comparatively modern
formation, composed af slate shingle, yearly encroaching on the
area of the lake, which, on account of its recent origin, cannot be
assigned to glacial action in any form, It seems most probable thar
both the lake and the huge blocks of sandstone filling its bed are due
to landelips from the hill above, which have dammed up the original
‘bed of the stream.
Rémtek.—North-eastern felsid or Subdivision of Nagpur District,
Provinces. Area, 1112 square miles ; number of towns and
4455 houses, 23,858. Population (1881) 147.351, namely,
males 74,460, and females 72,591. Average density of population,
432°5 persons per square mile. The total adult agricultural population
ion and female) numbers $7,481, with an average of 8 acres of
cultivated and cultivable land to each. Of a total area of 1112 square
miles, 474 square miles are held revenue free. Total area assessed for
Government revenue, 64% square miles, of which 395 square miles are
returned as cultivated ; 114 square miles as cultivable ; and 132 square
miles as uncultivable waste. Total amount of Government assessment
including local rates and cesses land, £19,815, oF an
average of 1%. 6fd. per cultivat rental paid a culti-
vators, including cesses, ctc., 4.350,
466
he gardens; large quantities are exported to Sconf, Chhindward,
Jabalpur, Berar, and tnd (ane the opening of the railway) to Bombay,
‘The trunk road between Jabalpur and Nagpur runs 4 miles west of
the town; and from Mansar, on that line, a good road Jeads through
Ramtek to the village of Ambdla, where the fair held every November,
‘on the panks of a small lake, attracts nearly 109,000. persons. An
excelent bungalow stands on the hill 500 feet above the plain, The
official buildings are at the west end of the town. :
Ramtck has always been held a holy place. ‘The oldest temple
appears to be that on the north side of the hill, built of uncemented
stones, and, like many ruins in Nagpur and Bhanddrd Districts, referred
to Hemdr Panth, a- Brébman, or, as some say, a Rakshasa. Near it
are the modern Parwar temples, a handsome group, enclosed im well-
fortified courts. ‘The centre of interest, however, is at the west end of
the hill, where the temple of Rama (Ramchandra), the tutelary god,
stands conspicuous above the rest, overtopping the walls of the citadel.
On the south and west the hill is naturally scarped. The north side
has a double line of defence. ‘he inner line belongs tothe citadel ;
the outer one turns towards the south, and, crossing a narrow valley
which leads down to Ambdla, is continued along the edge of the hill till
it joins, at the extreme west point, the more recent walls of the citadel,
‘This outer linc, now in ruins, was strongly, though rudely, built by
piling ponderous stones on one another, Within it was a considerable
village, of which a few traces yet remain,
The citadel is at the western extremity of the enclosure, with the
chief temples at the apex of the angle. ‘The Ambdla road runs under a
small wooded hill, crowned by a fortified summer palace, the work of a
Raja of the Suirya-Vansf orSolarrace. ‘Then, passing through the town,
it winds round the southern ridge of the hill till it is confronted by the
embankment of the tank, along which Raghujii, built a line of defences,
with strong bastions flanking the gateway, Within this lies Amixila,
with its lake, bathing gédés, and temples, each belonging to an old
Mardthd family. From the western comer of the tank, flights of stone
stairs, half a mile in length, lead up to the citadel, passing through the
ruined outer line by a narrow gateway. By these steps all. pilgrims
ascend to worship at the temples. Near the top, on the right, is/an
ancient open Adof! or well, with a dharmsdét or rest-house attached,
‘To the left stand two old temples of Krishna in the form of Narasinha,
and opposite to them a plain mosque, built in commemoration of a
courtier of Aurangzeb, A flight of steps then leads up to the outer
to the citadel, by the first Marithé ruler. Inside, on the right, are
Hindu temples of Nariyan; on the left, temples to which Parwins
annually resort. Within the second line of walls, pierced by. the
RAMU—RANASAM. 467
Singhpur gate, which is said to have been built by the Sdrya-Vansis,
‘the Manithds had their arsenal, of which only some ruins of the wall
remain. The third court is reached through a fine penne
Pheireve Darwésa ; in this part the walls and bastions restored by
the Marithds are in good repair, ‘The innermost court has on either
side the dwellings of the servants of the temples; and at the farther
end, the Goku! Darrtedsa, a fantastic building leading to the shrines of
Ganpati and Hanuman ; and lastly, built on the edge of the bluff, the
temple of Rima. From this inner court another series of stone steps
lead down into the town of Rimtek. In the early Maréthi times, two
fine old Aéalls, or wells, were discovered here, which had for ages been
covered over with earth,
Raéma—Village and police outpost station in the Sub-division of
Cox's Bazar, Chittagong District, Bengal; situated in lat. 21° 25° N.,
and long, 92° 8° 25” ®, upon the Chittagong and Arakan road, Large
mart for local trade. ‘Felegraph station; distant 85 miles from Chitta-
gong town,
Randghit.—Sub-diviion of | Nadiyé District, Bengal. Lat. 22° 53
to 23° 20''N., and Jong. 88° 22" 30" to 88° ® Ares, 427 squite
miles; towns and villages, 511; houses, 52,287, Population (1881)
241,205, namely, mates 118,430, and females 122,775; proportion of
‘males in total population, 491 per cent, Hindus numbered 141,132)
Muhammadans, 99,032; and Christians, .
persons per square mile, 565; villages ‘per square mile, 120; houses
per square mile, 129 ; persons per Vin) aT
‘This Subdivision comprises the for
ghdt, Santipur, Chagda, and Har
‘and 9 magisterial courts, with a regular pole nanate 193 officers
and men, and a village watch num!
Réndghét.—Town, municipality
Churni river, Nadiyd District, B B
Sibthision, Lat 23° fe 40"
Population (1872) 5329, a1
acres, ‘The principal agri
‘Transit duties are levied in
ore from Chandravati to
thenee, in the 13th generation, ‘Thakur
having received a grant of the n neigh tects, which in the course
468 RANCHI—RANDER.
of time were divided among the different branches of The
present (1884) chief, other Hamir Singh, —
Waje Singh, a Rchwdr Rajput of the Praméra clan, Sed
‘He administers the State in person, Estimated revenue, A
tute is pil of £37 to the Gch of Baroda, £75 10 Ear ee
6s, to the British Government. ‘The family of the chief follow
tule of primogeniture in matters of succession. There is one shoal in
the State, with 27 pupils in 1883. ‘
Ranchi. —Chief town and administrative head-
District, and residence of the Commissioner of the Chutid Nagpur
Division, Bengal j situated on the high central plateau of Lohardags,
in lat. 23" 22° 37” w., and long, 85° 22' 6" x, with a general
of 2100 feet above sea-level, Population (1882) 18,443, namely, males
10,101, and females $342. Hindus number 9205; Mena
53925 and ‘others,’ 3846, Municipal revenue (1 £1032.
Average incidence of taxation, fd, per head of the: tion
(15,566) within municipal limits.
Ranchi is simply a cluster of hamlets, from one of the smallest of
which the station takes its name, ‘The soil, being a mixture of clay,
gravel, and sand, is well suited for the growth of European
fruits, and flowers. A considerable money-lending business is carried on
by bankers from Mdrwar ; the town also forms a distributing centre, for
Lohardagé and the ‘Tributary States, of large quantities of cotton goods
imported from Calcutta. Chief buildings—Commissioner’s and Deputy
Commissioner's. offices, courthouses, jail, school-house, and small
library maintained by public subscription; circuit house and alt
bungalow ; two churches and a charity hospital.
Rander.—Town in the Chorisi Sub-division, Surat District,
Presidency; situated in lat 21° 12° ™, and long. 72° 51° £, om
the right bank of the Tapti, 2 miles above Surat city.
ee 0,280; (1881) 9416, namely, Hindus, $133; Muhammadans,
34573 Jains, 661; and Pérsis, 165. Municipal income, £1589 in
1882-83. Rinder is supposed to be one of the oldest Places i in
Southern Gujanit. It is said to have been a place of i
the begin ing. of the Christian eta, when Broach was the chief aa! of
commerce in Western India. In the carly part of the 13th century, &
colony of Arab merchants and sailors is stated to have attacked and
¢ Jains, at that time ruling at Rinder, and to have converted
iyatis, the Rander
and a place of the Mae (Néyatis), possessing
e.and fine ships, and trading with Malacca, Bengal,
)) Pegu, Martaban, and Sumatra in all sorts of splees,
drugs, silk, musk, benzoin, and porcelain, In 1539, the ‘Portuguese,
RANDHIA—RANGAMATL 469
after sacking Surat, took Rander. With the growing importance of
Surat, Rander declined in prosperity, and, by the close of the 16th
century, became a port dependent on Surat. At present, Borahs of
the Sunni sect carry on trade westwards with the Mauritius, and east-
wards with Rangoon, Moulmein, Siam, and Singapore, By the
cuene 2 cA N, ‘Tapti Bridge in 1877, Riinder was closely connected
‘with Surat city, Post-office and dispensary.
Mindi. -Pery State in the Gohelwar grant or division of Kathia-
wdr, Bombay Presidency; situated 28 miles south-west of Bibra,
Area, 3 equare miles, Population (1881) 539. Randhia consists of x
village, with 1 tribute-payer. Estimated revenue, £250.
Raneh.—Town in Hatta érAsi/, Damoh District, Central Provinces,
Popalation (1881) 3037, namely, Hindus, 2787 ; Muhammadans, 165 ;
Jains, Bs
Rangamati. — Ancient town in Murshiddbdd District, Bengal ;
situated in lat. 24° 1° 10° w., and long. 88° 13' rt” x, on the right bank
of the Bhégirathi, 14 miles below Barhampur.
‘The yellow clay here rises into bluffs 4o feet high, which form
the only elevated ground in the neighbourhood, and are very con-
‘spicuous from the river. Few remains have been found except pot-
tery and the traces of buildings, tanks, and wells; but Rangdmsel
is rich in traditional history. the legend respecting the origin
of the name, which means ‘red earth, is that Bibisan, brother of
Ravana, being invited to a feast by a poor Brdhman at Rangdmdt,
rained gold on the ground as a token of gratitude. By others the
miracle is referred to Bhu Deb, who, through the power of his fapasyd,
rained gold. Captain Layard, Benga? Asiatic Society's Journat, 1853,
says —‘ Rangiméti, anciently named the city of Kansonapurt [sic], is
said to have been built many hundred years ago by a famous Maharéjé
‘of Bengal, named Kurun Sen, who resided chiefly at Gaur, Many
spots, connected with legends and traditions of the ancient
‘city, are still pointed out, such as the Demon’s Mount and the Rdjbdri,
‘or palace of Kurun Sen. ‘The remains of the greater part of the Rajbiri
are distinctly traceable on three sides, although now under cultivation ;
the fourth has disappeared in the river. On the eastern face of the
‘Rajlxiri, there stood, a few years ago, the ruins of a very old gateway,
with two large entrances, called by the people of the neighbouring
village of Jadupur, the éur/, or tower, It has now entirely disappeared,
having crumbled away with the falling bank into the rapid stream
below.’ Captain Layard also gives the name as Karn-sona-ka-ghar.
‘This would correctly represent Karna-suvarna, the name of an ancient
Kingdom in Bengal, visited by the Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsiang
(cive, 639 A.D.), ‘This kingdom apparently included Bardwan and
Bibhdm. The name is the same, though Captain Layard’s site is
ba
> RANGAMATI--RANGANADI.
probably that of a later capital See also Fergusson, Journal of the
Royal Asiatic Society, new series, vol. vi p. 2485 and Captain F.
Wilford, Transactions of the Asiatic Soviety of Bengal, ixop 89.
Mr. Long, in his essay on ‘The Banks of the Bhdgirathl,! states
that Riingimati formed one of the ten fanjédris into which Bengal
was divided under Musalman rule. Its Hindu samfnddr was a con-
siderable person; and on the occasion of the great
in 1767, received a kév/dt worth Re 7278, or as much as the samindir
of Nadiyd.
“The site of Réngimiti was at one time selected, in preference to
Barhampur, as being a healthy spot for the erection of barracks In
1846 it was still resorted to as a sanitarium, and was a favourite
place for picnic parties and shooting excursions ; ; snipe and partridge
abound. ‘The undulations of the land and the general scenery reminiied
Mr. Long of England. In 1881-82, however, Rangamati
to be the most unhealthy spot in the whole of the Distriet; the
great majority of the inhabitants being struck down by malarial fever.
‘The East India Company once had a’silk factory at Réngdmati, whieh
was sold in 1835, together with 1500 dighas of land nites aE
#2100 -
Rangémiti—Administrative head-quarters. of on Hill
Tracts, Bengal, as well as the head-quarters of the Bengal
force; pleasantly situated on the banks of the Karnaphulf river, A
Giirkha settlement established here in 1872-74 proved a failure, owing
to the climate, and the colony was broken up in 1877, The country
round has been cleared of jungle within the last few years, A
number of native gentlemen have formed themselves into an
tural company, and taken up lands close to the station. “Phe |
being rapidly reclaimed, and brought under cultivation; and itis hoped
that, in the course of a few years, by these means, the sanitary condition
Leet will inprove Ween middlecies
aph line between Raingdmati and Chie
Lat. 22° 41' 5” My ee
Godilpdrd District, Assam ; situated d inte
y long. 90° 48’ E, on the north or right:
‘Brahmaputra. ri An fee alts outpost of the Mul
beginning of the last century. ‘The ruins of their fortifications
een. An old mosque near the village is still in perfect aul
st ion, with a deep well containing at least 20 feet of water: at all
s of the year, A flourishing teagarden has been reeanlly
‘caablished here, and the old mosque is now used as the residence of
the planter. od
Rangénadi. — River in the north of Lakhimpur Districty Ate
RANGASWAMI—RANGOON, 4h
which rises in the Daphld Hills, and, flowing south, empties itself into
the Subdnsiri below Gordmur, Itis navigable by small beats all the,
year through, and is largely used) by traders from Gauhdti and Godl-
pari, who come up in the cold season to buy rapeseed and. moidffy as
welline by téxplunters:in.the northof the Subdivision: for:expenting:
their tea. ©
= Peak in the Nilgiri Hills, Madras Presidency 3
situated near the Gazzalhathi Pass. Lat. rt” 27’ 20" w., long. 77” spiro
height above sea-level, 5937 fect.
“Ringhs—Zemindéri exate in Brihmapuri takely Chands, District,
Central) Provinces, comprising 39 villages. Area, 112 square aniles:
Population’ (1831) 4562; ‘The soil is sandy, producing rice, and in
some places sugarcane. ‘The eastern: portion is hilly, with a good deal
ofteak, besides sdf and makud trees. Ringi, the principal village, situated
im Tat. 20° 21° s., and long, Sc" 13° £, has a weekly market; and at
‘Tngara, an ancient temple contains a sculpture of a warrior with a short
straight sword and shield.
Réngia.—Village in Kamrip District, Assam; on the Bariliya river,
about 20 miles north-north-west of Gauhiti. Lat, 26° 26" x., long. 92”
40° Acentre of local trade. ‘The village is on the line of route to
Diwingiri in Bhutan, and was the head-quarters of the military force
engaged in operations against the Bhutids in this direction during the
ee 1864-65.
cient village in Ségar (Saugor) District, Central Pro-
Siaemipissiesien south ons of Sdgar town. The fair, held every March,
attracts nearly 70,000 persons.
villoze in the Garo Hills District, Assam, on the
Souther slope of the Mimanrim mountain. ‘The scene of the murder
ofthe Survey coolie in March 1871, which led to the Gdro expedition
of the following year, and the ultimate subjection of the hill tribes to
‘British rule. The path from the station of Tura, communicating with
‘outpost at Rayak, passes through this village,
(Ran-hiin, now called Hanthawadi).—British District in
the Pegu Division, Lower Burma; occupying the seaboard from the
mouth of the Sittang (Tsit-taung) river westwards to the To or China
Bakir mouth of the Irawadi; situated between 16° and 17° ™, lat, and
etween gs" and 96° £. long. Known to the ancients as Bokhdradesa,
@ mame which survives in China Bakir. Area, 4236 square miles.
Population (1881) 427,720 persons Bounded on the north by the
Distticts of ‘harawadi and Shwe-gyin, on the cast by Shwegyin, and on
the weet by Thonegwa. On the first formation of Rangoon District it
included Bhaw-ru, a strip of country extending along the eastern slopes
af the Pegu Yoma Hills from the Bhawrugale stream to'Taung-ngd. In
#864, Bhawera was added to Taung-ngi, and in 1866, transferred, to
Irawadi at Nyaungdon and joins the Hlaing a few miles above
Rangoon city, forming in the rains the usval route of river steamers from
Rangoon ; the Tha-kwa-pin (popularly ‘ Bassein Creek"), which con-
nects the Rangoon river with the To or China Bakir, and is
at all seasons, river steamers using it inthe dry season when the
hlaing is closed,
‘The Pegu Yomas attain their highest elevation, vit, 2000 feet, in the
‘extreme north of Rangoon District, and, a few miles lower down, divide
into two main branches with many subsidiary spurs, ‘The western
branch, which has a general southsouth-west direction, separates the
valleys of the Hlaing and Pagan-daung rivers, and except in the
extreme south marks the boundary between and Pegu
Districts. After rising into the irregularly shaped limestone hill called
‘Taung-nyo, a little south of Jat. 17° »., it forms the laterite hills round
the great Shwe-Dagon pagoda; and beyond the Pegu river, it merges.
into the alluvial plains of the delta in Pegu District, being last traceable
in the rocks in the Hmaw-win stream. The eastern branch of the
Pegu Yomas has a south-south-cast direction, and finally disappears
south of the Pegu river, The slopes of the main range arc, pie
id the valleys sharply excavated.
‘The principal river in the District is the Huatnc, which rises neat
Prome as the Zay, and, entering Rangoon District in about lat, 27’
30" Ny lows south-south-east, falling into the sea, in about Mat. 163!
N., under the name of the Rangoon river. It is navigable at all seasons
by the largest seagoing vessels as far as Rangoon city. Its chief
tributaries in Rangoon District are the Ok-kan, Magoyi, Hmaw-bf, and
Lien-gun. On the west, the Baw-lay, Pan-blaing, and other tidal creeks
connect it with the Imwadi. The Pucus-paune rises in the southern
spurs of the Pogu Yomas, and falls into the Pegu river at the city of
RANGOON, 473
Rangoon, after a south-easterly course of 53 miles through a valley rich
in valuable timber, and well cultivated towards the south, The Prov
River rises in the eastern slopes of the main range, and falls into the
Rangoon river at Rangoon city} it is navigable during the rains by
fiver steamers up to Pegu, and the tide is felt for some miles above
thattown. It is connected with the Sittang (Tsit-taung) by a canal with
‘The principal trees found in the District are the mangrove, largely
used for fuel ; pyinma (Lagerstremia hypoleuca) ; &a-nyie (Diptero-
carpus alatus); or ia (Dipterocarpus tuberculatus); pyémtade (Xylia
dolabriformis), etc, There are two small teak ‘reserves,’ both on the
western slopes of the Pegu Yoras, the Maguyi, and the Kyet-
pyigan. The area of reserved forests in Rangoon District in 1884 was
554540 actes, or 867 square miles; revenue, £10,464; expenditure,
416,752.
Hfistery.—Local legends, said to be confirmed by Tamil and Telugu
traditions, state that in some unknown century before Christ, the in-
habitants of Telingdna or Northern Madras colonized the coast of Burma,
finding there’ a Min population, by which designation the Peguans
still call themselves, whilst Telingina appears in the modern word
‘alaing. ‘The Palm-leaf Records assert that the Shwe-Dagon pagoda was
founded by two brothers, who had met and sare with Gautama
Buddha in Indin. But the
considered as historical is s ese Mahawanso, which
Council (244: ».c.) to Suvarna-bhuimi
Buddhist faith. It seems clear that | d
‘escape from the contest between the followers of the Brihmanical and
i reds of years, until about the
y passed to the one body
siderably to the east-
He « ded by his
pital
had much declined in importan Even at this time, Buddhism was
414 RANGOON.
Not generally accepted in Se ceaaey | SS
Pdn-nar{ka (Brihman heart), and more especially his son and successor,
‘Tek-tha, appear to have at Ieast inclined towards Hindu traditions,
With the death of Tek-tha ended the third dynasty of Pegu, for the
succession had been more than once disturbed by usurpers. The
length of time during which these three dynasties occupied the throne
is doubtfal, and it is by no means clear when Tek-tha died.
A gap now occurs, owing to the unwillingness of Talaing historians to
disclose the religious revolutions in their country during the oth and
aoth centuries, and its conquest by Anaw-rarhta, King of Pagan in
1050, After this date, it remained subject to the Burmese for two
centuries, The gradual disintegration of the Burmese kingdom, the
capture of its capital by the Chinese army of the Mongol Emperor,
Kublai Khin (1283-84 .0.),and the flight of the king to Bassein, were
taken advantage of by the Talaings, who rose in rebellion, A man
named Wa-ri-yd Killed the Burmese Governor of Martaban, and made
himself master of that town and the surrounding country. | A-kham-won,
wha had headed a rising in Pegu, now leagued himself with Wa-ti-yu,
and their united army defeated the forces of the King of Burma, and
pursued them as far as Pa-daung, a few miles below Prome. The
‘Talaings then retired to Pegu; but disputes ensued, which ended in
the death of A-kham-won or Ta-ra-bya, and in his rival being: declared
ruler of the entire country. Shortly after this, Wa-riyiwas killed by
two sons of A-kham-won, and was succeeded in 1306 pipe ic!
who only reigned four years,
From 1385 to 1421, Raza-di-rit was on the throne. He repelledia
formidable invasion of the Burmese, and in 1388 regained possession
of Martaban and the country to the eastward, which had been lost ina
previous reign, ‘he history of Rangoon District during this period is
nothing but a series of internecine struggles and wars with the Burmese.
It was probably during the reign of Raza-di-rit that the country was
first visited by Europeans, Nicholas Conti was in Pegu, ‘a very
populous city, the circumference of which is 2 miles,” in r¢go.
Antonio Correa made a treaty at Martaban in #519 with Byaghyaran,
the tenth monarch after Raza-df-rit; and from this time onwards,
there was considerable intercourse between European soldiers of fortune
and the kings of Pegu, who sought their aid. Kor the sel ed
Rangoon town, sce the next article. t
In the 16th century (circa 1538), Pegu was ree by Tadine
shwehtf, King of Taunggi, and thus ended the dynasty founded by
Wa-rt-yd. Ta-bi e-hti took Martaban, and, returning'to Pegu, was:
crowned king; and to mark his assumption of that rank, placed mew
‘umbrellas’ on the Shwehmaw-daw and Shwe-Dagon pagodas, Later
‘on, he gained possession of the country as far as Lower Pagan; in 1549.
RANGOON. 43
he defeated the Siamese army, and forced the King of Siam to pay
tribute. But in 1550, Ta-bin-shwe-hti was assassinated by the Governor
of Tsit-taung, who proclaimed. himself king. After some disturlaince,
Bhdrin Naung, the heirapparent, obtained his rights. He took ‘Taung:
gui, and in 1554 declared war against Burma, and in March 1555
captured Ava. His dominions extended from Tenasserim to Arakan,
and from the sea-const northwards to the Shan States. Bhuirin Naung
died suddenly in 1581, He was more thana great warrior; he enlarged his
capital and strengthened its walls, and he founded in the neighbourhood
another town of which the massive remains still exist, He was observant ~
of religious rites, and obtained from one of the kings of Ceylon a relic
of Gantama, which he enshrined in a pagoda. Bhirin Naung also
abolished the annual sacrifices to the af or spirits. Bhdrin Naung
was succeded by his son Nanda Bhirin, to whom all neighbouring
rulers did homage, with the exception of the Burmese monarch, against
whom Nanda Bhiirin advanced up the Irawadi in 1584-85, and forced
him to escape into China. Meanwhile the King of Siam revolted; and
four expeditions, all equally unsuccessful, were despatched against him:
in 2585, 1587, r590, and 1593. These failures seem to have einbittered
Nanda Bhuirin, and to have rendered him wantonly cruel, The Talaing
Buddhist monks especially incurred his enmity, and numbers were put
todeath or forced to fly the country. The delta became depopulated,
and utter anarchy ensued. The Arakanese seized Syriam; in 1599
Pegu was taken, and Nanda Bhirin sent captive to Taung-gé The
kingdom was for a while left without a ruler.
In 1690, Philip de Brito, then in the service of the Arakanese sove-
reign, was commanded to hold Syriam, He, however, proved faithless,
and sided with the Portuguese viceroy at Goa. Being accepted by the
‘Talaing inhabitants, he declared himself master of Pegu, of which he
took possession in the name of the King of Portugal. He erected a
fort and church at Syriam, and laid out a new city. The forces of the
kings of Taung-gui and Arakan were routed, and the commander made
prisoner. Philip de Brito now entered into treaties with his former
‘enemy, the King of Taung-gii, and also with the ruler of Martaban ;
but | treacherously attacked the former, was himself captured by
the King of Burma in 1612, and impaled. The Portuguese power in
Pegu was thus finally destroyed.
_ Pegu remained subject to Burma till 1740; and it was during
this. petiod that the English commenced trading with Rangoon. In
16955 ‘Application was made for permission to establish a factory at
and from 1709 to 17430 English traders were settled there,
‘But the Burmese Government, owing partly to invasions from the north,
to internal dissensions, was falling to pieces ; and in 1740
the Peguans rose in open rebellion, Syriam was twice seized, and in
476 RANGOON,
tye Ae coneegactee Cl Eee eae ‘our factories were
burnt down, Ava was in the Hands of the Babueee Cow att time 5
but in 1753, Maungaungzaya, Myo-thi-gyi of Mit-tsho-bo, regained
THe capil dadeeelilaiod Rice king under the title of Alaung-paya
(or Alompra), thus founding the dynasty that reigned wil ae Within
four years he had conquered Pegu, Tavoy, and Mergui, and had advanced
into Siam. The British sided with neither party ; but, unfortunately,
some of our afficers were suspected by Alaung-paya of having favoured
the Peguans, In :82q the first Anglo-Burmese war broke out, and a
British force entered the river, and took Rangoon. At the close of the
campaign, the British restored Pegu to the King of Burma. Disputes
on matters of trade led to the second Anglo-Burmese war of 1852,
at the close of which the District of Rangoon, with the rest of the Pegu
and Irawadi Divisions and part of the present Tenasscrim Division,
was annexed.
Population, —The continual wars between the Burmese, the Peguans,
and the Siamese, together with internal dissensions, almost depopulated
the once flourishing Talaing kingdom, of which this District formed
part. Nanda Bhiirin, who reigned over Pegu and Ava from 158: to
1599, by his cruelties forced numbers to abandon the country, and the
delta became utterly deserted. ‘The Burmese, afler the conquest in
1757, sct themselves steadily to extirpate the Talaing language ; and
after the first Anglo- Burmese war, they drove thousands into the
British Provinces of Arakan and ‘Tenasserim. In 185s, including
Rangoon city, the total number of inhabitants was retumed at 137,430
‘The Census of 1881 disclosed, exclusive of Rangoon city, a population
of 427,720, namely, 239,018 males and 188,702 females, occupying
72,115 houses, in 1 town and 1393 villages, on an area of 4236 square
miles. Number of persons per square mile, 101; villages per square
mile, 0°33; houses per square mile, 17°83 persons per house, 5‘.
Nearly 56 per cent. of the population are males; owing mainly to
the existence of a large foreign clement, in which the males largely
preponderate. Classified according to age, there were—under 15 years
of age, boys 89,137, girls 83,115; total children, 172,252, or 40%
per cent, of the population: 5 years and upwards, males 249,881,
and females 105,587; total adults, 255,468, or s9'8 per cent. of the
Classified according to religion—Buddhists number 408,016 5 Nat-
1 ppers, 4? 18, 7908; Muhammadans, 4085 ;
Brahmos, 14; and Pdrsfs, 3. Classified according to race as
by the language table—Burmese, 324,817; Talaing, 25,986 ;
50,702; Shan, 11,282; Chinese, 2013; Hindustinl, Bigs;
36; Tamil, 797; Taungthu, rego. ‘The Muhommadan
population according to sect consists of —Sunnis, 3244; Shits, 634;
RANGOON. 477
Perdis $65 and ‘others,’171. Ofthe Christian population —Europeans
number 163; Eurasians, 137; and Natives, 6927, of whom 6246 are
"The namber of Talaings seems small, but {4s probable that
many shown in the retums as Burmese are really pure Talaings, and
‘still more of mixed Burmese and Talaing blood. The Karens belong
fo the Pwo and Sgaw families, and are industrious agriculturists,
Many have been converted to Christianity, and the remainder profess
Buddhism. ‘The Shans are immigrants from the north, and are settled
in colonies. In the Than-lyin township are several villages occupied
by the descendants of captives brought from Zin-mai by Alaung-paya
after his Invasion of that country, about 125 years ago.
‘The Census of 188r distributed the population into six main groups:
—(1) Professional class, including State officials of every kind, 4371
males and 313 females; (2) domestic servants, inn and lodging-house
Keepers, 1225 males and 2522 females ; (3) commercial class, including
bankers, merchants, carriers, ctc., 14,469 males and 3663 females;
{4) agricultural and pastoral class, including gardeners, 88,504 males
and 44,894 females; (5) radeetal class, including all manufacturers
‘and artisans, 17,605 males and 17,906 females; and (6) indefinite and
non-productive class, comprising labourers, children, and persons of
unspecified occupation, 112,844 males and 119,314 females.
‘The chief towns (exclusive of Rangoon city, which forms a District
y itself) are—Prou, situated on the Pegu river, once the capital
flourishing kingdom, but now merely a large village with 5891
inhabitants; Twax-rx, also formerly i important, but now an insignificant
village; Pyawbhway, with 2043 inhabitants ; and Tanmarnaing, the head-
quarters of Pyawbhway township, i
towns and villages in the District, 6o1 contain less than two hundred
‘inhabitants ; S94 from two to five bundred 5 149 from five hundred to
thousand ; and t above five thousand. shabitants
Antiquities —The principal pagodas the District are—the Shwe-
Dagon and the Shwe-hmaw-daw at ‘Tw: The Su i
most celebrated object of worship i he Indo-Chinese countries, as
‘énsbrining several hairs of Gautama Buddha. ‘The Suwe-uataw-paw
isthe = ind ied pagoda of the Talaings, Not far from 1 a fe
ancient pagodas, indicating th gan
‘uk the continual wars with the oe one hand, and with hs
‘Burmese on the other, the crucl persecutions ae Nanda Bhirin at the
end of the 16th century, and | the measures adopted hy the Burmese
depopulated the land. ‘The British annexation gave a new
478 RANGOON,
stimulus, and the area under rice (the exportation of which had beea
prohibited in the Burmese time) commenced at once to increase. “The
richest rice tract is that lying between the “To, the Hlaing, the ‘Par
Hlaing, and the sea, which now forms the Twan-te and
ips: The aut-turn varies from 4o baskets (about 12 ¢wt.) to $0
‘baskets (9 cwt) per acre. Towards the north the soil becomes much
poorer, The country to the south and south-east is annually covered
with so such water that cultivation can only be carried on in patches,
Considerable damage was caused in former times by the leasing out of
tidal streams as fisheries, the lessees having erected weirs and embank-
ments which caused the channels to silt up, and thus’ become unable to
carry off the rainfall. ‘This leasing is now prohibited.
In 1876-77, the total area under rice was 669,33 acres; and in
1882-83, 984,814 acres, out of a total area under cultivation of t,01 3,019
acres. By the constitution of Pegu as a separate: District in 1883-84,
the area under rice in Rangoon has been reduced to 383,308 actes,
Mixed fruit-trees, as mangoes, jacks, plantains, and sayan (a kind of acid
plum), occupied a total area of 25,375 acres in 1882-83, At ‘Twarrte is
asmall grove of Sapodilla plum-trees, producing the royal fruit of the
‘Talaings. In 1868, a pair of buffaloes or plough bullocks cost £105
by 1883-84 the price had doubled. ‘The average holding of an
agriculturist is larger in Rangoon than anywhere else in the Provinee +
in 1852 it was found to be about ro acres; in 4881 it was, in the case
of rice land, nearly 24 acres. Every owner of upwards of 8 acres hires
labourers, who are paid by the season, and live with the farmer, ‘The
engagement includes ploughing, sowing, reaping, thrashing, and garner-
ing; but in some parts natives of India are engaged in gangs at the
harvest season. The average number of a cultivating family is 5°68,
and their average yearly cost of living is about £18, 108.; the average
cost of cultivation per acre is £1, os. od., or £24, 188 for an average.
sized holding, his, with the cost of living, brings the annual éxpendi-
‘ture up to £43, 88. The out-turn would be about 850 baskets, selling
at £7 per roo baskets, or £59, 108, giving a net gain of about £7.
‘The District contained in 1883-84 the following agricultural stock
and implements :—Cows and bullocks, 28,066; horses and ponies, tray
sheep and goats, 549; pigs, 7708; elephants, 8; buffaloes, 33.9985
carts, $230; ploughs, 15,7945 boats, 4757. ‘The average rent per acre
of land fitted for rice is 6s. 10d., and the average produce per acre,
864 lbs. ‘The prices ruling in the District in 1883-84 per #awal of
80 Ibs., were—for rice, 13s. 9d.; for cotton, 26s.; for sugar, 33% ) for
se gt; for tobacco, 335.5 for oilseeds, 568.3 for cocoa-nut oil,
4 for earth oil, 13s. Skilled labourers in 1883-84 Leena) 28, and
tinskilled labourers, 1s, 14d. a day.
Natura? Catamities—West of the Hlaing river the country ta iss
RANGOON. 479
to inundation. ‘The embankments along the west bank of the Trawadi,
which protect large areas of good land in other Districts to the west-
ward, cause the floods—which formerly spread west and east—to flow
eastward to afar greater extent than before, thus not-only increasing
the flooded area, but also making the floods higher than formerly.
The flood water enters by the numerous creeks connecting the Irawadi
with the Hlaing, and, passing down the Pan-hlaing, forces back the
Hlaing, causing much mischief, In 1876-77, the crops were ruined
‘over no less than £71,000 acres, entailing much suffering on the peaple,
serious remissions of land revenue, and an extensive emigration. Again,
in 1877-78, 65,339 acres of rice land were irretrievably damaged by
inundation,
| Manufactures, etc—The principal articles manufactured in Rangoon
District ate salt, pottery, nyga-ff or fish-paste, mats, and silk and cotton
cloth. The pottery and. fish-paste alone are exported. Salt is made
during the hot weather at various places along the sea-coast, and in the
Syriam and Amgyi townships, partly by solar evaporation and partly by
boiling in iron or earthen pots. ‘The boiling season lasts for about two
months, and the aveniye out-turn from each pot may be taken at ago
‘piss, or about $ ewts, which would sell for £1, 165, or £1, 188. The
quantity manufactured is decreasing year by year, owing to the cheap-
ness of the imported English salt, Pots for salt-boiling are made at
Kwonchan-gun, and in the adjoi of Taw-palway in the
Pyawbhway township. The dred varies from £4, 108%
to £9. A party of four good workmen turn out from 100 to 125
pots per diem, ‘The cost of a hundred $ of sand is 16s. ; of
earth, 5x. The mixer gets 25. a d }turner, fashioner, and
finisher, cach get 6s. per hun The expenditure during a
season for manufacturing 12: t £50, and the net
pwofit at £25. Ordinary cookin, pots cost 125 to 168 per
too in the cold season, and 1
large water or oil vessels,
Fice-water, and) commonly known ‘
mats, used for ships’ holds, are madi awbhway, Silkworms
cotton cloth are woven
canal has recently been cut
city to, To, near Twant
Disarict, the principal bei
rat
‘Taung-gd road from Tauk-kyan to Pegu, crossing siete tiver by a
480 RANGOON.
wooden bridge, and proceeding northwards along the eastern foot of
the Pegu Yomas. The Rangoon and Irawadi Valley State Railway
runs nearly due north for 604 miles to the M(-nin river, with stations
at Kemendine, Pauk-taw, Hlaw-ga, Hmaw-bi, Wanetchaung, Taik-gyi,
Palon, and Okkan. The line is single, with a gauge of 3°28 feet. The
Sittang line strikes north-east oi Pegu to Taung-gi.
Revenue —No records exist showing the exact revenue raised in the
District before British annexation, The amounts were fixed in viss (365
Ibs.) of Gwek-nf silver, each of which is equivalent to about £13.
The total sum paid by the people in what is now Hanthawadi, Pegu,
and a part of Thonegwa Districts, has been estimated at about
114,560. In 1853-54 the net revenue was £54,509 ; in 1855-56,
“£96,040. The gross revenue in 1877-78, excluding sea customs, but
including the imperial revenue of Rangoon city and the income derived
from local funds (exclusive of Rangoon city), was £323,251. The
gross revenue in 1883-84 (excluding the city of Rangoon) was
£115,316; and the land revenue, £88,519. The land capitation tax,
fisheries, and sea customs yield the largest portion of the revenue. The
fisheries are leased out for a term of five years by auction, and only
bona fide fishermen living near can bid.
Administration. — Under Burmese rule, Rangoon and Pegu
Districts consisted of several townships, each under an officer; and
the whole was controlled by a governor with the power of life and
death, who was in direct communication with the Government at Ava.
When the British took possession, the local jurisdictions were to a great
extent retained. And a myo-ok was appointed to each township with
limited judicial, fiscal, and police powers; with #uigyis in charge of
circles, and gomys under them in charge of villages.
Since then little alteration has been made in the general principles
of administration, with four exceptions—{1) the formation in 1861-62
of a regular police; (2) a few years later, of an independent prison
department ; (3) later still, of an educational department ; (4) the
gradual division of the District, as revenue, population, and ad-
ministrative labour increased, culminating in the complete separation
of Rangoon city, and the formation in 1883 of three out of the seven
townships into a new District called Pegu. All statistics, however,
population and otherwise, given in this article, refer to the District
before the separation of Pegu. Rangoon District now comprises 2
Sub-divisions, each containing 2 townships. The number of revenue
circles is 29. ‘There were 6 courts in the District in 1882-83, presided
over by 26 officers exercising civil, criminal, and revenue powers. The
Deputy Commissioner, as magistrate, can try all offences not punishable
with death, and he hears all civil appeals. The average distance
of a village from the nearest court is 26 miles. Gang-robberies,
RANGOON. 48
which were very frequent for several years after the annexation, are
now of rare occurrence. The police force in 1881-82 consisted of 2
superior officers and 53 subordinate officers and 5t2 men; total, 567:
total cost in that year, 414,268, of which 414,094 was paid from imperial
and £174 from local fands. ‘The total cost in 1877 was £12,304.
‘The Central and District prison is situated in Rangoon city.
Schools were opened many years ago by both Roman Catholic and
Baptist missionaries ; but for long they were confined to the city, the
education of the rural classes being left entirely in the hands of the
Buddhist monks, In 1867 there were 54 village mission schools nided
‘by Government, chiefly for Karens. In 1873 a cess school was
established in Pegu. In 1883-84 there were 353 monastic and lay
indigenous primary vernacular schools, with 10,134 pupils. The
Census Report of 1881 retumed 28,091 boys and 5225 girls as under
‘instruction, besides 97,063 males and 2946 females able to read and
write, but not under instruction.
Climate, — The climate is generally depressing, though December
and January are cool bracing months, with little rain. ‘The rains last
from about the beginning of May till the middle of November, and
are usually accompanied by considerable electrical disturbance. The
average annual rainfall at Rangoon, which may be taken as the same as
‘that of the whole District, is 98°71 inches; the rainfall at Rangoon in
3883 was 823 inches. In the same year the temperature ranged
um and 59°so" as the minimum. Fever,
a prevalent. The dispensary
ee
‘built herself a palace here
collection of huts, Dacia,
VOL, XI,
RANGOON. 383
A battery of 12 cannon, six and nine pounders, taised on the bank,
commands the river, but the guns and carriages are in such a wretched
condition that they could do but little execution, . . . The streets
of the town are narrow, and much inferior to those oi See eevee clean
and well paved; there are numerous channels to carry off the rain,
over which strong planks are placed to prevent an interruption to
intercourse. The houses are raised on posts from the ground... . All
the officers of Government, the most opulent merchants, and persons
of consideration, live within the fort; shipwrights and people of inferior
rank inhabit the suburbs. . . . Swine are suffered to roam about the
town at large; ., . they are servants of the public, common scavengers.
. + + The Burmese are also fond of dogs, numbers of which infest the
streets.”
During the first Anglo-Burmese war (1825), Rangoon was taken by
the British and held till 1827; it was evacuated in accordance
with the terms of the treaty of Yandabu. In 1840, the appearance
of Rangoon was described as suggestive of meanness and poverty,
quite dispelling the interest excited by the narratives of travellers.
Tn 1841, King Kiin-baung-min, better known as Prince Tharawadi,
the town and stockade to be removed about a mile and a
quarter inland to the site of Ok-ka-la-ba, and to be called by that
name, ‘The royal order was to a certain extent obeyed; the prin-
‘cipal buildings and Government offices were placed in the new
town, and were there when the British force landed at and cap:
tured Rangoon in April 1852, on the outbreak of the second Anglo-
Burmese war. From this time the place has remained in possession
of the English. Within six months, steps were taken for laying out
Tegular streets, for raising the general level, and for keeping ont the
‘The work of improvement has gone on steadily, and the Rangoon
of today has practically been created since 1852. A raised strand
road runs along the southem reach of the Hlaing, and the
between it and the old ditch is divided into square blocks by broad
and regular strects. To the north is the military cantonment, and
within its limits stands the great Shwe-Dagon pagoda, the terraced hill
from which it rises being now fortified. A little to the east of this
edifice is the ‘Great Royal Lake,’ a fine shect of water, with a carriage-
road all round. ‘The Rangoon and Trawadi State Railway has a station
city, which is divided into 11 quarters. On the
bank of the Hining is the Da-la quarter or suburb, a narrow
trict extending along the margin of the tiver, in which are situated
the private dockyards and docks, The main portion, or
Proper, contains the public buildings, the principal of which are the
Taw courts, telegraph and post offices, Bank of Bengal, Roman Catholic
484 RANGOON,
and Anglican churches, custom-house, etc. The Tsulai pagoda is in
‘Fytche square, an open space with a large tank in the centre surrounded
by trees and shrubs, ‘The point of junction of the Piatin-daung and
Hlaing rivers in the cast, known as Monkey Point, is crowned by a
‘battery ; along the bank of the former stream are the chief rice-husking
steam mills, and on the Hlaing are numerous sawmills, ‘The other
buildings of note in Rangoon are—the Junatic asylum; the jail, which
ig the main central prison for the Province, and contained in 1853,
8005 prisoners, of whom 128 were females, and 270 Europeans; the
hospital and charitable dispensary, cast of the Agri Horticultural
Society’s Gardens, with the Phayre Muscum; the high school; Se,
John's College ; the Diocesan school, ete.
Immediately north of the railway, which runs behind the high
school, jail, and lunatic asylum, is the military parade-ground, with an
iron Anglican church on its northern border. ‘Tbe military cantonment
extends behind this in # line running east and west; the east overlaps
it and reaches down southwards for some distance, In 1883 the
garrison consisted of one battery of artillery, one battalion of Buropean
and one of Native infantry, with a detail of Sappers, all belonging to
the Madras army. The judicial work of the town is entrusted to a
Recorder and subordinate magistrates. In certain eases, such as con-
firming sentences of death, the Recorder and the Judicial Commissioner
‘of the Province, who otherwise has no jurisdiction in Rangoon, sit
together as the ‘special court.’ ‘The police in 1883 numbered 605
officers and men.
A municipal committee for Rangoon was first appointed on 31st
July 1874; the elective system and an extension of muniespal self
government were introduced in 1882-83. The municipal committee
have erected fine markets, supplied the town with good water
from the ‘Royal Lakes,’ and lighted the streets with kerosene lamps.
They have also carried out a scheme for an improved water-supply
from an artificial reservoir near Kokaing. Since November
‘water has been abundantly supplied to the town, The municipality
has recently granted a concession for the laying down of street tram-
» Municipal income (1883-84), £160,802, “The strand bank,
with its wharves and moorings, is under the management of a special
‘the population of Rangoon was estimated at 25,003 in
rab hean pl and of Heel
apart from these, was inhabited by persons of almost every nationality.
The Census of 1872 returned the population at 89,897, inclusive of
the shipping and travellers, Burmese numbered 56,918; Hindus,
RANGOON. 48s
Biren ey 745%; Europeans and Eurasians (including Americans
and Australians), 4016; Chinese, 3181; Shans, 1227; Karens, 525 ;
salbaiterss £328, including Muhammadans of different nationalities,
Anmenians, Arakanese, Kathays, Malays, Jews, Pirsis, and Siamese,
Tn 1878 the population was estimated to have increased to 110,790,
dwelling in £3,389 houses.
‘Tn 1881 the Census returned the total population at 134,276, namely,
91,504 males and 42,672 females, dwelling in 20,655 houses. Hindus
number 35,372; Muhammadans, 22,169 ; Christians, 9741; Buddhists,
67,131; Nat-worshippers, 34; Jews, 172; and Pirsis, 58. Natives of
‘Barma number 63,136; natives of India (Arabs, Bengalis, Hindu-
suinis, Uriyas, Punjabfs, Persians, Suratis, Tamils, and ‘Telugus, etc.),
70153; Talaings, 1822; Europeans and Eurasians (including Americans
and Australians), 5659; Chinese, 3752; Shans, 1556; Karens, 1673
and ‘others,’ 941. The population is divided into three parts—
the municipality, 115,136 ; the cantonment, 9652; and the port, 9388,
‘The density of the population within municipal limits, excluding the
space covered by water and the port population, is 8857 persons per
square mile, In the cantonment the density. is 4826 persons per
square mile, The population of the port was enumerated on board 77.
‘steamers and sea-going vessels, as well as in small boats,
Trade.—When Arakan and Tenasserim were ceded to the English
after the first war, the commerce of Pegu found an outlet at Maulmain,
and rapidly raised that town to a commercial port. But when
Pegu was annexed in 1853, trade b ance with gigantic strides,
‘Not only was the whole customs syste ‘and numerous restric~
tions removed, but the country in the interior was gradually developed.
Rangoon now ranks as the third por India In carly days, the
Targest business was done with Calcutta, owing to the great demand
in that market for teuk, and the facility wit! which the Burmese were
thence supplied with British di
existed between Burma or Pegu and any curopean | country.
a nature of the land o1 ‘the banks the Hers the accessibility
great
principles of construction appear to ae
information regarding vessels constructed before £786 is available, but
im that year two vessels, one of 680 tons, were launched. And from
1790 to 1821, 106 vessels were launched, the tonnage ranging from
soto 100. For some time before the commencement of hostilities
this industry was checked, and when war actually broke out it ceased
entirely, but was resumed soon after the signing of the treaty of Yan-
dabu (1826), until war was again declared in 1852, During this
RANGOON.
interval 24 vessels, with a total tonnage of 5625, were built. Only
‘one small vessel was built in 1883-84.
number of vessels that cleared annually from Rangoon
to all ports for many years prior to 1811 was from 18 to 25; from
1814 to 1817, 36; from 1817 to 1822, 46; and from 4822 to 1825,
56. In 1822, it was calculated that the maximum tonnage likely to
find employment between Calcutta and Rangoon was 3400. In the
three years 1820~21 to 1822-23, 22 vessels, aggregating 9404 tons,
entered the port of Calcutta from Rangoon, and 5 vessels, aggregating
630 tons, the port of Madras. Under Burmese ale te ‘port ae
were always high; and up to 181g the dues and
principal officials claimed from all masters, without distinction, pete]
to £126, The cost of clearing was about £175. In 1813, certain
changes were effected; in 1820, the demands for a ship of 420 tons
amounted to £196, A new ship built in the river was exempt from.
charges on her first voyage. Commanders on landing had to go first
to the custom-house to be searched, then to the part officer, after this to
the place for delivery of the manifest of all cargo, firearms, ammunition,
ete., then to the governor, and lastly to the Yeawon,
Up to a few years before 1824-25, all squarerigged vessels were
obliged to unship their rudders and land their guns, ete. ; ultimately,
they were relieved from this humiliation on paying a sum af £4 to the
local authorities. At this period, the duty charged on all imports was
12 per cent.; on all exports (except timber), 5 per cent.; and on
timber, 1 per cent, Ships’ stores paid halfduty. ‘The exportation of
tice and precious metals was strictly prohibited, and it was only by
adroit smuggling that the latter were carried away. In 1805, exclusive
of treasure, the imports were valued at £24,523; the exports, at
465,360, In 1821, the total value of the imports, also exclusive of
treasure, into Rangoon was £9544; of the exports, £19,744. ‘The
chief imports from Calcutta were piece goods, raw sill, cotton, indigo,
saltpetre, sugar, rice, pepper, and opium,
From 1826 to 1852, the average annual number of arrivals and
departures was—English vessels from 100 to 1000 tons, 20; Chulia
vessels (or those owned and navigated by natives) from 200 to 600
tons, 25; coasting schooners bound westward, 60; Chinese junks and
small boats, 20: total, 125, A royal present of one piece of cambric,
one picce of Palampur, and a Pulicat handkerchief, was made by the
master of each ship arriving. ‘The port charges had been reduced,
and varied, according to the tonnage of the ship, from £1 to £50.
‘These went into the coffers of the local government, while the anchor=
age dues were assigned to one of the queens, ‘The amount remitted
annually to the capital on account of custom dues was about £25,000.
After British annexation, in 1858—s9, the imports amounted to
RANGOON. 4s
41,274,374 and the exports to £856,681; total, L2,13h055- By
1863-69, the value of imports had risen to £2,346,460, and of exports
to 10 9h OSS 5 total, £4.300,515. In 1877-78 the imports rose
Still further to £3,777,724, and the exports to £4,414,301 ; total,
48,192,035. In 1883-84, the imports increased yet more to
Src ss; and the exports to £6,108,630; total, £13,174,095, OF
the foreign trade was valued at £7,830,158, namely, imports,
pa and exports, 44,202,936. The chief imports were
Cotton twist, yarn, and plece-goods, jute manufactures, provisions, silk
g00d5, spices, tobacco, coals, machinery, metals, treasure, apparel, salt
seeds, and woollen goods, The principal exports were rice, timber,
Taw cotton, hides and horns, gums and resins, mineral oil, stone (jade),
lac, ivory, precious stones, and drugs, In 1$77~78, the total value of
‘Customs duties levied on exports and imports was £291,773. Although
the abolition at the close of 1881-82 of most of the import duties reduced
the castoms revenue on imports from £167,467 to £96,034, the large
increase im the exports of rice almost made up the deficiency, ‘The
ross customs revenue amounted in 1882-83 to £652,057. In
1877-78, the gross tonnage of vessels entering the port was 559,051 ;
Of Vessels clearing, 540,904: total, 1,099,955 tons. In 1883-84, 939
vessel of 711,513 tons entered the port, and 893 vessels of 696,349
fons cleared ; total, 1832 vessels, of | hated ‘tons, of which 1134
ingoon market in
els), In 1855-56 it
in the apply, great as
have again
‘or £103 in April,
; and in October,
current rates, receiving
the en season, the advances are
gradually called in by the ‘short j pay system- fs, the buyer
is paid for a portion only of his cargo, the rest being taken as against
advance,
“Many of the cultivators, however, bring down the grain themselves
dind sell it to brokers in the Pegu and Rangoon rivers, and the
488 RANGOON RIVER—RANGPUR.
cargoes are delivered at the mills on the banks of the Pu-zun-daung.
‘The brokers are paid by a percentage on every basket. The rice
is measured at the wharves, and then taken to the mills, where it is
winnowed, carried to the top stores, passed between two stones which
revolve at a distance just sufficient to grind off the outer husk. It
is then re-winnowed (a blast carrying away the loosened husk) and
shot into bags—all by steam machinery. Perfectly cleaned rice will not
stand the long voyage to England, and the grain as exported has still
on it an inner pellicle, and is mixed with about 20 per cent. of un-
husked rice, known technically as ‘cargo rice.’ Since the opening of the
Suez Canal, however, the quantity of cleaned rice exported to England
has increased considerably. As competition is keen, and as each firm
has only a limited extent of the river bank on which to discharge, a
practice has sprung up of taking delivery in cargo boats in the Pegu
river. This has led to the employment of steam launches for towing
purposes ; and probably before long, small light-draught steamers will
be used to go up the Pegu and other rivers, and meet the rice boats
coming down.
mn River.—The name usually given to the lower portion of
the Hiainc River (g.r.), Pegu Division, Lower Burma,
ritish District, occupying the central portion of the
Rajshah{ Division, under the Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal. It lies
between 25° 2’ 50” and 26° 18’ 45" N. lat., and between 88° 47’ and 89°
55’ 30°. long. Bounded on the north by Jalpaiguri District and Kuch
Behar State ; on the east by the Brahmaputra river, separating it from
Godlprd and Maimansingh ; on the south by Bogra; and on the west
by Dinajpur and Jalpdigurf. Area, 3486 square miles. Population
(according to the Census of 1881) 2,097,964. ‘The administrative head-
quarters are at Rancrur Town.
Physical Aspects—Rangpur District is one vast plain, without natural
elevations of any kind. The rivers dominate over the topography of
the country. Towards the east, the wide valley of the Brahmaputra is
annually laid under water during the rainy season ; and the remainder
of the District is traversed by a network of streams, which frequently
break through their sandy banks, and plough for themselves new
channels over the fields. These river changes have left their traces
in the numerous stagnant pools or marshes which dot the whole face
of the country, but do not spread into wide expanses as in the lower
delta, Under such circumstances, agricultural industry has taken full
advantage of the natural fertility of the soil, which is composed of a sandy
loam. ‘Three-fourths of the total area are under continuous cultivation,
the staple crops being rice, jute, oil-seeds, tobacco, potato, sugar-cane,
and ginger ; and even the patches of waste land yield a valuable tribute
of reeds and cane,
RANGPUR. 489
‘The river systewi is constituted by the Brammarures and its tribu-
taries. ‘The Brahmaputra itself only skirts the enstern frontier; but its
mighty stream exercises a great influence over the District, by the
fertilizing effect of its inundations, and also by its diluviating action.
The chief tributaries are the Tista, DHARLA, SaNkos, KaRatova,
Gangddhdr, and Dudbkumar, of which the Tista is by far the most
important’ ‘This river, indeed, owing to the extreme variations which
have occurred in its course, has more than once modified the entire
hydrography of Northern Bengal. At the time of Major Rennell’s
Survey in the third quarter of the last century, the Tista flowed due
south and finally fell into the Ganges, by what is now the channel of
the Arnat. But in 2787, a scason of excessive rainfall caused the river
to break away in a south-easterly direction, and discharge itself into the
Brahmaputra. Old channels and offshoots of the Tista abound through-
out the District, the largest of which are known as the Karitoyd,
Ghiighdt, Manas, and Gujdrid. ‘These all afford valuable water com-
munication during the rainy season. ‘There are no embankments or
artificial canals in the District, nor does the alluvial soil supply any
mineral products,
Forestt, Jungle Products, etc. — There are no important forests in
Rangpur District yielding a revenue to Government. A private sdf
forest about six miles in circumference is situated a short distance
south of Baripdra village, in the Phuranbari police circle. Another
forest, called the Pang jhdr, is ed clase to the village of Panga
im the Bardbdri police circle. is 8 miles i in circumference, and
is composed of clidmd and other | contains also. thick canes,
which are sold for sticks, —
garél bet (the best), the Jdlé (:
more importance ; but with the the ada thatching reeds,
the tenants on an estate
ieerarsyisanteerne at jutra, and ,
it century. Will
game ba pigeons, partridges,
pheasants, quails, plovers, ipe, and wild ducks are found in abund=
49° RANGPUR.
ance. Fish swarm in all the rivers and streams, and fishing is carried
on to a large extent by many of the poorer cultivators all over the Dis-
trict, as well as by professional fishermen. Porpoises (really dolphins)
are numerous in the Brahmaputra, and are killed for the sake of the
oil, by a class of fishermen known as Gonrdrs.
History. —In the earliest days of which tradition preserves any
record, Rangpur formed the western outpost of the ancient Hindu
kingdom of Kd4mrip. The capital was situated far away in the Assam
valley; but the great R4jé Bhagadattd, whose defeat is recorded in
the Mahddhdrata, had a country residence at Rangpur, locally
interpreted to mean ‘the abode of pleasure.’ Apart from these
legends, which are the common property of Hinduism, genuine local
traditions have preserved the names of three dynasties that ruled
over this tract of country prior to the 15th century a.p. The earliest
of these is associated with Prithu Rdja, the extensive ruins of whose
capital are still pointed out in the present District of Jalpiguri. Next
came a dynasty of four kings, whose family name of Pal recurs in
other parts of Bengal, and also in Assam. The founder, Dharmé Pal,
has left the remains of a fortified city, which also lie within the limits
of Jalpsiguri,
Raja Bhava Chandra, the third of this P4l dynasty, and his minister,
are the heroes of the Hindu nursery version of the wise men of Gotham,
and are renowned far and wide throughout Bengal. The R4jé and his
minister were bereft of common sense by the curse of the R4jd’s
favourite goddess, whom he offended by visiting her temple at a
forbidden time. ‘They did nothing like other people—slept by day,
and kept awake throughout the night. The minister took up his abode
in a box, and only emerged from his retreat when called upon by the
Raj to deliberate with him on some hard matter. One or two of
these judgments may be noted. The Rajé and his minister, in the
plenitude of their wisdom, sentenced the potters to compensate the
merchants for loss by wreck, on the ground that the high mounds raised
by the former brought the clouds which had caused the storm. On
another occasion, the people brought a fine wild hog to the Rajé
and his minister, that they might decide what strange animal it was;
and, atter deep cogitation on the knotty point, they concluded that it
ntust either he an overgrown rat or an elephant gone into a consump-
tion, Rut their last judgment gives the climax to their fame. Two
travellers were discovered ane afternoon digging a cooking-place in the
groaned by the side of a tank, for the preparation of their evening meal.
‘The Raia. who disowwered them, at once canciuded that the men were
engagad im oetmg a hunglarious entry in order to steal the tank, and
Do wantvernad them te be impaled as robbers. The poor travellers,
sition BY owenataw, made atch of them seemingly drantic endeavours
RANGPUR, 498
to be impaled on the taller of the two poles; and when the Raja
inguired the reason of their extraordinary rivalry, they informed him
that they had learned, by the power of their enchantinents, that who-
over was iropaled on the taller pole would in the next birth become the
sovereign of the whole world, while the other would be his minister.
Bhavd Chandra, thinking that it would be far from consistent with justice
that such low people should acquire supreme dignity, forthwith had.
himself impaled on the coveted pole, and his faithful minister followed
his master, and expired on the shorter one. Bhavd Chandra’s suc-
cessor, Pala, was the last of the line.
‘The third dynasty had three kings, Niladwdj, Chakradwaj, and
Nilambhar, The first of these founded Kamdtdpur, the ruins of
which, situated in Kuch Behar territory, are 19 miles in circum:
ference. All these successive capitals were built upon the same
Peinciple—enclosure within enclosure, the royal palace occapying
the centre of the whole. Raji Nilambbar is said to have been a
very great monarch ; but unfortunately he was brought into collision
with the Afghan king of Gaur, who captured his capital by stratagem,
and carried him away prisoner in an iron cage, ‘This Afghdn
conqueror is identified with Husin Shih, who reigned from 1499 to
1520,
‘But the Muhammadans did not retain theit hold upon the country.
A period of anarchy ensued ; and among the wild tribes from the hills
of Assam that overran Rangpur, the Koch came to the front and
founded the dynasty which still exists at Ki
Raja, Visu, was a conqueror who extended his
Assam valley, and southwards over Rangpur.
the kingdom was divided ; and
farmer, Raji Debi Singh of é he Rangpur cultivators
into open rebellion; and the ment was induced to invite the
492 RANGPUR,
tamindérs to enter into direct engagements for the revenue. Im 4772,
the banditti, increased by disbanded troops from the native armies, and
by peasants ruined in the famine of 1770, were plundering and |
villages ‘in bodies of 50,000 men:’ Rangpur was then a frontier Dis-
trict, bordering on Nepdl, Bhutdn, Kuch Bebary and Assam. ‘The
cate wiiemeecumrs pbererten the weakness of the adminis-
trative staff, prevented the Collector from preserving order in the
remote comers:of his Districs, whicts thus became the secure refuges
of banditti. The early records of Rangpur and neighbouring patts of
Bengal are full of complaints on this head, and of encounters between
detachments of sepoys and armed bands of daAdits and sanipdsis. A
small British force sent against them received a check; in 1773, Captain
Thomas, the leader of another party, was cut eee: and four battalions
had to be employed. In the year 1789, the Collector conducted a
regular campaign against these disturbers of the peace. ‘They had fled
to the great forest of Baikunthpur, within which he blockarled them
with a force of 200 darkanddss. At last they were compelled to sur
render; and within a single year no less than 549 robbers were brought
to trial, ~ oe
In recent times, Rangpur has had no history beyond the mere reeital
of administrative changes. The entire tract cast of the Brahmaputta
has been formed into the independent District of Godipdrd, and
annexed to the Province of Assam. ‘The three northern Agrgends mow
constitute part of the new District of Jalpdiguri; and a considerable
portion in the south has been transferred to Bogr4, over the whole of
which District the Judge of Rangpur continues to exercise civil
jurisdiction. Of the area of the present District, about goo square
miles, which pay revenue into the Rangpur treasury, are under the
inal supervision of the Magistrate of Maimansingh.
Population —In the beginning of the present century, Dr. Buchanan-
Hamilton, in the course of his statistical inquiries, arrived at a most
elaborate estimate for the population of Rangpur. Making allowance
for the reduced area of the District, his calculations show 1,268,coo
Muhammadans and 816,000 Hindus; total, 2,084,000 souls, ‘These
figures, both in the aggregate and in their classification,
marvelously to the results of the Censuses of 1872 and 18813 but &
seems incredible that the population should have remained stationary
during the long intervening period of prosperity. The Census of 1872
1872 of $5,722; on percent.
to the ravages of malarial fevers, which, with their seguedz, caused
heavy mortality in the years immediately preceding the Census of 1881.
RANGPUR, 493
‘The results of the Census of 1881 may be summarized as follows:
—Area of District, 3426 square miles ; towns 16, and villages 6721;
number of houses, 342,208, namely, occupied 337,096, and unoccu-
pied 5202, Total population, 2,097,964, namely, males 1,067,701,
and females 1,030,263. Average density of population, 602 persons
per square mile, varying from 436 per square mile in Pirganj police
circle to 762 in Maiganj police circle, both within the head-quarters
Subdivision. Towns and villages per square mile, 1”93 ; persons per
town or village, 311; houses per square mile, 9819; persons per
occupied house, 6-22. Classified according to sex and age, the Census
returns show—under 15 years of age, males 423,967, and females
389,191 ; total children, 813,158, or 38'7 per cent, of the population:
15 years and upwards, males 643,734, and females 641,072; total
adults, 1,284,806, or 61°3 per cent.
Religion. —The majority of the population are Mubammadans by
religion, the faith of Iskim being professed by 1,279,605 persons, or
Gos percent. ; while the Hindus number $16,532, or 38°9 per cent.
‘The remainder consists of Jains, 274; Christians, 86; Buddhists, 60;
Brahmos, 8; and non-Hindu aborigines, 1399. ‘There can be no
doubt that in Rangpur, as in the rest of Eastern Bengal, the great bulk
‘of the people are of aboriginal descent ; and that the majority became
willing converts to the conquering faith of Islim, in preference” to
outeastes beyond the pale of exclusive Hinduism. ‘This
Latter fact is attested by local tradition, The only circumstance that
i that the Musalmdns should have exercised 50
izing influence during the brief hundred years of their
rule in Rangpur. The tribes now rank as aboriginal are very poorly
the Te
many of the lower castes, and are looked down upon by the more
orthodox Birendra and Rathi Brihmans, who are chiefly found in the
408 RANGPUR.
south of the District, and who would lose their purity by administering
to Sddras. The Rdjputs of Rangpur number only 2325, and are
employed in military service, and as guards, policemen, and door-
‘They claim to be Kshattriyas, the second or warrior éaste fn
the ancient Hindu fourfold classification, The Kayasths, or writer
caste, number 11,449, and include apparently many of the
jing class known as Kolitas in Assam. The Baniyds, who elaim to!
represent the Vaidya or trading caste of ancient India, number 3609,
Among the Siidras or low-caste Hindus, the following castes may be
mentioned as the most numerous :—Tior, 92,790; Chanddl, 36,795;
Kaibarttd, 30,622 ; Madak, 25,180 ; NApit, 13,0415 Jaliyd, 8398p 5 ‘Gosl,
63325 Lohir, 5714; Harl, 5658; Kumbhir, 4966 ; Sunri, 4939 ; Tamil,
4562; Jugi, 45615 Kurmi, 4297; Kahdr, 39333 Chamér, 3660; Mall,
agos; and Tell, 2537. Caste-rejecting Ete Ar Se
‘of whom 26,974 are Vaishnays.
‘The Mubammadans, according to sect, are divided into—Sunnis,
1,225,544; Shids, 39,540; and unspecified, 14,521. The great bulk of
the Muhammadans do not differ ethnically from the rest of the popula
tion, and are the descendants of converts made from the aboriginal
tribes and low-caste Hindus by the early Muhammadan governors.
Of recent years, the reforming Fandizi spirit has manifested it
the higher classes of Mubammadans in the District. ‘The Fardizis, or
Shirds, as they are here called, adhere strictly to the law of Muhammad
as laid down in the Kurdn, and abstain from the ceremonies and
processions of the Muharram, which they consider not to be enjoined by
the sacred law, They do not, however, display any active intolerance.
The Jain population appears to be confined to the Kayés or
Miarwiris who come from North-Western India, and have settled in
Rangpur District. Most of them are wealthy merchants carrying on a
considerable trade fn country produce and plece-goods, or as money-
lenders. Since 1879, the Wesleyan Missionary Society have had a
station in Rangpur town, with a total of 26 native Christian converts
in 1881, out of 39 in the whole District. The Roman Catholics
number 16; Baptists, 2; and Church of England and other Protestants
without distinction of sect, r7; besides 33 of other ‘denominations or
unstated.
own and Rural Population—The ulation of Rangpur Disuiet
is entitely rural. ker the Cone Rape retums 16 towns a3
containing upwards of five thousand inhabitants, with an agy
population of 424,718, these are not towns in the ordinary
of the term, but merely clusters of villages and hamlets:
grouped together for purposes of fiscal administration. Even
of Rangpur itself includes within its municipal limits the |
RANGPUR. 498
sixteen so-called ‘towns’ are the following —R ANnorur, population 13,320;
Barakhata, 11,393; Bhogdabisi, 10,892; Dimlah, 10,503; Gorgrim,
9646; Chhatndi, 9501 ; Bamonf, 6895 ; Kapdsi, 65565 Salmari, 6408 5
Khdnbdritapa, 6131; Bigdogra, 5747; Nautaritapa, $679; Bardgurl,
5668; Magurd, 5642; Jhunagichh Chapirl, 5454; and Bhdtbacha-
gati, 5293. Of the 6737 ‘towns’ and villages in 1881, the Census
returned 4280 as containing less than two hundred inhabitants ; 1480
between two and five hundred; 554 between five hundred and a
thousand ; 274 between one and two thousand ; 89 between two and
three thousand ; 44 between three and five thousand; 12 between five
and ten thousand; and 4 between ten and fifteen thousand inhabitants.
As regards occupation, the Census Report divides the male popula-
tion into. the following six classes :—(r) Professional class, including
all Government servants, civil and military, 12,829; (2) domestic
servants, inn and lodging-house keepers, ctc., 22,922 ; (3) commercial
class, including bankers, merchants, traders, carriers, etc. 29,4923 (4)
agricultural and pastoral class, including gardeners, 558,168 ; (5) many-
facturing and industrial class, including all artisans, 43,758 ; (6) inde-
finite and non-productive class, comprising general labourers, male
children, and persons of unspecified or of no occupation, 420,533.
Material Condition of the People—The great bulk of the population
is composed of the lowest classes of Hindus and Muhammadans.
‘They are described as indolent and superstitious, but their material
y ed of late years. ‘The ordinary dress
of a well-to-do shopkeeper consists of a duéi or waist-cloth, a cotton
sheet or shawl (ciddar), and a pair of shoes. The clothing of an
ordinary cultivator is nearly the same, except ‘that he does not wear
shoes, and the cotton is of a coarser quality. Bamboo matting, straw,
and grass are the only materials used for house-building, A comfortable
homestead usually consists of four apartments within a square enclosure,
surrounded by a fence of woven bamboos or grass. A well-to-do culti-
yator would have two such res for his dwelling, one being
reserved for the female m © family, The only furniture
found in such a dwelling c on brass and pewter plates,
cups, and pots for cooking and cati bamboo machdn or platform,
which serves as a bedstead ; and a ‘The ordinary food
of the people, shopkeepers: and. agri much the same, and
consists chiefly of common rice, pulses, Adchu (a species of yarn),
vegetables of different BOIS, § sal ish, and occasionally milk. Milk
article of food. A late Collector
496 RANGPUR.
scene coe ae
tter 1]
fakapoee mnie ee tmost of sed for
food is caught by himself or by some member of his family.
Agriculture, ete—Rice constitutes the staple crop throughout the
District. Of the total food supply, the dmax or winter crop, grown
low lands and usually transplanted, affords from jo Pins fF
toy semaines pu furiabeAibn the apa nS rm
rally grown on high lands. ate agricultural statistics were
re Rangpur, through the agency of a native Deputy Collector,
1,737,959 acres, Of 73 per cent., were actually under cultivation, Rive
occupied 1,263,000 actes ; fibres, 117,000 ; cil-seeds, 68,000 ; tobaces
66,000 ; wheat, 31,000; inferior food-grains, 44,000;
15,000; indigo and sugar-cane, 14,000 acres cach, ‘About one-eighth
Of the total area is capable of producing two crops in the year,
staples grown for export are rice, jute, tobacco, oibseeds, potatoes,
Singer. Indigo cultivation is no longer conducted under
Among miscellancous crops may be mentioned fin or betel |
or betelnut, and mulberry for silkworms.
principally cultivated in the high-lying northern tracts; the leaf is
bought up by Maghs fom Chittagong acd: Arakaia (cr) un peeee
being manufactured in Burma.
Manure, in the form of cow-dung or oil-cake, is applied only to the
more valuable crops. It is also a common. practice to burn stubble or
jungle on the fields in order to renovate the soil. Land is occasionally
permitted to lic fallow; and it is known that certain crops pepe
raised in two successive years, Artificial irrigation is required
tobacco fields fora few days when the plant has become fully.
Spare land, capable of cultivation, can hardly be said to exit
average produce of an acre of good rice lands renting at
ewts, valued at £1, 4s, Land yielding two crops, and.
may produce as much as 9 cwts. of dus rice, together with a second
of pulses, oil-seeds, or tobacco, the whole valued at from £2, 108 b P
‘The Deputy Collector above referred to has estimated the total annual
outturn of all the crops in Rangpur District as worth 44,000,000
sterling. In ordinarily good years, about one-half of the: rice crop is.
consumed by the local population, and the balance exported. ps
‘The rate of rent paid for rice land varies from rs. 4d. to 115 an
land suited for tobacco or sugar-cane pays from 11s. to 145.5
gardens as much as £2 or £3 an acre, There is little that is
RANGPUR, aor
in the land tenures of the District, except the large degree to which the
Superior landlords have parted with their rights in favour of intermediate
tenure-holders, Among such intermediate tenures may be mentioned
the npanchaki, which was originally granted for charitable or religious
Purposes at a quitrent, and the masturf. It is also noteworthy that
the term jofddr, in this part of the country, is applied to a substantial
middleman, who holds for a term, but does not cultivate with his own
hands. Very few of the actual cultivators have won for themselves
rights of occupancy by 2 continuous holding of over twelve years ; the
majority are mere tenants-atwill,
From 27 to 33 acres is considered a very large holding for a single
husbandman in Rangpur District. To cultivate a farm of this extent
would require from cight to ten ploughs ; and cven though there were
four or five adult male members of the family, an equal number of
hited labourers would need to be employed. A cultivator’s holding
hot exceeding 1} acre in extent is considered a very small one. A
farm consisting of about 8 acres is a fair-sized, comfortable holding,
and requires about three ploughs for its proper cultivation. It is
estimated that about 30 per cent. of the peasantry of Rangpur cultivate
only a single plough of land. ‘The extent comprised in a ‘ plough” of
Tand varies according to the nature and condition of the soil and of
the crop, but on an average may be taken at from 3} to 3§ acres.
‘The poorer husbandmen with only a single plough generally cultivate
mixed crops on their holdings, as being more remunerative than rice
alone.
A husbandman with a farm
if his land admitted of
materially, these small mers, with holdings ‘of 5 acres of all descrip-
tions of Jang, are quite on a level with respectable village shopkeepers
and retail dealers, A considerable Proportion of the cultivators are in
debt, but not to the extent that prevails in certain other parts of India,
‘The ‘cause of debt most frequently arises from the misfortunes of a
single season, from extravagance on the occasion of marriages and other
is last cause chiefly affects the larger
tly set up a8 merchants for buying
past twenty years. ‘Abtonteal day-labourers now receive about gd. a
day; blacksmiths and carpenters, about 16s. a month. The prices of
food-grains do not seem to have risen in equal proportion. Common
rice fetched 1s. 6d. per ewt. in 1786; 48, in 1860; 55. 5d in 18705 and
4%. 2}. in 1872, The average price of common. pice selene reyes
VOL. XI,
498 RANGPUR.
ending 1882-83 was 20} sers per rupee, or 58 6d. percwt Tn 1833-54,
a year of deficient rainfall and scanty harvests, | the price was 169 sers per
rupee, or 63, 10d. per cwt hippies ovigh oo! 1866, the year
of the Orissa famine, was 12s. 6d. per.
Rangpur is not specially Table ta tn elthes Of he calaaey od
or drought, It is common for the crops in certain tracts to be injured
by the overflow of the rivers; but on only one occasion in history, in
1787-88, has the inundation been 80 excessive as to affect the general
harvest of the District. In that memorable year, when the river
‘Tista was borne in a torrent across the arable Gelds, one-sixth of the
population are estimated to have perished from want, disease, or drown-
In 1873, the insufficiency of local rainfall was such as to demand
the institution of relief operations by Government. The completion of
the railway has now saved the District from any danger of isolation, If
the price of rice were to rise in January as high as 238. 6d, per cwt.,
that should be regarded as a sign of a] distress.
Manufactures, ee.—There are few special industries in Rangpur.
Paper is manufactured from jute in certain villages. Other products are
—satrinjis or striped cotton carpets ; silk cloth called emdi woven from
the cocoon of a worm fed on the castor-oil plant ; baskets and mats ;
brass-ware ; ornaments carved in ivory and buffalo horn. Silk culture
is now almost extinct in Rangpur.
River trafic is brisk in all parts of the District Agricultural
produce is brought from the interior and stored in warehouses on
the river banks until the rising of the streams in the rainy season,
‘The chief exports are rice, jute, tobacco, potatoes, and ginger; the
imports are cotton cloth, salt, hardware, and miscellaneons goods,
From the north are received timber, ponies, blankets, and gal. The
centres of trade are—Mahiganj and Lilbdégh, suburbs of the eivil
station ; Gorimsra, Kdnking, and Kaonia on the Tista; Nishetgan}
on the Ghdghdt; and Kaliganj, a stopping-place for steamers on the
Brahmaputra, The registration returns of river traffic for 1876-77 show
a total export from the District valued at A932442, against impos:
valued at £480,046. The chief exports in that year were—jute,
3,155,000 mands, valued at £346,560 (placing Rangpur second to
Maimansingh in the list of jute-producing Districts) ; tobacco, $57,400
nds, valued at £278,700 ; tice, 145,900 maunds, and paddy, 45,009
valued together at £37,392;5 hides, 93,00¢ in number, valued at
‘The imports comprised—European piece goods, £162,970;
99,508 maunds, valued at £99,750; raw cotton, 58,400 manmdr,
valued at £87,600 (chiefly received at Chilméri from Godlpdrd District
and the Garo Hills). The chief centre of registered trate was
Gordmara, where the exports in 1876-77 were valued at £163,932,
chiefly jute (246,000 maunds) and tobacco (148,500 sesmdés); the
RANGPUR, 499
imports were valued at £44,113, chiefly salt (54,900 maunds), Next
in order is Kalidaha, with an export in 1876-77 of 151,100 mannds of
tobacco, and Jatripur with 123,000 mannds of jute. Since the opening
of the railway, registration of river trade bas given way to that of rail-
borne trafic, so that no means exist of showing the exact amount and.
value of the District trade, which, however, has very largely increased
since 4879, when the railway was first opened. The quantity of jute
exported in 2881-82 was estimated at 2,100,000 mawnds, valued at
£630,000; tobacco, 700,000 mawnds, valued at £630,000 ; and rice,
4,400,000 maunds, valued at £350,000,
‘The Northern Bengal Stare Railway, opened in 1879, cuts through the
western half of the District from south to north, A branch line from
the Northern Bengal line at Parbatipur north-eastwards to Rangpur
Godlpdrd. A second short branch line of 14 miles
starts from the Tista station, on the left bank of that river, to Mughal
Hit, and is intended to be ultimately carried on to Kuch Behar town.
Tn 1882, the total length of the District roads was returned at 1328
tiles, maintained at a cost of £2852. In the same year there were
228 ferries, at which £1928 was collected in tolls.
Administration—In 1875-76, the gross revenue of Rangpur District
was returned at A*44159) ‘towards which the Jand-tax contributed
all kinds amounted to (£24,904, or |
tevenue, In 1883-84, the sixn
165,165, made up as follows
Ax7,522; stamps, £29,36r 5 re:
st of civil administration,
0 amounted in the same
year to £23,992. land reven ; was derived from 622
estates, owned by 3094 e n
cach estate, £164, 75 8
500 RANGPUR,
offence, great or small, was 1513, being 1
population. By far the greater proportion of the
petty offences. The District contains one jail at
three Sub-divisional lock-ups. In 1883, the average
prisoners was 266, of whom only 7 were fernales,; the
population. 2 }
Education has, widely spread of recent years, to the
by which the benefit of the gmntinaid rules has x r
to the vernacular middle-class schools, and finally to the village school
or pdtksdlés, In 1856 there were only 2t ochool faite is
attended by 97x pupils. In 1870 these numbers had risen to 4
schools, and 5361 pupils; and by 4875 (after the inu
George Campbell's educational reforms) the schools had 5
increased to 525, and the pupilxto 11,090. In 1883, when those
had received full development, the number of schools under
by the Education Department had increased to upwards of 8
the pupils to about 17,000. There are 3 higher or id
English schools at Rangpur, Sdidpur, and Gaibindha, The
zild school had 332 pupils on its rolls.on the grst March 1884,
the normal school 47 pupils, According to the Census of 188%, th
Were in that year 22,819 boys and 876 girls under instruction ;
49,843 males and 1423 females able to read and write, but not 1
instructi
‘The District is divided into 4 administrative Subdivisions and
police circles (dads), as follows:—{1) Rangpur or Sadr §
with the six ¢idnds of Mahiganj, Kiliganj, Nisbetganj, Kun
Mithfpukur, and Pirganj. (2) Nilphamari or Baghdogra Sul
with the three #idnds of Dimld, Jaldhaké, and Darwani. (3)
Sub-division, with the three shdndr of Barabirl, Nageswari, and Uli
(4) Gdibdndhi Sub-division, with the four dhinds of Govind;
Bhawaniganj, Sadullépur, and Sundarganj,
Medical Aspects—The climate of Rangpur does not differ bane =
from that common to all Lower Bengal, Diseases of a malarious,
are prevalent in the rainy season and winter, but during the n
of the year the atmosphere is clear and dry. The average annual
ainfall for a period of 25 years ending 1881 is returned at 86°52 inches,
the fall from January to May averaging 15°00 inches; June to
‘September, 66°03 inches; and October to December, 5°49 inches In
1883-84 the rainfall was only 57°92 inches, or 28°6e inches below the
average. The mean annval temperature is returned at about 81 Fo
but no thermometrical returns are available. e.
‘The endemic diseases include fever, cholera, and elephantiasis, ‘The
two former sometimes exhibit epidemic outbreaks of great severity.
RANGPUR. gor
‘The fevers are lingering, being usually attended with spleen and liver
complications. There were, in 1883, twelve charitable di
‘in the District, at which 342 indoor and 56,984 outdoor patients
were treated during the year. [For further information regarding
Rangpur, see The Statistical Account of Bengal, by W. W. Hunter,
vol. vit, pp. 155-352 (Triibner & Co,, London, 1876); Dr. Buchanan
Hamilton's Ms. Statistical Survey of Rangpur, conducted 1809-335
Report on the District of Rangpur, by Mr. E.G. Glazier, CS
(1873) ; Report on the Agricultural Statistics of Rangpur, by Babu
Gopal Chandra Ds, Deputy Collector (1873). Also the Bengal
Census Report for 1881; and the several annual Administration and
Departmental Reports of the Bengal Government up to 1883-84.)
Rangpur. — Sadr or head~quarters Sub-livision of Rangpur
District, Bengal. Area, 1151 square miles; villages, 2436; houses,
130,525. Population (1881), males 344,436, and females 328,226 ;
total, 672,662. Classified according to religion, there were—Muham-
madans, 427,004; Hindus, 244,205; Christians, 39; Buddhists, 225
Brahimos, 7; Jains, 153; and ‘others,’ 1232, Average density of popu-
lation, 584 persons per square mile ; number of villages per square mile,
2°12; persons per village, 276; houses per square mile, 115; persons
per house, 51. This Sub-division comprises the 6 police circles
(tAdnds) of Mahfganj, Kéliganj, Nisbetganj, Kumarganj, Mithdpukur,
and Pirganj. In 1883 it contained 6 magisterial and 4 civil and
Tevenue courts, a regular police force of 272 men, and a rural con-
stabulary of 1638 men,
-—Chief town and administrative head-quarters of Rangpur
District, Bengal ; situated on the north bank of the Ghaghdt river, in
lat. 25° 44° 55” X., and long. 8° 17' 4o" x, Population (1882) 13,320,
namely, males 86r1, and females 5309. Muhammadans number 6648 ;
Hindus, 6476; and ‘others,’ 196. Rangpur is 2 municipality, and
Consists, besides the civil station, of the hamlets of Mahiganj, Dhdp, and
Nawabganj. Municipal revenue (1883-94), £1598, of which £947 was
derived from taxation; average rate of taxation, 1. 5d. per head of
population. ‘The town contains the District head-quarter courts and
offices, police station, and a dispensary, ‘The name of Rangpur
—‘the ubode of bliss'—is said to be derived from the legend that
Raja Bhagadattd, who took part in the war of the MakddAdrata, possessed
a country residence here. Rangpur was captured by the Afghan king,
THusain Shah, who ruled at Gaur from 1497 to 1521 A.D,—Ste Ranorvn
Disraicr.
Rangpur.—Ruins in Sibsigar District, Assam, immediately south of
Sibsdgar town, marking the site of the residence of the Abam kings
during the r7th century. The palace and the neighbouring temple of
Jaisigar are both said to have been built by Raja Rudra Singh about
502 RANGUN—RANIBENNOR.
— ‘The place is now buried in deep jungles ae
firm, though the roof has. partly fallen in. Arrangements
being made to clear away the jungle gaan ce mie
The t temple on the banks of the Jaisdgar (a lange artificial lake nearly
fr ea ae eae Fi ihre i Ng
preservation, though religious worship is no longer
and the idol bas been removed. Before Rangpur, GaxHGson, in the
immediate neighbourhood, was the Aham capital; and after 1784,
Raja Gaurinath moved his residence from Rangpur in Jorhat.”
Rangin (Raw Adn).— District and town in Lower Burma — See
Rancoon, ee
Rania. — Town and municipality in Sitsa éadstl, Sirsa District,
Punjab, Lat 29° 28’ w., long. 74° 54’ 8 Situated on the right bank
of the river Ghaggar, 13 miles west of Sirsa town. Population (2881)
4626, namely, Muhammadans, 3257; Hindus, 11865 Jains, 162; amd
Sikhs, 21, Number of houses, 530. Municipal income’ (1883-84),
4x31, or an average of 6d. per head of the population, ‘The town
was formerly the head-quarters of the frecbooting Bhalti Nawabs of
Rania, whose last representative was executed for complicity in the
Mutiny of 1857, and his estates confiscated, Little trade; manufacture
of leather-work, /wAds, and coarse cloth,
Rénfbenmir, —Sub-division of Dhirwdr District, Bombay Presi-
dency; situated in the extreme south-east corner of the District.
Bounded on the north by the Karajgi Sub-division, on the east and
south by the Tungabhadra river, and on the west by the Kod Sub-
division, Area, 405 square miles. Population (1872) 86,601 } (1881)
74213, namely, 37,538 males and 36,675 females, ‘occupying »
houses, in 3 towns and 119 villages. Hindus number 67,985 ;
Muhammadans, 6172; and ‘others,’ 56. The country is
flat with a low range on the north, and a group of hills in the east;
well supplied with water. Soil black in the low-lying parts, and red on
the hills and uplands. The Harihar branch of the South Marithd
Railway traverses the Sub-division, with three stations—Baiadgi,
Ran{benniir, and Chelgir, In 1881-82, of 110,137 acres, the whole
area held for tillage, 15,077 were fallow or under grass. Principal crops
—cereals and millets, 95,060 acres; pulses, 11,580 acres; oil-sceds,
2894 acres ; fibres, 23,120 acres ; amd miscellaneous crops, 7604 acres.
‘The Sub-division contained in 1384—criminal courts, 4; police circle
(dnd), 15 regular police, 38 men; village watch (chawkiddrs), 19,
jombay Presidency ; situated on the road from Poona
about 80 miles south-east of Dhdrwar town, in Tat 2g" 37"
to" Ny and long. 75” 40’ 20" & Population’ (x88) 10,202, namely,
RANIGAM—RANIGAN). 593,
g061 males and sr41 females, Hindus number 8387; Muhammadans,
1804 5 and Jains. 1x. Municipal revenue (1383-84), 4484; incidence
of taxation, gfd. A thriving town, noted for the excellence of its silk
and cotton fabrics, and with a considerable trade in raw cotton. Ta.
1890, while in pursuit of the Manithd frecbooter Dhandia Wagh,
Colonel Wellesley (afterwards Duke of Wellington), being fired on by
the garrison, attacked and captured the town, In 1818, a party of
General Munro's force occupied Ranfbenntir, Post-olfice, travellers’
bungalow, four boys’ and one girls’ schools. Station on the Harihar
branch of the South Mardthd Railway, Weekly market on Sunday,
Ranigdm.— Petty State in the Gohelwde prant or division of
Kathitwar, Bombay Presidency ; consisting of 1 village, with 2 separate
shareholders or tribute-payers, Situated 6 miles north-west of Jesar,
Area, 3 square miles. Population (1881) 738, Estimated revenue,
£2556; tribute of £74, 8%. is paid to the Géekwdr of Baroda,
Raniganj.—Sub<ivision of Bardwan District, Bengal; situated
between 23° 23' and 23" 52 45” N. lat, and between 86° so’ 30"
and 87° g7' x. long. Area, 671 square miles; towns and villages,
742; number of houses, 57,298, namely, occupied 52,633, and
unoccupied 4665. Total population (1872) 238,105; (1881) 284,414,
namely, males 139,754, and females 144,660. Increase of population
between 1872 and 1881, 46,309, or 19°45 per cent. in nine years.
Average density of population, 423°9 persons per square mile ; villages
per square mile, 1'06 ; persons per village, 400; houses per square mile,
85°39; persons per house, 5". Classified according to religion,
Hindus number 261,778; Muhammadans, 15,473; Christians, 7425
Jews, 3; and non-Hindu Santils, 6418, This Sub-division comprises
the 3 police circles of Riniganj, Assensol, and Kdksé. In 1884 it
contained 1 civil and 4 criminal courts, a regular police force of 78,
and a village police of 1650 men.
—Town, municipality, and head-quarters of Riniganj
Subdivision, Bardwén District, Bengal ; situated on the north bank of
the Démodar river, in lat. 23° 36° 30” s., and long. 87° 8' 30” r
Population (1881) 10,792, namely, males 6124, and females 4668.
Hindus number 8794; Muhammadans, 1828; and ‘others,’ 170.
Municipal income (1883-4), £883, of which 4766 was derived from
taxation; average incidence of taxation, rs. sj. per head. Raniganj
town is the centre of the Rdniganj coal industry; and its prosperity
dates from the discovery and working of the mines, and also from the
time when it was made a station on the Fast Indian Railway, 121 miles
from Howrah. It is now onc of the principal seats of the District trade.
nj —Coul-feld in Bardwdn District, Bengal. Lat. 23° 35! to
23° 45" Ny long, 86° 40! to 87° 15x. Area, about 500 square miles.
504 RANIGAN.
Situated at a distance of from 120 to fonish e
and a few miles cast of Raniganj town to
beaineaern river ; the greatest length. Someta ae
39 mies and the greet breadth fr north sol mle
‘The greater portion of the coal bearing strata lies between the
Damodar and the Ajai, the former river receiving the principal drainage:
‘The surface is, undulating, and the dense jungle which
covered it has now been cleared nearly throughout The’ soil is
paca clay, in some parts alluvial, but in others) formed from
of rocks, South of Mangalpur, in the Singdran
ae are the mines of Harishpur and Babusol, where the seam is 25
fect thick, with 16 fect of excellent quality. The coal of the Rant
ganj field, like most Indian coals, is a non-coking bituminous col,
composed of distinct lamin of a bright jetty coal, and of a dell,
earthy rock, with a large proportion of, volatile matter and ash, the
amount of the latter averaging about 1g. per cent (as against 2
per cent. in English coal), and ranging from 8 to. 25 per cent A
sample of a very pure coal from Sidrsol gave the following resultss—
Volatile, 49 per cent. ; fixed carbon, 57's per cent. ; ash, 2°5 per cents
Mr. Blandford, in his Report on the Geological Survey, 1858-60,
states that in the Raniganj bed nine seams (perhaps eleven), with an
aggregate thickness of 120 feet, are worked in the eastern portion;
in the western, eleven, with an aggregate thickness of about 100 fect;
and in the Lower Démodar section of the field, four seams, with an
aggregate thickness of 69 fect, But more extensive underground
explorations are necessary in order to fix the absolute thickness of the
coal scams in this tract. The principal drawbacks to the extended
employment of Riniganj coal in India, and the reasons why the
expensive English coal is still generally employed, expecially by sea=
going steamers on long voyages, arc the following:—1st. The non-
coking property of Raniganj coal: 2nd. The small proportion of fined
carbon, upon which the value of coal for heating purposes depends:
rhe large proportion of ash; a larger quantity of Réniganj coal is
efore required to perform the same duty as good
qth. Its liability to spontancous ignition, which is mainly dac to the
large quantity of iron pyrites in the coal; but this disadvantage may to
a certain extent be avoided by shipping direct from the mine, with
out exposing the coal to any lengthened action of moisture, Dn
‘Oldham, in his report on ‘The Coal Resources and Production of
ndia’ | states that ‘te very dest coal of Indian fields only teweker
the average of English coal? Practical results also attest the
of the former. ‘The two most heavily-worked lines of railway ia India,
viz, the East Indian (Bengal) and the Great Indian Peninsula (Bombay),
use respectively Indian and English coal; and their relative consemp>
RANIGAN). ses
tion is 150 tons per mile in) the former, as compared with 75 tons in
the latter. ‘The price of \Rénigan} coal varies. frotn’ £3, 28:3 10
$1, 5% 7d. 2 ton in Calcutta,
‘The Rdniganj coal-field is the largest and most important of the
areas in which coal is worked in India. Its proximity to the main line
of milway, and also to the port of Calcutta, tends to give it pre-eminence
over less fevourably situated localities, In the year 2774, coal was
known to occur there, and so long ago as 4977 Was actually worked.
In 1830 several collieries of considerable extent had been opened out,
and were, we have reason to believe, in a flourishing condition, The
total area of coal-bearing rocks which is exposed {s about sco square
miles; but it ix possible that the real area may be even double that,
since on the east the rocks dip under and are completely concealed by
alluvium. ‘Throughout this area a central zone includes the principal
mines, and the chimneys which dot this tract constitute it the black
country of India, Av the present time (1879) there are about six
principal European companies engaged in the extraction of coal, while
‘many minor firms and native associations contribute to swell the total
amount raised,
“Formerly a large proportion of the coal was obtained by open work-
ings and quarries ; but ag the present day most of the seams which were
accessible in this way have been exhausted, and regular mining is
now carricd on with more or less system. ‘The miners arc, however,
individually, in some cases, allowed a dogree of freedom, or rather
licence, which would never be permitted in European mines. They
chiefly belong to two races, the Bauris and the Santals; the former
using the pick, while the latter cannot be induced to work with any
other tool than a crowbar, with which they produce an altogethet dis-
proportionate amount of small coal and dust. The “pillar and stall" is
generally practised in preference to the “long wall” system of “ getting”
the coal. None of the mines are of great depth; and a perfect freedom
from fire and choke-damp renders it possible to carry on the work with-
out its being necessary to adopt the precautions which in England only
100 often fail to secure the object aimed at Many of the seams are of
considerable thickness; one which is worked contains nearly 40 feet of
coal, Asa rule, however, the thick seams, especially those in the lower
measures, do not contain the best coal. Compared with ordinary
English coal, the Raniganj coal, and Indian coal generally, are very
fuch inferior in working power still they are capable of generating
steam in both locomotive and other engines.”
‘The latest official return gives the average annual outtumn of so
out of the 53 mines in Bardwan District (Raniganj coal-field), for the
three years previous to 1883, at $74,930 tons; the output in 1883 being
603,591 tons, For 5 mines no returns were given, and no information
e
$06 RANIGANS TOWN—RANIKHET.
was available, The Heiter cased in 266s stints Ree:
11,776 men, women, and children.
|—Small town and aiepalty in Parniah District, Bengals
on the river Kamil, in lat, 25" 51° 40" &,, and long, 87° §97° 55" ey 16
miles due west of Basantpur. Population (1884). 3978, namely,
Hindus $780, a Muhammadans prirbaryceepisin bd
Hr23;5 average incidence of 4{d. per head of population within
municipal limits; municipal police, 12 men, besides 13 maintained for
the protection of the surrounding country. Seat of trade in rice, indigo,
jute, tobacco, ete. Réniganj contains a primary school satan by
a a0 fortress in the independent
Ranigat (or ‘Queen's Rock"), ancient in
Khuda Khel bills, adjoining Peshdwar District, Punjab, identified with
the Aornos of Alexander's historians. In 1848, General
suggested that the ‘wast hill fortress of Ranigat, situated immediately
below the small Sayyid hamlet of Nognim, about 16 chen?
west of Nogrim, corresponded in all essential particulars with the
description of Aornos, as given by Arrian, Strabo, and Diodorus,
excepting in its clevation, the height of Ranigat being not more than
reoo feet, which is, however, a very great elevation for so large a
fortress.’ The ascent from Nognim village to the summit of the hill
is steep, and the distance about three-quarters of a mile. In 1854
General James Abbott suggested the Mahdban bill as the true identifica
tion ; and in 1863, Mr. Loewenthal brought forward the claims of Raja
Hodi's fort, opposite Attock, a site first suggested by General Court
After a full reconsideration of the whole case, General Cunningham has
again urged the identification of Rénigat with Aomos. The ‘Queen's
Rock’ is a huge upright block on the north edge of the fort, on which
Rajd Vara's mfné is said to have seated herself daily. The chief
objection to the identification is the difference in
being only about 1090 feet high, while the Aornus of Arian was said
to be 6674. For a complete statement of the case, see General
nningharn’s Ancient Geagraphy of India, pp. 58-78 (487 1). ‘
Rénilchet,—Military sanitarium in Kumdun District, North-Western
Provinces. Lat. 29° 39" 50° x. long, 79° 33° ® Ranikhet has of kate
grown into importance as a sanitarium for European troops Tt has
several advantages over the other Himdlayan sanitaria, as regards level
land for building purposes, and accessibility, from the plains, and is
also a favourite summer resort for European civiliansand others. Some
years ago it was proposed to move the military head-quarters of the
Indian army from Simla to Ranikhet. Population (February 1881)
5984, namely, Hindus, 3313; Muhammadans, rogo ; Christians, 15755
and ‘others,’ 8. A special Census taken in the height of the season in
‘September 1880 returned the population at 6638, namely, Hindus
‘
RANENCR, 5e7
32433 Muhammadans, 1293; Europeans, 20723 Eurasians, 7; Native
Christians, 7; ‘others’ 16, If the water-supply and other questions
connected with the accommodation of Europeans are satisfactorily
solved, Rantkhet may yet become one of the most important of our
Indian hill stations. Its elevation is sufficient to render it a most
salubrious retreat from the plains.
Réni-mir (‘Zhe Queen's Palace’). —Rock cave in Khandgiri Hill,
Parl District, Orissn. One of the most modern of a serics of cave-
temples with which Khandgiri and the neighbouring hill of Uparacrer
are honeycombed, The earliest of these excavations exhibit what are
believed to be the oldest memorials of Buddhism, and the first human
dwellings yet discovered in India. ‘The Ranf-ndr is the latest and most
élaborate of these excavations, to which dates have been variously
ascribed from 200 RC. to 1000 A.p. It consists of two rows of cells,
one above the other, shaded by pillared verandahs, with a courtyard
cut out of the hillside. ‘Two stalwart figures, in coats of mail down to
the knees, stand forth from the wall as guards. One of them wears
boots half-way up the knee ; the other scems to have on greaves, the
feet being naked, but the legs encased in armour, The courtyard
opens towards the south, and is lined on the other three sides with rows
of chambers. On the right and left appear to be the cooking-room and
common dining-hall. ‘The verandahs are commodious, and the rock
brackets, which extend from the pillars to support the intervening roof,
are finely sculptured. ‘The upper storey contains four large cells, each
14 feet long by 7 broad, and 3 feet 9 inches high. The verandah out-
side is about 60 feet long by to broad, and 7 in height. Each cell has
two doors, and at either end is a lion, hewn out of the rock.
The upper verandah of the Queen's Palace is adorned with a sculp-
tured biography of its founder. The first tableau, worn almost level
with the rock, seems to represent the sending of presents, which pre
ceded the matrimonial alliances of the ancient dynastics of India. A
Tunning figure stands dimly out, apparently carrying a tray of fruit.
The second appears to be the arrival of the suitor. It delineates the
meeting of the elephants, and a number of confused human forms, one
of whom rides on a lion From the third tableau the biography
becomes more distinct. It represents the courtship. The prince is
introduced by an old lady to the princess, who sits crosslegged on a
high seat, with her cyes averted, and her arms round the neck of one of
her maidens below. ‘The fourth is the fight. The prince and princess,
each armed with swords and oblong shields, engage in combat. The
fifth is the abduction, depicting the princess defeated and carricd off in
the prince’s arms, her sword lost, but her shield still grasped in her
hand. The prince holds his sword drawn, and is amply clothed. The
princess is scantily draped, and her hair knotted in a perpendicular
RANIPET.
€ ber bend and a long tress falling over
msccr == ter WO wears heavy anklets The sixth is the
przn A pee uess Se comme cf Se piece. on one side of which the
yemoe in! pracess xe shoce=z at a Soun<ing antelope; while a led
Sore sands nex, anf sendacss armed with dabs. The prince draws
en Sem ar faskica of English archers. It is about
A ‘2¢F ‘coks down upon the chase from the
== scene ScCows in which the prince sits on a throne on
ameadasss heiding faas on either side. Dancing girls and
ssiciins are groped im froa:, and the princess appears on a throne on
The eighth and ninth tableaux are effaced. Three
scenes of daEance berneen the prince and the princess follow, and the
ger Storey ends in a mysterious running figure with a
him. The lower verandah exhil its the sequel A
Giscioses the princess retired from the vanities of life,
sing az her cell door in the upper storey of a sculptured monastery,
nth her ladies also turned ascetics, sitting at separate doors in the
ywer ome. The remaining tableaux, four in number, represent the
ce. princess, and courtiers as hermits, with their hands on their
breasts in an attitude of abstraction, freed from human Passion, and
wrapped in contemplation of the Deity. Throughout, the prince is
iy dressed, with a cotton garment falling from his girdle,
g the leg bare from the knee. The lady wears a head-dress
something lixe the Prince of Wales’ feathers, with her hair done up in a
towering chignon. A scroll of birds and beasts and leaves runs the
whole way along. The battle and hunting scenes are given with much
spirit, the animals being very different from the conventional creatures
of modern Hindu art. The sculptured legend of the princess is now
much wom by climatic action, and its episodes are to a large extent
conjectural.
Ranipet.—Town in Waldjapet 4i/vA, North Arcot District, Madras
Presidency : situated on the north bank of the Palér river, in lat. 12°
56° x. and long. 79° 23’ 20” E Population (1881) 3697, namely,
Hindus, 2211; Muhammadans, 1183; and Christians, 303. Number
of houses, 556 R4nipet comprises the European quarter of Arcot
town. A village founded opposite Arcot, about the year 1771, by
Saddat-ulld Khan, in honour of the youthful widow of Desingh R4jé of
Gingi, and named after her Rénipet. The place was of no importance
till constituted a British cantonment. It then rapidly extended and
absorbed the adjacent village of Hassandlipet. Rénipet is the head-
quarters of the Sub-Collector, and was formerly a large cavalry
station, now abandoned. The barracks, however, are still in good
preservation, and are occupied as a hospital, and as quarters for the
families of sepoys on foreign service. The Roman Catholics and
RANIPUR—RAN/IT, LITTLE, $99.
the American Mission have churches in the town, A dispensary,
supported by the local fund committee, but under the management of
the head of the American Mission. Every Friday a fair is held on the
ind north of the town, where a larger number of cattle are
bought and sold than in any other place in the District, The ‘Nine
Tkh Garden,’ an extensive grove of mangoes, is near Ran{pet. About
32 per cent, of the population are Muhammadans, consisting largely of
sepoys and their families,
—Town in Jhdnsi District, North-Western Provinces;
situated on the old Jhansi and Nowgong (Naugion) road, 3 miles west
of Mau (Mhow), with which it forms one municipality, Tat. 25° 14'40"N.,
long. 79° 10" 45” £. Population (1881) 6846, namely, Hindus, 6103 5
Muhammadans, 406; and Jains, 339. Municipal income of the united
towns Mau-Rinipur (1883-84), £1459) of which £1229 was derived
from. taxation, mostly octroi duties; average incidence of taxation,
1% ofd. per head of the population (22,827) within municipal limits
Considerable manufacture of Aare and Aasdi cloth, dyed red with
the root of the d/ (Morinda citrifolia), ‘The principal inhabitants are
Jains, who compose the wealthy merchant class, and have a very hand-
some temple, with two high steeples and numerous cupolas. Fine ddsdr
and sardé or native inn, with old and picturesque stone-built houses,
and two small but pretty Jain shrines. Metalled roads and masonry
drains. Founded in 1678 by Rani Hird Devi, widaw of Raja Pahér
Singh of Orchba State. Police station, post-office.
Ranipur,— Town in Khairpur State, Sind, Bombay Presidency ;
situated on the main road from Haidaribéd (Hyderdbsid) to Robri, 45
miles south-west of Rohri, and 15 due west of Diji fort. Lat. 27°
17 ., long. 68° 31° 30° E. Population (1872) 6310, chiefly Muham-
mmadans ; not Hire returnei in the Census Report of 1881. Said
fled hither after her hi
of a considerable manufac!
, Great. ol ' Bengal, which rises in Independent Sikkim
and enters Dérjiling District from the west, forming part of the northern
boundary. After a short course from west to east, it falls into the
‘Tisra (lat. 27° 6” N., long. 88” »). Its affluents above the point of
junction are the Rangnu and thi hota or Little Ranjit. ‘The Ranjft,
although not navigable, being purely a mountain stream, is not fordable
within Dirjiling at any time of the year, It has shelving banks, gene-
tally clothed with forest, but with patches of cultivation at intervals ; the
bed is stony and sandy.
Ranjit, Little.—River of Bengal, rising in the Singilild xange, on
the borders of Sikkim and Nepal. It flows generally in a north-easterly,
510 RANPUR TOWN AND STATE.
direction, and falls into the Great Ranyrr on its 14
dry and cold months it is everywhere fordable. The}
oro agora oe Msi Se ‘ttn
“BED om in Dhandhuka Sub-division,
Lat, 22° 22’ ¥., and Jong. 71° 45° & |
cesta teat sbaak obs tbo pdb fase Gaara the
Goma. Population (1881) Fhe On the raised strip of land between
the two rivers is a large District bungalow; and near it,
fort partly in ruins, the chief ornament of the tot
founded about the beginning of the 14th century by
Rajput chieftain, the ancestor of the Bhaunagar ain C
father, Sekdji, had sertled, and named it Sejikpur 5 Sone
strengthened Sejikpur with a fort, called it Ranpur, Sometime in the:
rsth century, the ruling chief embraced the Muhammadan religion and
founded the family of the present Ranpur Molesalims. About 1649,
Amm Khin built the castle of Shdhdpur, whose ruins still ornament the
town, In the 18th century, Ranpur passed to the Gackwdr, and from
him to the British in 1802 A station on the BhaunagarGondal
Railway. Post-office,
Ranpur.—Native State of Orissa, in the Li
Bengal ; lying between lat. 19° 52’ 45" and 20° 12'n,,.and between long,
85" 9° 15° and 85° 29°15" x. Bounded on the ieee
by Purt District ; and on the west by Naysgarh State. The:
part of Ranpur is a region of hills, forest-clad and almost
inhabited, which wall in its whole western side, except at aoe
where a pass leads into the adjoining State of Naydgarh, Area, 203,
square miles ; villages, 308; houses, 6572. Population (1881) 36,539)
namely, males 18,382, and females 18,157. Average density of popu
lation, 180 persons per square mile; persons per village, 168 ; persons
per house, Classified according to religion, there a
34,260; Muhammadans, 186; and non- Hindu
incipally Kandhs. “The only town is the Rajé’s place pop jeie
situated in lat. 20° 3’ 55" ,, and long. 85" 23' 26" &, which consists of
one long and wide street, containing about 600 houses, eee
products are here bartered at markets twice a week for iron, cotton
blankets, cotton cloth, silk, wheat, and clarified butter, brought from
Khandpiré; and for fish from the Chilki Lake ‘The revenue of the
Raja is estimated at about £3000; the tribute paid to the |
Government is £r4e. The Rajd’s militia consists of 8,
Forty-one schools are scattered through
at this State was founded 3600 years ago |
ing its name is said to be derived yg
andsur,
RANTHAMBHOR—RAPTI, git
Ranthambhor.—Fort in Jaipur (Jeypore) State, Rajputdna, Lat. 26°
2’ w,, long, 76° $0" k ; situated on an isolated rock, the summit of which
is surrounded by a massive wall, strengthened by towers and bastions,
Within the enclosure, says Thornton, are an ancient palace, the resi-
dence of the Governor; a mosque, with the tomb of a Muhammadan
saint; and barracks for the garrison. East of the fortress is the town,
connected with it by a long flight of steps, Ranthambhor was besieged.
withoot success in 1291 by Jalal-ud-din, the Khilji king of Delhi; in
1299, by the Wazir of Allahabad ; and shortly afterwards captured by
Ali-ud-din, who put the garrison, with the Raji and his family, to the
sword, The fort was subsequently wrested from the sovereign of Delhi;
and in £§16 is mentioned as belonging to Mélwa, After the expulsion
of Muhammad Shah from Delhi by Humdyiii in 1g53. it surrendered
to the Raja of Bundt, who transferred it later on to Akbar, It probably
fell into the hands of the R4jd of Jaipur on the decay of the Empire, in
the middle of the 17th century. The ancient ruins within the fort are
now, with the permission of the Jaipur Darbar, being archwologically
surveyed.
Réojén.—Village and police station in the head-quarters Sub-division
of Chittagong District, Bengal. Lat 2a” 32° N., long. 91” 57° 50”
Population (1881) 5560 Rédojdn, with the adjacent police circles of
Patakehari and Hithhaedri, has been recently formed into one large
Government estate (/ids mahal), and placed in charge of a tedstiddr,
Rapri.—Village and ruins in Shikohabdd Arhsi, Mainpuri District,
North-Western Provinces; situated among the wild ravines on the left
bank of the Jumna, about 44 miles south-west of Mdinpuri town,
Population (x88r) 714, namely, Muhammadans 422, and Hindus
292. Numerous remains of Hindu and Muhammadan times exist in
the neighbourhood. Local tradition ascribes the foundation of the
ancient city to Rio Zordwar Singh, also known as Répar Sen, whose
descendant fell in battle against Muhammad Ghori in 1194 AD,
Mosques, tombs, wells, and reservoirs mark its former greatness ; and
several inscriptions found among the ruins have thrown much light upon
the local history. The most important of these dates from the reign of
Aléuddin Khilj, Many buildings were erected by Sher Shth and
Jabingir, and traces of the gate of one of the royal residences still exist,
indicating that RApri must at onc time have been a large and prosperous
town. ‘The present village is connected by good fair-weather roads
with the railway station and town of Shikohabdd and with Sarsaganj ;
and a bridge of boats crosses ‘the Jumna to Batesar on the opposite
bank, where one of the largest fairs in the North-Western Provinces is
held every year.
Réapti—River of Oudh and the North-Western Provinces. It rises
among the outer Himdlayan ranges of Nepdl, in lat. 28° 19’ w., and
peat pps poner
hour; but during the hot weather it shrinks to 150 yards,
of only 2miles an hour, The current often cuts away lat
land and transfers them from one village to another, cc
tributary is the Burha Rapti, which joins it on its left bank in’
District.
Rapur.—7ii/uk or Subdivision of Nellore Distriet,
dency. Area, 596 square miles, Population (1881) 49,774,
25,639 males and 24,135 females, occupying 991 houses in
Hindus number 47,584; Muhammadans, 2172} and
Rapur is the most southerly of the inlying government
District. It is watered by two small streams, the Kandlera nnd the
Kolleru; these supply a few tanks in their course. The
is small, ‘but-the Penner canal, passing through the north-cast p
the 4d/uk, has made a marked increase in this respect, “The |
north is chiefly black, and in the south red, ‘Towards the
low rocky hills, chiefly trap, on which garnets and other
found. ‘The western portion of the fd/ut consists of
extending from the slope of the Ghats for an average |
miles. Land revenue, £10,262.
criminal courts, 2; police
village watch (chawkiddrs), 12.
Rapur.—town in Nellore District, (Mads
artes Répur ¢dluk, Lat. 14° 11 35", paper
lation (1881) 2423, occupying 497 houses. ae
is “
a
RASAN—RAS MUART.
the irregular chain of hills which forms the eastern | ncaa
District. Rasflgarh is approached by an easy ascent. Narrow in the
Temples, pools, ruins of a magazine, store-house, and other buildings
are in the fort.
Résan (or Raisin) —Village in Badausa trhsi’, Banda District, North>
Provinces. Distant from Banda town 30 miles south-cast,
from Kalinjar 17 miles northyeast. Siruated at aheehsotiné-asocky BU,
‘crowned by the ruins of an old fort. An ancient temple, probably of
Chandel date, and now disused, stands in the centre of the enclosure.
Mounds surround the village, pointed out by tradition as the remains
‘of a large town called Rajbansi. Population (1881) 2833. Local
legends affirm that about the rsth century Ballabh Deo Ju fought
against the Delhi troops on this spot; and. that the imperialists, being
victorious, plundered and burnt the old town, which has remained in
rains ever since, One Ram Krishna then founded the present village
of Rasan near the deserted town and fort of Rajbansi, and his descendants
are still saminddrs in the village. Headquarters of a pargandé under
‘Akbar. Village school.
Rasauli.—Town in Bara Bonki District, Oudh ; situated 4 miles cast
of the civil station of Nawdbganj, on the Faizibdd road. A Musalmin
settlement of some antiquity. Population (1881) 2793, namely, Muharn-
ee” and Hindus 1320.
— Village in Derapur ¢hsif, Cawnpur District, North-
“Western Provinces ; situated 42 miles from Cawnpur city, a little to
the north of the old Mughal road. Population (x881) 3146 Bik
weekly market on Tuesclays and Saturdays. A small house-taxis raised
for police and conservancy purposes,
Village in Badausa ¢a/si/, Binda District, North-Western
cos —See RASA
(or correctly Gadsipur).—Town in Salem tdAsk, Salem
ict, Madras Presidency ; situated at the entrance of the valley east
© of the Salem-Ndmakal road. Lat 11° 27' 30" x, and long. 73° 19°
47" ®. Population (1881) 7969, namely, Hindus, 7486 ; Muhammadans,
373; and Christians, 110. Number of houses, 1336. The station of
asub-magistrate, Principal indaytries—silk-weaving, brass work, iron-
smelting. and sugar-beiling,
Bas Mudri (or Gafe Monse, Ras Monari, ets. ; called Ras Jil by the
Baldchfs).—The frontier promontory between Sind and Bahichistén, at
the south-eastern extremity of the estuary of the Has River. Lat. 24
50’ ®., long. 66" 43° & ‘This headland, well known to mariners, forms
VOR. XI. 2k
be /
RASSA—RASULABAD.
in one block, as a fortalice, with towers at the angles, on the north side
of the town at the entrance from the Ghdzipur road. The town
contains five large and about twelve small masonry mosques; dispen-
sary; Anglo-vernacular school; and a post-office.
Rassa,—Village in the District of the Twenty-four Pargands, Bengal.
Noted as the residence of the descendants of the Mysore princes.
Sets cane ieehine een
san 461 Hindus; not returned separately in the Census Report of
4881. The chief occupation of the inhabitants is agriculture. Police
Station, travellers’ bungalow, and dharmsdia,
Rasulabid.— Central western saAsif of Cawnpur District, North-
Western Provinces, lying in the middle of the Dedb uplands, and
conterminous with the fargaad of the same name. The soil is a
fertile loam, changing to a reddish sandy soil on the banks of the
Rind, and stiffened into a hard clay wherever water lodges. Irrigation
is plentiful, both from a canal distributary, and from wells In the
north, water is also afforded by several large swamps or jd, on which
grow extensive crops of rice. The faAsil is drained not only by the
Rind, but by the Chhoyé and Siydri watercourses, and in its extreme
‘northem comer by the Paindu. Unmetalled roads connect it with
Bilhaur, and with the Jhinjak station on the East Indian Railway.
Arca of the faésil, 226 square miles, of which 116 square miles are
under cultivation. Population (1881) 102,168, ely, males 55,342,
and females 46,826. Classified according to religion, Hindus aumber
97.473, and Muhammadans 4990. Of £28 villages, 55 contain less
than five hundred inhabitants; 46 from five hundred to a thousand ;
and 27 from one to five thousand. Government land revenue,
£19,57%, oF including local rates and cesses, £21,920.
id by cultivators, including cesses, £34,129. Number of police
5 (thduds), 2 ; strength of regular police, 21 men; village watch or
police (ckaukiddrs), 209.
Rasildbéd,—Village in Cawnpur District, North-Westem Provinces,
and head-quarters of Rastilébid tahsi/; situated 4o miles north-west
of Cawnpur city, and 9 miles n of Jhinjak railway station,
Population below seco. Besides the usual Sub-divisional courts and
offices, Rasilibéd contains a police station, postoftice, and Anglo-
vemacular school. The fort, in which the fwhsidi offices are located,
was built by Govind Rao Pandit, the Mardthd governor, between 1756
and 1762.
Rasilibid.—Town in Unao District, Oudh; situated 14 miles
north of Unao town, in lat. 26" 50° x, and long, $0" go’ = Population
516 RASULABAD VILLAGE—RATANPUR.
‘
(1881) 3338, namely, Hindus 2673, and Musalmdns 665, (Four
mosques, 5 Hindu temples, 2 weekly markets. | Hax some reputation
for goldsmiths’ and jewellers’ work, ihe als pete eee sardis or
native inns, post-office, and primary school: iol bol 1
Rasiil4béd. —Village in Arvi ¢aAsi, Wardhé District; Central: Pré-
vinces. Population (1881) 2552, namely, Hindus, ati _Muham-
madans, 362; Jains, 67; and non-Hindw aborigines, 181
lands are rich and well cultivated. Large weekly vntet heliledeem
Friday. Prosperous Government school. 4 0th
Rasulpor—River of Bengal, which, with the Haldi, is they
tributary of the Huigli within Midnapur ‘District’ ‘Rises in the
west of that District, under the name of the Bigdd, and flows eastwards
and south-castwards till it falls into the Huigli below Coweolly lighthouse,
a short distance above the embouchure of that river binned
Bengal.
1—Town in Faiekbid (Fyedbid) District, Oudh ; situated
on the bank of the Gogra river, 4 miles from Tiinda. Population
(1881) 3360, namely, Hindus 2066, and Muhammadans | 1294, in
cluding 20 Shiss,
Raswis.—Town in Bhopdl State, Central India Agency. Pepe
tion (1881) 5171, namely, Hindus, 3826; Maaieatoas ppb
‘others,’ 182.
Ratangarh,—‘Town in Bikaner (Bickaneer) State, ‘edjple
Population (1881) 7580, namely, Hindus, 5823; Muhammadans,
1184; and ‘others,’ 573. dsdr and well-built houses. Post-ofices
and 16 temples.
Ratanmal.—Petty State in the Bhil or Bhopdwar of Central
India. Population (1881) 468, of whom 227 are Bhils, Country hilly
and covered with jungle, Estimated revenue, 460. ‘The Stare
receives no allowances from, nor does it pay any tribute to, the British
Government. It derives its name from a high flat-topped hill, Ratanindl
{about 4000 feet above sea-level), situated in the southern portion of
the State, The present Thikur, named Dhirap Singh, was born about
1878. i
Ratanpur.—Town in the Native State of Rajpipla, Rewd Kantha
Agency, Bombay Presidency. Lat, 21° 24" N., long. 73° 26's. ‘The
town stands on the top of one of a series of small round hills, about 14
miles north-east of the city of Broach. In 2705 the Manfthis gained
a complete, victory here over the Mughal army under Safdar Khan
Babi and Nagar All Khan. At the foot of a hill, in an uncultivared:
tract, about 5 miles south-west of Ratanpur, are the celebrated
carnelian mines; the top of the hill is crowned by a tomb-of Bawa
Ghor, a miracle-working saint. Annual fair.
Ratanpur (Retndpur)—Town in Biléspur faksil, Biléspur District,
RATANPUR DHAMANKA—RATH. 57
Central Provinces, 1 miles north of Bilispur town ; situated in lat. 2
16° 30" N., and long. 82" 21" x., in a hollow surrounded by the Kenda
offshoots of the Vindhyan range, Ratanpor was the capital of the
Haibai-Banaf kings of Chhatisgarh. Since the death of Raji Bimbdji
Bhonsla, in 1787, the town has steadily decayed, though the crumbling
arches of the old fort, the broken walls of the ancient palace, and the
half-filled wp moat which surrounded the city, recall its former grandeur,
Population (1881) 5615, namely, Hindus, 4765; Kabirpanthis, t42;
Satndmis, 92; Muhammadans, 502; and non-Hindu aborigines, 114.
Among the residents are many traders, who deal in lac, cloth, spices,
and metals with Mfrzipur; and alsoa large section of lettered Brihmans,
the hereditary holders of rent-free villages, who arc the interpreters of
the Hindu sacred writings, and the ministers of religious rites over a
great portion of Chhatisgarh. The town covers an area of 15 square
miles, and contains within its limits a perfect forest of man,
with numerous tanks and temples scattered amid their shade. Mixed.
up with temples, great blocks of masonry of uniform shape commemo-
rate distinguished sad#r, The most prominent of these is near the old
fort, where a large building, gracefully adorned on all sides with arches and
minarets, records that there, two hundred and forty years ago, 20 Ranis
of Rdjd Lakshman Sahi devoutly fulfilled the duty of self-immolation.
Ratanpur Dhamanka.— Petty State in the Gohelwir pranf or
division of Kathidwdr, Bombay Presidency ; consisting of 3 villages, with
3 separate shareholders. Area, 3 square miles. Population (1881)
get, Estimated revenue, £585; tribute of £75, 65. is paid to the
Géekwir of Baroda, and £15 to the Nawab of Jundgarh.
Ratesh.—Petty State in the Punjab, subordinate to Keunthél. Arca,
§ square miles. The population, estimated at about 500, is included
in the Census returns with that of Keunthdl, Estimated revenue, £70.
‘The chief is styled Thakur.
Rath. —North-western fe/sid of Hamirpur District, North-Western
Provinces ; consisting of a level plain, lying along the rivers Dhdsin and
Betwd, and conterminous with Rath pargand, Area, 3$34 square miles,
of which 261 are cultivated. Population (1881) 106,013, namely,
males 54,447, and females 51,866. Hindus number 97,797, and
Muhammadans $216, Of 135 villages, 66 contain a population af less
than five hundred; 33 from five hundred to a thousand; 35 from one
to five thousand ; and x upwards of ten thousand, ‘Total Government
jand revenue, £18,081, or including loca) rates and cesses levied on
land, £21,411. Total rental paid by cultivators, £23,415. The
Zahstl contained in 1883-84, 1 civil and 1 criminal court; number of
police circles (“Admds), 3; strength of regular police, 42 men; village
watch or rural police (chawhiddrs), 255.
Réth—Ancient but decaying town in Hamirpur District, North-
a)
518 RA-THAI-MYO—RATIA.
Western Provinces, and head-quarters of Rath faAsél; situated in lat.
25° 35’ 35” N., long. 79° 36’ 55° E, about 50 miles trom Hamirpur
town. The place probably derives its name from the Rahtor clan of
Rajputs. It is said to have been refounded in 1210 a.p. by Sharaf-ud-
din, who called it Sharafab4d after himself. Rath was formerly of con-
siderable importance, but is now declining through its remoteness from
modem trade routes. Population (1881) 14,479, namely, Hindus
10,482, and Muhammadans 3997. The town contains several mosques,
temples, and tanks, together with the remains of some ancient Chan
buildings south of the town, and the ruins of two forts, built by
Réjés of Jaitpur and Charkhdri during the last century. Mosque ai
well bear inscriptions of Aurangzeb’s reign. Tomb of Fard Pir, we
of town, built over a sacred brick brought from Bagdad from the shrine
of Shaikh Abd-ul-Kadir Jiléni. Handsome ddsdr. Trade in grain,
cotton, and molasses. Manufacture of country cloth, dyes, and salt-
petre. The public buildings comprise the /aAs#/t, police station, post-
office, dispensary, school, and spacious sardi or native inn. During
the Mutiny of 1857 the éaks{idér and the kantingo were killed, but not
by the people of Rath, who bear an excellent character as orderly and
well-disposed subjects. A municipality was established in 1867, but
abolished two years later. For police and conservancy purposes, a
small house-tax is levied.
Ba-thai-myo (correctly Ya-thé-myo).— Ancient capital of Prome,
British Burma.—See Ya-THE-Myo. ink
Batid —Town and municipality in Fateh4béd faAst/, Hissdr Diag
Punjab ; distant from Hissdr town 40 miles north-west. Ratid is:
scarcely more than a Jat agricultural village, but bears marks of
former importance, like so many other places in the desolated tract
once watered by the Ghaggar and Saraswati (Sarsuti). It was originally
held by Tur Réjputs, then conquered by the Pathdn invaders. Devas-
tated by the great Chalisa famine in 1783-84, and colonized since
British occupation by its present Jét inhabitants. Population (1881)
3212—Hindus, 1472 ; Sikhs, 1348; Muhammadans, 386 ; and Jains, 6.
Number of houses, 407. Municipal income (1883-84), £96, or an
average of 7d. per head. Small trade in grain, leather, and wool, and
considerable manufacture of raw hide jars (kupds).
END OF VOLUME XI.
MORRISON AND GIBB, RDINBURGH,
PRINTERS TO HER MAJESTY’S STATIONERY OFFICE.