ohn a tee a) 7 nreeee © ‘ WG Pbehd Ube bib be TT Te TTT bee Widduidnicdanal tee iti diahies eee ' hater “is RPI LIE weevil as ARIA ERUE Lay ALDERMAN LIBEI UNIVERSITY CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGF i 7 m a) *) ages eqag TY: Tet en oH sieheasatat Seeded sion wb abel ac eh auad a um eet Ns Pat bmia ial beh bl Sed eb be bashed Lt sant re pes bby me bet ? “ phbabunutet et bubs A Sond a Wikstodedd- al csiSelections from the pre-Mutiny Records of the Commissioner in Sind. EEE ee a, Or ee POOR yes * : oe OD ae ee ee Ries" CAS ee para. 5 SP ala Ta i geesMabainabe aca ees tet Corr rs elle ee Le tt . it te Lec rt y treyiN iB A. Selections from the Records of the Commissioner in Sind. No. | | | Subject. | | —~ | - ee Report on the condition and mode of Adminis-| tration in Sind. Revenue queries by Mr. R. K. Pringle, Commis-' sioner in Sind to Collectors in Sind, and replies thereto. Remarks on the State of Affairs at Kelat by Mr. (afterwards Sir) H. B. E. Frere, Commis- sioner in Sind. Memorandum of portions of correspondence between the acting Commissioner in Sind and| Government relative to the attempts of the Persians to obtain a footing in Mekran, and to the aid afforded to the Persians by Azad Khan of Kharan. ‘Journey from Mandvi to Hyderabad (Sind) and) from Hyderabad to Khairpoorand back (De- cember 1831 to May 1832) Narrative of a— by Lieutenant E. Delhoste, Surveyor, Sind Mission, of a— | An account of certain details of administration and development in Sind, relating to the pre-| conquest period, | Routes taken by Colonel Soppitt’s Detachment! in May 1841, from Quetta to Noushkey. | | Thar Parkar Affairs— +8 +] | | (1) Disputes between the Jodhpur Darbar and Government of Sind with regard to the boundaries of Umarkot. Payes. eo 39—143 147—'73 17— 1S! 185—237 241—277 28 1—305 309—338ap ‘Pai gee tas MNES: le Por are ee OP EE OPEL AT SET e PRE UE Cy REL ES SUn EE CE SIR ts ‘ ‘s 7 nee > a E PF Pide SA . 4 tig gee Pree Ele Ee aes eee SA 2 Re ate ccc Ae wiite 1 Ale aR a eo ees ere eRe ere ey ‘g2 5 ee Be * Z — - * n *~ - = I “epee es wc aS i St ve a, oom int " ee ee ae a a eee Se Ws Se a eso - = ae . ¥ a eee ke - m e Seas hn Sa at ee ee ees ee SE Se elit oa ae a , er Be ara acme ane ae ‘Pa Se he ae 6 aaceannese ait occ Pos SAR ese AR Se SE Shey oe Sa eee oe F © S Mie tt tc et ae erate asia Tee il | Subject. ee Pe ee | e ° (2) Boundary dispute between H. H. Mir Ah Murad Khan, Talpur, Ruler of Khair- poor, and the Rajah of Jessulmeer. Transfer of Umarkot from Jodhpur State (3) | : to the Province of Sind. instructions to Deputy Collectors of Hyderabad 341 —35! district regarding collection of grain revenue in Hyderabad Collectorate, 1843—1847. 10 & 11| (1) Creation of the appointment of the Commis- 35 5—390 sioner in Sind and his duties described, 1847. (2) Annexation of the Province of Sind to Bom- bay Presidency, 1847. | 12 | (a) Military Commission appointed by Sir Char-| 393—474 les Napier to enquire into a complaint acainst Seth Naomul, Head Kardar of| Kurrachee, and findings of the Commission,| 1847. | | (2) Seth Naomul’s Appeal to Government | (c) Government decision recognizing his services.| 13 { Memorandum by Mr. A. Young, Deputy Collec- 477 — 487 | tor, Mehar, on the Buttai System. | 14 Schemes for Kurrachee water-supply— uv AQI—683 (2) By Captain Delisle, Engineer, 1857. | (6) By Mr. John Brunton, M.I.C.E., 1860. | (c) By Mr. Barns, 1866. | (2) By Khan Bahadur Murad Khan, 1866-—68.|Selections from the Records of the Commissioner in Sind. SELECTION No. IL. Report on the condition and mode of Administration in Sind by Mr. R. K. Pringle, Commissioner in Sind, submitted to Government in 1847.aT | Ty be Miata ttt) . Ser ne ale. hele ey Hhebahihet bh oa tes te he pea tse a seria bya Midi, bei debe Ue baleen sty Lat ethane Se rebate Toe era Prints aA dl bed echhchaate LTT tt eit | es ae = aN Pe Me iNNo. 3886 OF 1847. POLITICAL DEPARTMENT. Dated 31st December 184%. From THE COMMISSIONER IN SIND. THE HONOURABLE G. R. CLERK, GOVERNOR OF BOMBAY. Subject.—Report on the condition and mode of Administration in Sind. HON’BLE SIR, In order that you may be placed in possession, on your Introductory. arrival in this Province, of such information as to its condition and mode of administration as may supply you with the materials for framing a plan for its future Civil Government, I do myself the honour to submit the result of the enquiries instituted by me with that view, in as complete a form as the shortness of my residence in the Province and my previous unacquaintance with its circumstances will permit. 2. The course which I have adopted for this purpose Course has been to address queries on the various subjects, adminis- Ped trative and statistical, on which it occurred to me that information information, would be required, to those officers whose duties and _ position afforded them the means of furnishing it. Their replies will be found in the documents appended to this report; to these I beg to refer for the elucidation of details. My own observations will be confined to a general view of their result, and to such remarks and suggestions as arise out of it. 3. The British Province of Sind has the states of Kelat Boundaries of the Province, on the west and north; Mooltan, Bahawalpur, H. H. Meer Ali Murad, Jessulmeer, Balmeer and Cutch on the north-east, L (1v) 355—1 AEF DPN 5. = ~ %, x 2 - PRE we Ae OR > = - haCharacteristic its immediate frontier 1s desert. Its 2 east and south-east; and the sea on the south and south- west. With the exception of its seaward boundary, a moun- tainous chain on the west, and those parts adjoining the country of Meer Ali Murad and the Nawab. of Bahawalpur, characteristic feature feature, River ig the Indus which flows through its centre and the canals Indus. Estimate of length, breadth and superficial area. Soil aud climate. Products. Estimate of population. Its composi- tion. diverging from that river. To the southward it extends on either side-of the Indus; to the northward, with the exception of a small tract immediately above Roree, it 1s met on the eastern bank by the Territory of Meer Ali Murad. Its length from north to south may be about four hundred, miles; its breadth does not much exceed 40 miles’in the upper portion, but extends from 200 to 250 in the lower and larger portion ; the average breadth may be about 120, which would give 48,000 square miles for its superficial area. Of this however a large proportion, beyond the influence of the river or in the vicinity of the sea, is sandy desert or salt morass. That which is cultivated and subjected to irrigation is for the most part a productive alluvial soil. The climate is remarkably dry: colder than most parts of India in the cold season, and hotter in the hot season. Rain falls seldom, but very heavily when it does fall. The produce is similiar to that of India, bajree and jowari being the principal early crops and wheat and barley the principal late crops; the former most preyalent in the upper, the latter in the lower portion. Rice is grown partially to the northward but more extensively in the low southern parts towards the sea; in favourable localities, cotton, indigo, sugarcane and tobacco are raised, though not: to a great extent or for exportation ; opium might be cultivated in some places with success, but is prohibited. The population is estimated to amount to 1,274,732, which, taking the area as above computed at 48,000 square miles, would give nearly 27 to the square mile. With reference however to the prevalent opinion as to the deficiency of population and the large portion of the surface occupied by desert and morass, I should be inclined to think even this moderate proportion a high estimate. | The population is composed of Sindhis, Baluchees and Hindus; the two former profess the Muhammadan faith, the Sindhis being supposed to have been converted to it from Hinduism, The Sindhis and Hindus are the more industrious and peaceable races, theS Baluchis the more warlike and turbulent. The Hindus are chiefly occupied in trade, the others in agriculture and fishing. 4. The Province is divided into three Collectorates } Territorial ie ia ° ‘ . divisions and Shikarpur to the north, situated, with the exception of a small chee are portion, on the western bank of the Indus and Hyderabad and Karachi to the south, situated respectively on the eastern and western banks. Their average revenues, as realized by the Collectors for the three official years intervening between the present year and that of the conquest, were— Shikarpur fe ... Rs, 1,066,000 Hyderabad x ie fy COD AS Karachi 7, «618,940 Total ol. RS aye aes Sle eee eee eee eg Besides the above, a small detached district to the north of the Runn is managed by the Political Agent in Cutch and there is a separate Collector for Sea Customs. The principal sources from which the Revenue is now principal derived are land, fisheries, sea and frontier customs, excise woes on spirits and drugs, Judicial fees, fines, and miscellaneous items. Town and transit duties, which formerly existed, have been abolished as also many inconsiderable and partial cesses prevalent under the late Government. 6. The population is not, as in India, divided into village Absence of ae : : : hereditary communities each having its hereditary establishment for the village and management of its affairs; nor are there any hereditary district district esta- : 2 : blishments. establishments; the heads of tribes and castes exercise an°* undefined influence among their members, and this may in some degree, though | apprehend very imperfectly, supply the want of those useful institutions which contribute so much to facilitate our revenue and police arrangements in India. In some pergunnahs indeed there is an officer termed “ Kotar sy a ae See ee LA ae are Ne4 cA. oa” a | Ry gas Oe ane Nia sd ak ase ve 4 ’ aia ke 4 rn 7 ~~ : _— o- 9 re Ps ¥ D \ Zee seg eS es eke a ee ek + ee ee dn he Oe ee By ee a - ee % ie fot tage Be eS ie te fae oe ea eee Be ee 2 | am iene ae ere eae © Fe Eee ae ee eter ee rig ‘ Ay ba oe cs be ™ ae se * «= . o eee “d bad a i ee oe : : CES. ‘ Perr esi atest seers a ee ; : = A Land tenure. Nature of the land revenue system of 4 or “Kotwal” who is described as performing many of the duties usually assigned to the Mhars or Dehars in India, but he appears to be rather a Government than a village servant, although the office is usually held hereditarily. The zamindars in some places elect a sort of representative for the manage- ment of public affairs under the denomination of ‘“‘ Muccuddum or *Urbab” but this does not appear to be general or analogous to any of the offices in the hereditary district establishments of India. The boundaries of the village lands are defined, but their division into separate fields as in India is unusual. 7. Those lands in which no part of the Government interest is alienated, that is the greater portion of the lands, are held on the tenure common throughout India, of undisturbed occupancy so long as the revenue is paid at the established rates. The value of sucha tenure must depend on the pressure of those rates ; but that this is not heavy may be inferred from the extensive existence of a class of landlords under the name of zamindars, living on rent and having labourers under them to cultivate the land. These are not hereditary district officers as those to whom the term is applied in most parts of the Bombay Presidency, but more nearly resemble in position, though not in the extent of their holdings, what I understand to be the zamindars of Bengal. A species of Putadar tenure is described as existing to a limited extent in the neighbourhood of Shikarpur, respecting the nature of which the Collector has not furnished full information. 8, The bulk of the land revenue is assessed and realized in kind, at rates not exceeding one third of the gross produce, settlement and with some small additions to meet charges of irrigation and collection. collection; lower rates are occasionally fixed with reference to the greater expense of irrigation or local circumstances. Money assessments exist, though not extensively; their terms are moderate considering the fertility of the soil; they are based on standard beega somewhat exceeding half an acre in extent; and the amount of cultivation under them is ascertained by annual measurement. The settlements are usually made with each cultivator or land holder individually, though occa- sionally with the villagers jointly or through the intervention _, : ee eas Oe eS eee5 of a middleman. It is optional with the cultivators to redeem their corn rents at a money valuation if they desire it, but this is not often availed of. The agency employed by the Collector for the assessment and realization of the revenue consists of the Kardar or Native Manager of the district and certain officials required to measure the land and watch and divide the produce. The Government share of the revenue in kind is kept in public granaries until disposed of; the Collectors exercise their discretion as to its disposal by auction or contract, also as to the time and mode of realizing the proceeds, acting in these matters to the best of their judgment for the interests of Government. Under such a system there may be considerable variation in the annual amount of revenue; but with proper management there is no great cause for outstanding balances or defalcations, and these accordingly appear to be un-frequent. 9g. The land alienated in Jagheer is estimated at about oe 1/1oth of the Government land, but only a small proportion of ~~ this 1s cultivated. The alienations were chiefly for civil or military service, and in form are resumable at pleasure practically ; however, a considerable portion of them held by families or individuals entitled to consideration were regranted wholly or partially to their heirs, and this practice has been continued since we got the country, at the discretion of the Government. All who made their submission within a given date were admitted to an investigation of their titles, which has been accomplished in regard to most of them, and their rights settled according to the result. It would be desirable now to fix a definite period beyond which no further investigation into titles would be gone into except under special and peculiar circumstances. I should anticipate that a large portion of the alienated land would eventually revert to Government, but the right of resumption should be exercised with caution and consideration. The Collector of Shikarpur alludes to a regulated system for the disposal of such cases, but this | am led to believe is rather what was under consideration than what has been actually introduced. With the exception of some inconsiderable grants to Suyuds and Fuqueers, there are none of those charitable or religious alienations which are found to so large an extent in our Indian Provinces. Tee ey YE Nh a EY Seanere oy = 4 eer ee STe CATE TERE TC OL EE PLE DEERE ks 1 ae ep Tagen’ . a PEICSESRUPAS Teer ete eee eh sets epee eae hee. i i eae jie . (ER Sea ee TA TE. LESTE SiSe St Get pe eh a eee Wed pa gy, me Tile ie, 6 ae eh Biot toate a Bh ay ph LER A SAE Fe des. i eee ert: SET ee 0 . Sp fed Ceo ee Pe ee, oe Pe a 4 oe Ses) Bh. sop nthe 20 : ‘ ri 5 the Et ae r 7 a j aly 70 Extent of cultivation, Advances to cultivators, their connection with money lenders. Remissions. eat esc kaos tte . Z yi a . Tt eins Sa) of eee eee ee a ee 6 10. The cultivated land is estimated to amount to 1,175,000 beegas, but this forms but a very inconsiderable proportion of the extent capable of cultivation and still less of that of the whole surface including Desert. The cultivated area might doubtless be enlarged to a very great extent, with adequate means of irrigation which is_ here the principal requisite for developmg the naturally fertile properties of the soil; for this, capital and population are wanted, and these it may be hoped will be forthcoming by degrees under a system of Government so much more favourable to their progress than that which has hitherto existed ; the field for the improve- ment of the revenue from this the most legitimate source may therefore be considered promising. Temporary abatements of rents are given for bringing new land into cultivation, the terms of which are left to the discretion of the Collectors. 11. Advances are made to the cultivators but with discrimination and caution, and the amount is for the most part punctually recovered. It 1s chiefly, however, from private capitalists that the cultivators derive the means of carrying on their operations; here, as in India, the great bulk of the tillers of the soil are indebted to money-lenders and for the accom- modation derived from them they pay highly; they may in fact be considered as mere labourers, the wages of whose labour is limited to a bare subsistence, while their creditors are the class by whom, as the means of providing the agricultural stock are advanced, its profits are realized ; viewed in this light, and with reference to the risk incurred, the rates of accom- modation are not so excessive as they might appear if considered merely as interest on loans. It were perhaps a more healthy state of things if a larger share of the agricultural profits went to the immediate cultivator, but this | apprehend can be looked for only through an improvement in his industrial habits. 12, Remissions of rent on account of failures or misfortunes are very rare, there being little occasion for them where so large a portion of the revenue is taken in kind, and consequently accommodates itself to the state of the harvest. A source of difficulty frequently experienced in our detailed. ad ae af zz cies ee a ao ee eee eee» i annual settlements in other quarters is thus avoided, though perhaps others are encountered, in arriving at a correct estimate of the Government share of the produce. 13. The cultivation of the land and consequently the !*tigation. main source of revenue, in this Province, is almost entirel dependent on artificial irrigation, in which respect it differs from most of the districts under the Bombay Presidency ;_ the means of maintaining this become therefore a subject of vital importance, and have received and will continue to deserve the large share of the attention of Government. In addition to the information furnished by the Collectors on this subject a very elaborate report has been submitted by Major Scott, the Superintendent of Canals, to which I shall again have occasion to advert. That the subject has not been neglected since we got possession of the country will be apparent from. the costly establishment which has been organised to look after its wants, but the operations of that establishment are yet in their infancy and I apprehend much experience remains to be acquired as to the most effective mode of directing them. The value attached to water for the purpose of irrigation leads to a jealous maintenance of the right to its use; disputes respect- ing it are settled by the Collectors according to local usage. Lands, the rest of the Government interest in which is alienated, are not exempted from contribution to the taxes imposed for the maintenance of the works necessary for irrigation. 14. I have already adverted casually to the productiveness System of of the soil; this will be found more fully demonstrated in the“ details given by the Collectors. The seasons for the various processes of agriculture, and the modes in which it 1s conducted, are not materially different from those prevailing in India; the implements are rude in form and simple in construction, and made and repaired by local artificers paid for their work chiefly in grain; there is no hereditary village establishment for this purpose as in India. The cultivators are described as being ordinarily in better circumstances than in most parts of India with which I am acquainted, except perhaps the most fertile portions of Gujrat and the Southern Mahratta country. Ligenw rns a eg +eee ree ge a " eae Or } x 0D ia - these are all kept in Persian and _ will probably admit of con- siderable Improvement when greater regularity is introduced and more attention paid to the subject. 17. | have dwelt at same length on the circumstances affecting the agricultural population = their transactions with Government, since here as in India they are the most important contributors to the publi logatep them there are in the smaller villages such artisans and ee. shop-keepers as are required for the supply of the limited wants of the culti- vators, an@who are either directly or codiieeahy dependent on agriculture for their livelihood. In the larger towns there is of course a mixed population of persons following other pursuits ; these are free from direct taxation. 1G a i, : D HG reveMmic iD : : Bar be. -ext’ in importance to the land revenue is that Customs derived from customs This branch has been greatly simpli- hed and improved since the Province came into our posses- sion, by the abolition of town and transit duties and the introduction of the Bombay Customs Regulations and sane The collections under this | are now con 2 ned to Frontie and Sea Customs, the former managed by the Collectors He land revenue and the latter by a special Collector of Customs. The system however differs from that practically in force under the Bombay Presidency, in as much as all the adjoining States have been declared ‘foreign’ for the purposes of the Customs Act, and the exports and imports across the land frontier have been subjected universally to the payment of duty, and restricted to prescribed routes, instead of those provisions being applied only to the States which have a sea- coast and where they are therefore necessary for the protection of our sea customs. It may be deserving of consideration whether the apse here might not with advantage be assimi- } lated in this as it has been in all other respects to that pre- L 7 vailing Moder the Bombay Presidency. All interference with the inland trade, and the difficulty and cost of realizing a revenue from it. would thus be avoided; a stimulus would be given to our commercial dealings with the ‘states in the interior ; the products intended tor internal consumption would L (Iv) 355—2 ee ated a hen? eee. i oe oe, ie Ae yh me bec) ha, fe er BS a eS ALG deg, ee Ae ah Excise Revenue. Fisheries. Salt. Ee ed dt Mie02) 1O be relieved from taxation; and the general prosperity of the Province, and with it indirectly that of the land revenue, would be promoted, while the duties on such articles as are intended for exportation would be recovered to their full amount, and with greater convenience and less cost, at the outposts, where they have at present free egress on certificate of the duty having been paid at the land frontier. Before definitely recommending any modification in the existing practice in this respect, however, I should wish to have before me an estimate of its probable financial effect. 19. The mode of realizing an excise revenue from the manufacture and sale of spirits and drugs varies in the different collectorates. In Shikarpur a public distillery system has been recently introduced in the principal towns and their vicinity. In the remote parts of that district, as also in the Collectorate of Hyderabad and Karachi, the farming system still continues. The revenue from this source is increasing, though rather perhaps from its having been brought under more systematic management than from any increase of consumption. The retail sale of opium is regulated on the same principles as in the Bombay Presidency; its importation as well as cultiva- tion 1s prohibited. 20. Fisheries yield a not meconsiderable revenue, their produce, both in the sea and river, being abundant and of good quality. They are disposed of in farm. Some revenue used to be derived by the late Government from a pearl fishery, but it appears to be not of a very valuable description, and its produce under us has been small. 21. Alarge field of naturally formed salt, towards the mouth of the Indus, has recently attracted attention in consequence of the reports of Lieut. Burke. Its commercial capabilities have not yet been fully ascertained, but, in the event of their proving all that officer anticipates, I should look to it rather as affording a convenient subject for export in a country where exportable products are limited than as a source of revenue.ook regulation provinces is here provided in a tax of five per ‘cent: on the amounts of civil suits. The limited extent of judicial business at present makes this not a very productive tax, and of more importance as a check to frivolous litigation than as a source of revenue, but eventually the introduction of stamps may be found a legitimate means of Improving the revenue, when the state of the Province and the feelings of the people have become ripe for its reception. 23. The other source of revenue, such as fines: escheats, etc., are of a miscellaneous character, and not of a sufficient importance to call for a detailed notice. They are similiar in their nature to those prevailing in our other Provinces, and more simple in their classification than we have always found and kept them in those Provinces; some slight modification in this respect may however with advantage be now introduced to bring their arrangement into conformity with that which has recently been adopted for general use under the Bombay Presidency. 24. The Province is territorially divided into Purgunnahs as is the case throughout India. One or more of these are under the management of a Head Native othcer denominated a ‘Kardar’ whose duties are analogous in character, though his average jurisdiction is more limited in extent, than that of a Mamlatdar under the Bombay Presidency. In the Shikarpur Collectorate there are 35 such Kardars, the average annual amount of whose salaries and those of their establishments is Rs. 1,243 and the average amount of revenue under the management of each Rs. 30,467, Inthe Hyderabad Collector- ate there are 56 Kardars the extent of whose charges vary greatly. In Karachithere are 18 Purgunnahs or groups of Purgunnahs under as many Kardars, and there too there is considerable variation both in the extent and value of each charge, their average revenue is Rs. 36,816. [ am inclined to think that the whole of these districts establishments might with advantage be revised, and organised on a more uniform, economical and efficient. scale. The Kardars have no A Lees dee ear : Tr A partial equivalent for the stamp revenue of our Taxes on Judicial Proceedings. Miscellaneous Revenue, Native agents employed in the Revenue Department, = uf BAR AES aarata European agents. Collectors’ establish- ments. Collector's accounts. Hearing petitions, permanent treasuries but forward such portion of the collections as passes through their hands, from time to time, by bills or under a Police escort to he Treasury of the Colleaar or one of his deputies. 2s. Each Collector has several deputies under him, whose position and duties correspond with those of Assistant Collectors under the eee, Presidency. Of these there are five in the Shikarpur Collectorate, 6 in that of Hyderabad and 3 in that of Karachi. They are chiefly co! mmissioned officers of the Bombay Army ; a few are unconvenanted officers. In Shikarpur and Hyderabad two deputies remain at the head station to assist the Collec ctor; the remainder, and those in Karachi have districts entrusted to their charge under the general control of the Collector, on the same plan aaa the Bombay Collectorates, except that they have separate treasuries; the sums Red in these however are not large, the oreater part of the revenue being paid direct into that of the Collector. 26. The establishments, English and Native, attached to the Collectors and their Deputies appear to be on a sufficiently liberal scale as compared with similiar offices under the Bombay Presidency, but a systematic revision might lead to their more uniform and efficient organization. 27. In all matters connected with accounts the Collectors communicate direct with the offices of Account and Audit at Calcutta, and receive their instructions from them - and as those ae are unconnected with the local Govern- ment of this Province, this Branch of the ye duties has hitherto come ei under the direct cognizance of that Government. Ont ee mal annexation of a Province to Bombay it will doubtless require to be reorganized in conformity with the system ne uiling there. The disburse sments in each Collectorate, neiudiee those in the Military Department, being in excess of the receipts, there is no occasion for the remittance of surplus revenue. t( 28. The Collectors and their De puties are accessible every day for the rece ipt of petitions ot ie those who have any representation to Pale Or grievance to be redressed. Genie Rens s * ae. SENS sO CO reno See i eo eemd ENT. lhe 29. The Native Agency em ! ployed under the Collectors Composition is almost entirely composed of natives of the Province, many ee ae of them those who had been employed in similiar duties under Revenue S the tormer Government. Their general character for honesty mae: is not considered worse than that of the same class in India. Several have been brought to trial for malversation, and in some Istances sentenced to severe punishments, by Military Commissions, which may perhaps have imposed a creater check on such practices than is easily attainable under our more regular systems of Civil Government. ae go. Very complete and authentic records of the revenue Revenue administration of the former Government, extending back for tecords of ormer Government. } a considerable period, are forthcoming for Lower Sind, but for Upper Sind they are either lost or in too mutilated and incomplete a state to afford any valuable information; those for Lower Sind are useful for reference, and specially for the verification of grants, and the appreciation of evidence produced in support of claims to exemption from rent or other immunities. QI. The Revenue administration of the former Government Revenue appears to have diftered little in character from that of most ae Native Governments in India, or rather like them to have Government derived its character chiefly from that of its administrators, and 27d under us. therefore too frequently to have been arbitrary, and subject to no restraint but that of an indifferently enlightened self interest. Uuder us, while in form the system has undergone no material change, there can be little doubt that in substance its improve- ment has been vast. Moderation, simplicity, and equity have taken the place of rapacity, complexity and oppression; and although there may still be much room for improvement, I am inclined to think the progress hitherto would bear a very favourable comparison with that of most Provinces which had been for the same time under our rule, and reflects much credit on the officers to whom it is due. Those officers however have had the advantage of greater lights, and a larger accumulation of experience; perhaps, too, a more unfettered discretion than has always fallen to the lot of their predecessors in like circumstances. dhe RaisinRIO vi) ak ft KCN Len cet Liew ey a RRS at iE i a ae Nia Sd if ey het Public gardens. Major Scott’s report, His views on irrigation. ins ee T4 2, JT may here notice, as connected with the develope- ment of our Territorial resources, that public gardens have been cultivated with much success under the zealous and skilful superintendence of Major Blenkins, Assistant Com- missary General. Some memoranda respecting ie will be found among the documents in the appendix, from which it will appear that, in addition to the benefit derived from them they have, what is not always the case with such establishments, yielded a profit instead of being a charge to Government. Their object has hitherto been rather practical utility than experiment, but it might with adyantage be extended to embrace the latter also, and the measure appears to me one in every way deserving the encouragement of Government. 33. In noticing the important place which works ot irrigation occupy in the revenue economy of the Province, | have adverted to the report of Major Scott, the Superintendent of Canals. This document will be found among the appendices to this despatch. It is divided into five sections: the first contains a detail of the proceedings of the Department since its formation; the second remarks on the nature and extent of the irrigation; the third an account of the measures adopted for its maintenance under the former Government; the fourth those adopted under us and observations and suggestions connected with them; a fifth section has been added con- taining observations on the means of internal communication as appertaining also to the department over which Major Scott presides. 34. It would be incompatible with my present object to follow Major Scott through the details of his elaborate report. I will therefore content myself with referring to it generally, as containing much valuable information and ingenious speculation on the subjects of which it treats. It will be seen from the account of the past proceedings of the department that they have‘hitherto been rather of an expérimental and desultory character, and directed not exclusively to the subject of irriga- tion but to'surveys and engineering projects generally. On these it may be presumed a considerable amount of useful information * Not printed. Rees ear a — ee ca (ia ee eT sais el15 has been collected, although no very practical use has yet been made of it. Jt was not until last season that the labours .of the department began to be more exclusively directed to the canals, and many difficulties have occurred to retard their progress. | am not prepared to say whether it may be expedient eventually to maintain this department on its present large and costly scale, but, if it be found efficient for the attamment of its objects, its importance to the interests of the Province can hardly be over-rated 1 would at all events recommend that no alteration should be attempted at present, and that the consideration of Major Scott’s views and plans should be deferred until the experience of another season may enable him to bring them to greater maturity; any point connected with the details of his operations requiring earlier disposal can, if necessary, be brought forward in a separate form. 35: It is satisfactory to be in possession of the views of eee an officer of Major Scott’s experience and_ professional communica- ability on the means of internal communication also; and these ©: may be referred to with advantage in the consideration of any future measures connected with a subject so important to the prosperity of the country. At present I need only direct attention to them as furnishing the only information yet on record as to the wants of the Province in this respect and the means of meeting them. 36. Major Scott has separately submitted a voluminous Hisstatistical series of documents exhibiting in a tabular form much valuable '5!¢: information on statistics of the Province generally, and more specially as bearing on its fiscal resources ; those yet received are only for the Hyderabad Collectorate, but similiar documents are stated to be in progress for the other Collectorates, and those for Karachi may be soon expected. In the detailed form in which these papers are now submitted, and unac- companied as they are by any general abstract of their results, it would answer no purpose to forward them in full, or to attempt to draw from them any practical deductions ; but I have appended Major Scott’s explanatory letter together with an abstract of one set of the statements, which will convey an ideaoT hea slae.'s 4 _ I er tat ccd ¥% by 6 if galing Pedi fe lk? Sai ce RS at ghee . , ‘ Pe cere rere REL eal oe CLO CEL CEA Rh ot: ce ee . EALeuree ieee Ae Sete Tee eer ee eee +p Ae ee a3 ben . - Si ee ee oe eS Seg Say ie ee ee ee er ee pe ee go! is c ee FS ee oe ee er Se ee ae ear a , ; 4 - 4 fi * = ee Fo ae oka Sn eal 5 Ma RE Sere a F = § 8 el rend - meet eee Se Civil Justice. Mode of administering it. Panchayats. 16 of their nature and objects. A valuable map is also in progress of construction under Major Scott’s superintendence, a large portion of which will, | hope, soon be completed. 37, Little change has been introduced in the agency and mode of administering civil justice since our acquisition of the Province, though it may be presumed its administration is more regular and pure than under the former Government. 38. Parties who have disputes to settle, which they cannot dispose of amicably or by private arbitration—which however in the majority of cases they can-——resort to the nearest Chief Officer of a district—with us, the European Collector or his Deputy, formerly, the principal Kardar. ‘This officer exercises his discretion in disposing of the case, more or less summarily, or referring it to the Kazi or a Panchayat. The institution of suits, except under special circumstances, is now limited to the date of the conquest as regards real property, and to a few years previous to it (differently stated, probably under error, by the different Collectors) as regards running accounts or bond debts. The record of a suit, whether decided bv a European Officer or a Panchayat, contains little more than the subject of it and the purport of the award; no pleadings or exhibits, and therefore nothing on which to form a judgment of its merits. An appeal is open to highest civil authority, but under no rules or limitation ; and it is practically of little use, as in the absence of a detailed record there is no alternative but to reject it at once or go into the merits of the case from the beginning and as the latter course would have the effect of bringing every suit eventually before the highest authority for trial, it has therefore been resorted to only in rare instances and on strong prima facie grounds for suspecting injustice. 39. Panchayats are differently constituted according to the practice of the different Collectors. In Shikarpur thee appear to be a sort of standing court of unpaid Judges composed of very unwieldy numbers: in Hyderabad con Karachi they are more of the nature of arbitration courts. in which the parties have a voice in electing the members, and the Government officer appoints an umpire. cV7 | 40. Vakils are admissible, but there is no professional Vakils. class of this d lescripti on ; parties usually conduct their own suits, unless their condition precludes them from appearing in person. 41. A fee ol 5 per cent. s levied on the value of suits, Costs. and the ps arty by whom it is a be paid is determined, according to the merit of the sult, by the officer before whom it is brought. 42. The subjects of litigation are few and for the most Subjects of part simple debts between cultivators and superior holders or me money lenders, mercantile accounts, the use of water and boundaries ® of papery: marriage and inheritance, and such like. Those of the last class are referred to Kazis or heads of caste; the others if not amicably settled, are diposed of by the Government officers, if simple, or by Panchayats, if complicated. 43. Decrees are enforced by attachment of property or Enforcement imprisonment but under no definite rules: much is le t to the ° decrees. discretion of the Collectors in this respect. 44. Village boundary ais rene s are less frequent than in Bonide India ; when they occur they are settled by methods similiar to disputes. those regarted to there, mene as ordeal. 45. Caste disputes interference is exercised in them by the ofhcers of Government. 46. A monthly return of civil suits is furnished by the Results of Collectors, but the records kept by them im this branch fat toa of administration are too incomplete to afford mi sfactory data for Civil Justice. a full exhibition of its operation. According to a r@turn framed by the Civil Judge Advocate-General from the records jin his office, for the whole Province for the year 1846, the number of suits filed was 1,113, of weed 606 or more than one half were bond debts. The aggregate value of the whole was Rs. 272,536; the numbe ee ed by default 56, and decided on their merits 1,057; the decrees enforced by imprisonment sg and by distraint of property 16; the average period of suits remaining on the file 10 days and the number remaining on it L (tv) 355—3 are not frequent and little or no Castedisputes,= a arms, GIRO sab “it o a dig a cit ag Nee a 5 Ly ‘ ESE BE PR i wc ae i SS Bases Ee Ac asia Miia wis As.i, ne: ks hay Its character and sug- gestions for its improvement. Criminal Justice under the former Government. 18 a at the close of the year 5. Only one suit was appealed, and in that the decree was affirmed. These results, inaSfar ‘as any inference can be drawn from them, would indicate no great amount of litigation, and a speedy and efficient dispensation of justice. | am inclined to think however that more remains to be done in this than in any other branch of our administration. The existing system 1s obviously inartificial in the extreme, and although it may have worked tolerably well as a provi- sional expedient in the absence of a better, and where the business to be provided for was not of a very mbficate mature, it can hardly be considered to afford, as a permanent measure, a sufficient provision for the regular and satisfactory adminis- tration of civil justice, even in the present state of society, much less as the need for it may be expected to increase with the progress of the people te wealth and civilization and the more complicated relations it brings with it. The resort to arbitration might continue to be left optional with suitors and rather encouraged than otherwise ; but | apprehend we cannot much longer do without paid Native Judges for the decision of original suits, and two or three European Judges for their decision in appeal and for the control and direction of judicial proceedings generally, together with such rules for the instt- tution of suits, and forms of record and process, as, while they introduce some degree of uniformity and system, may not be in advance of the state of the Province. If, however, the present system is to be continued it must be under some such regulations as are suggested by Captain Young, the Judge Advocate-General, and which seem judicious as a means of reducing it to the most efficient state of which it is susceptible. 48. The administration of criminal justice under the former Government, as in most partially civilised states, was arbitrary and unscrupulous, and therefore probably prompt and vigorous, but unequal, and better adapted to ensure the punish- ment of the guilty than the protection of the innocent. Its processes anid punishments were often of a kind which would be revolting to our notions, and its object was rather private compensation than public example. | In all of these respects it19 Was pethaps no worse than that of other States in the same stage of civilization, but there can be little doubt that it has much improved under us, and has more than gained in equitableness and regularity what it may have lost in vigour. 49. Under us no Native agency, whether village or district, is employed in the administration of criminal justice in any of its stages, the duties of the Native District Officer in this Department are merely of an executive character, such as the apprehension of the criminals and summoning and examin- ing witnesses and forwarding them to the Magistrates. The officers invested with magisterial powers are the Collectors and their Deputies within their respective districts, and the Captain of Police and his Lieutenants. The magisterial jurisdiction of the Captain of Police extends over the whole Province, that of his Lieutenants, of whom there are three, over divisions corres- ponding with the three Collectorates. In minor offences, within certain defined limits as regards the amount of punishment, the jurisdiction of the magistrates is final, and his proceedings are recorded in Persian ; 1n graver cases his proceedings are recorded in English, and are forwarded, direct if those of a Collector or the Captain of Police, and through his immediate superior and accompanied by his remarks, if those of a Deputy Collector or Lieutenant of Police, to the Civil Judge Advocate-General, for confirmation or mitigation, and are disposed of by that officer, either on his own authority or after obtaining, if he thinks it necessary, the orders of the highest civil authority in the Province. Inthe most serious class of cases the proceedings of the Magistrate are merely preliminary, the accused being brought to trial before a Court composed of three Military Commissioned officers, which 1s obtained for the occasion on a requisition from a Magistrate to the nearest Commanding Officer. The proceedings ofthese Courts are submitted through the Judge Advocate-General to the highest civil authority for confirmation. Under us. 50. Lhe Judge Advocate-General has two Deputies, one Office of stationed at Shikarpur and the other at Hyderabad. officers and their principal are These Judge Advo- : cate-General charged with the general and his supervision of the regularity of judicial proceedings, and’ the “eps eg RAG eerBi Li MSL Sn a SIN ie is ok Eee ee a . Pet eeee capi Mi Sagi ero ere Cheeery, Cee eee eee ee eel eae Poet ; ee ee L ie ed A tea ~ae ety Be Ee ate eh bee C 5 ig: us a AC ys 5. Sg * cola 5: le "i ; ade ea ea eo | as c oe Be me —_ F Forms of trial, classification of crimes and punishments. Prevailing crimes and their causes. Eee eee on! POE beim ine) 24 e: bidet ttt rt Sek a Se ST” ee PP a a ag OLS. ee. MEE oT Ree ia. te ee iia La Lhe r 20 ecution in trials before Military Commis- conduct of the ise Advocate-General also acts as a Judicial BiOhea. Lhe Jucg 1ge Secretary and edu ‘ser to the head of the Civil Government, and exercises a general control over all officers employed in the administration of criminal justice. The forms of trial are analogous to those observed Witnesses are examined on solemn afhrm- punishment for perjury. Crimes have of punishments | established, which, leaves a considerab ble laditdels of authority. The punishme ‘nts are fine, imprisonment with or without labour, flogging, transportation (recently ‘ntroduced) and death. The sentences are carried ‘nto execution under the authority of the officer by whom they are finally adjudged. Ba in Military Courts, ation and liable to been classified, and a scale while it forms a general guid , discretion to the trying a s2. The principal crimes are murder, catile and camel stealing, theft from by breaking through the walls, highway robbery, pe rjury and forgery, official malversation and embezzlement. Murder chiefly arises out of cases Of adultery or jealousy: it is caused by the prevalence of infidelity and the former toleration of private retribution. The attempt to repress it by severe punishment under our Government has doubtless been in some degree effectual, but the crime is still sufficiently prevalent to show that it has been but partially so, and it has on the other hand led to by attempts to make it appear that the victims have committed suicide; the attention of Government has been anxiously directed to the suppression of this crime and stil] requires to be so. The prevalence of cattle and camel stealing arises from the facilities afforded to it by the nature of the country and the pursuits of its inhabitants who are all more or less pastoral; though still more prevalent than any other crime, it has been considerably reduced under our more efficient system of crimin: id Police. House al justice and | stealing is not Ne dy ith. agotravated circumstances: the houses e vasion prevalence of it may be ve aced to the facilities afforded by the insecure construction of a houses; both it and highway robbery, particularly the latter, have been greatly reduced by the activity of our Police. Perjury is common as in India, and21 the forgery of documents perhaps more so. Official malver- sation has not been rare, but the severity with which it has been visited has doubtless had a wholesome effect in restrainng it. lhe observations of the Judge Advocate- General on these points will be found intelligent and are based on an extensive ofhcial experience. It appears from a return furnished by that officer for the whole province for the year 1846, that of 2,076 persons brought to trial 1,290 were for petty offences ; of the remaining 786, 401 or more than a half were for cattle stealing, 46 for murder and the remainder, in different, but, considered with reference to their heinousness, smaller proportions, for the other offences above alluded to as the most prevalent. Of the 786 brought to trial for the eraver offences 708 were convicted. Of these Q were execrited, 5 transported, 3 flogged, 10 fined and the remainder imposoned for various periods, it may be presumed with hard labour. In the petty cases the proportion of convictions was still greater, and im most of them the parties were punished with fine, flogging or imprisonment. The number of offenders was greatest in the Hyderabad Collectorate, but not relatively more so than in the proportion of its estimated population. These results, inasfar as any inference may be drawn from them, would seem to indicate a not very extensive prevalence or aggravated descrip- tion of crime, when allowance is made for the local peculiarities already adverted to as affecting certain classes of offences, and a great degree of certainity, with no very inordinate degree of severity, in punishment, after apprehension. There are no data for estimating the certainty of apprehension, but from the general character of the Police for vigilance I should suppose it must be much greater than in most of our provinces. 53. No notice+is taken of offences against morality, unless their circumstances are such as prominently to force themselves on the attention of the Magistrate. Adultery is an offence which the state of feeling perhaps requires to be more strictly visited by the Magistrate here than in most countries ; the parties whose honour is affected by it are now severely punished if they take the law into their own hands, as was formerly the practice. It seems therefore mght that the law should afford them what protection it can against a dishonour Offences against morality. aa gl BR eS PeJails and Prison disci- pline. Suggestions for future administration of Criminal Justice. ellie ee 22 the sense of which is very keen among them. There are, how- ever, as | have already intimated, evils of another kind to be ap- rehended from over-severity The question therefore becomes a difficult one to deal with, and although requiring serious attention must be treated cautiously. The state of morality, as regards the intercourse of the sexes, 1s described as low. Truth is much disregarded except among the hill tribes, Drunkenness is uncommon. Indolence and improvidence are general characteristics. <4. There are three principal jails at the head stations of the three Collectorates, under the management of the Captain and Lieutenants of Police; also minor Jails for the custody of petty offenders at the stations of some of the Deputy Collectors, which are under the charge of those officers. In none of these is any classification attempted, beyond the separation of male and female, and civil and criminal prisoners. The subject of prison discipline generally has as yet received little attention, and is one in which I apprehend there is much room for improvement; but in order to do this more efficient establishments are necessary. The total number of prisoners in all the Jails in the Province on the ist October last was 1,585. Of these 147 were awaiting or undergoing trial, chiefly the latter; 1,262 were undergoing sentence ; none were detained for security; and 176 were prisoners of war, which last class has subsequently received an accession of 115. Nothing has yet been determined as to the ultimate disposal of the prisoners of war, but it is a question which requires early consideration. 55. Although the administration of criminal justice since our acquisition of the country has been greatly better than it ever was or could have been under the former Government, and may be considered on the whole in no inconsiderable degree to have attained its ends, yet it would, be very. desirable yradually to subject it to greater regularity and uniformity. The disposal of minor cases might be entrusted to the Native District Officers. If two or three European Judges were ap- pointed for the administration of Civil Justice they might also dis- charge the functions of Session Judges in the Criminal, Branch as under the Bombay, Presidency, the same extent of criminalot. jurisdiction as in that Presidency being reserved to the Col- lectors and their Deputies and to the Police Officers as Magistrates. If the appointment of Judges be deferred, the Collectors could, until that arrangement were introduced, be vested with the powers exercised by those o'licers, as was the case for some time after our acquisition of the Deccan: but | doubt if this would be found satisfactory or compatible with the due discharge of their other duties. In either case, the agency of Military Commissions in the administration of crimi- nal justice and the offices of Judge Advocate-General and his deputies might be dispensed with. As regards the forms of procedure®and the definition and classification of crimes and punishments, I do not perceive that there would be any objec- tion to the immediate adoption of the general principles of the Bombay Regulations in the Criminal branch, leaving at first a considerable latitude of discretion to the administrative officers in modifying their application with reference to the local pecu- larities of the country and its inhabitants. This course was followed on the original appointment of Session Judges and introduction of our regulations into the Deccan, and was found to answer its purpose in preparing the way for their more gene- ral and authoritative observance. The superintendence of jails and regulation of jail discipline would, in the event of such arrangements taking place, naturally devolve on the Session Judges as in the Bombay Presidency. 56. Under the former Government no regular Police establishments were kept up except in a few of the larger towns. The Police of the country generally was left to be provided for by the Kardars and Jagheerdars with such means as they had at their disposal for other purposes; in practice it was corrupt and inefficient, although, as in other branches of administration, 101 from the personal character of the administrators. arising there were doubtless occasional exceptions The absence of hereditary village establishments, such as are known in India, would probably be even more felt in this than in the Revenue Department. 57. Under our Government the general control and direction of the Police of the Province is entrusted to the Captain or Superintendent of Police who has three Lieutenants Police under the former Government, Police under us, i a — a 2% A ae a mm - gf BAe JS ”Its excellence. Suggestions for the future. ei under his orders as already stated in adverting to their magisterial functions. ‘This officer reports direct to Govern- ment in all matters relating to his charge, and 1s subject to no intermediate authority. The executive force at his disposal consists of 838 horsemen, and 896 partially disciplmed and 476 undisciplined footmen ; in all 2,210. This force is considered on the whole very efficient of its kind, but the Captain (Lieutenant Marston) is of opinion that the composition of some of its branches might be improved by a larger admixture of native Baluchees. The internal peace of the country, beyond the limits of our military stations and frontier posts, 1s entirely maintained by the Police force. In all points of discipline this force 1S subject to its own officers only, but its services are available to the Collectors and their Deputies, in their magisterial capacity, for executive purposes. So far as I have yet had an opportunity of observing, this police 1s remarkably good, both as respects the collection and transmission of intelligence, the prevention and detection of crime, the pursuit and apprehension of offenders and the general maintenance of good order and security of person and property. In the pursuit and apprehension of offenders they receive the most efficient aid from a class of persons to be found in every village whose profession it is to track footsteps. Some remarkable details illustrative of the expertness of these persons will be found in the reports of the local officers, parti- cularly in that of the Civil Judge Advocate-General ; it exceeds anything of the kind I have heard of in India, and is doubtless much favoured by the nature of the soil and climate. The inhabitants generally are also bound to afford the Police every aid in their power, and are liable to fine for any neglect to do so. 58. On the whole ! am inclined to think we have been more successful in this than in any other Branch of our administration in this Province, and that it has been brought into a state of organization quite as efficient, perhaps more so than ts to be found in many provinces much longer under our rule, and which leaves little room for improvement. 59. It might however facilitate the details of Police management if a head man were formally appointed to eachaD village, and I am of opinion that most of the general provisions of the Bombay Code in this branch might with advantage be adopted for the guidance of village and district police officers. 60. Thetrade of the Province js considered to have Trade. increased under us, as it was natural it Should do with the greater encouragement afforded by our system of customs and the greater security of person and property under our adminis- tration of criminal justice and police. It js. still however far from considerable. The returns of the Collector of Sea Customs make it appear that the value of the imports by sea had risen between 1843 and 1846 from 20 to 45 lacs, and that the exports had been originally not more than 4 lacs in value and had increased not quite to 42 lacs. The returns for the earlier years of the period however are considered of doubtful accuracy. The above results, as indicative of the permanent resources of the country, will appear still more inconsiderable when the large excess of imports over exports is adverted to In connection with the circumstance of the Gemand for the consumption of our military force having contributed materially to swell the former and that it has undergone a diminution consequent on the reduction of the force. The returns of the Collectors of Land Revenue are not sufficiently complete to admit of an accurate estimate being formed of the trade across the land frontier, but so far as an inference can be drawn from them they would not seem to indicate at present a much more important state ; the transit trade with the interior however is advancing, and is thought to be susceptible of considerable improvement ; at present it proceeds chiefly by land. The measures taken by the late Governor for encouraging the river traffic by the aid of steam do not as yet appear to have had a very extensive effect, but they may be more availed of when their operation comes to be better known. The point requiring most attention in the landward trade is to endeavour by negotiation with our neighbours to prevent them and their feudatories from increasing their imposts and obstruction as we diminish ours, but this is a matter of some difficulty. In the towns of Shikarpur and Hyderabad foreign bills may be negotiated to a considerable amount, but generally speaking the transactions of the monied classes are not extensive, and L (tv) 355—4 ees Pe é ih ‘a f" «Manufactures. Public Works. Indus Flotilla. See - rer = th ee wt x + - a eee Rdibebe< > = se te : “3 rs Sela. 5 pe) VS oS few of them are supposed to be possessed of much wealth. The trade of Karachi (the only seaport worthy of mention) has increased as compared with that of the neighbouring foreign ports: the number of vessels entering last year was 999 and departing 1,097; the tonnage of the former 34,209 and of the latter 38,046. The number of vessels belonging to the port was 319 and their tonnage 2,564. The trade of this port may be expected to go on increasing with the closer connection in Government between the Province and the Bombay Presidency, and the establishment of regular steam communication with Bombay must also tend to the same result. The opinions and suggestions of the local officers as to the best means of improving the commerce of the country are deserving of attention and may hereafter receive more specific notice. At present it is sufficient to refer to them as forming a valuable portion of the general collection of information. 61. There are few manufactures of any importance in the Province; the principal one is that of leather for which there is some demand for exportation. With the character for docility attributed to the people, however, there is doubtless a considerable field for improvement in manufacturing skill. 62. Among the documents in the appendix is a list of the principal public works, executed or in progress and pro- jected since our acquisition of the Province, exclusive of works of irrigation. The aggregate cost of those actually completed in all departments is Rs. 12,87,185, of which Rs. 11,17,810 is for works in the Military Department and the remainder Civil and Miscellaneous. The estimated cost of those projected and in progress is Rs. 15,17,793 Of these last the most import- ant in the Civil Department is the Mole at Karachi, a work much wanted to facilitate the landing of goods and passengers, which is at present an operation of some difficulty. There are other works not included in this list which have been under consideration, and which it would be desirable to undertake.as funds and opportunity permit, but to these it is not necessary to advert more particularly at present. 63. . It was my wish on this occasion to have noticed the state and services of the Indus Flotilla, but the necessary al Mar NaS ta hae | (pum ow oS, OS TONG = Sr aaa e Pee nO ae rs yadministration information has not yet been manding that branch of t! that it is under preparation and will As the Military administration of the P under my control, I must le department to furnish any inf respect to it. I regret that I am not in which would enable me to give a Receipts. Rs. a 20,42,308 15 20,99,494 0 25,960,720 8 1€ service. 7 Disbursements. 83,38,583 7 oO) GW WwW | 44,358,101 15 -«+| 27,79,527 13 bo 14,79,387 5 received from the Officer ‘Com. He however informs me soon be submitted. possession of the material Financial a complete exposition of the financial state of the Province srt} into our possession, there being accounts and everything connected with the having been conducted in the Acccuntant-General at Calcutta had here on the sub 1S. progress since it came no provineial department of branch of the office of the The only information to be ject 1s derived from the statements of actual receipts and disbursements furnished by the these are in some respects defective for the plete and accurate financial exposition. abstracts of their contents for the been in our possession will be found the appendix. local officers, but purpose of a com- Such as they are, tour years the country has among the documents in The first of these years 1s incomplete and the state of things at that time was too unsettled to ad satisfactory deductions being drawn from its results. ing that year the following isa summary of the receipts and civil disbursements under all heads for the three subsequent 14,17,341 15,67,416 9,1 5,663 39,00,421 1 3,00,140 Province is not Military ave it to the authorities in that ormation that may be desired in mit of any e fe . ietle -_ a POese eye ee TGs eee eee eh ep ey eee eee aes itl hae eC EER ESE Se ae EELESEL EERE Ga e Ce ee fa, q ee wh els pA senpiy Soa c b 7 . es General char- acteristics of the people ; their social relations and feelings to- wards our Government. . ae 28 This shows an average annual surplus of receipts to the amount of about 13 lacs. The balance would doubtless be turned considerably on the other side if the military charges were included, but I have no data for giving these with any degree of accuracy ; and it might be a question of some difficulty to determine what portion of them are fairly debitable to this Province alone. The above may however | think be considered as affording a moderate estimate of the probable future financial value of the Province, exclusive of any permanent military charges which its maintenance may involve and which would not, on a fair consideration of all the circumstances, have been necessary without it. The nature of the revenue makes it liable to considerable fluctuation; but there is every reason to look for a gradually progressive increase in its average amount; and also from the lapses of alienated lands. Some additional charges may be incurred in bringing the civil administration into a form more analogous to that prevailing in our other Provinces; but when the whole of the establish- ments come to be reorganized with that view, | do not appre- hend that it will be considerable or more than is likely to be met by the improvement in the revenue. Among the docu- ments in the appendix, is a list of European Officers at present employed in the Civil branch of service with the amount of their salaries. Their reorganization in the form of Judges and Collectors on the scale of the Bombay Presidency would cause considerable alterations in the details, but might perhaps be effected without any great increase in the aggregate amount of charge. The whole system of financial details and accounts will require to be remodelled to bring it into conformity with the practice of the Bombay Presidency, and no time should be lost in effecting this under such instructions as may be neces- sary for the guidance of the local officers of account and audit. _ 66. I now proceed to notice a few of the more prominent points bearing on the general character of the people, their social relations, institutions and feelings. The moral influences in operation for the maintenance of social welfare, as considered apart from those based on legal sanction, do not appear to be very extensive or powerful. Muhammadanism is the domi- nant religion, but it received little direct support in the way SSE Eh ee Ne, a ee Be ea Ee RS ba ‘a S be nT tae— of state endowment from the former Government; the funds for its maintenance were derived chiefly from individual devotion or superstition, and now of course it receives none it had not before, although former grants are respected; the regulation of its observances is entrused to the Cazis and Moolas, and there appears no want of respect for its external forms, whatever may be its practical influence. Hinduism was In this country a foreign religion and therefore even less likely than the other to receive state Support ; its professors may have been politically less favoured than those of the faith which num- bered among its followers the family of the ruling dynasty ; but although occasional instances of forcible conversion are said to have occurred, they appear in general to have been allowed to follow their own customs without persecution or molestation; their discipline is in a relaxed state as compared with what it is mn India proper; suchas it is, its enforcement is left to Panchayats or heads of caste. The powers of husbands, parents and guardians were extensive under the former Government, and are still maintained, as far as they can be so consistently with justice and our laws, but they seem to have worked rather by stern than gentle means, and to have done little towards elevating the moral or social character of the people. The Syeds are the class who possess most influence in the country, from the personal sanctity assigned to them by their religion ; fakeers and devotees of all kinds are also respected from similiar causes. ._Jagheerdars and heads of clans have consi- derable influence within their limits and tribes. The Baluchees had an advantage over the other classes of the population under the former Government, as being that to which the ruling family belonged; and the feeling of self-importance thence derived appears still in some degree to characterise them. The system of clanship and the usages of tribes in their intercourse with each other, their alliances, feuds and friendships, very closely resemble that formerly prevailing in the highlands and borders of Scotland and that described by Mr. Elphin- stone as prevailing in Kabul; it exercises an extensive influence over the social relations of the people, particularly among the inhabitants of the hills; and to _those who are curious in tracing the progress of human society, its details might form an interesting subject of research as illustrative of FR wt eathe tendency to fall into the same forms in similiar circum stances and stages of civilization, however wide the separation in point of locality. There were not, under the former ora ment, nor have there as yet been under us, any educationa institutions supported by the State, but private schools, in which reading and writing 1s taught, are common, Persian 1s chiefly studied by the Muhammadans and by those who aspire to official employment, and Sindhi by the Hindus and persons engaged in trade ; the former was the language of the official business, the latter in its various dialects is the common language of the country. It would seem desirable that early measures should be adopted for extending the samé encourage- ment on the part of Government to education as in our other Provinces. It may also be for consideration whether the vernacular language of the people may not with advantage be introduced in business, but I have not yet had an opportunity of ascertaining its capabilities for this purpose. The people generally are not badly off for the necessaries of life as mea- sured by the standard prevailing in eastern countries, and that they are not better is more owing to their own want of industry and enterprise than the circumstances of their position. The effect of the change of Government on the various classes, and the feelings engendered by it, are such as are found to exist in all countries which have undergone similar revolutions. The mass of the people, the middle and working classes, have decidedly gained, in security of person and property, relief from oppression, reduction of taxation, and liberty to follow their own pursuits in their own way; nor is there reason to think that they are backward in appreciating these advantages, though their sense of them, as is usual in such cases, is rather to be inferred from the negative evidence of absence of com- plaint than any distinct acknowledgment. The men of rank and political influence, and their followers, the soldiery, the classes who lived on the unproductive expenditure of a Court, those who enjoyed religious immunities and such like, have no doubt been losers, some in wealth and more in power and importance ; it is therefore natural that they should look with no favourable eye on the state of circumstances which have led to such a result. It is not however thought that any of them as a Class would be disposed to engage in active measures forGy the subversion of the present order of things, and it is believed that our Government enjoys the respect of all, though it may be the affection of none. Some points in the moral character of the people have already been alluded to under the head of criminal justice, in other respects the representations of the local officers, whose position affords them opportunities of observation, do not make it appear on the whole unfavourably as compared with that of the inhabitants of our other provinces. All indeed except the hill tribes, and Hindu traders in matters affecting their mercantile credit, are described as little regard- ful of truth, though perhaps not less so than other natives of India. The Hindus in official employ are said to be indiffer- ently honest, but diligent and liberal and free though not intemperate livers ; those of the trading class more penurious. The Muhammadans of the higher classes are generous and warlike, but overbearing, debauched, and idle. The lower orders, generally, are sober, docile and intelligent, not remarkabl industrious, but on the whole affording good materials for moral improvement. ) \ 67. It is unnecessary, and might be inexpedient on the Political present occasion, to enter in detail into the circumstances ee affecting the political condition of the Province, both because the personal experience I can bring to bear upon it is as yet so limited, and the questions it involves are of a kind which may be more conveniently discussed in separate form as they arise for practical consideration. Full information has however been obtained from the local officers regarding the leading families and men of rank and influence, their history, connections and character, and the policy which has been adopted towards them. The reports of those officers will be found among the documents appended to this despatch, and to these I would beg to refer as containing all that it seems desirable on the present occasion to know, and as furnishing useful matters for future reference. So far as I have been able to ascertain, there seems little to apprehend at present from internal intrigue o% disaffection; the former seat of Government is the locality where, if any, it might be looked for, and there the vigilance of the local authorities is on the alert to watch any indication of such a feeling. The general course of policy to be observed a Pe * ‘bg F pigs Ca by REE 2 ®Documents in the appen- dices, Conclusion. eR Ri ehein yt towards’ men of rank and influence will naturally be, as it appears hitherto to have been, to treat them with courtesy and consideration and to extend to them every indulgence which may tend to soothe and conciliate their feelings without endangering our political security. As connected with our exter- nal policy the most important question at present is that relat- ing to the treatment of hill tribes on the frontier, but recent events having made this the subject of separate correspondence I need not advert to it more particularly on the present occasion. 68. It only remains for me to solicit attention to the docu- ments appended to this report as enumerated in the annexed list. These will, I trust, be found to contain much valuable information and to be very creditable to the intelligence of the officers by whom they have been furnished. To all of those officers | have to acknowledge myself indebted for the alacrity and zeal with which they have aided me in the prosecution of my enquires ; and in this, as in everything belonging to the civil administration, | have received the most cordial and able assistance from the Secretary to this Government, Captain Brown, although, from its having been chiefly in personal communication, his name does not appear among the con- tributors to the documents now submitted, 69. I hope it will not be considered in excess of my_pro- vince if, in concluding this report on the civil administration as [ have found it to exist, I take occasion to express the sense with which my equiries have impressed me of the wisdom and energy and ability with which it has been organized and directed by His Excellenoy the late Governor Sir Charles Napier, under the circumstances of considerable novelty and difficulty. I have the honour to be, Sir Your most obedient servant, ) (Sd.) R. K. PRINGLE, | Commissioner in Sind. Karachi, 31st December 1847.Jo List of documents in the Appendix. *A.—Memorandum of the Commissioner for the euldance of the Secretary, dated the 9th October 1847. + B.-~Replies to revenue queries by the following officers :— Captain Rathborne, Collector of Hyderabad. Major Goldney, Collector of Shikarpur. Captain Preedy, Collector of Karachi. +BBB.—Memorandum on pearl banks and fishery. Sea fishery and Salt deposits. C.— Memoranda of Major Blenkins relating to Public gardens. D.—Report of Major Scott, Superintendent of Canals and Forests. EK.—Letter from Major Scott, with extract exemplifying his tabular statistical statements. /'.—Replies to queries on civil justice by the following officers :— Captain Rathborne, Collector and Magistrate, Hyderabad. Major Goldney, Collector and Magistrate, Shi- karpur. Captain Preedy, Collector and Magistrate, Ka- rach. Captain Young, Civil Judge Advocate-General. G.—Replies to queries on criminal justice by the follow- ing officers :— Captain Rathborne, Collector and Magistrate, Hyderabad. * Not printed. + Printed as selection No. II from the records of the Commissioner in Sind. t Printed in Part II, No. XVII, New Series, of the selections from the records of the Bombay Government, & OV) 955-5Mig ie oa peal uc oe eis ane ee ot Major Goldney, Collector and Magistrate, Shikarpur. Captain Preedy, Collector and Magistrate, Karachi. Captain Young, Civil Judge Advocate-General. Lieut. Marston, Officiating Captain of Police. H.—Replies to queries on Police by the following officers :— Captain Rathborne, Collector and ‘Magistrate, Hyderabad. Major Goldney, Collector and Magistrate, Shikarpur. Captain Preedy, Collector and Magistrate, Karachi. Captain Young, Civil Judge Advocate-General. Lieut. Marston, Officiating Captain of Police. I.—Rephes to queries on trade and manufacture by the following officers :— Captain Rathborne, Collector and Magistrate, Hyderabad. Major Goldney, Collector and Magistrate, Shikarpur. Captain Preedy, Collector and Magistrate, Karachi. Mr. Macleod, Collector of Sea Customs. *K.—List of public works furnished by Majot Peat, CB. Superintending Engineer. a *L.—Statements of the actual receipts and civil disburse- ments of the Province for the years 1843, 44-46, 45-40, 46-47 prepared in the Secretary’s office. _ * Not printed. cas ee rr na a Ones ae [Saar ee:a *M.—List of all officers coven civil employ in Sind. TN.— Replies to general queries by the following officers :— Captain Rathborne, Collector and Magistrate, Hyderabad. Major Goldney, Collector and Magistrate, Shi- karpur. Captain Preedy, Collector and Magistrate, Ka- : rachi, Captain Young, Civil Judge Advocate-General. Captain Anderson, Deputy Judge Advocate- General. +O.—List and reports on the men of influence and rank in the Provinces by the tollowing officers :— Captain Rathborne, Collector and Magistrate Hyderabad. Major Goldney, Collector and Magistrate, Shi- karpur. Captain Preedy, Collector and Magistrate, Ka- rach. Lieut. Forbes, Resident at the Court of His Highness Mir Ali Moorad, Khairpur. Karachi, 31st Mecamber 1847. * Not printed. + Printed as seleciions Nos. VI to XIII from the records of the Commissioner in Sind, t Printed in Part II, No. XVII, New Series, of selections from the records of the + Bombay Government. anted and uncovenanted in A pas gare ‘ew ol. baba th a nok h , oT bats nbsp: Nthinds Mathiete ie he heashihs tetas tte eden eee ide bcbdtete et eT eee ¥ MEE nt $ Re res alee:selections from the Records of the Commissioner in Sind. SELECTION No, IL. Revenue queries by Mr. R. K. Pringle, Commissioner in Sind, to Coliectors in Sind, and replies thereto. (Accompaniment to the Commissioner in Sind’s report on the administration of Sind, 1847.—Section No, I. ) a Ta ls 0 a ea lace - SO aay UR Gi ge emamamRmR Seas att ge Se” Melle: oo oe nag bo o aed "ee a ke, ie Za * OP ae PR ie Ge “y 'Maarten : ie be he ‘ ( chet tr Beene » pepe es phere bene Pha hon mit Tat eg hab ‘ a eee a Mtoe debian Lk tT pyres aaah} ition ots Wb di hed bedi Ltt Sebtarantatts eer :39 Revenue Queries by Mr. R. Kk, Pringle, Commissisner in Sind. Query No. 1.—What are the features of your Collectorate- climate ; its principal products estimated amount of pop tion is composed : averz boundaries and natural the general character of its soil and ; estimated length in square miles, ulation ; classes of which the popula- ge annual revenue since the country came into Our possession and from what sources derived ? 1. Ihe Hyderabad Collectorate js bounded on the north | : by the Khairpur State, on the east by Captain Rathborne. Col- R : ; | lector of Hyderabad, \ajputana, on the south by the Runn of Cutch and on the west by the Indus. To the south-east however a portion of desert once in the Hyderabad Collectorate is now under the Resident at Bhooj, and forms the Deputy Collectorate of the Thar and Paraar: To the north and east of Hyderabad as far as Mirpur the country is a dry sandy soil intersected by large canals. Beyond Mirpur to the eastward is the desert—to the south are rice grounds intermixed with large salt plains. The soil to the north and east of Hyderabad is almost uniformly productive wherever reached by water—to the south the soil is salt but a large portion of it is well adapted for rice cultivation. The climate to the north*of a line drawn from Muhammad Khan’s Tandra is good— south of that it is in the mnundation season bad—at other times healthy. The principal products of the Collectorate are bajri and juari and rice—with a small portion of wheat and barley; the probable number of Square miles in this Collectorate may be about 30,000; the probable amount of population of this Collectorate I should Suppose to be about 7,00,000; but on this point [ am very uncertain. The population is composed of Sindhis, Hindus and Baluchees. The first class amounts, including Jutts, to about 3/5ths of the whole and the other two classes to about 1/5th each. The average annual revenue since the first year after the conquest which was one of war, has been 10,68,545. The sources whence this revenue was derived were land, town duties, fisheries, abkari, goldsmiths’ tax, house rent, auctions, taxes. gardens, customs, miscellaneous items and water tax. ee oS!ee * i bie hd , eo 40 Town duties and taxes have been now abolished, but the deficiency so caused is made up or nearly so by the great increase in the abkari revenue and customs. 1. Upper Sind extends from Moondhur (24 miles north of a : Sehwan) in the south—to Kasmore on the oa ed Gollecter “frontier of Mooltan to the north, Om tne west lies the desert, on the east the Indus—Rohri and Ghotki on the left bank of the Indus belong to it—-on the other hand Boordika and petty dependencies on the right bank belong to His Highness Mir Ah Murad. The surface is level, portions abound in ponds, the greater part is intersected by the large feeder canals and innumerable cuts from them. The climate is extremely hot from 1st May to 1st Septem- ber The autumn months are unhealthy, and in 1&44, the winter months upto the middle of January, were extremely so—the winter is more severe than that of Hindustan—rain 1s so rare that it cannot be depended upon for tillage. The products are agricultural: if any minerals, salt and alum, the former is obtained by evaporation. Soil alluvial with salt deposits at intervals. I estimate the extent at 6,120 square miles, the population at 2,50,000 composed as follows, 24 to the square mile, for agricultural districts :— Caltiyerars. i; ac: se Se I,50,000 yx ) ae j x. 1 : ; Fishermen and boatmen _ ... i 15,000 Herdsmen and camel owners and other 15,000 squatters, Baluchees and Jutts. Hindus, Merchants and Bankers, &c., in 70,000 the large towns. Se eR EE ar ee ae ie ea r yy Pita? 5A ,- Se a eeibe tee | Besides the troops and military bazars. The annual revenue on an average of the three complete years, viz., 1844-45, 45-46 and 40-47 amounted to 10,66,000. The sources of the revenue are detailed as follows :— Memo. of average amount of revenue collections under thew respective heads in the Shikarpur Collectorate. Particulars of revenue, Amount. Rs. aes VP Land Revertue ... . oy. Stee. © a River Customs ... help a3 Gite ys -§ Taxes aa ee Mea 16,464 14 6 Custom duties a gost PO Fishery contract ... oa | 16,248 12 6 Liquor and Drug contract | ee io Le, Fees and fines | co 2ne A House rent | 535 re Miscellaneous e a 4,707 10 7 Garden rents... 43 i Pie 4-10 Confiscated and unclaimed ... : 1656 14 4 Refunds ea os ni aa ta Total average .. | (0,960,445 97" 5 The broken period of 1843-44 immediately following the conquest has not been included because from the unsettled state of establishments, transfer of districts and incomplete system, the amount of revenue collected during that period would give no criterion for estimating the resources likely to be derived from the country. Its amount, however, I state for the Commis- sioner’s information, v23., 3,50,675. 1. The boundaries of the Karachi Collectorate, are on : every side, except the north, well defined of ee ay Collector by great and durable natural objects, viz., on the south by the Arabian Sea, on the east by the River Indus, and on the west, by the Hubb river l. (Iv) 355—6ad + Parts DS A SeOR SS bbb or and a mountainous district, inhabited by a small tribe of Brohees, subjects of the Khan_ of Kelat. The northern boundary is merely an imaginery line, drawn about forty miles north of Sehwan, between the Purgunnahs of Mahir and Bagh- bhan, which belong to the Shikarpur Collectorate and those of Dadu and Kacha which are included in this Collectorate. The area within these limits is about 240 miles long by about 70 broad. In so wide a space, the soil is of course considerably diversified ; that within the influence of the innundation is eXx- ceedingly fertile, being for the most part composed of rich alluvial deposit containing scarce a stone or pebble of any size, it varies in colour from light grey or dirty white fo a deep brown, the former being considered the best soil. In many places this soil is so much impregnated with salt and nitre, that in the several of the Purgunnahs, extensive plains are found thickly encrusted with one or both of these substances. These salt and nitre plains are usually found in situations which lie too high to benefit by the inundation. The same substances are however frequently met with on the lands in the immediate vicinity of the mver. Asin Egypt, the cultivable lands nearest the river are in many parts of the country higher than those which are more distant. In Egypt this is attributed to the former being cultivated throughout the year while the latter, yield but one crop; the accumulation of stubble and manure from constant cultivation in a long series of ages being supposed to account for the difference of elevation. This however cannot be the case in Sind, as the lands nearest the river are in general the most neglected, on account of the additional expense of irrigation, two wheels being necessary (one below and the other above), to raise the water to the top of the banks. The Collectorate is divided into three large districts and these again are sub-divided into Purgunnahs. Each district is under the superintendence of a Deputy Collector and each Purgunnah is superintended by a Kardar. The first division, that of Ghorabari, extends from the sea upwards to the spot whence the Buggar Branch of the river quits the main stream about four miles south of Tatta. Its * ae SE. er Sa tag SS eae RT RN. oS43 boundaries are the Buggar river and the high road which runs between Garrah and Tatta on the north, the sea on the south and south-west, the Indus on the east and Garrah creek on the west and north-west. This district is sub-divided into five Purgunnahs of unequal extent, vzz., Ghorabaree, or Kuk- keralla (possibly the Croncola of Arian) — Sakra. Syatree, Garka. * Uhe and division, that of Jurruck, extends from the right bank of the Buggar river to the village of Sunn on the Indus. it is bounded on the north by the Purgunnah of Laki, on the south the Buggar and Tatta road, on the east by the Indus, and on the west by the Hubb river. It is sub-divided as follows into the Purgunnah of Beronath of Tatta— seeree. Jurruck and Sondah. Kotri, Kanote and Bhea. Mahajandah. The 3rd division, that of Sehwan, extends from the village of Sunn, which is included in its limits to the southern bound- aries of Shikarpur Collectorate. It is bounded on the north by Shikarpur, Purgunnahs of Baghban and Mahir, on the south by the Mahajandah Purgunnah, on the east by the Indus, on the west by the Hubb river, and the mountanious tract in- habited by the Brohee tribe before mentioned. It is sub-divided as follows into the Purgunnahs of— Luckee. Sehwan, Kurnepur and Bangeusoff. Boobuk. Samtanee.tlio ke 44 Kacha Phulji Division. Kacha Mullar Division. Dadu and Murkapoor. Khudabad, Talti and Whichoia. GHORABARI DISTRICT. The Ghorabari district forms a considerable portion of what -s termed the Delta of the Indus, and with the exception of a clump of lime-stone hills of no great extent or elevation at Pir Patha in the Purgunnah of Syatree, is one vast alluvial plain, in many parts of great richness and fertility, in others covered with salt and nitre and entirely unproductive of vegetation. It 1s intersected by three large branches of the Indus, v72., by the Buggar, the Chogla or Ochta, and the Syan, while the Sata or main stream of the river sweeps along its eastern boundary. The three former are navigable during the inundation, but during the rest of the year, are partially dry. Numerous canals convey the water of these streams in every direction, while ex- tensive bunds are constructed along their banks to restrain the waters of the inundation within due bounds. Much labour and expense were incurred by Mir Muham- mad in the improvement of some parts of this district, specially in the Purgunnah of Sakra, where a vast number of canals, communicating with the Baggar which was then the main branch of the river were excavated. Unfortunately however the river in a few years changed its course, and the greater part of these canals are now comparatively useless. The Pur- gunnah of Garka contains an extensive forest; the timber growing in it is chiefly babool, and of no great value. Red and white rice, bajri, Indian corn, nangli, jhill, sugar-cane, turmerick, tobacco and esculent vegetables, are the principle products of this district at the kharif or autumnal harvest—as mung, barley, muttar, maize, jambha, and mustard are at the rubi or spring harvest. _ The climate varies considerably in different parts of the district. On the sea coast it is generally mild during the hotrr Season owing to the prevalence of thermometer in the shade at noon seldom rises above 85°, There are no periodical rains in Sind, but any unusual heat is generally followed by a torrent of rain. During the conti- nuance of the south-west monsoon, the sky in lower Sind is usually overcast, which renders the climate very agreeable. The heat in the interior of the district is during the day consi- derably greater than on the coast, but the nights and mornings are always cool. After the inundation, z.e., during the months of October, November and December, dense exhalations arise from the moist soil, which are considered highly injurious to the health of those who are exposed to them, causing fevers, rheumatism, &c. the sea breezes, and the The estimated length of this district is about 70 miles and the breath about 50, the amount of square miles consequently Is about 3,500. The estimated amount of male population is about 15,288, which being multiplied by 4 for the families would give 61,152 as the entire population of the district, or not quite 18 to the square mile. The population is of a mixed character, but may be divid- ed into three great classes, vzz., traders, agriculturists, and fishermen ; the first class is chiefly composed of Hindus, either natives of Sind or Cutch, and the two latter which are by far the most numerous, of Muhammadans. The artificers such as blacksmiths, carpenters, and potters are few in number and are all dependent for their support upon the cultivators, who pay them in grain at harvest time for the services they have rendered during the year in the repair of the agricultural implements. JURRUCK DISTRICT. The Jurruck district differs considerably in its natural features from that of Ghorabari, commencing at the Buggar river on the southern extremity, a valley of rich cultivable land, varying from a few yards to ten miles in width and runningee Png ae ee nearly due north, extends along the Right Bank of the Indus to the Luckee pass. This fertile tract IS bounded by an _undulat- ing district, with ranges of hills running in irregular directions, interspersed with wide extended valleys, which contain a rich and fertile soil, but which are for the most part entirely depen- dent on rain for their supply of fresh water. This district commences at Cape Monze on the sea-coast, south of Karachi and is about 150 miles in length by from 60 to 70 in breadth. It, at present produces little except grass but wherever water can be found, the soil in the valleys is capable of producing almost anything. After heavy rain, the valleys are partially cultivated with bajri and jowar1 The Seree* and Sondah Purgunnahs each contain an extensive lake —that in Seree, denominated the Kunjore lake, is the larger of the two, and is about 1o miles in length by 3 in breadth, There are also five extensive forests included in this district which occupy a considerable portion of the cultivable land. The soil in the valley of the Indus is rich and shiny, and like that of Ghorabari, it contains a large quantity of nitre. The Bharrun river and numerous smaller streams intersect the hilly district but, excepting after heavy rain, few of these contain water in their beds, although good water is usually found a few feet below the sandy surface. When heavy rains fall these dry beds are filled by foaming torrents, but the water runs off in a few hours and leaves them dry as before. The banks are usually high and near the river, are much channelled b nullahs, which renders cultivation difficult. In the valleys of the Hubb, Mulleer, and Bharrun rivers, there is however much rich land available for cultivation. In the first range of mountains opposite the towns of Manjhand is the fortified position called Runnee or Mohunkote, for a description of which | beg to refer the Commissioner to my report dated 11th July 1844. The products of this district in addition to those of Ghora- bari, are wheat, indigo, cotton, and bhang. The Sindian agriculturists have an idea that the soil and climate south of Jherruck are not adopted to the cultivation of the above four articles and state that the heavy dews discolour the grain and destrory the plants, rendering the produce of both of little value in the market.47 The thermometer in this d in the hot season and fal] than in that of Ghorabarj—- ier than that of the latter, istrict rises considerably higher S proportionately lower in the cold the climate is however much health- The estimated length of this district, including the Purgun- nah of Luckee (which although included in that of Sehwan, is more allied to this in natural features, climate and products) js about 150 miles by 70 in breadh. The extent in square miles, will consequently be about 10,500. ow. dy The estimated amount of male population residing in the cultivated valley of the Indus, is about 16,859 and of wander- ing tribes inhabitating the hilly region, about 9,400—tota] 26,259 —which multiplied by four for the families gives a total of 1,05,036 The mass of the population in the cultivable lands like | that of Ghorabari is divided into three classes—viz., traders, _ agriculturists, and fishermen—the great majority of the first ) class being Hindus and of the two latter Muhammadans. The City of Tatta contains a few silk and cloth weavers ;and embroiders, It could formerly boast of its thousand looms )all actively employed, but the produce of these has for the ‘most part been superseded by the superior produce of English } capital and machinery. Tatta was also famed for its glazed | pottery, but the knowledge of the art of glazing is now confined | to one or two persons only, whose productions are very inferior | to those of their ancestors. A few dyers, weavers, tanners and » salt manufacturers, with Carpenters and smiths, are found in most of the large villages and saltpetre of an inferior quality is | manufactured to a considerable extent, both in Tatta and in ‘Runneekote. There is also an extensive manufacture of coarse kind of allum called phoolee in the latter place. The wander- ‘ing tribes who inhabit the hill districts are all Muhammadans and consist of Jokhyas, Naomurdees or Noomryahs, Gubbol, Baluchis, Cosiahs, and Rhinds. A few Bunyahs sojourn -amongst them and supply them with dates, tobacco, rice and other grain, which articles they exchange with them for ghee,Peres GR eee os al wool and. gums; the latter are collected in large quantities from the khar, or species of acasia, and the googul, a low aromatic shrub which grows in great profusion about the hills and plains. SEHWAN OR SEHWISTAN DISTRICT. This district, although resembling the other two in some of its natural features, differs materially in many respects from both. Its most southern Purgunnah, that of Luckee commences at the village of Sunn, and extending to the Luckee pass, a distant of about 24 miles, form as has already been stated, a continuation of that rich valley in the Jherruck district, which lies between the Hill country and the river. Opposite the village of Sunn, the mountains gradually commence to close in upon the river, until at the Luckee pass, there is barely room for a laden camel to pass. Even this narrow defile is closed during the inundation and the traffic between Upper and Lower Sind on the right bank of the river, is carried on by a difficult road, between six and seven miles in length, which leads over the mountains. Beyond the pass the mountains again suddenly recede from the river, and on emerging from its northern extre- mity, the eye wanders with delight over the wide, extended and fertile plain of Sehwistan. This plain is bounded on the east by the Indus and on the west by the Hubb or Solyman range of mountains—the Nara river meanders through the middle of the plain, and by its numerous windings, adds greatly to its fertility, by affording greater facilities for irrigation. Numerous canals, both from the Indus and the Nara intersect the plain lying between the two rivers and which 1s for the most part composed of an exuberantly fertile soil. ‘Towards the southern extremity of the district, is situated Lake Munchar, a wide expanse of water and Morass, varying according to the season of the year from 20 to 30 miles in length and from 8 to 12 in breadth. The Nara enters the Lake near its northern extremity, while the Arul connects it with the Indus bélow Sehwan. The level of the surface of the Lake, when the Indus is low, is somewhat higher than that of the River, and as the lake contains numerous springs, there is usually a small flow of water through the Arul to the river. When on the49 other hand the inundation commences, the river rises so much more rapidly than the lake can hil, that the water Pours into it both through the Nara and the Arul. As soon as the lake is full, the Arul resumes its course towards the Indus. Both the Nara and the Arul are navigable during the inundation for boats of large burden, and even for steamers. To the west- ward of the Nara the land gradually rises towards the mountains ; canals have in consequence been extended but a a short distance in that direction, and the vast plains of kacha are as yet almost entirely dependent on rain for their supply of fresh water. Numerous small bunds have been thrown y on these plaéns for the Purpose of catching and retaining the rain water, and such is the fecundity of the soil that one good fall of rain is sufficient to enable the cultivators, with the aid of these bunds, to realize 4 good harvest of jowari. A fine mountain stream called the Gaj river, breaks from the hills and enters the plains about 30 miles north of Sehwan, fertilizing in its Course a considerable tract of land. There are also other smaller streams, but unfortunately the greater portion of the water derived from these, as well as from. the Gaj is claimed by Jagirdars. When heavy rain falls in the mountains the Gaj Is subject to tremendous inundations called ‘Raes’ which Sweep everything before them. Huge blocks of stone are rolled for several miles into the plain, and so impetuous and overwhelming is the torrent that it often fills up the canals dug to the westward of the ‘Nara’ and which are distant at least 15 miles from it. The principal kharif products of this district, are red and white rice, jowari, bajri, moong, til, kurring, hemp, nangii, ooreed, chana, Indian corn, sugar-cane, tobacco, indigo, turmeric and esculent vegetables. Those of the tabi, are wheat, barley, matar, gram, *ouree’ or mustard, surshiff, jambha, dhunya, jowari, jeera, and mohur. The poppy was formerly extensively cultivated in the Purgunnahs of Bubak and Samtanee and opium of a superior quality was produced, but since the con- quest, the cultivation of the poppy has been prohibited. In lake Munchar the lotus is produced in great abundance, the seeds, root and stalk of which supply the thousands of the poorer classes of inhabitants with food. | L (tv) 3557ee eee of climate are much greater in Sehwistan districts. The hot season commences about the end of April, and usually continues till the end of October. During this period the average range of the thermometer In the shade at noon is irom 98° to 110. The nights are sultry, and there is little perceptible difference between the temperature of day and night, while mosquittoes and sand-flies abound. Duting the cold season the thermometer falls to near freezing point in the course of the night, and rises again during the day to summer heat. These sidden changes and the long cofitinued heat are very trying to the European constitution, but the natives of the country are healthy and long livetl. The variations than in the other two The estimated length of Sehwistan is about 40, and the breadth about so miles the amount of square miles is about 2,000. . The amount of male inhabitants is estimated at 39,639 which multiplied by four for the families, gives a total of 158,550. ‘The popiilation as in other districts is of a mixed character, bit besides the three great classes of agriculturists, traders and fahertnen, there is 4 fourth class which possesses great in- uence in this district, véz., the resident Jagirdars—large tracts of land have been granted in Jagir in the other districts but the owners of them are for the most part non-residents whereas ‘1 Sehwistan, the majority of the Jagirdars reside on their estates. The Zamindats too are a far more numerous and mote iffluential body than in the other districts. They are generally Sayeds or wealthy Hindus. The former area remark- ably fine race of men and most of them cultivate on a very extensive scale. The requisite number of artificers is found in most of the large villages and in the towns of Bubak and Arazee, carpets of a superior quality are manufactured. s _ The average annual revenue derived from my Collectorate since the country came into our possession was for the officialRs, 1843-44... 0 206 25} 5 BSd4ene :, ‘ni (O48 RoE dO 4G ES B5 AG wai “e+ 6:85:92] - 5 U4 1540-45 $3 5 Oe ACM a Oe ad The revenue is derived from the following sources :— * Land revenue. Miscellaneous. Customs and taxes. Fees and fines. Town duties. House and market rent, Garden rent. Confiscated property. Liquor and Drug contracts. | Unclaimed property. Fishery and ferry contracts. | Profit and loss. Goldsmiths (Orsidue) and | Taxes, Weavers, do. Query No. II.—Is the population divided into separate village Communities each having its hereditary establishment for the management of its affairs, and if so, what do these establishments consist of and how are they remunerated ? Are lands divided into separate fields and surveyed, their boundaries defined, what are the tenures on which they are held ? 2. Ihe population jis divided into separate village com- , munities but on a wholly different plan asia | Col from the village community system in India. Here the Musalmans of a village usually belong to the same tribe who are guided In minor points by their Rais or Patel and the Hindus by the Mukhi and Panchayat, but they have nothing to do with the revenue or management of public affairs and receive no remunerationexcept perhaps in gratuitous services occasionally by the villagers. They have however some influence from their post- tion and are generally spokesmen when the villagers have any complaint to make or favour to ask from Government. The lands are not permanently divided into separate fields, nor are the boundaries defined—though there are certain bounda- ries recognized as the boundaries of the village lands—at the cultivating season however each cultivates his wheel or piece of land separately and each water-course from a large canal has usually its separate owner singly if a- rich man, or in partnership if the ownership be in the villagers—th® boundary to the land in such cases is the limit up to which the water from the water-course can be made to water. The tenures by which the Rayots in Sind hold their land is this, that as long as they cultivate the land and pay their rent, it is held oppression to dispossess them :—if they cease to cultivate it and pay rent, it may be given to any other who will take it—and thenceforth the original holder has no further claim. 2. Villages have not separate communities with hereditary establishments. The spring crop has its Major Goldney, Collector Geld os : ee has its =f ei eacie, 3 ield divided. pretty generally—for the . autumn crop owing to the quantity of land unoccupied, the fields are not so well defined. The lands appear to be held on hereditary tenure. ‘The limits of villages though often disputed seem to be immutable ; the land is held on the condition of paying rent for such as is cultivated only. | presume that the explanation of rent free or Jagir tenures is not required under this head. The zamindar claims an exclusive right to cultivate certain lands: and the peasantry he employs whensoever he can procure them. In cases where he is obliged, from inability to till them himself, to make over land to another zamindar, he usually demands lapa or quit ae ales ee Pe re Ee it cash, or if in kind, from to the quality of the sail deste TORE, sh ee, De ption of crops, &c.53 2. The population is divided into separate village com- ee Cater, munihes but ithesethave (qa hereditary Captain Preedy, Collector . : oF Karachi establishment as in India, to manage their affairs. Each caste or tribe has its Mukhi or Headman to whose decision all trifling matters of dispute are referred, but he receives no remuneration for his services. The lands are not usually divided into separate fields, but the bounslaries of each village are defined by par- ticular trees stones, bunds or nullahs, all of which are well ; ) known to the Kotars or Kotwals, several of whom are located in eavh Purgunnah for the purpose of keeping traditionar records of the limits of all village lands, boundaries of Jagheers and of Zamindars’ estates. The Kotars are referred to, when disputes arise regarding boundaries, they are considered as Government: servants, and are paid in grain from the 4 cassas levied as ‘Kurutch’. At the Battai or the division of the produce of each harvest they were formerly allowed to beg from the zamindars, and usually collected a sufficient supply of grain for their subsistence throughout the year. This practice has now been put a stop to, the number of Kotars varies according to the extent of the Purgunnah. In some Pur- gunnahs there are only three or four, in others from ten to twelve. Besides, recollecting the boundaries, they are expected to perform several other duties, vzz. to move about the districts and to stimulate the cultivators to activity by pointing out waste land and threatening to report them if arrangements are not made for bringing the same under cultivation. They also seize and convey to the Kardar all Stray cattle, and at the same time report any damage which the cattle may have done ; the are also expected to report to the Kardar, any disturbances amongst the inhabitants and t® point out the ‘Dhul’ or cash rent lands to the Government Zabits or measuring men—the are in fact ‘ Naibs’ or assistants to the Kardars. Their offices are usually considered as hereditary. In the event of a vacanc occurring through the dismissal of a Kotar for misconduct, the Kardars under instructions from the Collector appoint another Kotar in his stead. In the Purgunnah of Sakra an ‘ Urbab’ or chief was for- merly elected from amongst themselves by the Zamindars. oe % ae ce 9 an a ee at we ae ARs. ae pe ages 2S) Car “ eg Eee54 His duties were to attend to all disputes between Zamindars or Ryots, and to endeavour to effect an amicable adjustment between contending parties. He was also expected to re- present the agricultural community Im transacting any business with the Government officers which affected their interests, For these services he was allowed a Toya of grain per Kurwar on the gross produce of the Purgunnah, and a rupee on each wheel. Soon after the conquest the Zamindars represented that their ‘ Urbab’ was of no use to them, and begged that they might be relieved of the tax which he levied on them, and their request was accordingly complied with. I am however of opinion that Urbab in each district would be of much assis- tance to the Government officers. The lands are held in Jagir, Zamindaree and in Ryotee, and the assessments on the two latter are fixed on the ‘ Battai’ ‘Kasghee’ and ‘Zubt’ or ‘Dhul’ systems. The Government ossesses an absolute allodial property in the soil, while the right of the Ryot to permanent occupancy is recognized, so long as he properly cultivates the land, and pays to Government the rent at which his land 1s assessed, whether it be a fixed share of the produce, or a fixed money rent. The Zamindaree system is most prevalent in my districts, but should either Zamindars or Ryots neglect to cultivate their lands, Government, as sole proprietor of the soil, can resume the neglected lands and make them over to more profitable tenants. This power seems absolutely necessary in a country like Sind, where the greater proportion of the revenues are derived from the soil, The rates of assessment formerly differed in every Purgunnah, but these have now in a greater measure been equalized throughout Sind by the new Revenue Regulations, published by order of His Excellency Sir Chatles Napier, vzde pages 97 to 112 of Civil Order Book. Garden lands in the vicinity of Karachi and in the valleys of the Mulleer and Hub Rivers are assessed at one rupee pet mensem on every 10 bighas. This is about as much land as can be cultivated with one wheel. Query No. IlI.—By whom is the settlement of revenue made immediately with the cultivator and what chain of inter- mediate agency exists between the cultivator and the Collector ?J2 Is the settlement for each cultivator’s holding separately or for several jointly ? Is it entirely in kind or partially in money ? As regards the revenue in kind what proportion of the gross produce is taken from the cultivator? If the proportion varies, on what circumstances do the variations depend ? Is the pro- portion taken from the cultivator chargeable in the first instance, with any expenses of management, any fees to village or district establishments, or any assignments to individuals or is the whole brought at once to the credit of Government? Is the cultivator ever allowed to redeem the Government share at a valuation or is it always disposed of on account of Government ? In the latter, case how and by whom is its assessment ascer- tained and under what arrangement is it kept until its disposal takes place? Is it sold by auction or by contracts, and in the latter case how is the price determined? Are the proceeds of the soil realized immediately or by instalments? If by instal- ments, of what usual duration and under what securities? Are defalcations frequent amongst the purchasers, and when they occur what steps are taken to secure the interest of Govern- ment ? In the case of money assessments, on what principle is their rate fixed and what is their highest, lowest and average assessment ? Are they based on a uniform land measure and what is its extent as compared with the acre? Is the revenue under such assessments punctually realized or if there are balances, what do they usually amount to at the close of the year ? 3. The revenue settlement is made in some parts imme- diately with the cultivator and in others are oa. with an intermediate party the Mukadim— where it is made with the Mukadim a fixed grain rent is usually taken annually, and the arrangement between the cultivator and Mukadim is left to be settled by themselves. When the arrangement is made direct with culti- vator, the system is this. As soon as the crop begins to ripen a Battaidar is appointed, either the Kardar of the district or a separate person. He goes to the district and posts his Korawurs or watchmen over the different fields. When the grain is ripe, it is cut down, and then, still in charge of the watchmen, is trodden out by the bullocks. It is then carried off to the ‘ Khittah’ or enclosure where it is placed in heaps, eachre 6 man’s grain separate. The Battaidars with the Mohurur and the measurer then proceed to the spot——one of the cultivators fT divides each heap by guess into three or four equal portions i as the rate of rent may be a third or a fourth. The Battaidar | selects one of these as the standard and it 1s measured, and according to that measurement, the ‘Currutch’ of 3 cassas a Kurwar for water tax and four cassas a Kurwar Purgunnah charges are taken from the other heaps belonging to the culti- vator, and with the heap already selected form the Government share. A note is made of the amount and given to the culti- vator, and that amount of grain is the rent which he has to convey as soon as practicable to lodge in the public erain : | store. It is there again measured and lodged in the store. a) The cultivator receives a receipt the amount 1s entered in the 4 ‘Kussera’ or rent roll of the: Purgunnah, the Ambardar and Battaidar affix their seals to this Kussera, it is countersigned by the 7Jamindars and is then transmitted to the Collector, a copy being sent to the Deputy Collector, and then the trans- ation is complete. Wi a . es ” ee pity ; esos. a — pee» a Mle: cas = ; ™ In some parts where rice is grown instead of the battat e e Dee c being made of each cultivator's heap separately, the whole Kittah is battaied at once. The Government share is fixed and the people arrange about their own shares afterwards among themselves. The settlement for grain crops is almost entirely in kind. There may be a dozen wheels in the Collectorate that under the new regulations pay cash. The settlement for tobacco, sugar-cane, indigo, cotton and vegetable crops is entirely in cash, and was so in the Meers’ times. The proportion taken from the cultivator is one-third or one-fourth with seven kassas a Kurwar charges for water expenses and Purgunnah establishments. For the Khureef crops where the land is naturally flooded, the rate is one-third. Where the water is raised by wheel, the rate is one-fourth except.in a few places where it is. one- iM third. For rubee crops the rate is one-third except on lands oi watered by wells and double wheels where it is one-fourth.a2 The whole grain collected is at once brought to the credit of Government, but there is a charge for reaping and field watch- men—taken out daily as the crop is being reaped—of. one- twentieth of the grain cut; and this is paid to the reapers or to the owner of the field if he reaps it himself and to the watchmen. No proposition has ever been made to me by cultivators to redeem the crop at a money valuation; but occasionally the grain has been proposed and allowed to be danbundied, that is, instead of waiting till the Battai—estimating the amount of grain in the field of standing corn and fixing the assessment accordingly. This system is followed in the desert and other parts where the fields are so scattered or the crops so scanty as to render the perpetual watching them by the Korawurs impossible or nearly so. The grain is stored in ‘Ambarkhanas’ till sold. Tenders are received by the Collector through the Kardars, or Deputy Collectors or direct from the grain dealers and accepted if the rates be thought advantageous——the Collector is in the position of a wholesale corn merchant and acts precisely as one of the trade would, looks to the amount of the crop, sees how the out-turn has been in the states around, calculates how far the supply will tally with the demand, sees therefore what prices are likely to rule eventually and arranges his sales accordingly. Latterly however I have sold a good deal of grain by putting it up to public competition. The proceeds of the sale are occasionaly realized at once ; but generally in three instalments, except at auctions where more than one month’s credit is not given. The duration was in this Collectorate always one month between each ‘kist’ but the Collector of Karachi last year, allowed eight months’ credit and I was obliged to give in after a long struggle and fix the instalments at two months between each kist instead of one. Unless however some steps be taken this will eventually prove fatal to the interests of Government and the public; as it must tend to encourage gambling in grain among men who have little or no capital. I believe however that this very long credit L (iv) 355—858 system has been already abandoned. No security is taken from buyers except the usual one among merchants, of not selling to any but those whose credit is good. Sometime a second or third name is however required to the bills given in payment. Defalcations on the part of purchasers are very rare indeed. When they occur the same steps are taken to secure the interest of Government as are used by one merchant towards another. If the defalcation appears of a fraudulent character, the man is imprisoned. If otherwise time is given, and every opportunity allowed for a man’s retrieving his affairs. The whole amount of bad debts since the conquest on this account does not exceed six thousand rupees. Money rents are fixed at one standard throughout this Collectorate of Rs. 1-6-0 per bighah of 25,000 square yards (or rather more than 1/2 an acre) in addition to a collecting fee of 6 per cent. Balances on this account used at one time to be allowed to stand over occasionally till the next year but are not now; as the Kardars have been particularly enjoined to take the money in all doubtfull cases before the crop is cleared off the ground. 3. There is no intermediate agency between the Collector and the cultivator, for the settlement Seca Collector or assessment which has been arranged with the zamindars of each district ; or where desired, with those of each village, but as the existance of different leases (in kind and in cash) on the same village would open a door to much peculation by the farmer represent- ing to the land Surveyor, that certain fields were not to be measured for cash rents but bataied in kind, and to the assessor (Battaidar) that the same were to be measured not bataied and thus evade payment altogether; I have left it to the several farmers of each village to agree among themselves, whether to apply for cash rents or leases in kind. Each lease is wholly for cash or wholly for corn rent therefore of the whole village. Suppose the gross produce of59 an estate to be 320 Kurwars, and the farmer 2/3 of that quantity, first deducting the odd 20 as “Fees” which are rated 1-15th of a Kurwar on each r Oo” Kurwar of a gross produce. In the case above supposed, Government receives as tent 100 Kurwars and again as then Government receives 1/3 fees - a 20 Tear 120 Kurwars. The farmer receives 200 Kurwars clear. From the 20 Kurwars fees, the entire expense of dividing the crop is defrayed. Also of a functionary called the village “ Kotwal ” Whose duty @& is to acquaint himself with the minutize of the entire cultivation of his circle - Any balance after these expenses are defrayed, goes to Government for the general expenses of the district at large, as Kardar and establishment. The farmer is only charged with paying half of the wages of the field watch- men required to watch the ripening crops and to prevent their beng cut, or (which is more common) to prevent the ears of Jowaree being abstracted by the farmers. The Government portion of the produce is fixed, as a maximum ; where waste land is reclaimed or canals dug at increased labour and expense, it is reduced to one fourth or less at discretion of the Collector. Kushmore being very disturbed and almost deserted when we got it in 1845 I gavea lease at 1/5 to encourage settlers from Bhawalpure and Mooltan for 3 years. The Government share is, in the neighbourhood of Shikarpur only subject to a deduction of 1/8th to 1/4th as Puttadaree, a species of free holding peculiar to this district introduced by the Pathans. It seems to partake both of the Jagheer tenure and of the right by purchase Where the cultivator does not contribute labour to the canals he is liable to pay water rates 3, 4, 6 to 8 annas per Bighah, as agreed upon by the capitalist who undertakes to clear the canal. In anew canal dug in Naushera under my auspices in 1845-46 of above 22 miles in length, the propnietors levy 8 annas per Bighah, the district being bound to furnish labour on the grand canal which feeds it.60 Where zamindaree is established the cultivator pays it (vzde querry 2nd) there 1s no other cess. The whole Government share where there is no Pattedaree is stored for Government in granaries until disposed of. If the cultivator desires to commute his corn rent for cash in any particular harvest it is done by a special agreement based upon the cash rent as laid down by His Excellency s Revenue Regulations of March 1846-—1/8th for autumn and 2/8ths for spring crops per acre ; but modified by the Collector according to the state of the crop, the price of grain, and other circumstances. In no case do I accept of less than the regulat- ed rent usually, the farmer proffers more. It frequently occurs that Hindu capitalists offer to pay cash rents for a given tract under crop: but these are inva- riably declined unless the farmers assent, or be partners in the transaction. In 1845, I sold rice crops on the ground, the Government share, at Rs. 4-4-0 per Bighah. This was prior to the new regulations, and while the Meers system was still in force. Cash rents are realized by instalments: No securities are taken from farmers, the land being considered as sufficient uarantee. Four or five monthly instalments are usual. The first instalment for my account now cutting has been paid in this neighbourhood? The accounts of other districts are not come in, but collections on account are going on generally. Except in Mehar and especially in Baghban, I have not many arrears of rent. The latter district I find extremely corrupt and evasive and were it possible I should like to farm it out to a severe contractor for a couple of years. It has been a scene of peculation, and evasion ever since the conquest, and lying remote from European superintendence till 1846, has got into bad habits. Defalcations among the purchasers are not common. Security being usually taken where parties are not known to be substantial men; when such occur imprisonment or placing the seal of Government on the chattles of the defaulter is the61 only remedy. Purchases are by tender or by auction, at dis- cretion. If I know the market js unsteady, I will accept a tender perhaps in preference to the delay of an auction. Three mstalments are the usual number. The land measure for cash rents is the Bighah of 2,500 square yards—the english acre being 4,840 square yards, “the rent being invariably Rs. 1-8-0 and Rs. 2-8-0 per bighah for autumn and spring crops. My arrears on the Ist September, October’s accounts not being received from the Deputies, amounted to Company’s Rs, 50,356-1-o of which a portion has unquestionably been realized during October; but the amount I cannot precisely state. These are the arrears outstanding from the dates of conquest to the present time. 3- The settlement of the revenue is made by the Collector Captain Preedy, Collector ang his Deputies . through the Kardar, thf Buttaidar and Zabit of each Purgunnah. These servants form the immediate chain of agency between the cultivator and the European officers. The settlement for each cultivator’s holding is made separately. If on the Battai or Kasgee system, it is entirely in kind and is received by the Battaidar and Kardar ; if it be Dhul or cash rent in money and it is received by the Kardar on the report of the zabit. When the revenue is levied in kind one-third or one-fourth of the gross produce is taken from the cultivator on lands which formerly paid half, one-third on those which are irrigated by means of wells and which are dependent on rain, one-fourth together with fees amounting to 7 cassas per Kurwah on the gross produce on account of ‘ Currutch’ and Hakabo or water tax. The variation in favour of the wheel cultivation is made on account of the additional expenses incurred by the cultivator in raising the water. The proportion of grain taken from cultivator is chargeable with some expenses of management. The Buttaidar and his Moonshi, the Purgunnah Moonshis, the Kotars, Kurawas or grain watchers “ Dulwae” or measur- ing man are all paid in grain out of the Currutch or four cassas per Kurwah levied on the gross produce. Toyagee or a Toya of grain per Kurwah on the Government share is also allowed to the Kardar. The cultivator can, if he wishes it, alwaysPie) redeem the Government share at a valuation on making an application to that effect to the Collector. On the Buttai or division of the grain bemg completed, the | Government share either delivered atonce to merchants who a have bought it of the Collector, or, it 1s made over to the care i! of an ambardar or grain store-keeper, who takes charge of it and stores it until purchasers are forthcoming. ag ry , . . " SETTLE SES TR Tee Ee Ese se: eee re . 7 oY s ey oo im ra } - . Ps | > ‘ i Pk: ‘oe peel f pee Sp Beto ey ee: . tS . a) Mec | The grain is sometimes sold by auction sometimes by contract the ‘Neeruck,’ or price current of the eillah at the time of sale determining the price in the latter case. If sold by auction, the proceeds are realized immediately. If by | contract, generally by instalments. | hese instalments formerly varied from two, three, four, six, to eight months duration, but I have lately reduced the period to three months, the first kist or instalment being paid in ready money on the delivery of the grain, the other two within the subsequent 3 months. Securities have not hitherto been given but it has become necessary to exact the same, as defalcations are becoming frequent among the purchasers, which was not the case during former years. i) When they occur the defaulters are arrested and if they have sold the grain they had purchased concealed or made away with the proceeds they have realized by its sale, they are a treated as fraudulent debtors, and punished by the confiscation of their property and by imprisonment with hard labour. In \ no instance however has it hitherto been necessary to resort to My these extreme measures in my Collectorate. In the case of money assessment the rate is fixed in Upper Sind at Rs, 2-8-o per Bigha and in lower Sind at Rs. 1-8-0 per Bigha, with a fee at the rate of 6 per cent. on the amount of collections. A dis- cretionery power is vested in Collector to increase their assess- ments on such lands in the vicinity of towns where there is a good market. I have not however deemed it advisable as yet to make any increase on these rates in my districts. The assessments are based on one uniform land measure, vzZ., on the Napier Bigha of 2,500 square yards. ‘The revenue under the above assessments is punctually realized and there are usually no balances on this account at the end of the year. po Rn Sy a ae era ROY 3 3 Se SE legs Oo SE ore Sees sags Sw ee i ee Pe ee aan Peak d63 Query No. 4.—What is the proportion of alienated to Government lands and under what terms are the alienations held— ; are they hereditary or for life, if both what is their proportion to each other ? How far have claims to alienations been investigated and settled? Do the holders of alienated lands settle with their sub-tenants on the same principles as the Government Officers with the cultivators of Government land ? Are there any appropriations of land to religious institutions or as charity to individuals ? 4. he alienated lands in this Collectorate amount to Captain Rathborne, Col- about 32,500,000 beeghas. They ane all etic of Hiderabud. strictly speaking grants during pleasure and the greater portion of them were really given and resumed and changed by the Ameers at will— but the possessions of the great chiefs were confirmed to them by oath on the Koran, and were generally treated as hereditary and not resumed unless in very special cases. The proportion of such grants of a more permanent description in this Collec- torate is about half of the whole of the land alienated or about 17 and 18 lacs of beeghas. Where the alienated lands are Jagheers in which a_ share has lapsed to Government the tenants are settled with by the Government Buttaidar and Kardar precisely in the same way as the tenants of the ordinary ryotee lands. But in respect to those Jagheers of which the Government holds no share, the tenants are settled with monthly at the rates and according to the plan prevailing in the -Meers’ times: the Jagheerdar not being justified in exacting what rates he pleases ; he is not the owner of the land but only the represent- ative of Government inits revenue rights as regards the land in question and can only levy at the Government rates the Government share. ' There are no appropriations of Jand to religious institutions though some Peers and Fakirs, and Gurus and Syeds hold grants for gardens and small patches of vegetable ground— mostly for a well-and five or six beeghas and in no instance that | remember for more than a hundred beeghas, The iet ot total amount so held is very small. These are the only charitable grants in this Collectorate. i 4. Alienated lands consist of Jagheers to the estimated amount of 254,748 Indian acres. They Major Goldney, Collector are hereditary under certain restrictions of Shikarpur E as follows :— rst.—First class Jagheers held for 20 years prior to the conquest continuously or on a patent not resumable at ot pleasure and not being in lieu of civil or military pay may be converted into perpetuities on surrendering all waste included in the grant optional with grantees; but if not ot so converted during the life of present incumbents, all ' waste will at hisdeath be resumed and 3/4ths of the pro- ceeds of the estate only be confirmed to his heirs. 7 ’ - , 5 co e " = + tw — 7 * - ‘ Pd ry Sin ee S By NM ici os 8 : : : eh ee are ee ae eee oe i eee i P ; . 4 sek Sy _ ss ; * x, 44 belch kk te ‘ . "i 4 aa Ps ~ tad ? Sat Saale ae 2nd.—Second class held during less than 20 years not being civil or military pay, may become perpetuities on resigning all waste and a payment of a quit-rent of Rs. 2 per beegha on death of present incumbent. iat st Sent af hse Seat ih By! ty a 3rd.—All other Jagheers or portions of those held in lieu of pay revert to the estate at the death of the present incumbents. 4th.—Regrants will in future include none but lands under cultivation, and then too, subject to the quit-rent of Rs. 2 per beegha. All hereditary estates of the four princi- pal branches of the Talpur family to be considered as in the first class. Jagheerdar absolved from military service in their tenure; if their personal services be required they will receive pay. a Jagheerdars to pay proportionate share of expenses. of el clearing the canals that water their lands. _ jagheerdars omitting to report the death of sharers in their Jagheers, shall be liable to forfeiture,65 Jagheerdars fraudule their Jagheers shall forfe of such fraud. ently enclosing Government lands in it double the amount of land on proof The titles have been investigated to the best of our opportunities but probably some frauds and forgeries of deeds will yet be brought to light. It seems likely that at one time or another the greater part of the lands in Sind have been temporarily granted to individuals for services civil or military and subsequently resumed as freely as they were given. [If this assumption be at all correct it follows that many dormant sunnuds may have been produced as titles to land for which services long obsolete were exacted or which had been long forfeited by the caprice of the grantor or rebellion of the grantee. In proof of my theory I must advance the fact of Meer Ali Murad having resumed all the Jagheers of Meerpur and Ubaura, when ceded to him by us in 1845 and also of his having written to me not to transmit any more confirmatory orders by H. E. to grantees in Ghotkee because he expected it shortly to be made over to him in exchange for Boordeka when he was resolved to resume them all likewise. He has since resumed all or almost all the Jagheers in his own territories: whence I infer Jagheer titles are not so irrefragable as the grantees in our districts. All holders of alienated lands are at liberty to make what arrangements they please with their tenants as regards rents. Poll tax, transit duties, fees for compounding of felonies are abolished : these each Jagheerdar formerly levied in his own _Jagheer toa considerable amount. Many Syeds hold grants and afew mendicants, Hindus and Musalmans, enjoying rent-free gardens and plots of ground always very small. The majority of grants were for military service. 4. The proportion of alienated to Government lands, is about one-tenth. These lands were een rocdy ores originally assigned in Jagheer, either for the pay of troops or as civil salaries. They are resumable at the pleasure of Government. The L (tv) 355—9 a. ad f . . =! ae eg RLS aniJagheerdars are entitled to levy the Government Pate p i | produce but they cannot dispossess any tenant 0 his lands [| without orders from Government. They have the power of , reducing the rates of assessment and in granting waste lands | are at liberty to make their own arrangements as regards the rate and mode of assessment. They pay water tax to Govern- ment on all lands watered from the Government canals at the following rates, 172%. :— On each churkha or wheel worked by two bullocks or a | camel 34 rupees per wheel, on each hoorla or wheel M worked by one bullock Rs. 2. “ € a On selabee or flood land 3 cassas of grain per kurwah =) on gross produce or if they prefer paying in cash, at | the rate of one rupee per kurwah on shalee or rice ca in the husk, and Rs. 2 per kurwah on all other - grains. Jagheers are held for life only, The titles to their aliena- tion have been generally investigated and settled ; there are a few appropriations of land to Syeds and religious mendicants but none of these exceeds 20 beegahs 1n extent. Query No. 5.—What proportion of the Collectorate is cultivated and what revenue is derived ? Is any revenue derived from the waste land? Is any encouragement held to bring waste at lands into cultivation and of what nature 2 s. I should calculate that about 575,000 beeghas | OT. ryotee land are cultivated in this Collec- if Captain Rathborne, Col- =e . Pi | (ior of tderabad. torate besies fallows and Shikargahs and perhaps two-third as much more, Jagheer land. The remainder amounting to, in round numbers, three hundred and fifty four hundred thousand beegahs, is waste. Of this one-half is desert and probably a third or half of the | remainder not cultivable with any ordinary means likely to be ' ever at our disposal. No revenue is derivable from waste lands unless the fees taken for cattle grazing in the Shikargahs be so_ considered. As an encouragement to bring them under cultivation, thetenant is allowed to hold them two years rent free ; but in nearly all cases the great burthen of improvement in_ this Collectorate must rest on Government ; the chief outlay being for canals which Government only can make; all that is wanted generally to bring land into cultivation is water and this the Government alone can, in the existing state of things, support the expense of bringing. 5. [estimate that 410,000 beegahs were under crop last year. Twice that amount was clear- Major Goldney, Collector iF it an collector ed but lying fallow. Autumn crop land ° is seldom cropped more than once in three years. A fee called ‘‘ Gao churee”’ is levied from parties grazing their cattle in waste lands: no other revenue is derived from waste. Reduction of rent or wholly rent-free leases for one, two or three years constitute the encouragement given to reclaiming of waste, sinking of wells, &c., and in all such cases we stipulate that the land reclaimed shall be in excess of former cultivation. 5. [estimate the cultivable land in my districts not , _ including the extensive valleys situated Captain Freedy, CollectOT | ost tl > hills 1 whichare de le EARacachi. amongst the huls and which are depenc ent on rain for fresh water, at 812,000 of which in 1846 about 190,000 or about + was under cultivation. No revenue is derived from the waste lands. Advances of money to the value of a pair of bullocks and seed are made to those who will undertake to cultivate waste lands and_ they are also allowed to hold their lands for the two first years free of rent. Query No. 6.—Are loans given to cultivators and under what rules? Are they punctually repaid? Do the cultivators ever resort to money-lenders: and if so, on what terms can they obtain money? Are remissions of revenue ever granted and under what circumstances? Are failures of the payment of revenue by one cultivator made good by an extra assessment on the others il artapna | AEE SESE RE EERE CORTE E EELS PRE EESE REESE EEE sh a sini ci : : aed Lab RR 1 arin a alata Nal aie A re Te) ae a he var ry AS dae de is SUA Ra Se § ihe’ aoe Tee ~ a = 6. Asystem of loans was sanctioned for cultivators but none have been yet granted. In some Captain Rathborne Col- few cases grain has been advanced lector of Hyderabad. : i : which has been recovered at the Buttai. The cultivators are for the most part entirely in the hands of the money-lenders. The terms the money-lenders make are about forty per cent.—everything included ; but as in India the debts are chiefly nominal, for from generation to generation, the cultivators are in the hands of the Bunyas or of their Mukadims ; are supported till harvest time ; and then the crop is taken on the money-lenders’ own terms, and a portion re-issued to the cultivator in the shape of subsisten¢e, at almost any rate they choose to charge. The great object of the Mukadum or Bunya is to get the cultivator involved beyond hope of extrication and thus secure his services for ever on his own terms. This system has however greatly broken down since the conquest. No remissions are granted. Where cash rents are paid the tenant takes the chance whether the season be good or bad, on grain rents, the lessened amount paid ina bad seascn to Government acts as a kind of proportionate remission. ‘There is only one exception and that is when from any cause there is no crop at all in a field then it is ploughed up and passed over altogether by the Revenue Officer. There is, and can be, under the system, no failure to pay on the part of the cultivator, unless toa very trifling extent indeed ; and each cultivator is only responsible for the rent of his own lands except in case of the public grain being plundered in the fields when the whole village community is responsible, and is bound to make good the loss to Government with such additional fine as may be laid on it. 6. Loans to the small farmers to the amount of a pair of Sere ts, oxen, a wheel, say 20 to 40 rupees, are Major Goldney, Collector as ) ipanee : af ehetaeedr, authorized = and_ occasionally applied ; for and punctually repaid. It has been usual to give advances on a larger scale to farmers for digging canals ; cash and grain are both given and_ usually repaid at the stipulated period. Interest at 6 to 12 per cent. according to agreement is levied on these loans.69 The farmers as a body | are in the hands of money-lenders, whose terms of interest are very exorbitant from 12 to 40 per cent. A common mode is to exact half the produce of the farm on which the loan is expended as interest and to pay the Government rent: the tenant being liable to repay the capital sum advanced out of the other half. Remissions of rent are not made but when cotton or other lands (but chiefly cotton because most. liable to such acci- dents) are injured by inundation, being on cash rent the tenant has a clause inserted in his cash rent lease. covenanting that im event of injury by inundation only on his immediately applying at the time to have his rent of such inundated ground taken in kind, instead of in cash, the Government. will allow it to be levied in kind at 1/3 Buttai. No cultivator is chargeable with defalcations of another. 6. Small loans are frequently granted to the poorer | classes of cultivators. These by the ee ee Col. new Revenue Regulations are limited in amount to the value of a pair of bullocks ; they are usually punctually repaid, but there are exceptions to this rule. The cultivators generally, both zamindars and Ryots resort to money-lenders, to whom they pay a minus rate of interest, 24 per cent. per annum being the usual charge. Remis- sions of revenue at present are granted only when the crops have entirely failed. In the Purgunnah of Canote and Bhera in the Jurruck district, land was formerly assessed at one kurwah of grain with fees, for each churka or water-wheel and in the event of any cultivator being unable to pay the Govern- ment share of the produce owing to a failure of crops, the deficiency was made up by the cther cultivators of those Purgunnahs. This custom has been abolished by order of His Excellency the Governor, but the Government share of the produce is still levied in these two Purgunnahs on the wheel, instead of on the beegha or by the battai, as in the other districts. Query No. 7.—What proportion of the cultivated land is irrigated ? What is the system of irrigation, by what rules is itNiele > « ire eee ia = ps ATE aX io : ts sou dh aw Oe oa Bh ois Ses Mohs: es " Pas eS ee ET CT eC lee hs * * f gp hy eR. de Fuk, Fle A OR, a Leg ty es : hee Se A, tht . 2% ae rh te ie r Ss chee A. gles eal : ce ; bw toy regulated and how is it assessed ? What is the present state of the means of irrigation as compared with what they appear to have been at former periods, and what measures are required for their improvement P What regulations exist for the appro- priation of the water? Do disputes ever arise respecting it and how are they settled ? Is the expense of constructing and repairing works of irrigation charged to the alienated lands, when the holders partiticipate in the benefit 7. The whole of the cultivated land is irrigated either naturally by the overflow of the river or Captain Rathborne, Col” by canals or wells except thé desert and lector of Hyderabad. ‘ : : ; its borders on which however there is no crop hardly, except in years when rain is abundant. There 1s very little of this Collectorate overflowed by the river except through the medium of canals. [ am unable to state how for the present means of irrigation may be better or worse than those which existed very long ago in Sind; but I should think they were as good as they ever were, and that any fault that exists must be rather attributable to changes in the river itself than to any deficiency in canal arrangements. I believe however that these arrange- ments are now much more costly than they were—-I think to make the canal arrangements as perfect as possible, that the channels should be deepened sufficiently to ensure a supply of water in the worst seasons—At present if the river is low, the water enters the canals too late, and leaves them too early to admit of a good crop. The money spent on the works is in such event to a great extent thrown away: the cultivators lose their labour and outlay, and become disheartened—and the result is consequently most injurious to all. There are no rules regarding the appropriation of water further than established custom in relation to the supply. of water to Ryotee lands—the chief points of which are that water shall not be given for new water courses unless the old ones are fully supplied—that water shall not be given to the cul- tivators of another Purgunnah—unless the lands for which the canal was especially dug have a sufficiency to spare, and that eS ee a eee 8 ho bia eee Ny oothe alienated lands shall not receive more water than they received at the time of the taking of the country and for which they had the authority of the Ameers. Alienated lands pay generally water tax for the water they receive at the rate of Rs. 3-3-0 a large wheel, Rs. 2a small wheel, and Rs. 1} a kurwar on rice and Rs, a7 Oi) a kurwar on bajree and jowaree grown on flooded land. A hfth of the rent on cash paying lands, except gardens which pay 12 annas a beegha per annum. On alienated land how- ever in which Government takes a share, the water tax is fixed as on Ryotge lands at 3 cassas a kurwar on the lands battaied and on the others at the above rates—also in some cases where the Jagheerdars paid half or quarter produce for water in the Meers’ times—they pay the same now:—as that point was held in view by the Ameers’ Government in fixing the amount of the grant made to them. 7- All land is artificially irrigated in Sind for the autumn , : and middle crops. Either from wells, Major Goldney, Collector - a i aes Sy Shikarpur, ponas, or canals by Persian wheels or by small cut from the large canals which convey the water spontaneously over the low lands—this last irrigation is preferred by poor farmers and where copious is preferable for the crops ; but it is more precarious than that by wheels. For the spring crop a good deal of wheat and _ barley, peas, grain and mustard are raised on land saturated by innundation of the Indus, and if a shower or two fall occasionally at Christmas or a little later, good crops are raised thus—but the best wheat and barley are watered by wheels on the Indus or on wells, and these crops never fail—about 1/3 of the wheat and bailey is thus irrigated. There is no difference in the assessment on irrigated lands and that on others a party digging a new or clearmg an old canal by which others benefit receives water rates ‘ Huggab ” from such parties. errs ’* 4 _ a ae ; * t & pers: Dive ot ¥ 4 Bos HN NY it A Ping wie MS ; tery. LAN Soe: 1 Ae Css ‘ = : ve = Ae Kis apes . ” ; i - P - a Fe ee ine ie a a ee Wet» : ~ oe geek ek es BS RE RE EB SN a ‘ rT 7 - rs - Tee ae Our grand canals in Upper Sind are uniformly cleared by statute labour—the labourers being superintended and subsisted at the expense of Government— this 1s the ancient system, except that formerly the subsistence was nominal or issued for the first few days only, and after, when the labourers were collected and well settled down to their work, their grain rations were either discontinued by the Meer or embezzled by his officers. From the grand canals, cuts are made leading into the land in every direction—many are of great magnitude Munor cuts from these branch off intersecting the whole face of the country. Our canal department is on a scale far beyond anything that can be conceived to have existed under the old Govern- ments—yet gigantic efforts were made, I am _ persuaded, at times, by the enterprize of individual Meers, their kardars and others. My four grand feeders are the Begari, Sindhu of Shikarpur, Ghar or Larkana river, and Nara running to Sehwan. From the name and tradition of the Begari, also from its more direct channel, I consider it to be an artificial canal. The Sindhu, Ghar and Nara have ample internal evidence of their being originally channels formed by the outbreaks of the Indus deepened, cleared, and extended by the inhabitants of their neighbourhood. The Noorwah at the tail of the Ghar is evidently an artificial continuation of that canal. Most of these great works appear to have been performed during the Kullora dynasty. Deferentially, 1 am of opinion that the greater part of the excavations annually required to remove the silt accumulated during the inundations may be safely and ecconomically left to the Revenue officers and that the efforts and expenditure of the canal departments be concentrated -on works where science and money are required. For instance the ‘ Nara’, a branch of the Indus, never | suspect cleared of one cubic foot of sand by human efforts, is73 becoming in places silted up: let the whole weight of Major Scott’s establishment in Upper Sind be set to work : if on survey this canal be found in need, and susceptible of improve- ment and | will pledge myself to clear the three other canals with the ordinary establishment of my districts. In fact 1 am inclined to consider that under ordinary circumstances and with ordinary diligence, the supply of water depends not on scientific conduct of the excavations, but on opening a good wide mouth to allow the river to flow in freely when at the requisite height and on the inundation itself being copious—as a proof for 1844-45, and 46, the canals were cleared by the Revenue Department and we had water this year, the utmost zeal was displayed by the Canal Department and we had comparatively none; the simple reason will be found in the water guages of the Indus, by which it. will appear that its highest rise was far below the average of the 3 preceding years which no science can remedy, Any improvement resulting from European Science and expenditure, will I think be more likely to do good if based, rather upon the principle of carrying to perfection the indi- genous system under which these canals have been formed and which has worked indifferently well hitherto than upon the idea of superceding those altogether and bringing expensive attain- ments, superintendence and establishments to bear upon the mere digging out a large ditch. Beyond preventing dams to the injury of farmers beyond these, no interference or rules are in force regarding water which is distributed as far as may be according to old established custom. Many disputes arise, decided by the Magistrate or most frequently by arbitration. Such disputes are best settled on the spot. The complainant who before the Magistrate or Kardar will persist in his claim, will often compromise the matter or withdraw it when in presence of the old men, who he is aware are well acquainted with the merits of the case for years past. Jagheerdars, who do not contribute statute labour, pay a part of expenses of water works—or water rates—in proportion to their lands. L (tv) 355—10 ae s ws erm ‘Taeaia a Lt. Ps z. About 1/25th part of the cultivated land derives its supply of water from rain, the remainder Captain Preedy, Collector js irrigated. The system of irrigation is oe as follows:—All the ‘wahs’ or large canals are dug and cleared at the expense of Government under the superintendence of the Canal Department, while the karias or small canals of less section than one cubic guz are dug and cleared by the cultivators. The canal guz formerly varried in each Purgunnah, but it has been equalized throughout my districts, the standard being now fixed at 3 feet 9 inches in length. The present means of irrigation are, I think, fully equal to those of any period within the last twenty years In the Sehwistan districts, some of the larger canals have become a good deal choked with mud, and these it would be desirable thoroughly to clear out The cultivators can draw off as much water as they required from the large canals. Those whose lands are contiguous usually club together and dig a ‘karia’ the water conveyed by which they share between them, each having the use of it in turn. Disputes however frequently arise regard- ing the water, most of which are either settled by the cultivators themselves or by the Kardar, few comparatively are brought before the European officers. The cultivators pay Hakkaba or water tax at the rate of 3 cassas of grain per kurwar on the gross produce of all land watered trom the Government canals. The expense of constructing and repairing works of irrigation is not charged to the alienated lands, but the owners of the latter are charged with the Hakkaba or water tax at the rates specified in the replies afforded under paragraph 4. Query No. 8.—What are the different qualities of soil in your district and what proportion do they bear to each other? What are the different sorts of production in the various soils and what is the estimated out-turn in a given quantity of land? What are the seasons for sowing and reaping—the ordinary modes and implements of cultivation and quality of agricultural stock possessed by a cultivator in average circumstances? Are there any superior sorts of produce fit for exportation such as cotton, indigo, sugar, oils, écc., and to what probable extent grown and of what quality ? Whence do the cultivators supply themselves with clothing and15 agricultural implements 2 What js their general condition as regards wealth or property ? 8. The cultivated soil in the Hyderabad Collectorate tees may be divided into three classes—-recent Captain Rathborne, Col- lluvial d . Bekrvof Biydocabhd. duvial deposit, covered annually by the river— an older formation of the same-kind, reached only by artificial means of rigation and to the south, vast swamps. On the former kind of sojl the Rubee crops, such as wheat, barley, moong, mutter, jambha are grown. On the second kind, chiefly bajree and jowaree—on the third rice. The average turn-out of the Government share may be taken at 4 cassas a beegha on bajree and j Jowaree, 5 cassas on wheat and barley, and 7 cassas a beegha on rice: that is clear, after deducting expenses of reaping, &c. Produce however here, as elsewhere, is very variable. Land that has long lain fallow, will, if of good quality, sometimes yield a return of a kurwar per beegha or more than so bushels an acre. An amount which would be reckoned enormous on even the highest cultivated land at home. The time for sowing the Rubbee crops 1s in October and November, and the time for reaping it in April: the time for sowing the Khareef, is in June and July, and the beginning of August and for reaping it in the end of September, October and November. The harvest in the southern districts js always much in advance of that in the northern. The modes of cultivation of course differ for the different kinds of cultivation, and on the different soils. On recent alluvial deposit, nothing more is required than to throw the seed into the mud and leave it till the crop is ripe. In rice grounds they sow seed first and thence to transplant within bunds as in India. The greatest of that kind of cultivation being to see that the rice is sufficiently flooded without being drowned and with the fluctuations constantly going on in the river’s height during the inundation. _ This is often a matter of no small difficulty. Bajree and jowaree, after being sown ees 1s ae aaa ee i. a. tr ik : ~uemegueeE = ee meee TS a at ce ppaelia So Se: core ce ee eae Fg A Ae Ta eas SCE SS era RE ; a ty os imust be frequently watered by the Persian wheels unless the land lies sufficiently low to let the water from the canal over- fow it at once. The implements of the cultivators are merely the common Eastern plough, the reaping hook, the poura and the Persian wheels—a cultivator in comfortable circumstances towards the north where wheel cultivation is followed would have about 4o beeghas under crop annually watered by two large wheels—he would have eight pair of bullocks, a tattoo, a cow and calf, a buffalo, and fifteen or twenty goats. To the south among the rice grounds, a man in that position, would cultivate from sixty to a hundred beeghas, would have a couple of bullocks, two or three cows, a couple of buffaloes, a tattoo, and four or five goats. Many of course have ten times this amount of stock, while others --thousands of them—have not stock at all, but are simple farm labourers. There is a little sugar, cotton and indigo grown but not sufficient even for home consumption. Very good surri oil is made, but not exported. The quality of the indigo and sugar is very good but they are spoiled owing to the coarse way they are made up. The cotton is very poor. The clothing of the cultivators is mostly made in Sind, the better classes wear English cotton clothes. The agricultural implements are invariably made by the village artisans. As regards comfort, I should say the people were considerably better off than the same class through- out the Deccan, and much worse off than in Gujrat. 8. The soil does not vary much. It is chiefly a stiff | rich alluvial clay-—there 1s some sandy soll ieee Collector cultivated and with plenty of water, it is I think, more productive than the unmixed alluvion—in general the jowaree land will not yield a good crop above once in three years, or even seldomer. But I have seen spots which are cropped yearly. The spring crop land is of course cultivated every year, being either invigorated by the inundation of the Indus, or situated near a well. The water of the Indus, whether direct or flowing through canals, is far more nutritious than that from wells. The farmers say currently, that the one ts gold the other silver; salt land gradually loses its saline properties when saturated with river water.11 The quantity of land cleared or fit for till estimated at 3,090,000 Indian acres:-—that desert sand, salt and barren composes the largest proportion and may be 3,300,000 acres. A great part of the desert soil is however good and is merely barren from want of water. Thus in former days the Neorwah near Khanghar is traceable into the desert half wa to Minooty and there is a tomb called, ‘ the blacksmith’s tomb,’ 12 miles from Rojhan towards Bursleory where I am told was formerly fine grazing and the cultivation from that same canal and its branches. That there must have been. water there, is evident, as neither could the tomb have been constructed for its builders subsisted without water, of which there is now not a vestige. age, if cleared, -is Rice and indigo are grown in low lands—the latter requires well water to prevent the risk of inundation receding before it be ripe, samples of my rice have been pronounced excellent. Cotton prefers low lands—a good deal is raised however on the high banks of the Indus, and other large canals, watered artificially by wheels—the low lands are subject to damage by inundation: Some “ sea Island” seed was sown last spring, but the details of produce are not yet complete. Jowaree is grown in the alluvial clays on higher lands, z.e., on lands not liable to be flooded as it will not bear being over flowed. Tobacco is grown pretty much as in Hindustan in patches near villages for the most part and manured and watered from wells. A good deal of wheat land has this year been sown with tobacco, the price of wheat being so low: about 1,000 maunds were sent down this year towards Hyderabad and Karachi from this vicinity. ; The average produce per square beegha for grain may be taken at from +} to 4 of a kurwar. The kurwar weighing on an average all round 20 maunds or 1,600 lbs. Fh pete a et ae gi A GaP ear Peg ig hg SE OE Seme eek eee he ee Pete as a ek he eR ee ee oe: ‘* mae. > ‘ - te A e 2 5 ee es ep PRB SE RES h: : ec elle RPE SS de ody Fuk pI Een a r Dibra es, pilin corsage a : —— Te ee e. Se oe ae a Ss ge mia or yp eA , = mbes ek ee ee 48 Cotton yields from 4 to 7 maunds uncleaned, selling at this moment at Rs. 3-8-o per maund. * Sugar 1 maunds of goor, indigo yields from 18 to 20 seers. Pease, gram, mustard seed, moong, siruka, are sown in lands left dry by the subsiding of the river —the produce 1s valu- able, but less in quantity of the four first, averaging seldom more than 1/4th of a kurwar. Rubee.—For the wheat, barley, &c. crop, the grain 1s sown in October and November and reaped in April. Kharreef.—The jowaree and bajree and rice are sown in June and July, and reaped, the former in October and November and the latter a month earlier. Peshrus.—There is a third crop, the middle crop, in Sind. The chief products are jowaree, chiefly for fodder and esculent vegetables as turnips, carrots, are classed in this crop. The terms used for the different soils, the seed time and harvest, agricultural land revenue terms, and implements, assimilate very closely to those in use in Northern Hindoostan and the Bengal Presidency in general. For wheat the cultivator ploughs his land, on-the inundation subsiding, once it is then left for a month or so, again ploughed twice or thrice and sown. Wheat and barley lands are usually well cleaned from weeds and jungle. For jowaree and bajree, the land is saturated with water, then ploughed and sown: the jungle is cut down, but often not eradicated—hence the neglected appearance of the land, which often appears as if thrown out of cultivation, and abandoned to jungle, whereas it is merely fallow. * For further particulars if desired, in detail, specially for s ig fd i Secretary’s office No. 780 of 27th May 1847. Pe y ugar, vide report in79 Pease, mustard, gram, siruka, are usuall tering the seed into the cracks formed on the d inundated land, ploughing iS deeper ploughing in general at a depth of six to nine inches. y sown by scat- rying up of the not deep—the clays would bear a good crop can be obtained A cultivator or a family of them in ordinary circumstances would possess four or five pairs of oxen. For a jowaree land on a low level, one pair will suffice for 12 to 15 acres. Where the water is to be raised by wheels, one pair will not manage more than 8 on canals or 4 on wells. A well cannot be advantageously worked without two pairs in constant use, working 6 hours each pair. The camel is not used on wheels in Upper Sind generally. Indigo is grown but scarcely sufficient for exportation : Sugar is grown too but for little more than home consumption, Some cotton is exported, but most of it is worked up into piece-goods, of which 23,262 pieces were exported last quarter. Opium was grown for export chiefly, the cultivation is now prohibited. Agricultural implements are invariably made at home by hired workmen assisted by the cultivator—rude as it is, the wheel requires some percision in the arrangement of the teeth. Clothes are purchased. Some cotton thread is spun by the families of the poorer agriculturists, but the cloth is manu- factured by the weavers. ‘ The husbandmen in general are poor, comfortable—food and fuel being cheap—and they are well clad. The zamindars of a superior grade all keep their mares and appear well off—they have not much ready money, but living ina homely way upon the produce of their farms, are not in want of cash after they pay their rents. tere ee Whe Se a ee TR aa if yee ey in Bie * ines es ae cSpee ee te San Spar ee oom Eas ae Oe a, le oi Tacote . 80 8 The cultivable soil of my districts may be divided into ~ three classes, varying considerably in ee Collector alue. The first sort is a light coloured, Fem and exceedingly rich soil, the second containing greater proportion of clay or sand, and the third of a still darker hue, containing large proportions of clay and Nitre. As no revenue survey of the districts has ever been made, I am unable to state what proportion these soils bear to each other. Wheat barley, jowaree, bajree, sugar-cane, indigo are sown in the first sort of soil while rice, mung, &c., are sown on the two inferior classes---a Napier bigha of the first class soil will sometimes produce half a Kurwar, about gso lbs. of wheat or jowaree, and a similiar out-turn of rice in the husk is sometimes derived from the second class soil. The season of sowing the rubbee crops is during the month of October, November and December and of reap- ing during April and May. The season of sowing the khareet crops is during May, June and July and of reaping during the months of October and November. The ordinary mode of cultivation or silabee or flood lands is to plough up the land as soon as the inundation subsides and immediately to cast in the seeds of the rubbee or spring crops, which in most cases require no other supply of moisture to bring them to perfection, | than that derived from the saturated soil. In other situations, where the water requires to be raised to irngate the lands, the Persian wheel is used which is worked either by one or two bullocks or by a camel, according to circumstances. Where the land is very high, as is frequently the case, on the banks of the river, two wheels are necessary, one below and the other above. Rice is usually cultivated in low lands which admit of being thoroughly flooded; these are divided into large com- partments in which the water 1s retained, by means of embank- ments dug out of the numerous trenches which convey the water from one part to another. The rice seed is sown on silabee land during the months of April and May and when about half a foot in height, it is transplanted into the flooded compartments above described. The lands on which bajree and jowaree are sown, are also divided into compartments of a smaller size into which the water raised by means of the Persian wheels is successfully turned. The agricultural somewhat darker,81 implements are of the rudest description imaginable—the plough is a little more than a crooked stick with a small piece of iron, which answers for the share attached to it. It is worked: b two bullocks and owing to the lightness of the soil, performs the work required of it, better than could otherwise be expect- ed. A rude kind of drill plough called “Naree” is used In sowing wheat. It consists of a hollow bamboo with a funnel for the seed on the top, and a small plough share below. It is worked by two bullocks and as it ploughs up, or rather scrat- ches the earth the seed dribbles through the bamboo, while the cultivator replenishes the funnel with grain from a bag which is slung over his shoulder. The whole affair is most primitive. The pawra or hoe is the implement in the use of which the Sindians are most skilful. With this they excavate canals, throw up bunds, level their fields, &c., and it is astonishing how much soil an able bodied man will remove with this rude tool in the course of a day. A cultivator in average circumstances possesses six or eight bullocks, and two or three ploughs. Some of the principal zamindars are very rich in agricultural stock. One of them Jan Muhammad Kulmuttee, principal zamindar of Ghorabaree stated to me that he possessed 200 ploughs, 400 bullocks, 80 cows, 100 buffaloes, 200 or 300 sheep and about 50 camels. The superior sorts of produce are sugar-cane, cotton, indigo, and oil seeds. The juice of the former is manufactured into ‘“‘ Goor” all of which is consumed in the country. The art of making sugar from the cane is un- known in Sind. The whole of the cotton and oil produced in my Collectorate is consumed in the country. It may amount to about 1,500 maunds of the former, and to about 6,500 maunds of the latter. About 80 maunds of indigo are annually produced in the Mahajanda and Canote districts, the greater part of which is exported to Muscat. ‘The quality is good, but owing to the careless mode of preparing it, it is by no means equal to that of Bengal. The poor cultivators are for the most part’ supplied with clothing manufactured in their own villages. Their women clean the cotton and spin it into yarn, which when prepared in sufficient quantities is made over to the weaver and: woven into a coarse kind or dangaree a Than or piece of which, 24 cubits in length and one “hath” in breadth i procurable for one rupee. ‘The agricultural implements are a Litv) 355-1! eT _ as — = mg 7 cs . <5 +i SMES ee ae reg i ae ae F po Pees ATP e ge Bis! REE eS To ae a eer Risa oh ame: RR Aere re a Fe 82 manufactured by the village smiths, and carpenters. The cul- tivators generally, not excepting the principal zamindars, are overwhelmed with debt, and the majority of them live from hand to mouth. Labourers are however few, and as they are paid in grain, and one harvest so rapidly succeeds another, no one who has the will and health to labour, need ever suffer from actual want. On gamindari lands the zamindars for their own advantage usually take care to supply their “ Harees "Of sub-tenants with food, &c., throughout the year. Were they not to do this, the latter would leave them and go to others who would be but too willing to employ them. Query No. 9. Do the cultivators possess a permanent, hereditary and transferable interest in the land they cultivate, and f so, of what nature and subject to what limitations ? Do they dispose of it by sale and mortgage? Do they ever let it to sub-tenants ? Where the tenure is of less permanent character, is it yet of some stability and duration as under leases for longer or shorter periods, and if so, subject to what limitations and securities ? If the land is transferable, is any Register kept of the transfers whether by sale or mortgage? Does the neglect to cultivate forfeit a holder’s right of occupancy? Is any compulsion used to maintain the extent of cultivation or are the cultivators allowed to relinquish land at pleasure ? g. The cultivators possess a permanent hereditary and transferable interest in the land they culti- ee ieBan, Col- vate to this extent, that as long as they or their representatives, or lessees, choose to continue the cultivation, or pay rent the land is theirs ; but on its ceasing to be cultivated and pay rent, the State disposes of it as it pleases. Lands highly improved, such as sugar-cane or indigo lands are disposed of by sale or mortgage, or are sublet sometimes, but not often other lands—the sale or mort- gage in such cases, is simply the sale or mortgage of .the implements. In the Meers times, leases were given to persons taking new lands, granting a certain remission on the rent taken, but owing to the general reduction on rent under the British, these leases have become mostly nugatory, as the holders are only) 83 on the same footing as the rest of the world. now grants leases to the cultivators of waste given in a security to Government, years of free tennure, the tenant shall not throw up the land rather than anything else. Public gardens are also let on lease for seven years, whenever, a tenant at fair rates could be found. Government and, but they are that after enjoying two The Register of the transfer of lands is simply the Pur- gunnah Kusra, or rent roll—no other Register is kept, except as regards rent free and alienated land, which are all accurately registered. The neglect to cultivate forfeits, as above stated, the right fo occupancy—no compulsion is used to maintain the extent of cultivation, and the cultivators can relinquish the land at pleasure, except where under the new rules they have, on the faith of a permanent occupancy, enjoyed land two years rent free, in which case they can escape only by paying up the arrears. The land tenure is hereditary and transferable: at least In practice it may be characterized as “ Hereditary” while kept in cultivation. The land-holder sublets his lands to cultivators reserving a *Quit rent on the right of “+ Butaying ” the crop as the parties arrange together. Major Goldney, Collector of Shikarpur. He can resume these lands at any time after the season is over, if the cultivator neglects to till them—--or he may bring im strange cultivators from a distance: land is both sold and mortgaged. In the Meers’ time, the land-holders were liable to expul- sion for neglect of tillage: but from the sub-division of the country under different Ameers, expulsion was seldom resorted to first because culprit was received with open arms by the nearest rival Meers, and secondly, because in fact, the threat * Lapa zamindari in Battai. + Receiving half the produce and paying the Government rent,; i Tre) ert nee nar : ey j : = ' Saeed e - pa tS b 2 = ice Ge ann OER ON mn Inland Customs.—On account of customs duties levied at the Frontier Chowkies. ees.—On account of sale of land or houses. Registry f Taxes.—On account of manufacture of salt and on boats conveying merchandise and passengers across Lake Munchar. Garden Rent.—On account of sale of the produce of Government gardens in the districts and tax on gardens in the vicinity of Karachi and Malir. Liquor contracts. —On account of exclusive _ privilege for retail of liquor. Fishery contract.—On account of exclusive privilege of collecting the Government share Of dish taken. Ferry contracts.—On account of exclusive privilege of collecting the Government share of fees on passengers, animals and goods, crossing the river. Drug contract.—On account of exclusive privilege for retail of Churush, Opium, Ganja, Bhang, * Khas Khas” and “ Myjoon.”’ Miscellaneous Revenue.—Comprising receipts on account of Government share of babul pods, reeds and birds caught at Lake Munchar, sold—also water-tax collected from the Jagheerdars and 2 annas per beegah from the sons of Ja- gheerdars deceased, on account of waste land. Fines. —Levied in criminal cases and for trespasses. Fees.—Levied on civil suits. Confiscated property.—Comprising receipts on account of smuggled property sold. Unclaimed property. —Comprising receipts on account of stray-cattle sold, for which no owners are forthcoming, after due notice being given of their seizure.99 Debt recovered.—On account of sums due to Ex-Ameerts at the time of the conquest. House rent.—On account of rent of Deputy Collectors’ bungalows. Query No. 15. In how many districts your Collectorate is divided and what is the nature and the amount of the native agency by which they are managed ? What is the average extent and revenue of each native District Officer’s charge ? What accounts are kept in the District Kucherries? Is any money paid into the Treasury of the Native District Officer, and if So, how is it remitted to the Collector’s Treasury ? 15. The Collectorate is divided into 56 Kardarates, embracing gt Purgunnahs—To each Kardarate there is a Kardar with one or more ‘‘ Mohurrirs,’ ‘“ Moonidars”’ and ‘“ Kotars” according to the size of the district. There is also an ambardar, who under the Kardar, holds charge of the grain. The extent and revenue of each kardarate varies so widely that it is impossible to give any just notion of them by an average. They vary from 4,000 Kurwar of produce to 10, and from 40 miles of length to a little more than two. Captain Rathborne, Col- lector of Hyderabad. The only account kept by the Kardar after the harvest Cussuras have been sent in, in his ‘Jumma Waslee’ or account of receipts and expenditure, cash rents, water tax and fines. The rents for gardens also here and there, and fisheries are paid to the Karadars who transmit the money by one of their servants to the Collectorate Treasury at Hyderabad. In Upper Sind are 4 districts— Major Goldney, Collector of Shikarpur. Shikarpur, Sukkur, Larkana, Mehar a fifth Ghotkee existed, but on its two largest dependencies, Meerpur, Ubauro, being ceded to His Highness Meer AliWwe Ah i. 5 7 "aa C ey " “ee o n oe ioe be eee es CRE SERESE UPR OPEC as ee ee Pee ee de Bee 2 le a 4 ack di + Sed Belon Pi fe FS ap , get * : Paes | Pe hy en te eae | * ce bes salina wnipiy 9 Coasndl Moorad, in March 1845, it became less important. Its Deputy was withdrawn to Headquarters in May 1846 and it Is now under Deputy Collector of Sukkur. For numbers of Kardars and average collections of each as per following statement showing number of Kardars and average collections of each in the Shikarpur Collectorate. ANNUAL, | AVERAGE. | Number |Pay with. | : Names of Divisions. of — jestablish-' | Salary o , Kardars.| ment of | Average | each Kar- ae wR every Collections. _| dar’s es SIR ea iP Amaprove to have been granted, they will summon the zamindar and having ascertained the correctness of his title, will enquire of him whether or not he will cultivate the land: if he replies m the afhrmative, the applicant of the land should have a portion assigned him in some other quarter, but if the zamindar refuses to cultivate the land required, it should at once be made over in Ryotee to the applicant. Ifthe zamindar neglects to cultivate the land, after promising to cultivate it, he must be charged at the usual money rate of the Purgunnahs, and no man should be allowed to occupy more land than he can cultivate. Under fhe above rules the following are the papers to be sent to me periodically in addition to those now forwarded :-— [ } eekL Vy. (1) Memo. of weekly Government grain in store in Sir a . . the several Purgunnahs in charge of the Deputy, English and Persian. (2) Price current of ditto for past week, English and Persian, and memo. of present biddings for same. Monthly. (1) Statement of receipts and disbursements of each Purgunnah for the past month. In English and in Persian. (2) Salary bills for establishment of each Purgunnah, In English and in duplicate. (3) Contingent bills for contingent charges on account of each Purgunnah. In English and in duplicate. (4) Salary bill for Deputy Collector’s establishment. (5) Contingent bills for ditto. (6) Statement of fines levied. (7) Return of alterations in establishment during the past month. (8) Acquittance roll of establishments.104 Half yearly. (1) Buttaidars and Kardars Fusl accounts, in Persian with abstract of the same in English. (2) Special report on the same. Annually. (1) Estimate of canal and bund expenditure for the ensuing year, in Persian with abstract in English. (2) Complete roll of establishment showing the alter- ations during the past year. (3) Confidential reports oa the character of the several Purgunnah native officers. The weekly returns will be made up to the Saturday night and forwarded on or before the ensuing Tuesday. The monthly reports of tax collections are to be sent in on or before the 6th of each month, and the halt yearly papers are to be forwarded on the days above ordered, and the other monthly papers may be sent in on any day before the roth, and the annual estimate for canals and bunds must be sent on or before the ist of November of each year, and the account must be made out for each Purgunnah separately. Besides the above returns, the Deputy Collectors will furnish monthly on or before the 20th of each month, a casuality return of Jagheerdars holding Jagheers or residents in the Purgunnahs under their charge, giving the date of decease, the number and age of sons, if any, and amount of land held by them. and which has thus lapsed to Government, and in which Purgunnah situated. In consequence of the above additional duties thrown on the Deputy Collectors a new and more equal distribution of the SPH : % | Moharar 30 oO o Assistant Moharar PEONS. Naik e Y ag o¢ Peons at Rs, 7 each my Cee, 50 re | | Deputy COLLECTOR AND | | MAGISTRATE, MUHAMMAD | KHAN’S TANDA, | | Captain Fenning «| 700 0 O| English Writer .. -«| 100 0 0} 800 cee NATIVE OFFICE. | Moonshee o ve] So Gio } Moharar 1330.9... 9) | Assistant Moharar Pte De o | | PEONS. | : | } Naik i-bi o& © Peons at Rs. 7 each i 357.0 0} 43 0 | | Deputy COLLECTOR AND | | MAGISTRATE OF HALA. | | . . | | | I. Curling, Esquire | 500 0 O| | English Writer ... | 100 0 0 600 0 oO | Moonshee ick 2h © o| | Moharar dl 4020 8 Assistant Moharar Total of partment, Consolidated,7c Sains a sce RR Sh eRe 7 & » 3) Fae. we he Tea a } t i me a Total of | | | } No. of! Pied | oe Sas : Salary per | _ indivi-| | Description of service. eu | each De- | =Total. Remarks. duals. | | partment } | PEONS laRs; asp.| RS. paps: win. 1 | Naik oe ab. 8 6 | Peons at Rs. 7 each | ep oer ee 0 Vb ee | | } } DEpuTy COLLECTOR AND | MAGISTRATE OF LAIKPUR. | Vacant 7 . | ) | | | ¢ 1 | English Writer vacant | ooe 1 | Moonshee és 66...c0.50) | 1 | Moharar & wh BAO a A 1 | Assistant Moharar vie a 8. Ol 3SS'2 Oe | PEONS. | | 1 { Naik : A Se 0 | | s | Peons at Rs. 7 each ae oO Op 4g 6. ee 148 0 O | Total . | 8928 oO o Add—Pay of 57 Kardars, 94 Moharars, at 4 cassas per Kurwar, agreeably to the New Revenue Regulations issued by His Excellency the Governor of Sind, in February 1846. (Signed.) A. B. RATHBORNE, Collector and Magistrate My surplus revenue has hitherto been invariably paid into the Military Treasure Chest, Hyderabad, the officer in charge of which gives a receipt in duplicate, one of which. is forwarded to the Treasurer in Sind, who adjusts the payment with the Military Pay Master at Karachi, and gives me credit in his accounts for a remittance to the Sind Treasury or the amount so paid m and forwards a receipt in duplicate. One of these receipts of the Treasurer in Sind is transmitted in “my next month’s accounts to. the Accountant-General as a. voucher, and then the transaction ends. | 5 cg ai 5 (PST pts ra be SST SA TET alin Sigg Se ES ey Smet Se. es119 olish and 17. At Shikarpur the accounts received in Eng | Persian from the Deputy Collectors are Major Goldney, Collector 4... : | - ; See hecnnr. examined, checked and condensed into one general account for transmission to the Accountant-General, Fort William. The first step of the accounts consists in registering the ‘Persian’ measurement or “ Battai” papers, as the case may be; for cash or corn rents—these are in Persian and are referred to as checks on the accounts. My own immediate districts are treated as a separate Deputy Collectorate, and the accounts prepared in English and Persian both to correspond as follows :— Account current of general receipts and disbursements of cash. Account current of general receipts and disbursements of grain. Account current of general receipts and sales of grain. When the whole of the Deputies’ accounts for a given month are collected and checked, a general account is framed ‘and forwarded to the Accountant-General, Fort William. No return of resources and liabilities has yet been called for in Sind. All surplus cash is paid into Military Chest direct, or by drafts on Deputies for payment of troops or Police Country coin is remitted to Bombay by the Government steamers. C pL sf 17. The following is a memorandum captal edy, Collector é each. : of the accounts kept in my office, both in the English and Persian languages :— In English. Monthly Report of Receipts and Disbursements for Sind Government. General cash account for Bengal Government. aes ag BRR a eI2q Separate statements of land revenue, customs, taxes, town duties, garden rent, liquor and drug contracts, fishery, ferry, gold- smiths, orisidue, and weavers contracts, miscellaneous-revenue and collections on account of fees and fines, house rent and market rent, confiscated and unclaimed property and _ taxes. Cash balance report of Treasury, salary and contingent bills of Collector, Civil and Criminal Returns, price currents, cus- toms accounts and accounts of grain sold. Statement of inethcient balance and Register of outstanding debts. General abstract of Kardars and their establishments, and abstract of pensioners [n Persian. Customs accounts, accounts of all contracts, fees on sale of land, cash rent and grain sold, fines and fees, confis- cated and unclaimed property, salaries of establishments and contingent expenses. Outstanding debts and accounts of grain produce of Collectorate.and Cussera, Battai, Zupt, and Nurruck accounts. My accounts of receipts and disbursements are rendered monthly to the Civil Accountant-General of Bengal. The strength of my office establishment is as follows :-— 1 Head Clerk Translation of Persian accounts and whose duties are. petitions which require to be forwarded to Government ; In charge of corres- pondence, and Criminal and Civil Returns, and Price current and general suprintendence of English and Native office establishments. 1 2nd clerk ... Assists in preparation of accounts. 1 3rd clerk ... General copyist. 1 4th clerk ... Letter Book and Copyist of Price cur- rents, 1 Head Munshi ..,. To read all letters and urzees from the Kardars and others, to the Collector, meas . eT IRS ng ay nj a ee Sukkur ee Oe oa Be oe 7 ie aoe tor ee toe eo es ae oH & Mehar a on te EF I" Ss Oo te 2 ae 0 eel Ho oS og ' | Ow Fixed rent in kind—wheat, a ' . a J | Ps aes EZ r r c Saixarpur.... %% ,.. i oe z | Shikarpur ... 6% Kassas per Beegah, | ] | } e } P. | | Larkana 1, 10% cis Do. do. Larkana i+ /2 ore eos vee - | of produce | Ze | } bs Fda _ | Pe 75g eal ge cal .| | besides fees, | Sukkur | | } | | } | Mehar a een (Oe ’ Ah } } | Mehar ae 8 to 10 Do. do. PHILIPS GOLDNEY, Major, Collector and Magistrate. i 7 i 9 tt i aR csUnder the former Government, the Revenue system differed little from that which now pre- Captain Preedy, Collector ails. The land rent was for the most ent part paid in kind, and was collected either on the Butai, Kasgee or Danbundee system. The rates of assessment varied in almost every Purgunnah, the average amount paid to Government, being 2/5ths or 1/2 of the produce, together with numerous petty and vexatious fees and ‘ dustoorees ’, which considerably reduce the cultivator’s share. The cash assessments also varied not only in every Purgunnah but on every description of produce, as also on the extent of land cultivated, while the fees and dustoorees were almost as numerous and vexatious-as those levied on the rent paid in kind. All these fees and dustoorees have now been abolished, and the settlement although made in as much detail, is neither so burdensome nor so complicated as it formerly was. The farming system on a large scale was of late years frequently resorted to under the former Government. It was carried out as follows: The farmer of the revenue agreed with one of the Ameers to pay him a certain sum of money or so many Kurwars of grain at each harvest for the farm of a certain Purgunnah. On the agreement being concluded, the Ameer granted a Purwannah on his Kardar directing the latter to make over the Purgunnah to the farmer who forthwith set to work to make the most of his bargain. This he effected by various means. The principal zamindars he encouraged to bring waste land under cultivation, by promises of reduction in the rate of assessment, and of considerable presents. The poorer classes he intimidated by threats, and being entrusted with the sole administration of justice, he was enabled to raise a considerable revenue by infliction of fines which he levied with an unsparing hand from all those who were unable to resist his authority. The cultivators interests were so far secured that the former could justly levy only the Government share of the produce according to the former custom of the Purgunnah—still, as the Government Kardar was withdrawn, the farmer had it in his power to commit and no doubt gener- ally did commit a great deal of oppression and injustice. The land revenues and customs of some Purgunnahs have occasion- ally been farmed under our Government, but the Kardars and their establishments were never withdrawn. The farmers were allowed to collect taxes, and the Government share of the 21.ss produce only according to former custom, undue exaction were however the whole found to be very abolished by order of His Complaints of frequent and the System was on objectionable and was therefore Excellency the Governor. The demands of the Government officers under the former rule were limited by ancient usage and accounts. Query No. 22.—Were there and are there now any privileged classes who are allowed to hold lands on more favourable terms than ordinary cultivators ? 22. here were the Jagheerdars who held land rent free. .. 4+ few Syeds, Peers and zamindars who Captain Rathbagne, Col- lector of Hyderabad, had small garden grants or grants of plots about their villages and also some who were allowed a few wheels at a reduced rent—there were others who cultivated largely on a different plan from the ordinary one paying a fixed rent annually. This system is called Kasghee, it was to a certain extent a privilege and it still continues. The advantages of the Kasghee system to Government are fixity in amount and regularity of payment; the dis- advantage that as the rent is fixed at so much a wheel instead of so much for a fixed extent of land the Kasghee tenant can double or treble the land under cultivation, by adding bullocks to his establishment and drawing water constantly day and night, without having to pay a single penny additional rent. The wheel when the system was introduced was estimated to water 15 beeghas and on that amount the rent was calculated but by adding bullocks some manage to cultivate 40 beeghas, and only pay the same amount, as those who cultivate 15 only. This will have eventually to be looked to, and some limit fixed to the extent of a wheel, when the rent is estimated in this way. With the exception of a check, which will eventually as imposed wheels come into use, be required in this respect, I think the system is a very good one, both for the Government and the cultivator. 22. Not as a class was there any privileged body sitting at reduced rents, but sundry per- Le ee Collector sons held leases (Puttas) allowing them to | cultivate at 1/4 Batay or 1/3 instead of 2/5 L (ty) 355—18 « ee ee Bs i" “= ences. oe , Sega Raed fs a a Os ae < Fr Me OW te ie oa cies tee maa 138 these have been respected where less than 1/3 but, by the new revenue Regulations no remission of rent Is made and all classes pay alike, except where in the enjoyment of grants at lower rates than those fixed by those regulations. A few Zamindars in Sehwistan are allowed to hold lands on more favourable terms than la gare Collector ~ Grdinary cultivators, agreeably to sanads | . granted to them by the Ameers. 22. They obtained these grants as matters of favour, on their romising to bring large tracts of waste land under cultivation, and they have in most instances fulfilled their engagements. Query No. 23.—What of the ancient revenue arrange- ments temain in full force and what have been fixed under us 2? What have been the advantages and disadvantages of any changes that have been introduced F 23. The main features of the ancient revenue arrange- | ments have been preserved, what were Pry crm Col- Gonsidered its chief incumbrances and imperfections have been removed. [hus the revenue officers, the territorial divisions, the partition of the grain, the levying cash rent by measurement on certain kinds of produce—these have all been preserved while the duties of those officers have been limited and defined—all the arbitrary exactions put an end to—the shares of grain fixed with more certainty, and fees and extra cesses abolished—the numerous ‘ibwabs? or cash rents put an end to and thus fraud either by the Government servants or the cultivator made more dificult—and any oppression impossible. Cash rents too for all produce have been put on the same footing—and thus the impediment which the high taxation offered to the cultivation of the more valuable kinds has been removed. The advantages of the changes that have been introduced are simplicity in accounts—more independence to the cultivator-- a more perfect definition both of his rights and those of the Government—a lowering of the assessment to a less oppressive rate—and the removal of the more obnoxious points of the old39 system—including the vast number of fees and perquisites defined and undefined which under the old system were taken by the officers of Government, and which the Ryots dared not, had they wished, withheld. 23. The rights of individuals have been maintained as 3 before to their zamindaree or quit rent in a Le Hollector. . other respects all matters connected with land revenue have been simplified, The ancient forms of ‘Batay’ and of land measurement have been retained, establishing one uniform standard acre; the old statute labeur on canals has been retained and I think advanta- geously, seeing that it is more to the advantage of the people to be obliged to work than to be obliged to pay others. No alteration has been made in any of the interior economy of the country, and the feelings and habits of the people have been in no wise interfered with, except that their rents have been reduced, If any disadvantage has resulted, it is injury to the revenue from the great difference between former and present rents. In fisheries and garden rents, the old system is retained; in Customs the Bombay Tariff for exports and imports has superceded the old duties, transit duties are abolished and Poll tax also, the contract system for customs and land revenue. On these last [ am not at all persuaded that the condition of the peasant is improved by being brought into immediate eontact with ‘Government. Theoretically it is? but. wt will require many years ere the great mass of cultivators acquire sufficient property to keep out of the hands of capitalists: and until they do, they must be as ill or worse off now than where a third party intervened, whose constant business and interest it was to offer that accommodation which it is impossible for Government to allow, and which would be improper were it possible. We see the anxiety of poor farmer to shelter himself under the capitalist by the fact that though the lands are more lightly assessed now, he still relinquished half his produce astot Pie bok 140 before to get his rent paid and his advances made —so that any grain from the lessened demands of Government accrues to the Banker and not to the farmer. But I am quite aware how extremely illiberal and_antidilu- vian my notions are considered by advocates of the Ryotwary system, a mode of proceeding which, applied to anything but farming, would be considered preposterous by which mines, manufactures, rails, canals, ships, colonies and commerce would become impossible: which presupposes a virtue in the people, a moderation in the Government, an uniform favourable- ness in the seasons which all experience is opposed to: in Sind the zamindari system prevails modified by the prescriptive rights of the peasantry and I think it will continue from the force of circumstances and the poverty of the people: which prevent the mass from profiting by the liberality of the Revenue Regulations. 23. While the mode of collection remains unchanged, the rates of assessment have been consider- Captain Preedy, Collector ably modified. Those lands wien were of Karachi. formerly assessed at half and 2/s5ths of the produce with numerous extra fees and dustoorees are now assessed at 1/3 with the extra fees if 4 cassas of grain as “Khurrutch”’ or expense of collection, and 3 cassas as “ Hakkaba ” or water tax per Kurwah on the gross produce. Lands formerly assessed at 1/3 with extra fees are now assess- ed at 1/4 with “‘ Khurrutcha ” and ‘‘ Hakkaba’”’. Cash rents which formerly varied not only in amount, but on each descrip- tion of produce, and on the extent of land cultivated in each Purgunnah, are now equalized. Rs. 2-8-0 being charged on the Napier Beegha in Upper Sind, and Rs_ 1-6-0 per Beegha in Lower Sind, while in lieu of the numerous extra demands, a fee of 6 per cent. on the amount collected has been substituted. The system of farming the land revenue, with its numerous evils, has been abolished, together with all the oppressive taxes and transit duties in every town: the latter were formerly collected in every village and by every petty chief but now customs are collected instead, according to the Bombay Regu- lations on the Frontiers only. Under the former Government41 the rich paid customs at much lower rates than the poor. Nox all pay alike. Formerly the Zamindars and Ryots were com. pelled to provide the Government servants, Kardars, Buttai- dars, Zabits, Munshees and their long train of attendants with provisions or forage during the in-gathering of the harvests, or for about six months in the year, besides paying them fees, whereas under the new system they are relieved from these exactions, and each man knows how much rent, whether in cash or in kind he has to pay to Government, and can at all times obtain redress, if more is taken from him. The advant- ages which the present system possesses over that which formerly pre*ailed, are therefore great and manifest, but still much remains to be done, before the mass of agricultural] population, the unhappy Ryots, can be freed from the bondage under which they groan. So long as the zamindars cultivate their lands, we cannot of course dispossess them, but I have given strict orders to the Kardars of my disticts, to resume on account of Government, all lands which are lying waste, and to make them over in Ryotee to anyone who will undertake their cultivation, making at the same time small advances to the extent of 4o or 50 rupees to each cultivator for the purchase of bullocks, &c. I have also informed the Ryots that they can at all times obtain a settlement of their accounts with the zamindars, by an application to the Deputy Collectors or to myself. Query No. 24.—Were the powers and duties of the native district officers different and, if so, more or less extensive under the former Government than under us? How were they paid? Onthe whole is there more or less efficiency in the system of Revenue management under the former Govern- ment, or under us? Is there more or less formality, decision and despatch? Are we more or less arbitrary, summary and discretional ? 24 The duties of the native dis- Captain Rathborne, Col- Their revenue was their chief object — while now a principal Pe * ee a Ps r . * i He p ae Cpesha na one is helping to put down crime—which in those days it was | their interest to encourage, as a great portion of their pay Ce consisted on the fourth of property stolen and_ recovered. Their powers too are now wholly different. In the Meers’ times they had no power whatever over the Baluchees of the mii district; but over the ‘cultivators and others, their power was absolute. Now their power over all is limited, but it extends i as fully over the formerly privileged class as over any other. bts ea ekee ere at Pee ch sees eh eee. Tr Te wk ics lis a 5; teem 4 » 8 Ae ite ~ pe , MN As regards efficiency of system there can be no compari- 44 son between the two systems ; but I think das regards the a): individuals working under the two systems, the Ameers had at i their command the services of much more efficient men than ma, we have had, till within a short period. ‘The Jagheerdars under the Meers’ Government were all, except the very highest, obliged to undertake whatever duties were assigned them, and filled all the kardarships ; but under the British rule, few have taken service, partly owing to their fear of our strictness and partly owing to their being so many of them now provided for with- ‘ out the condition of service attached. Of late however a total alt change of feelings has come over them—and all nearly seem ie now as anxious for employment as they were formerly averse to it. “| The powers of collections in regard to Revenue arrange- ments within their respective collectorates has hitherto been so ‘ great that in point of despatch, we have possessed as much i facility as the servants of the most despotic Government but | rules have of course had to be observed more exactly than in the Meers’ times, much less discretion has been left in the hands of Purgunnah officers—and the strictness with which bribery and other offences of that kind have been visited, when discovered in Purgunnah officers—combined with the fact that oe few or none (whatever they may now be) have always since they were appointed, kept their hands pure—and has thrown most of the Kardars much more under the power of the cultivators than it is desirable they should be —as they mostly dare not i act as strictly as they ought, the fear of revelations being ut made in retaliation which they are but too well aware have143 ample foundation—matters in themselves trifling perhaps—but still sufficiently against the law to ensure a heavy punishment under the rigorous system that has been pursued towards the Amil class in Sind. This is perhaps the worst point—the great ulcer in our Revenue administration—but as running ulcers sometimes purge off worse ills in the human frame—so it is possible that what may have been lost in revenue through this means has been more than made up in peace and quietness and that had it been otherwise instead of the yielding which foregoes demands in strictness, we might have had much worse result in the arrogance and rapacity that leads to disorganization and revolt. 24. The Head Kardars in the Meers’ times had the fullest powers in revenue and magisterial matters Major Goldoey, Collec- ; es : : Dat Shikarpur. in the latter even to capital punishment, seldom now ever inflicted, they had much more extensive powers in their districts than any Collector now. Their pay was in cash actually less: but in perquisities vastly greater, they received daily provisions in kind, were entitled to so much grain in each harvest, their servants and horses were fed by the district—and they probably had assignment of grain or land for keeping up horsemen for Govern- ment service—who were their own family or their own followers. As an engine for extracting Revenue, the old system was immeasureably superior to our own: it was less formal, more decided, rigorous and prompt. We are less arbitrary, less summary and more deliberate. 24. The duties of the native district officers under the former Government were similar to what ee eee Collector they are now, but their powers have been greatly circumscribed. They were for- merly paid partly in money, partly in grain, but the sources whence they derived their chief emoluments, were the fines, bribes and fees, which they enabled under various pretences to levy or extort from the Ryots. Our system of revenue manage- ment is doubtless much more efficient, than that of the Ameers. Business is conducted with greater formality and with more decision and despatch, while we are less arbitrary, summary and less discretional, eee SOB ie a ew a Were A. are ese ~ a + oe a! aa ee maaan a oe ay we Pictu ie ee pate. |e ane wee FN eiMGaha detent... : betta ts ed ee te ts bah as hired ebia tt wt “YP peh 0el Oh iadedat capi es t Minette tot ee care Pes, be | ihe eet te es aSELECTION No. III. RE MAR Ks ON TBE STATE OF AFFAIRS AT KELAT BY Mr. (afterwards Sir) H. B. E. FRERE 3 Commissioner in Sind. Submitted to Government in February 1858, Fam, L (iv) 355—19hetcitit ert ba thade Lr Tt bj Surya ecakegen tee iy pine Wiha te rah % rr Paley, chee et eeNo. 64 OF 1858. SECRET DEPARTMENT. From H. B. E. FRERE, Esoutre, COMMISSIONER IN SIND. To THE RIGHT HONOURABLE LorpD ELPHINSTON, G.C.H., GOVERNOR AND PRESIDENT IN COUNCIL, : BOMBAY. Dated toth February 1858, My Lorp, | have the honour to submit to*your Lordship in Council the following remarks on the present state of affairs at Kelat. 2. The history of this state and of our connection with it are already very fully on record. But it is necessary that I should briefly allude to those past occurences which still materially affect our relations with the Khan and his people. 3. On the disastrous policy which marked the Earlier years of our connection with Kelat it is not necessary to dwell. In 1839 we stormed the Capital, killed Mehrabkhan, the Ruler, and some of his best and bravest Chiefs and appropriated all the public and private property that could be found. We set up a successor from a rival branch of his family and placed at his Court an officer as British Agent whose character and conduct, now matters of history, were little calculated to correct the fundamental errors of the policy which he was charged to carry out. A rebellion ensued; the British Political Agent was slain; the puppet Khan deposed; and we found ourselves compelled to acknowledge a son of Mehrabkhan as his succes- sor to the Khanate, shorn meantime of some of its best Provinces which had been made over to our Ally Shah-Shuj-al-Moolk, the puppet king of Afghanistan, while Runjeetsing our other partner in the rccand aid Dajul, triple alliance, appropriated others. Cutchee, &c. EOS eR Om RM aN mR ome aan " ea hs ' 4oo Bi or Sao aie 4. Our treatment.of the Belochees had not been of a charac- ter to inspire much respect or attachment. But mainly owing to the personal character of some of the officers in contact with them during the later years of our occupation and partly perhaps also to the feeling of the Belochees that we were less dangerous neighbours than the Afghans, the young Khan and his people showed a steady attachment to the British Govern- ment such as could hardly have been expected. ‘They faith- fully performed their share of a treaty to which they became parties with the British and Afghans in 1841, only a short time previous to our evacuation of Afghanistan. s. From the date of that evacuation it was our avowed policy to wash our hands off all concern with independent States beyond the Indus, and our treaty with the Khan was declared by us to be at an end, for reasons which, however sound in a cabinet of Diplomatists were not by any means evident to the rude understanding of the Belochees. 6. For several years from 1842 to 1854, the young Khan struggling with the difficulties caused by reduced territory, diminished income, the sack of his capital, and the consequent general poverty of his court, continued unavailingly to proffer allegiance to and alliance with the British Government and to beg an acknowledgment of our obligations under: the treaty which he continued religiously to observe. 7. strong temptation was more than once held out to him to take part against us, when we had our hands full in Sind and the Punjab. But he continued, as far as he was able, faith- fully to observe the duties of good neighbourhood, enforced, as he always considered them to be, by his obligations under the treaty, which we refused to acknowledge as binding on us. 8. Ihave always believed this line of conduct mainly due to the officer then in charge of the North-Western Fron- tier. General Jacob had been placed there in 1847, and while showing all men that he had the power to enforce respect for our own rights, he scrupulously respected the rights of our neighbours. He punished severely all our own subjects, who presuming onthe power of our Government, were guilty of149 aggression on the inhabitants of the distracted state beyond our border. He did the same justice to the Khan's subjects which he exacted for our own, and the character and influence which the British name has since acquired in Baluchistan, is, I believe, quite as much owing to respect for his justice, as to tear of the power which he has wielded with such invariable success in the field. 9. From the time of General Jacob’s taking charge of the Frontier it ceased to be possible for the predatory border tribes to nvade Sind with impunity. The country within our line of outposts settled down and began to improve with marvellous rapidity ; and the good example spread far beyond our border. But it was necessary to maintain a strong and efficient frontier force and the more than semi-independent tribes continued to harrass their fellow subjects in the Kelat territory, while the Khan was too week and too poor effectually to coerce them. 10. In the month of February 1854 I had an interview with the Khan at Jacobabad, the results of which were at the time fully reported to Government. They were in the opinion of the Political Superintendent in every way beneficial by pro- moting a fuller and better under-standing between the Khan and his British neighbours by giving to each party a clearer view- = £ = y of the wants and wishes of the other and by showing the iden- tity of interests which existed between them. 11. The Khan urged with great force the exposed con- dition of his own North-Western Frontier and his dread of Persian and Afghan invasion which his impoverished exchequer rendered him ill able to resist. He gave assurances that com- merce should be protected and relieved from the irregular levy of black mail by petty chiefs along the road. He promised to exert himself to put a stop to private and inter tribal feuds, and effectually to restrain the inveterate plundering propensities of his-nominal subjects, the Murrees. 12. The Khan learnt from the Political Superintendent the particulars of the attempts made by his treacherous Minis- ter, Muhammad Hussan, to betray him as he had_ betrayed his father, and to usurp the Khanate.13. From that time forward a marked improvement was visible in the Khan’s attention to his own affairs and im the general management of his country. He selected as his princi- pal adviser Moola Ahmed, an old and _ faithful hereditary servant of his family who had from the first been intimately connected with the officers of the British Government and was sincerely desirous to carry out the reforms which were so essential to the prosperity of his master’s dominions. Moola Ahmed was very popular with all classes of the Khan's sub- jects. 14. In the succeeding April 1854 during my abseza-e in Egypt Major Jacob, the Political Superintendent, was instructed by the Government of India to negotiate a treaty which was executed on the 14th May following. It declared perpetual friendship between the British Government and the Ivhan; bound the latter to oppose all enemies of the British Govern- ment; in all cases to act in subordinate co-operation with the Government ; to enter into no negotiation with foreign States, without its consent; provided for stationing British troops any where in the Kelat territory, as might be thought advisable by the British authorities ; bound the Khan to prevent plundering and to protect commerce within his dominions, to abstain from irregular exaction from traders; and on a faithful performance of these conditions, by the Khan, the Bntish Government en- gaged to pay him 50,000 rupees annually. 15.. But the mischievous results of so many evil years were not to be cured in a day. The management of the Khan’s finances had fallen principally into the hands of one Gangaram, a Hindu, nominal Naib of Cutchee. With an ap- titude for accounts and finance characteristic of his race, he had been long useful to his impoverished master, and had managed to get so prominent a share in the administration as gave great offence to the proud and jealous sirdars of the Khan, while he always evaded rendering any account of his administration. General Jacob pointed out to the Khan that it was essential to any financial reform His Highness might attempt, to settle accounts with this man, and by restricting him to his proper duties, to avoid giving offence to the chiefs on whose cordial co-operation His Highness must rely in all the measures essential to the improvement of his country.151 16. The Khan attended to this advice and, up to the date of His Highness’s death, a slowly progressive settlement of Gangaram’s accounts was carried on, and he had ceased to hold any position which gave offence to the sirdars. 17. In 1856, the effects of the more liberal line of policy adopted towards the Khan began to show themselves. The Murrees no longer secretly encouraged by a traitorous Wazir, sought to make their peace with the Khan, who, they now saw was becoming able as well as willing to enforce their submis- sion, and punish their habitual misbehaviour. The levy of black mail stspped, commerce revived, and there was a fair prospect of improvement in every branch of the Khan’s affairs. 18. But the same year brought with it the Persian war, one of the causes of which was the occupation of Herat by the Persians, a movement which very directly and materially affected the Khan’s interests. His South West Frontier was also me- naced by the Persians, and their outposts threatened to advance towards his capital by more than one route. 19. An officer, Major H. Green trained on this border, and since distinguished in the Russian war, was deputed to Kelat in October 1856 to advise and assist the Khan, with whom he remained some weeks, long enough to acquire the confidence of the Khan and his principal sirdars and to obtain much useful information regarding the country, its wants and resources. 20. The Khan had been previously aided with money and arms. By the energy of General Jacob who was acting as Commissioner, and Major Merewether, Officiating Political Superintendent on the Frontier, these were conveyed to him in an incredibly short space of time and though no military ope- rations of importance took place on the Persian Frontier, the arrangements made by the Khan and the effects they pro- duced proved, beyond question, the weight of the influence which the Khan if supplied with money and arms and aided by European officers could exercise in any operations which might take place between the Persian and Indian Frontier, er aE SL Re. Fi . :21. This result is a strong proof of the soundness of the policy which was throughout advocated by General Jacob. He protested most energetically against any withdrawal of our force on this Frontier, and strongly urged that a British Force should be at once pushed on to Quetta and permanently main- tained there, as the least expensive and most effectual move which could be adopted, to counteract any threatened advance from the neighbourhood of Herat. 22. The Persian war was however terminated much sooner than was expected. The objects for which it was undertaken were attained. But though Herat was evacuated, the partizans of Persia were ready with explanations to neu- tralize the effect which might otherwise have been expected from such a proof of our success. The Bengal Mutiny broke out immediately afterwards. There was a very current belief among the friends as well as the enemies of Persia that the flame of discontent had been fanned by Shia teachers, sympa- thising with, if not instigated by Persia, and there can be no doubt that the early success of the mutineers caused great rejoicmgs among all in this quarter, who were supposed to be in the Persian interests. 23. It is impossible to say what might have been the popular impression as to our success in Persia had the Indian mutiny not supervened. As it is, I do not find that the result of the war has raised our reputation in these parts to the extent I should have hoped. 24. The death of Nusseer Khan after a few days’ illness in the flower of his age, on the 2nd of June 1857, just at the commencement of the mutiny followed shortly after by the paralysis and death (11th August) of his faithful minister Moola Ahmed, were two very serious misfortunes. A long residence at General Jacob’s Headquarters as Agent for the Khan, had given Moola Ahmed the highest respect for and confidence in the Political Superintendent and in the Govern- ment whom he represented and it was impossible to find a successor so devoted to the Khan’s true interests, and so convinced that they were dependent on the friendship, and support of the British Government.153 25. On the Khan’s unexpected demise, he was suc- ceeded by his half brother Khodadad Khan, the son of a woman of inferior birth. If, as I have been assured, he was born after his father’s death in 1839, he could have been onl eighteen years of age when he succeeded to the Khanate, so completely had he been secluded in the zenana that his existence was not generally known, and he was reported, by those who were aware of his existence, to be half witted. The suddenness of Nusseer Khan’s death perhaps prevented much deliberation, and rendered an immediate recognition of a successor, the only alternative to anarchy and civil war. Be that as it ,may, Khodadad Khan was at once universally acknowledged as the lawful successor to his half brother and the chiefs generally repaired to Kelat to tender their sub- mission, 26. Meantime events had occurred within our own Frontier which exercised a considerable influence on affairs in Kelat. The Bengal mutiny had raised the hopes of every disaffected person in India, and even those who would other- wise have never dreamt of disloyalty began to speculate on what was to be done, should the British power not be re- established. In place of one of the regiments of Sind Horse, taken away for service in Persia, a Regiment of Bengal Irregular Cavalry (the 6th) had been moved down from the Punjab. It contained, according to general report, at least the usual proportion of disloyal and disaffected men, and I feel assured from what I have learnt of their proceedings, they were only deterred from open insurrection by the knowledge that the other Regiment of Sind Horse, who remained on the Frontier, could not be induced to join them, and would crush any attempt at mutiny. At Shikarpur, a conspiracy was dis- covered headed by one of the leading native officers of the Native Infantry Regiment (the 16th) and some of the Native Artillery attempted to break out into open revolt, while news came of similiar attempts at Hyderabad and Karachi, suppres- sed only by the steadiness of the other Native Regiments and Police. At the same time a general insurrection broke out among the Beloch tribes between Lahore and Mooltan with whom there is reason to believe the disaffected in Upper Sind were in communication, L (1v) 355—20 * i ORE oe | ee . ae ork154 27. It is unnecessary to dwell on the effects of such a eneral shock to our reputation, as the mutiny embracing all the North-Western Provinces and Bengal, combined with pre- sence of a regiment of questionable loyalty, belonging to the revolted army, and the actual outbreak of open mutiny, among some of our troops at Shikarpur. The Frontier population had for ages past known no state of existence but one of con- stantly recurring revolution and lawlessness. ‘The ten years of peace and strong regular Government which they had enjoyed since General Jacob was in command on the Frontier, had not obliterated their recollections of days of anarchy and license, nor altered habits which it requires generations of good Govern- ment to correct. The consequence was a universal tremor and excitement among the half reclaimed Belochee tribes and though any overt act of rebellion was prevented by the courage and calm good sense of Major Merewether and Lieutenant Macanley, the slightest false step on their part would have roused the whole of a semi barbarous population, on both the sides of the border, to enjoy the excitement of emancipation however temporary, from the restraints of good Government. 28. Such disturbances did indeed actually occur at Kelat. Among the chiefs who attended under pretence of doing homage to the Khan was the Jam of Beyla, whose terri- tories lie along the seacoast from Karachi westward. He was connected with the late Khan by marriage, and had always paid him a nominal and unwilling allegiance. He was known to entertain vague hopes of succession to the Khanate, and it was considered doubtful whether he went to Kelat really to tender his allegiance, or to discover what chance he possessed of realizing his ambitious hopes. 29. At Kelat, he joined other chiefs of influence, who appear to have thought the occasion propitious for pressing clams upon the Khan, some of which appear to have been reasonable and well founded, while others were the reverse ; but they were urged in a manner which induced the Khan’s advisers (September t1oth) to resort to force, to dislodge the remonstrant chiefs from the garden near Kelat where they were encamped. They retired toa short distance from the capital and thence addressed petitions for redress to theiS British authorities assembling at the same time their own followers with a view to enforce the Khan’s attention to their claims. _ 30. Major Merewether lost no time in despatching Lieutenant Macanley to Kelat (September 16th) and I consider it is mainly owing to Lieutenant Macanley’s judicious firmness and temper that the civil war was arrested and that the rebellious chiefs were for a time at all events, brought back to their allegiance. 31. His going to Kelat at all was strongly opposed by several influéntial parties about the Khan. For reasons not apparent at the time, they threw every obstacle in his way and endeavoured at first to deter him by exaggerating the risk which he undoubtedly ran, and then to shut him out from all free intercourse with the people of the country. But he calmly and steadily held on his course and the obstacles gave way as he approached. The insurgent chiefs then sent messengers to meet him and endeavoured to enlist his sympathies by a state- ment of their grievances. But he replied that his mission was to the Khan who would doubtless do justice and redress all grievances duly submitted to him at the proper time and place and pushed on to Kelat. 32. There can be little question but that delay or hesitation would have led to the destruction of the Khan, to a general scramble for power and all the evils consequent on such disorders. The presence of a British officer overawed the disaffected and turbulent and many of the chiefs who had substantial grounds for complaint, deferred seeking satisfaction by force, in the confident belief that, sooner or later, the arrival of a representative of the British Government would lead to the redress of all real grievances. 33. One general cause of complaint and dissatisfaction was the power usurped by the Hindoo Gangaram. He had ingratiated himself with the young Khan, whom he supplied with the means of indulgence, discouraged him from any attempt to learn the business of Government, and kept him aloof from all intercourse with his chiefs. oo at ce gg SP aga EE Ee aN a AR Se RE AS ESTS 34. It must be borne in mind that Kelat is essentially a feudal State. As head of a powerful confederacy of nobles, bound to attend his summons to war, and able to bring a large number of clansmen and vassals imto the field, the Khan, “if energetic and popular, has the entire comniand of a large, hardy and warlike population, and his ability to assemble a keep them together is only limited by his means of supporting them, when kept more than a certain number of days away from their own homes. 35. His power otherwise 1s very limited. Every chief acts as if he were the independent ruler of his owh tribe, and the greater part of the Khan’s most valuable districts being divided out into fiefs among his principal chiefs, he has no means of keeping up a standing force such as could maintain his authority in opposition to the wishes of any large body of his nobles. 36. A Jewish Prime Minister could scarcely have been more obnoxious to the Barons of Robert the Bruce, than was the Hindoo Vazeer to the haughty, ignorant and bigotted chiefs of Baluchistan; and it was con to underst and that even the love of money and power should have so far blinded the old man Gangaram to the danger he ran by occupying the position which the Khan’s weakness allowed him to assume. The only explanation was that he looked for support from some other quarter. 37. He however soon showed that it was not to the English Government he looked. Lieutenant Macanley took an early opportunity of impressing on the young Khan that a ruler had other duties to perform than to enjoy himself and leave his people to be governed by others. He encouraged the Khan to attend to business, to look into his own affairs, and transact business personally with the chiefs who remained at Kelat, and the principal officers of State. The young Khan who was so utterly ignorant when he came to the throne that he could hardly read or write, had good abili- ties, and when he found that ignorance and sloth were con- sidered unbecoming his position, he applied himself to learney, with deligence and success. But this was not what Gangaram desired, and after thwarting Lieutenant Macanley as far as he dared, he ventured one day, to taunt him in the Knan’s presence, with the then disordered state of Hindoostan, and remarked that, “it would be better that we should reduce our own domi- nions to order before we went to teach other rulers how to govern.” 38. Major Green resumed charge of his appointment from Lieutenant Macanley on the 1st December 1857. His previous residence at the Kelat Court enabled him to confirm the truth of*Lieutenant Macanley’s observations, and he soon became convinced that unless the obnoxious Ministers were dismissed, real grievances redressed, and the country governed more in accordance with the wishes of the chiefs and people nothing would avert a civil war, of which neither the issue nor the terribly evil results of the attendant confusion, could be matter of doubt. It was clear that nothing but the presence of a British officer, and the hope that his influence would be sooner or later exerted for good, kept the irritated and ag- grieved chiefs from open rebellion. 39. When I visited Jacobabad on the 16th December last, General Jacob laid these facts very fully before me, and proposed that, as the best chance of arranging matters between the Khan and his chiefs and averting disorder which could not but involve the whole Frontier and produce mischief of which it was impossible to foresee the extent, we should comply with a wish which the young Khan had expressed to Major Green, to see Jacobabad which would enable us to have a personal interview with him and his chiefs. 4o. Convinced that your Lordship in Council would wish no means left untried by which any personal or official influence could be brought to aid in the preservation of peace in this quarter, I readily assented and we proceeded to Shahpur, in Cutchee where the Khan met us, on the 1st January last, attended by all his chiefs who were within reach. He returned with us to Jacobabad, and after a short stay there left on the 11th January 1858 and went back to his winter quarters at Gundava.‘ rt £ yt Kei NA . x , ie \ j Aya. sa pee ae be oh See 4t. During the ten days we were together, we had many opportunities of judging of the Khan’s character and position, and at the same time the advantaye of learning very fully the results of Major Green’s observations and enquiries, which were of the greatest value. 42. Gangaram made most pertinacious efforts to present himself and to be recognized and received as principal minister ; but it was clearly explained to the Khan that though it rested entirely with His Highness to bring whom he liked and to employ whom he pleased as Minister, our desire was to see him as ruler of Kelat surrounded by his chiefs, and we had no wish to see any one whose presence would we know be utterly dis- tasteful to them, and whose being placed in the position of Minister would be regarded by them ail, as an insult. 43. The Khan looks older than he is, and is not un- pleasing, though hardly perhaps prepossessing in appearance. He is rather under the middle height, with the extremely marked features and very dark complexion of his race. He had as Major Green and Lieutenant Macanley assured me wonderfully improved in manner of late’ He evidently pos- sesses great natural quickness and a strong will. But it is very difficult to fix his attention to any one subject for any time, and in the midst of a serious discussion, he would be attracted by any novelty, or make some childish remarks which, though not perhaps silly, was by no means in accord- ance with the grave manner and strict decorum of Belochees and Brohees in all formal assemblies. Of his disposition it is more dithcult to judge, and it would be looking for too much to expect from one whose education and training have been so neglected, the scrupulous regard for truth and high feeling which could be desired in one in His Highness’ position. Perhaps the most that can be said is that his character presents the materials for a good ruler. How they will be ultimately moulded time alone can show. Major ‘sreen has evidently acquired great influence over him, and he had become much attached to Lieutenant Macanley, and it is a good sign that the Khan seems eager to conform himself, in externals at all events, to the model of a sensible, sound-hearted British Officer. ae eee159 44. There was something very affecting in the anxiety shown by the chiefs and all the old adherents of the Khan that Major Green should persevere in the difficult task he had undertaken, and not leave the Khan to his own devices, and to the evil counsellors who beset him. Old men of all classes and parties would entreat him not to abandon the child. The most remarkable instance was that of the aged Darogha Gul Mohomed, a name well known in the disastrous days of our early connection with Kelat. His savage and rugged fidelity to his master had been long rewarded by the custody of the citadel, and the care of the Khan’s family. He used formerly to avoid meeting Englishmen, more than he could help, saying that the sight of the race whose countrymen killed his master “made blood come out at his eyes.’’ But he sought an inter- view with Lieutenant Macanley, expressed his pleasure to see him at Kelat, and after his rude fashion commended his young Sovereign to the Englishmen’s good offices. 45. We had the usual formal interviews at which all the chiefs attended (for the first time I believe since the Khan’s accession) in the customary form. They were headed by two great chiefs Moola Mohomed Risanee, Chief of Sarawan, sitting with his followers on the Khan’s right and Taj Mohomed Lehree, Chief of Jallawan, on his left. It is worthy of note that these two men had been the foremost in the late rebellion. 46. I afterwards saw the Khan several times in a more private manner, with none but his personal attendants, and also in company with the few principal chiefs, ten or a dozen in number, who are held by hereditary right to have a voice in every council of importance. 47. As regards the appointment of a competent and responsible minister, which was of course only discussed when the Khan was alone, he showed more pertinacity than I had expected. He argued in favour of Gangaram with great fluency and adroitness, and when unable to answer the question whether any single chief of any influence would tolerate the man’s presence, or take orders from him as Wazir, he said “ he would be his own Wazir, and look after everything himself.” The extreme childishness of his character, and his utter want See SST ES a nor 7% $ yy Oe oe Ps ha dire, ges BE Sa ae le eS aera Ee ae tL aeae 160 of experience or knowledge of business, would under other cir- cumstances, have made this proposition simply ridiculous. At last finding that we considered the matter as one of paramount importance, though we abstained from recommending any one in preference to his notice, he said he would nominate Wulli Mohomed Shaghassee and on being informed that we con- sidered the appointment un-objectionable, he introduced him to us as Vazir and since his return to Gandava, had for- mally installed him in full Durbar. 48. It is apparently the best choice he could make. The Shaghassee is a man in the prime of life, active and intelligent, prepossessing in manner, and popular with the Brohees. He commanded the late Khan’s troops on the Persian Frontier, during the late war, and acquitted himself creditably. As far as I could learn his nomination gave general satisfaction. 49. It was a more difficult matter to make up the differ- ences between the Khan and his lately rebellious chiefs. Their deportment was at first extremely sullen. The appointment of a Vazir removed one great cause of discontent and, in alluding to recent occurrences, they said that if the Khan behaved well to them they would be faithful and loyal to him. Little allusion was made to specific causes of discontent except the Khan’s refusal to release Mohomed Ameen who was the brother of the late traitorous Vazir Mohomed Hassan and had been im- prisoned by the late Khan for an attempt at open rebellion. But Major Green was aware that every one of the chiefs had some personal grievance, and few or none would have the self denial to delay bringing it forward, whenever he thought that the Khan’s weakness afforded a good opportunity. 50. There was of course no discussion of such claims at our interviews, and before the chiefs left, manifestly good effect was produced by General Jacob addressing them in the Khan’s presence, reminding them how he had laboured for the good of the late Khan, and his people, and the claim he had thereby established to advise and exhort them. He pointed out the want of patriotism and self denial evinced by pressing individual claims on the Khan, at a time like this, and earnestly exhorted10! them that, if they wished to see their country flourishing and their Sovereign respected, to lay aside their petty jealousies and differences and to co-operate heartily for the general good. 51. They were evidently touched and pleased with the heartiness and manliness of the address, professed a sincere wish to be guided by the advice so frankly given, anda thorough reliance on the good will of the British Government. sa. After. a parade of the Smd Horse they Og = ga @ wg 0 eo a= 3 ‘ w > 25" i sy sas | oy ES” | #2 08) aa te j nos Me Sct ‘ oS 2 s re 5 o4 HOR 4% q 0o S Se ts 2 Bsa | 2 we a us ; “ OA 4 @ wo = ce , Pee ag Mo N ~ ‘ = O50 ui = _ ' Bs = Hoe & ED ee fee RT eg 4 “eas Bora 2 a we aE ~ e 3 4 eR ND oe 7 . | Ge oe } Lo 25 By > , S55 oo 4 J 50 a3 ee Gi oe 4 ca mS iw J 2 mo ae - aso > aoe — Ww ° ® Sac aN = ad PS : a aaeT oO ae . . me Du Sc 2 qv a | ss. 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Mm afae dau w @ od OF 2s ante ss %.45 eos Asoo. Ge oS oe w YS Soa Gow io Oy By 4 Op a SO 5 SE0M qs% NSggoa pie Vs es pe a aad area sgesu a = e < BSOOWk ask 29 g a a oo oO Ss = ce a AGH 34 SS cre ePY ~ o Zoa A fe Va > . mm | © wey oon Q © a - & et | OD ees Sat a Hum hf ot ASM O35 da WV) -Se of BO x aa y ar] S = NNSelections from the Records of the Commissioner in Sind. SELECTION No. V. Journey from Mandvito Hyderabad (Sind) and from Hyderabad to Khairpoor and back (December 1831 to May 1832) Narrative of a—by Lieutenant E. Delhoste, Surveyor, Sind Mission, of a—-185 Report on a journey from Mandvi to Hyderabad by a member of the Sind Mission. On the 21st December 1831, I arrived at Mandvi for the purpose of joining the Sind Mission, to which (at the recom- mendation of Lieutenant Colonel Pottinger), I had been appointed Surveyor and Draftsman. I found the officers of the Mission busily engaged in preparing for journey. The party was as follows :— Lieutenant Colonel H. Pottinger ... Envoy, Mr. P. Scott i, ..« . lst Assistant, Captain W. Pottinger ... 2nd Assistant, iy Ay Sinclair sus 2 Assistant Sut- geon . Lieutenant J. Morris ... ... Commanding the Escort, to which I was also attached. On Thursday, the 29th of December, we left Mandvi and proceeded to Lyjah, a small village, distant 72 miles, The country was in a high state of cultivation and the road good. The village of Lyjah belongs to a Jharrejah named Mallagee, it contains a population of 700 people of all sexes, 200 head of cattle, and 60 ploughs. The soil of this part of Cutch is rich and productive. Cotton is grown in great abundance. The revenue realized this year by the owner of the village was 16,000 Coories exclusive of cotton. There is a small Gurrye in tolerable repair situated in the village. December 3oth, 1831.—Detained at Lyjah in conse- quence of the falling of much rain during the night. December 31st, 1831.—In the evening the raining ceased, we moved on to a small village Bahit. Our road to it lay over a fine level country, the state of it highly cultivated. Our distance to-day was only 4 miles, the rain having considerably injured the roads. Bahit though only a_ village of 200 houses contains population of 500 inhabitants, and one hundred ploughs, the soil is richer and more productive than that of Lyjah. L (Iv) 355-24s ts m Rea Fag 5s SN sae CL aa lea oti Y ore re os — , — ” . —— 7 . ER OO Re eR en tern ya Raa Dasa? te Te ee Che es “dere: UMN Aiegg SORE BE A : " . aunts 28 ‘ Ee ne ARR A ae ENE A Ee A se ce oh LPO. See A Bat wees? ee? came ate? oes ws hes aa. ee oe =, + “Y ; Fai be i be NT a1 iy cee alla, Sty Nea ae Re eee re: OR a ba tr ete SR hee 7 Nr a , Rs * + cee oe ane pier ea SS January 1st, 1832.—A march of 7 miles over a country similar to that passed, yesterday brought us to Sabrye, a walled town containing 350 houses, 800 inhabitants and 80 ploughs, the walls have considerably suffered from the earth- uakes and are in several places nearly destroyed. Sabrye also belongs to a Jharrejah (as indeed in most of the villages ‘n this Abrassa which is considered to be the richest Per- eunnah of Cutch). Many chiefs pay no tribute to Rao. January 2nd, 1832.—Leaving Sabrye we proceeded to the small village of Warrah, distant 113 miles—we passed Vinjan, a large walled town, which like other places in Cutch, bears the marks of having severely felt the earthquake of 1819. The whole eastern face of the wall is inrums. The country passed over to-day was similar to that already des- cribed, the principal production about Warrah appears to be cotton. Warrah contains 60 houses, 200 inhabitants and 40 ploughs. January 3rd.—Halted at Warrah, January 4th.—After breakfast we left the village and continued our route to Teyrah, distant 11+ miles. The country the same as in yesterday’s march, the road was more sandy, passed on the road the small villages of Beechoonda and Konatia. Teyrah is a large and populous town belonging to a Jharrejah named Soomrajee the place is well supplied with water from two large tanks. The population is said to amount to 3,600—houses 800, ploughs 750—Soomrajee’s revenue this year was said to be 40,000 Coories East of the town is an extensive burial ground contain- ing at least 7 or 8 thousand tombs—t stretches in length nearly + mile and has a pretty appearance from the largest Tank. The burial grounds in Cutch contain Tombs suchas | have never seen in any other country. At the head of most of the graves is a large high stone with a figure, either that of a man or a woman according to the sex of the deceased onon horse back, each of which has its signification. Such is the account I had from the villagers which would lead one to believe that those dying a natural death had no tombs erected to their memory which indeed I am told is the case, unless the deceased is a Rajah, Rajpoot or Jharrejah January 5th.—We continued our journey this morning 113 miles to a small village called Badra, Our road lay through a country very different from that south of Teyrah at which place the rich soil seems to cease. The road to-day was winding and sandy, the country wild and irregular, with little or no cultivation—low jungle such as kureel, bauble, milk bush, and pelen, were the only pro- ductions. Budras belongs to the Rao of Cutch—contains by the Patells account (which I doubt) 400 houses, 800 inhabi- tants and 15 ploughs. ‘The Rao receives one Kulsee out of every 10, for the unproductive or inferior fields, and one Kulsee out of four for the best fields, there is little or no cotton grown here. January 6th.—Left Badra this morning at 10 a.m, arrived at Mbhur, distant 7 miles, the road over a miserably sterile country and the latter part of it winding among the succession of low stony hills; Mburr is a tolerably large village partly walled and situated in a small valley. It is an enam to a Gossai called one Capree Raval. At this place are the Alum mines which produce a yearly revenue to the Roy of one lac of Coories. The mines were not worked while we were there and | had no opportunity of seeing the process making alum ; Mhurr, I was informed, contained a population of goo—and 600 houses. From the extent of the place I should say this statement was considerably less than the real number of inhabitants, or houses; on the Hill above the Town is situated the celeberated Temple of the Goddess Asserapoore. That is her former residence of late years. She has been removed to a Temple near the town, probably more for the convenience of her worshippers than for that of others were seen two female figures, a hand and arm-a warrior a eet ene. , e ae S Balter as i err adthe lady herself, though her votaries do not scruple to afhrm that she was removed at her own request in consequence of disliking the exposed situation. January 7th.—Halted at Mhburr. nhl January 8th.--We proceeded this day 73 miles to the | small village of Kora, the country wild and studded with low jungle—for the first 5 miles, when we crossed a low range of Hills——from this to the village there was some cultivation, an principally Jowaree. oe , : HN MR te, ‘ at | Kora belongs to the Rao—has a_ population of 500 souls pan and contains 75 ploughs—there is a river east of the village Sat and a tolerably large Tank south-west of it - January 9th.—Proceeded g miles to the small village 4 of Oomersier the country level, but uncultivated, soil poor, ae and unproductive, the village belongs to the Rao. Contains Hh, 55 houses, 60 men, 35 women, 30 children and 35 ploughs. January 1oth.—A ride of 5 miles over an undulating sandy country totally uncultivated, indeed scarecely even, producing jungle plants, brought us to Luckput. The walls of this town cover a larger space of the ground as may be Pasi seen by the plan of it—it is however but thinly inhabited and vi indeed to me it appears surprizing that there should be any | inhabitants in it at all, except the garrision. The country all | round it, is a misrable unproductive waste, and the commercial business formerly carried on here, no longer exists—Luckput was considerably increased by ‘ Futty Mohomed’ who considered ni it a place of first rate importance both in a commercial and Military point of view, but since the seas have been cleared of hh pirates and the voyage from the coast of Sind to Bombay, and ny other parts of India, has become comparatively safe—a-more iat expeditious mode of transferring their goods has been opened to ir the traders, and Luckput has fallen to what it nowis. A few horses from Caubul and Khorasan pass the way and perhaps a small quantity of rice and salt fish from Sind duties on which are I believe still levied at Luckput. ae ee . es ee le Sr nc Te ee e189 January 11th, 1832.—This evening at 5 p.m. by direction of Colonel Pottinger | proceeded on my way to Kotree to the Bunder, distant Hhout 2 miles from the town, the road to this was over a muddy swamp always flooded in spring tides. There were several large boats at the place waiting for the tide, to cross the Karee between Luckput, and Kidtres but as the Salt Hat bottomed boats called Doondies can cross at all times, | took one of them and started for Kotree. The Bunder at Luckput is a miserable place, merely a few houses in the midst of the muddy swamp or runn just mentioned. The distance from Luckput Bunder to Kotree is about 6 miles by the way I eee there is however another point where horses, and camels, generally cross at which the traverse is only about 23 miles i. water. I reached Kotree by 10 o’clock, the boat having been di ‘agged across a great part of the way— a reference to the route book will explain this I believe though it is only possible to do so when the tide is out. I may mention before taking leave of Cutch that I have said little or nothing regarding it except in enumerating the villages through whieh che Mason passed. Cutch is well es and after what Lieutenant Burnes, and other gentle- men have written regarding it would be unnecessary my entering on its history. January 12th, 1832.—I landed at Kotree about 10 o’clock on the night of the 11th and found the people ready to start for Lah, but as we had .no guides we could not move until till morning. There is neither fresh water, house or shed at Kotree—not even a blade of grass, the whole country, as far as the eye can reach, is one ao tract of desert, similar to the Runn of Cutch. During the night the wind blew strongly from the-north-east, and the weather was bitterly cold. I had no thermometer with me, but am convinced, had | had one, I should have found it considerably below 40”. At half past nine a.m. I left Kotree and proceeded to Lah where | arrived at I p.m. [ conceive the distance to be at least 15 miles, the first nine of which are over r the hard Runn before mentioned—esse LM iheee wel tes during the remaining 6 | observed stunted roots of bauble and pelew ; affording an incontestable proof that at no very distant P| period this part of the country was not the unproductive and miserable waste it now Is. Mt Lieutenant Alexander Burnes in his memoir on the 4 Eastern Branch of the Indus mentions that the upper part of the Luckput Karree was formerly a rich and highly cultivated tract of land called the “ Sayra””—that the Bund thrown across the Phurraun river by Ghulam Shah Kalora preventing the waters from flowing in their usual course—turred the whole of at that land to what it now is—probably this part of Sind in those Mil days was fertile and productive, though I am inclined to think that other rivers (or branches from the Phurraun River) must come down in this direction as the extent of this desert is too great to have been watered by one stream unless indeed that stream or what Lieutenant Burnes calls the Phurraun River was , the original course of the Indus, a circumstance which does Pi not seem improbable on considering the enormous breadth of Karee from Luckput to Kotree (full 8 miles). Mb Py oe L heard of the river as the Pooran but could gain no intelligence regarding the bund at Mora of which Lieutenant Burnes speaks, the only place called Mora in Sindi is near — Meetanee on the Indus where a bund was constructed by = | Ghulam Shah Kalora for the preservation of the town of | Gujjera which was near, being carried away during an inund- # | ation the only bunds | could hear of on the Poorun are one | at Mirab-ka-Sher and Allah bund between Pallia and Rooma- ka-Bazar. Lah is merely the name given to a halting place in a ne desert where there are two trees, a few bushes, and 15 or 20 small wells of brackish water, there are no houses whatever at this place and it is only distinguishable in the desert by two bauble trees which grow near the wells. The place has a a curious appearance j of a mile previous to arriving at It. pate ag Ee “eee Sedo «ik Sees pe ae i ik hoe Bae hog Ma her Dati Sy a imo +. x ogee In addition to the low brusnwood that grows near Lah there is a small plant called the Darum it is also called Lanah,19! the camels which are bred in great numbers about the desert, feed on this plant which has a singular appearance at a little distance being something like heath, the leaves of it are almost as large as grapes but are salt and unpalatable. A Hindoo Metah and a few sepoys reside at Lah the former collects the duties on exports, and the latter are employed to guard the Frontier, they said that in all they mustered 40 men, only 15 of them were stationed at this place the remainder being at Pallia, and Sugdan, these people informed me that they remained here during the rains, but I doubt the truth of their statement—a few days rain would render the whole of this desert perfectly impassable for horses, or camels, the soil being of that description which does not absorb the water. : The sepoys at Lah were the first Sindians I had ever seen, and I must say I was struck with their appearance, and costume, there was a frankness, and independence about them, which is always pleasing to a European, their caps and cloaks were made of quilted cotton, the under dress, was of coarse blue cloth. Each man was armed with a dirk, sword and matchlock. January 13th.—I observe I have omitted to state the reason for my having been sent forward, it was, that I might see that the necessary arrangements for ourselves, and cattle had been made. I found that no grass, or very little had been prepared for the horses though the Sindian Wakeel stated there was abundance—by sending people out 3 or 4 kos I procured a sufficient quantity to last us during the short time we were to remain. The water was also very scarce and became quite salt after exposure to the air, though when first taken out of the wells it was quite fresh and sweet. January 14th.—Colonel Pottinger and the other officers of the Mission joined me this day. January 15th.—We left Lah at 7 a.m., intending to proceed to Bhorr.—said to be 7 kos distant—during the first 5 miles of our journey the Darun was the only plant visible—Pee teal LT ee afterwards the country was covered with a short grass, and stunted bushes of bauble, and tamarisk we passed two or three small salt pools which we were told had been formed by the late rain | make this remark here as I found afterwards it was false. Note.—On our return to Cutch va Bhorr, I rode out to a small village, called Coggera-ka-Dand two miles from Bhorr, here I was surprised to fird three broad water-courses, each almost half amile broad in this shape. It was said to come from near Muggurbhee and B—Btorun out into the Lukhput Karee BY/ PENG oer ey A near Busto bundur (there was, abundance of AG ae fish in these canals) whicb probably occa- sioned the pools of water we saw in coming | B this day 15th January. The track we were following appearing broad and easy to distinguish. Mr. Scott, Dr. Sinclair and myself cantered on, about an hour’s riding brought us to some trees similar to Lah called Vire, here we mistook our road, and turned the right instead of going straight on, Sinclair who first said we were allright—That he was following the track of a horse— after an hour and a half good cantering all the time, I observed that there was the track of a horse having returned —shortly afterwards we discovered that the person whose track we were following had lost his way, and had turned round and gone back. We determined however on going straight forward and about half past eleven a.m., came to a few huts called Kantasir. There were two or three people here who were very civil, and asked us to get off and they would cook us some dinner. This however we could not do—so having got our direction which was nearly due west, we rode on untill we came to another small Waund—here one of the villagers a Jutt (Moosal- man) gave us some butter, milk and his hooka to smoke—which I thought a tolerably good sign, that Indian prejudice had not extended to Sind—at last after another hour’s ride we reached the tents quite tired having been upwards of six hours on the road and having travelled at least 40 miles. The other gentle- men had not. been long in before us, and said the 7 kos were+93 at least 24 miles—the road though narrow was good, but unless the direction is well known, and a compass is used the chances are, a traveller would lose his way. Bhoor is merely a collection of huts—the people being prin- cipally Seerwans, Jutts and Mohanas—the former rear camels. The Jutts are shepherds, and the Mohanas fishermen; they are all Mussulmans, but the latter are an inferior caste, and are rather shunned. There is a caste called Koobra or Koobla m Sind which is considered the lowest class of Mahomedans. The country round Bhoor is well irrigated by canals and water- courses, and produces abundance of rice, tobacco, barley, and sugar-cane, the canal which supplies this part of the country with water, comes from Muggerbhee or as it is sometimes called Bhee. We saw this canal (on our return) at Mugger- bhee. It was not above four feet wide and six feet deep and yet sufficient to form the extensives sheets of water I have before mentioned. At Bhoor we were met by two officers of rank who had been despatched by the Ameer to receive the Mission—their names were Mohomed Khan and Hyder Khan, the former Governor of the Province (Jattee) and the latter his Deputy. The dress of these gentlemen varied very little from that worn by the sepoys the only difference was, that the materials of which their clothing was composed was more costly. January 16th.—Halted at Bhoor. In a direct line Kotree may be about 38 miles from Bhoor, and an army with little preparation might enter Sind by this route. Supplies in abundance would be found at Bhoor.—Rice in particular, water in plenty and a many head of cattle as would be required. NOTE.—I have since heard that there are extensive swamps on this road. The best way would be via Pallia and Seeranee to Mohomed Khan-ka-Tandira. On the 17th January.—We left Bhoor, and proceeded 13 miles to the Chundan—a small village of 250 huts, situated on the banks of a deep and broad canal, which is cut from the Goongroo River and extends about ¢ of a mile beyond the village where it is stopped. It is some. what curious that the L (v1) 355—25 ee ag. mm “ : a MY Tey or 4 ‘ nd Pi. ‘ &td ENS > Goornee after passing Wungee-ka-Shir takes the name of Goongroo though the real Goongroo is at Muggerbhee, The population of Chundan is goo of all sexes, most of whom are Mahomedans. There are about 250 Hindoos here. The tomb of Peer Noor Shah situated nearly in the centre of the town of Roree is visible from Chundan bearing N. N. E. 2 kos distant, the whole country about Chundan is level and well cultivated watered by canals and water-courses, whose course may be easily traced by the tamarisk, and bauble trees which grow on their banks. This gives a very pleasing appearance to the country. 0 On conversing with some Hindoos who came to my tent, they gave me to understand that they were sadly ill-treated and said there was no justice in Sind such as in our country—that they had heard how happy the Hindoos were at Bhooj, and in other places under our Government—and they hoped we were coming to take Sind from the Ameers. January 18th.—A ride of 18 miles brought us to Shah Kapoor or as it is more commonly called Kapoor. The country like that passed yesterday was level, and well cultivat- ed and the road intersected with large and small water-courses, as far as the eye can reach, the country presents one uninter- rupted plain, studded with tamarisk, bauble and other trees.— The principal productions, rice, barley and tobacco—the latter growing near the villages. The soil is a rich alluvium Shah Kapoor or Kapoor belongs to Meer Ghulam Hussain Khan, son of Meer Abdullah Khan, I believe he 1s considered to be the rightful heir to the Govern- ment of Sind. On this subject. Mr. Crow gives the following passage : — When foreign attack no longer threatened Meer Sorab Khan with a majority of Talpoors and other Chiefs proposed that the son of Meer Abdullah Khan, Meer Ghulam Hussain— who was now arrived at years of descretion should assume the Government of Sind, to which by direct descendancy he was heir, and in consideration of whose minority only, it had, it wasrd urged, been entrusted to Meer Futteh Ali Khan. The proposal appears to have nearly occasioned civil war in Sind, but even- tually Meer Ghulam Hussain Khan, acknowledged the sove- reignty and accepted the Territory he now holds. The town of Shahkapoor may contain 3,000 inhabitants, the greater part of whom are Lohanas (Hindoos). To the east of the town (which bye the bye is also situated on the bank of a deep, and very broad canal) are the ruins of an extensive fort, and large city, said to have been the residence of Dadoo, a Soomrah Chief or Rajah. Probably Duhooda the last of the So}mrah Princes, who it appears died in the year of Hegira 694 or 1299 A.D., or 533 years ago. These ruins are of pucca brick of enormous dimensions, each brick is upwards of 20 inches long, and 8 inches broad. The water-course seems to have been close under the walls of this city —which by all accounts as far as the natives can tell must have been a beautiful place. The water-course comes from the Goongroo River, and continues on the Futtypoor 6 kos from Kapoor, I cannot say | believe this water-course to be entirely artificial, from its breadth upwards of 80 yards, and the quantity of rushes, and high reeds in it.—I think it not improbable that it was formerly the course of a small river. I afterwards discovered that this is a part of the Goonee which takes the name of Goongroo after passing Wunne-ka-Sher. There were several boats at this place of 5 or 6 Karars burthen. The Kharrar or Karrar is somewhat more than 3 Candies. January 19th.—A march of 9{ miles brought us to Meer- poor a large walled town belonging to Meer Al Moorad the son of Meer Thara. The walls of the town (as indeed are almost all the houses, and buildings in Sind) are composed of mud —and are very extensive. The bazaar contained upwards of 300 shops and the population | estimated at 19,000; On uestioning some of the towns people regarding the number of inhabitants, they answered that they were about 8,000 people in the place. How many of them are Hindoos. Who counts the Hindoo-dogs :—They are not considered :—a reply which Aion . 5 4 ie Ee Sn Se ‘ i eer ae ee ERE oe Sear a am TaN a i ea 7 i oe me! a. we econ SS ea gt Ph mae ale ties pi OR ee eg i B0" ES ee " a. yee ho eee ee re ee ae i +. ‘ = + oe = j ae it gs - are: ee fo Haale Metraz ? . * a . + . Ps 7 ° Pp eo. oe ‘ i ee a pm a Mie > ele * a A Pally, dp de i F F S - yee. sisi ,ix, ila il 5 : * 1) eee web: i - , Soho ' aE 4 ho » x ie Radi ry, * 19a ; oe 4s pi. Ye e 5 hae 3 ‘4 io a * ?, : aes ; i » A ess. a ae = < a Cee et nS: hs gives a sufficient proof of the manner the Hindoos are treated a Sind—I should have remarked that from the time of our entering Sind we had undergone much annoyance from the curiosity of the inhabitants and the amazing number of Syedds and Fukeers that came to beg—but at this place the crowds of people that surrounded us forcing themselves on our tents, so as nearly to tear them down was particularly disagreeable ; beggars, by hundreds came about us—many of them well dressed and wearing shields and swords and some of them were mounted on tatoos—entreating for charity. The most moderate of these fellows asked for 2 or 3 rupees; others requested 100 or 150; at the same time declaring; they would not go away until their demands were complied with—They generally asked alms as if it was a matter of nght and usually if not attended to, abused us before going away. But our ride from Kapoor to Meerpoor was through a part of the country which deserves to be mentioned. The first three miles of our route was in a westerly direction—along the banks of the water-course before mentioned, here we came to a bund by which in this season only the water-course is pass- able, but only so for horses and camles; as wheeled carriages are not found in Sind roads cannot be expected—indeed most of those which | have called such are merely wide footpaths. The bund over this water-course is narrow winding, and thickly studded with tamarisk and bauble bushes, which grow out of the water in some places,—towards the end of this bund a space of about 1o feet had been cut to let the water pass, and over this was constructed a rude bridge, composed of tamarisk boughs with earth thrown over them, the coarseness and pliability of this Sindian contrivance led me to doubt its salety—however the horses, and camels passed over without accident ; after crossing the bund and bridge, we came to the small village of Sutianna, round which there was a good deal of cultivation, the village consists of a few huts inhabited by cultivators; from this village we pursued our road over an uncultivated plain, but intersected by water-courses to Joghee, a village taking its name from its inhabitants who are princi- pally of that caste or sect. To the. west: of the. village,|was a s ry a Ee Se ae esIQ] fine grove of bauble, and other trees, out of which rose a pretty white Tomb, or mosque called Jampeer. Passing through Joghee we continued our course over a salt flat to Meerpoor— about a quarter of a mile before reaching our ground we came to some people who were making salt, process was very simple. Karth from the plain was collected in large earthen dishes over which water was poured and left to evaporate. A Belochee at Meerpoor asked me if the Government would take him as their servant, that if so he would bring 500 men with him—a circumstance which does not say much in favour of the attachment of the Belochees, the most favoured class in Sind, to their present Rulers. January 2oth.—We left Meerpoor after breakfast and continued our journey to Bulrey, distant 10 miles passing on our way the village of Deokur, which contains 300 houses, and about 700 inhabitants from thence we passed through a large town called Jokh, situated on the bank of a large and deep water-course both of these places belong to Ali Moorad of Meerpoor. The whole distance was through a cultivated and level country, but from Jokh to Bulrey our road lay through a thick tamarisk jungle. Bulrey is a pretty town surrounded with high trees of different kinds, the bauble is however by far the most numerous—-~the velite bauble, a slender straight tree something like the cypress, growing higher than the other trees, gives a pretty appearance to the villages and towns in Sind. The population of Bulrey is about 2,000, a great number of whom are Fakeers and Syedds, the town contains upwards of 800 houses. The mosque and Tomb of Peer Kurreem Shah, is near the town it isa beautiful building covered with lacquered tiles of various colours, which at a short distance appear like porcelain. These tiles are made at Tatta and Nusserpore. Bulrey and Jokh enjoy certain privileges with regard to its customs and taxes in consequence of their being partly inaams to Syedds, there is a large Melah here in March every year, | was told that goods coming to the Melah, which lasts 3 days, paid no duty. January 21st.—Halted at Bulrey.eee Le eee 198 January 22nd.—A march of 9 miles brought us to Doondee, passing in our road to it the small villages of Syedpore, and Katiar, at the latter place Meer Ali Moorad’s Territory ends ; the road was through tamarisk jungle, and cultivation alternatively and intersected by four deep water-courses, supplied from the Pinyaree branch ; shortly after leaving Katiar we passed the tomb of Peer Ghulam Hyder, situated like most of these religious buildings in a pretty grove of trees ; the remaining part of the road was through low tamarisk jungle. Doondee is a tolerably large place containing 1,500 inhabi- tants and about 500 houses; there is a square Gtrrye in the centre of the village the walls of which are of mud and about 15 or 18 feet high, it is a place of no strength, and appears to have been constructed more for convenience than defence. | was told that about 80 years ago, this was a very large place, being then 8 times its present size ; extensive ruins to the west of the town seem to corroborate the assertion—there is a deep water-course north of the place. The country from Katiar northward belongs to Meer Moorad Ali Khan. January 23rd.—Left Doondee after breakfast and proceeded over a level and well cultivated countary to Sunneja, a small village of 50 houses ; the road was here and there crossed by water-courses; some of them deep and broad. Shortly after leaving Suneeja the road runs on a high and broad embankment built by Ghulam Shah Kalora at an enormous expense, | believe, in order to form reservoirs or spacious tanks, for irrigating the surrounding country. Rice cultivation was on each side of the embankment, which latter was damaged and broken in several places. We continued our route on this embankment, until within a short distance of Katiar® when crossing fields of cultivation we reached our camp at Teekoor, and found it pitched in an extensive grove of mango trees (which formed part of a garden belonging to the Ameers) on the banks of the River Indus, which was good ? mile broad with a current of 1? miles per hour, a little below this village, the Fulleli joins the Indus, the mouth of the former ® NoTE,—The extent enclosed by this bund is very great and during the floods I have mo doubt a lake of 15 N. W. miles in circumference is formed here.199 was very narrow, and choked up with sand Indeed had I not been told that it was the Fulleli, 1 should have supposed it to have been an artificial water-course,—it was about 18 feet deep, and 30 yards broad. A Jumptee or State Barge, of the Ameers was at this place ; it was 60 feet long, with two wooden cabins on the Deck. There were also 20 boats of different size all flat bottomed, and from 1o to 30 Karars burthen—Boat of 30 KKarars would contain 80 men in crossing the river—but, if for a voyage of several days, not more than 35 or 4o. January 24th.—Leaving Teckoor after breakfast, we proceeded glong the left bank of the Indus for about a mile— we there passed through part of a Shikargah belonging to Meer Noor Mohomed and then through cultivation for nearly miles. Onthe right of the road is a low range of hills, called the Gunja Jubbul. After leaving the Shikargah the road winds along the base of the Hills and the country on the left hand only is cultivated —passed a waund called Shah Meanka Wussed, and from thence through cultivation to the Camp, which was pitched opposite Karracoe—the latter being on the right bank of the Indus. The country between the river and the low range of Hills before mentioned is highly cultivated, and produces rice, barley, tobacco and Indigo. The Shikargahs we passed were merely enclosed jungles— they generally ran along the banks of the river, and extend for several miles, so it may be said that the best ground in Sind is wasted on these pleasure grounds; The Ameers seldom visit the same Shikargah, above two or three times in the year unless it is situated near Hyderabad. The poor people are not permitted to enter these preserves and I was informed that people caught, in the act of killing game in these places, or even in their vicinity, were often punished by death—a degree of tyranny which I think too disgraceful to be credited. * Karracoe appears a large village and is said to contain 200 inhabitants. To the westward apparently distant about 1s or 18 miles are some low hills called the Kara or Kala Jubbul. The Indus here was much the same breath as at Teckoor but it was very low at this season from the marks on the banks, I should think the river must be nearly 1 mile broad at this place when full. Spee ME 8 oY ee as200 January 25th, 1832.—-This morning | rode on to H yder- abad for the purpose of reporting on the encamping ground pointed out by the Ameers, the distance was about 5 miles and the road along the base of the small Hills, which terminate about a mile before arriving at Hyderabad. I found the place for our encampment was an extensive piece of groud, nearly south-west of the City, pretty well supplied with water, from a number of wells in a Nullah about 100. yards to the rear. Being anxious to visit the other grounds I rode round the fort, and through part of the suburbs of the City to the Fulleli. where the former Mission was pitched. The eround was however uneven and not sufficiently extensive for our Camp. I therefore rode round the City and returned to the first spot I had visited, where | marked out the Camp facing south. On our left the City and Fort, on the right distant about 23 miles the Indus, and to the rear the Nullah in which were the wells, beyond which on a small rising ground was the Tandah of Wali Mohomed Khan Lagharee. My business being concluded I returned to our Camp at Karracoe to breakfast, after which I drew up the following account or description of Hyderabad of which a sketch plan accompanied my memo: on Sind. The latitude of Hyderabad by Lieutenant Burns’ account is 25°-22' north Itis situated on a small Island formed by the Indus and Fulleli Rivers, the former is about 3 miles distant from the City and the latter at most ¢ mile, both the Fort and City are built on a low rocky midge which does not in any part exceed 35 feet in height. The Fort in south of the City is in shape an irregular-Pentagon and is composed of a curtain or wall of pacca bricks, flanked by round and square Towers. The walls do not exceed 40 feet in height, are built of pacca brick and chunam—but plastered over with mud. They rise from the very edge of the rocky ridge, and are in many places falling fast to decay—half an hour battering with 4 eighteen pounders would throw down any part of the wall which in fallmg would form a very pretty paved road into this attempt at fortification. The interior of the Fort is occupied by the Ameers and their families, and in the centre of it stands an eee201 enormous Bastion or Cavalier, in which, it is said are deposited the treasures of Sind, to the eastward about 600 yards distant from the fort, is the Fuleli. To the westward Wullee Maho- me d’s Tandah, and the Indus—and to the south a fine plain from which the fort might be attacked with much advantage, as by fixing on this side for an attack the garrison could receive no assistance from the people in the town whose houses are all situaed to the northward of the Fort. A glance at the Military sketch will better explain what I mean. On the side of the town there is a ditch round the Fort of 30 feet wide and about 20 feet deep over which a miserable wooden bridge leads to the entrance of the fort. There are four gateways to pass before gaining the interior of the place but if ever attacked it would save a great deal of trouble and time to break down the south wall by which improvement I should think the place would prove much more cool and comfortable. The City of Hyderabad is situated on the same rocky ridge as the fort and contains 10,000 houses; a casual observer would think this underrated, but each or most of the houses have large court yards to them which gives the appearance of there being more houses than there really are. The streets are exceedingly narrow and very dirty. The Bazaar runs from the gateway of the Fort due north nearly 4 a mile—and all the houses are built of mud with terraced roofs. I estimate the population of this City at 25,000 and at least 1 of this numberare Hindoos—the remainder being Belochees and Sindians. January 26th —We left our Camp near Karraccoe and arrived at Hyderabad. The position of our Camp will be seen by the plan. The wells in the nulla supplied us with water, the situation of our Camp was certainly not a pleasant one—it was extremely dusty and hot during the day but we were less annoyed by Syeds and beggars than we expected, this was owing to a guard ot Sindians which Meer Moorad Ah Khan had directed to be placed over the Camp. Morning and evening however crowds of people came to satisty their curiosity, in gazing at the Feringies and their tents, the large Durbar tent in particular was an object which appeared to L (Iv) 355—26 } . th,202 strike them as being wonderful—the chicks at the tent doors also appeared to amuse them very much, and we often heard disputes as to what they were composed of. On the 28th January we paid our first visit to the Rulers of Sind. We entered the City by a small narrow street the approach to which was filthy beyond all expression, and after winding through two or three narrow lanes—crossed the bridge and passed through three strong gateways, at the last of which we dismounted and proceeded on foot about 200 yards — here we came toa large carpet spread in front of a long verandah, advancing to the carpet we took off our shoes, and were introduced to the Rulers of Sind. They were seated on carpets ‘n the centre of one of the ends of the verandah before mentioned. Meer Moorad Ali Khan was seated on a richly embroidered carpet, rather in advance of the others, he appears about 60 years of age, and has an_ intelligent though rather morose expression of countenance, his sons and relations were seated round him, they were all richly dressed ; and their swords and shields, highly ornamented with jewels; Meer Moorad Ah Khan-conversed for some time with Colonel Pottinger after which the Colonel presented his Lordship the Governor-General’s letter, and shortly after we took our leave. The Durbar was crowded with people of all ranks, pushing and fighting for places and paying no respect whatever to the Rulers of their country. This appeared strange to us, but we soon had many opportunities of observing the little control the Ameer has over his Belochee followers. The place we were received in, was a long verandah supported by coarse wooden pillars, the walls of the place were bare, and dirty, and the whole scene was quite unworthy of the Ameers. This description may serve for all the interviews we had with the Ameers, several of which took place during our stay at Hyderabad. I was occupied during the time. we remained here in obtaining information on the country, but this was a matter of no small difficulty. Meer Moorad Ah Khan had taken it into his head that we intended surprizing Shikar- pore, and in consequence all our actions were watched, and203 every thing done, or said in Camp, was daily reported to the Ameers, few of the Sindians entered our tents or conversed with us and | have since understood that orders had been issued to the people directing them to give us no information whatever about the country. The people I should say from their great desire to obtain service under the British Government - many requests of the kind being frequently made to me secretly through the men of the detachment of Auxiliary Horse that accompanied us are by no means attached to their -Rulers, the Hindoos in particular are treated with the greatest contempt and injustice but more on this subject will be found in my Memoir on Sind. Very little worth recording occurred during our stay at Hyderabad unless I may mention the preparations that were made, to repel the supposed intended invasion of the country by Kurucksing—these were most pompous. Guns such as they were, were dragged down to the river preparatory to being embarked, parties of Belochees left daily for Shikarpore and the Ameers mentioned that they themselves proposed starting in two days; I believe however it was all bombast on their part, and only intended as a ruse, to get the Mission out of Sind, or at any rate to prevent Colonel Pottinger proceeding to Khayr- poor. The proposed visit to Meer Rustom Khan-(who by the bye Meer Moorad Ali called his servant and slave) was evidently particularly disagreeable to the latter and every arguments he could possibly imagine was tried, in order to disuade the envoy from going to Khyrpoor ;_ indeed at one time | thought that Meer Moorad Ali would have flatly refused us permission to advance. Meer Mubarruk Khan (brother to Meer Rustom) who had arrived at Hyderabad from Khyrpoor to be present at the marriage of Meer Shahdad, eldest son of Meer Noor Moho- med, was pursuaded by the Ameers to use all his influence preventing the Envoy from going forward. He, Meer Mu- barruk, accordingly represented himself as the Chief of Khayr- poor, said it was true his brother was the Chief but that he himself (Meer Mubarruk) was his counsellor and that he would settle everything without Colonel Pottinger’s having the trouble Farr PCR RT, % K sbi: he : Ui Be to go so far. The Ameers backed this speech—but Meer Mubarruk failed in his attempt and in the course of half an hour was the redicule of the whole party in consequence of his not understanding a phrase in Persian which the Envoy addressed to him. The Colonel had written twice to Meer Rustom but had received no replies to either of the communications ; under these circumstances he determined on sending an officer with letters to Meer Rustom, and kindly selected me for that duty. February 18th, 1832.—Having received my “nstructions and the permission for my proceeding to Khayrpoor having been granted by Meer Moorad Ali Khan | returned to my tent to make a few preparations previous to starting, which | proposed doing as soon as the moon arose, I was about to mount my horse when a Belochee stating that he came from Meer Moorad Ali Khan arrived at my tent and said he had been sent by the Ameers to order me not to start until the morning, I saw atonce that this was a falsehood as we had numerous instances of Belochees using the Ameer’s name in asking for gunpowder, flints, brandy, &c., when the Ameers themselves knew nothing of the matter. I therefore informed my visitor that 1 was acting under orders from Colonel Pottinger and that I could obey none except from him; that Collonel Pottinger was now asleep, and he must therefore defer his visit until the morning,—by which time I hoped to be at Hala—So saying | mounted my horse and with my little detachment of 15 Auxihary Horse proceeded towards Khayrpoor. I may here mention that | was entrusted with letters for Meer Rustom Khan, as also to make arrangements with him for the advance of the Mission, or if that did not suit him, for the advance of one of the assistants to Khayrpoor, Colonel Pottinger in his letter to Meer Rustom Khan begged he would not scruple to com- municate to me his most secret thoughts, wishes and feelings towards the British Government and to conclude J was directed to lose no time in reaching my destination.February 19th.—The Gongs of the Camp struck one as we crossed the low range of hills in or near of the encamp- ment, the moon was bright and clear, and a strong north-east wind blowmg which obliged us to muffle ourselves up, as_ well as we could. [ had adopted nearly the same dress as the men who were with me, in order to escape being tormented by the Fakirs, Syeds and beggars, with which as I have before men- tioned Sind abounds. I found this dress very convenient at Hyderabad as it enabled me to ride about, without being remarked in the least, and by that means I obtained much information. Our road lay nearly north for the first mile, when we crossed over the low hills and passed between the tombs of Ghoolam Shah, and Abdul Nubbee, and shaped our course a little more eastward. After having gone about 6 miles through jungle, or what our guide said was an old Shikargah, we came to the banks of the Fulleli crossing the river which had about 3 feet water in it and was nearly 80 yards broad. We conti- nued our route along the left bank for about 7 miles more, when We came to the village of ‘Doosmun Boodanu’. The country was level and highly cultivated in the vicinity of the village, abundance of barley was growing in the felds—as it was broad day light I thought we might as well stop here and see that all was right, for the first march 1s always the most troublesome. There I remained until 2 pm. when we started, and after a march of 5 hours, which as the road was winding I do not consider more than to or 12 miles, we reached Jekera-ka-Gote. Two guides from Meer Moorad Ali Khan had joined us at Matiaree, their names were Quaem- khan and Belochekhan; and the instant the first person spoke I discovered by his voice that he was the gentleman who came with the pretented message from the Ameer, when | was about to start. Matiaree which we passed was a large town and one of the prettiest places I had seen in Sind, it was surrounded with trees and gardens, and about 3 of a mile from the Indus which afforded abundance of water for the fields; wheat, barley and indigo were the principal productions in the vicinity of¥ mS wt Rt 1th Mae oe eee i ' a i A want Ge as untt gd imi a © SE: * anak ‘hi PN tah Gea eee re fa Ps 3 ‘ a’ bean: Ore of x 4. yen eke baw 306 Matiaree, which contains a population of 3,000 souls the latter part of our route lay through Shikargahs, and jungle, and at the recommendation of our guides we put up [or the night at Jekera-ka-Gote, which only contains 2v huts, and is badly off for water. Our direction was north-north-east. The little water we could procure was brought from a deep water course about 2 miles from the village; there are several, but they were nearly all dry; to complete our misfor- tune, the only Bheesti we had (with his bullock) tumbled into one of them, and all hands were employed in getting them out again, it was too dark to attempt to get water so we went without. During the night there were a number of: suspicious looking fellows prowling about in some jungles near our little encampment but they did not come into It. February 2oth— Moved on 8 miles in the same direction to Salarrah, a village of 500 houses, 1,200 inhabitants, 4 mile from the Indus. The road to this was through jungle and intersected by several deep water courses from Salarrah. A ride of one mile along the left bank of the Indus brought us to Gotanna, which is on the very edge of the river. It 1s here 14 miles broad. Current 1% per hour. There was a small island opposite to the place, crossed a very deep and broad water course which conveys water towards Meerpoor, 10 miles from Gotanna in the same direction, or if anything rather more east lies Halla or as it is called Halla Gunja—during the latter part of the march (which I conceive to be a distance in all 18 miles) we had a good deal of rain, and as the appearance of the weather was unfavourable | determined on stopping at Halla, which being a Peer’s town | knew I should be well received—it was past 2 o’clock when we reached our sround, having been upwards of 6 hours on the road. As I was sitting under a tree waiting until the camels were unladen, some well dressed people entered into conver- sation with me, and asked if we had come for the purpose of207 visiting the celeberated Peer Mukdoom Nooh. | replied, no—that I was on my way to Khyrpoor, they recommended us to visit the Peer, and also the Musjeeds and Tombs of the place ; as I was curious to find out whether the Peer would discover me, I proceeded to his house which was in the Town, surrounded by a pretty high wall the top of which was ornamented with the horns of the Katapacha (a species of deer’. We were shown into a large oblong apartment, the sides and roof of which were beautifully carved and painted and the whole of the floor richly carpeted, giving the place an appearance of comfort far superior to the apartment of the Ameers. At the end of this room was a small square couch near which we seated ourselves. After waiting a short time, the Peer made his appearance. I was surprized to find him quite a young man of five and twenty years of age instead of veneral old gentleman with a white beard. His countenance was pleasing and manners particularly good. We rose on his entrance, and he advanced and gave us his hand to kiss. | atonce saw he had no idea of my being an European—he then requested we would be seated, and asked me who I was, I said “a soldier’ in the service of the British Government, proceeding with letters to Meer Roostum Khan of Khyrpoor, he asked if | had Meer Moorad Ali’s permission to which Quaem- khan our guide who was present replied, and said he was directed to show us the way, the Peer turned to me and said, ‘are there many of you Patans in the service of the Ferengees ”’, I said yes—a great number. That there were however only thirty with the elchee at Hyderabad. He then asked a number of odd questions about the English-If they were good people, whether they ever prayed P If they were not very clever ? and if it was true that they were all white ? had white eyes, hair and bodies, if so said he they must be very ugly. | laughed at this part of his speech and gave the necessary replies to it as well as to his other questions. The Peer then enquired if it was true that the son of Shah Shujaol Moolk was with the English at Hyderabad, and whether they were not going to take Shikar- poor by surprize The Jemedar replied, that it was a foolish report, and quite false, that there was no such person with the Mission—and that as to the English taking Shikarpoor, thatthey came as_ friends and were incapable of treachery—we shortly after took our leave —and I desired Quaemkhan to explain to the Peer that I was a Sahib (English gentleman) at which he wae much amused and said/—" He is right, the Fakirs and beggars are very annoying to strangers, but | should not have thought he was a European—in the evening the Peer sent me presents of fruits, milk and sweetmeats at the same time begging me to remain a few days with him. 1 sent hima polite refusal and said that I was anxious to get on to Khayrpoor as soon as possible. It rained all night and until 12 0 ’clock this day February 21st I was therefore compelled to remain until 2 p.m. to let the tents dry a little. Halla is a large and populous town containing 4,000 inhabi- tants with a rich and extensive bazaar—part of a town belongs to the Peer, who is very polite and has great influence over the people. They are much better treated in Peer’s village than in any other town in Sind and it often happens what when ill- treated by the Ameers, they take refuge in these towns where they become safe from all further prosecution. There 1s a handsome mosque and Dharamsalla north-west of the town ; to the north-west of Halla, distant about one mile, are the ruins of the city of Khudabad, which I was informed was for- merly the largest City in Sind next to Tatta; the ruins extend 7 miles but there are at present not more than 100 houses occu- pied. The tomb of Meer Fatteh Ah Khan stands on the southern extremity of the place. February 21st 1832— Moved on 12 miles to a Syed’s Tanda, the road Jed through a wild uncultivated country, and was winding, and a great part of it through thick jungle, passed a Fakeer’s place; and the Tomb of Muri Baluche, who was assassinated by a Jumaille Beloche, continued our route 16 miles over a similar country to that already described, to a village called Khoorb or Limba-ka-Khomb a large though partly ruined village 300 houses, 900 inhabibants—there is a deep water course south of the village but it is suppiled with water from wells, of which there are 5 inthis place. Rice is not200 grown in this part of Sind—tobacco, jowarrey, barley, and wheat bemg the chief productions. It is necessary to take provisions here, as there are no supplies procurable until the traveller reaches Lalloo. The distance this day I conceive to be about 28 miles—we were 74 hours on the road andhad some rain which increased the difficulties of our march. February 22nd—Left Khomb early, intending to proceed to Kotree. On reaching Chir 8 miles, | was taken ill and obliged to halt not being able to sit on my horse from sickness and giddiness. I had barely time to pitch my bechoba when the rain commenéed and continued during the whole night. This village contains 100 houses, 2 shops, 350 inhabitants, it belongs partly to a Syed and is called Syed-ka-Chir. On the 23rd February being anxious to proceed I left Chir early in the morning, though very week and ill, the rain had ceased but the roads were flooded and the camels and horses floundered and slipped at every step. I may here remark that the whole of the soil of Sind being of that description (a whitish clay) which does not easily absorb water. The roads, after a few days rain, became nearly impassable. Wecame to a deep water course which was quite full and impassable—-so to avoid it, we were obliged to strike considerably to the eastward, and after wandering for 53 hours rcached Nuwabshah-ja-Gote- having only advanced 5 miles on our way to Khyrpoor I was ill, wet through and perfectly disgusted—however about 3 o'clock the whether cleared up and the Jemadar having sent me a fine dish of ‘ pillaw’ I became somewhat reconciled and determined to push on the next day to make up for our having been retard- ed. This village contains 3 shops, too houses, 400 inhabitants and is about 38 or 40 miles from the Indus. February 24th—--Left the before mentioned village and pro- ceeded 3 miles to a village of 20 huts called Fakir-ka-Koh from thence to the Tomb of Baloo Jerdaree Beloch 13 miles— Gfve miles further we came to another Tomb and extensive burial ground. ‘The whole way was through a miserable desert, but in the last five miles there were the remains of village tombs, FA MTY) S55"210 water courses, and canals which were evidently cut ina dif- ferent direction from those [ had seen on my way, a circumstance which surprized me, the guides could tell me nothing regarding this curious circumstance, except that this part of this country was reported to have been populous. and flourishing, many years ago, and that a deep river ran through it. | felt much disap- pointed that I could not obtain further information on this head I asked why the country was now abandoned, that the soil was as good as any I had seen in Sind, that it only required to be tilled. My guides replied that they did not know that the Ameers would not go to the expense of making water courses, and that no one else had money to do so, bestles which the desert was infested with bhoots, gins (evil spirits) and robbers, and that we had better move on—a ride of 5 miles brought us to Kotree the road similar to that already described, we passed two spots enclosed with branches of trees. On enquiry I found they were the graves of two ‘Cossids ’ who had been murdered about a year before—the march this day I conceive to be about 28 miles—we were 8 hours on the road but I attribute this to the difficulty the camels had in getting over the slippery ground, and we were obliged to keep with them in case of their being attacked, a circumstance which our guides said was not at all improbable. Kotree is merely a collection of a few miserable sheds the village contains 40 people and has 3 or 4 brackish wells—there was little or no cultivation near the place and the inhabitants appeared miserably poor. On my arrival as was always my custom | amused myself conversing with the people, the usual questions were asked as to where we were going, &c., and whether our masters the Ferin- ingees were white and like monkeys, if they eat mice and rats, to which [ gave suitable replies, they did not appear to suspect me of being an European and were civil and obliging. As soon as they understood we would pay for all that we required, they brought us what they could spare though there was little or nothing procurable in the place. I asked many questions about out-road, and they were all ready to answer me, but no two men agreed on the distance of the villages from each other,2II one would say 5, another 2, another 8 coss—in fact I found that they really had no idea ofdistance whatever—lI do not believe that they intentionally tried to deceive me, but that they really have no idea of the number of coss between these villages—the same way with regard to the population and number of houses | seldom got any decided answer. They would say in reply to my question of, how many people there were ina village ? Oh! two or three hundred. If 1 said that is very few, for so large a place. They would say “ Oh! yes 4 or 5 hundred perhaps ”—If [ remarked that was a great many—they would say “ Chungoo- Syn sut ut vees ahien’ “Good man, there may be 60 or 80 people in the place. ’’ I was therefore in most cases obliged to form my own idea of the population, and number of houses in each village, which I did not find difficult, when time permitted my walking through the villages we stopped at. [ was much indebted to my native costume for the quiet which I enjoyed. I passed without being noticed, or annoyed, whereas had I been dressed as an European, | should have been pestered, and gazed at all day, and have excited as great a degree of curosity, as the camel, leopard or boanassas_ would have, at a fair in England. February 25th—A ride of 26 miles brought us to Laloo passing on the road a small village of Bindey a few huts and two wells. Laloo is muchthe same as Bindey but has one shop— the owner of which always keeps a large supply of grain by him, there are three wells at this place and it is 24 coss from the river. The territories of Meer Roostum Khan com- mence 3 miles previous to reaching Laloo. About one mile from Laloo (north by west) is a ruined mud fort built by the Caloras, I visited it enpassant there 1s a large well inside, and the place might contain 300 people. It is now deserted, and the well partly filled up. The remains of a buffalo and some fire attracted our notice,—the guides said that the thieves had been feasting there and that it was a com- mon rendevouz of theirs. The walls of the fort were composed of mud but with sticks placed through the walls horizontally at er ae ee ee ae Saee 4. ees, CF ye vs i ee. Ce ae 212 different parts which gives a degree of consistency to this kind of building making it nearly as strongas stone. At 2 p.m. we proceeded on 12 miles to Chang passing a small village of one or two huts called Balochee ka Gote—the road was winding, and through jungle—Chang contains 40 houses, 1oo inhabi- tants and supplied with water from wells one of which is pacca and go feet deep. The whole extent of country between Nawabshah Gote and Chang, may besaid to be a desert--the only inhabited vil- lages being those I have mentioned, and | believe the people are only induced to remain, in consequence of this being the shortest route, and consequently more frequently travelled. At least during 5 or 6 months of the year, for in the hot season, there is no water here whatever, and I understand that the villages are then deserted, or nearly so. I have before said there is little or no cultivation round the villages, and the people appear to subsist by what they sell to travellers.. On the 26th February—I proceeded 23 miles to Khan- dearah—the first eight miles were through jungle, the remainder through a cultivated country the road winding—passed the small village of Pinjaree Daree at which place crossed a water course 18 feet deep 16 feet broad-—it came from near Bukkur and is said to have cost one lac of rupees. Khandearah is a small village of 100 houses, belongs to Meer Ali Murad, half brother of Meer Rustum Khan. It con- Inc - aaa eva te : miles the Indus. To our right, distant 15 miles the town of Roree, and on our left about 4 a mile was the town of Khyrpoor. The situation of the town itself is low, | understand that during the floods the water comes nearly up to it. On one occasion in 1826 the streets were actually flooded. Two deep water-courses, one running nearly south and the other east prevent in a great measure, the waters overflowing the’town during the rainy season, were it not for these water-courses, the place would be annually inundated. April 1st, 1832—1 have kept no regular journal during the last few days, our visits to Meer Rustum Khan, being similar to those described as having taken place at Hyderabad ; the only ‘Nig PPE ’ ae. .ce ate change that has taken place is in the conduct of the Wuzzeer, and Dewans, who shew an ‘evident disinclination to come to business. Futteh Mohomed Khan Goree, the Minister, puts off from day to day making the necessary arrangements for concluding the treaty, which he at first appeared so anxious about. April 4th—I had an interview with Ali Moorad Khan this Bi evening after ‘|’ embrassade”’ and having welcomed me, he ea il) | commenced speaking of his people, and hoped they had treated | me well; I thought this a good opportunity to te‘l him that his a servant Syed Nujeeff Ali was acting in a manner which was not >) creditable to his master and explained that he, the Syed, did aah everything with an heir of mystery and secrecy, that there was et ) no occasion for and that in itself was ridiculous, that Colonel eae Pottinger would not receive any communications whatever | secretly and that if Ali Moorad had anything to communicate, Pe it must be done openly. Ali Moorad appeared surprized at what I told him and said “ Inshala” tomorrow Colonel Pottinger shall have proof of my sincerity and friendship. The conversa- tion then turned on hunting and shooting and after having been with him about an hour [ returned to camp. i April 9th—I find the speech of Ali Moorad Khan was Ba like all the other Sindian ones a regular ‘ Gasconade.’ So far ' from the Syed taking my advice for I spoke to him as well as to his master I find that he came into camp last night at 12 iE o’ clock and wished to have an interview with the Envoy as he had brought some letters, and presents ; he was informed that the hour was not a proper one, and had the mortification to retire without having seen the Envoy. nat : Our business at Khyrpoor is at length concluded. Our ik Khyrpoor friends who made such professions and promises | have acknowledged that Meer Moorad Ali Khan was perfectly ry right in calling them his servants and slaves the only treaty they will enter into is a similar one to that which Meer Moorad Ali gives us.It is difficult indeed, almost impossible to conceive, why this should have been disguised, or what purpose such a line of conduct was adopted to carry-—I think it not improbable that Meer Rustum if left to himself would have willingly entered into any description of treaty, but influenced by Meer Moobaruck Khan he was induced to act as he had done. There can be no doubt that Meer Moobaruck Khan was pursuaded or ordered by the Hyderabad Court to induce his brother to act as he has done: the state of mind, and body, in which Meer Rustum Khan was, rendered him an easy object to alarm and Meer Moobaruck carried his point. ® It would be tedious to enumerate the trouble and anxiety the Envoy underwent from the ignorance and suspicious nature of the people here and also at Hyderabad—the mast common phrase appeared to them to have a concealed object and cir- cumstances of the most trivial nature, excited their suspicions. In fact I can say very little in favour of their dipositions, or character, they are one and all liars and reminded me not a little of my old acquaintances—Les Gascons except that the Sindians possessed none of the acuteness, or good qualities of those people. I was heartily glad to hear that the roth of April was fixed for our departure from Khyrpoor and longed to be far from the territories of Meer Rustum. We left Meer Rustum’s capital at half past 5 a.m. and arrived at Allybang by half past 9 a.m. the road was winding and direction nearly north. We passed through some cultiva- tion but the greater part of the way was through Shikargahs and date jungle. The latter is very abundant in this part of Sind, the distance | conceive to be about 14 miles. Our encampment at Allybang was on the bank of the river from which the Fort of Bukkur was visible in the distance a sketch of the opposite bank accompanied the map. The Wuzzeer, his son Inaet Ally Khan, and several other Sindians amongst whom was my old friend Syed Rasul Bakhsh Shah, accom- panied us to the river, and | must say that | believe the Syed was really sorry to see us go away. ‘The respectable old man had from the first fully appreciated the European character, and | believe was much attached to us. He had been aMate en ek he D Sethe da be Ta ht sincere friend to me from the commencement and before part- i ing we exchanged swords. The sword I gave was a pretty ni Khorasan blade which | had purchased at Hyderabad, but mn) strange to say the one I received in return was a real solingen— | how it found its way into my friend’s hands, | could not dis- ’ £ wn al cover. pa April r2th—We embarked yesterday evening in the boats act] allotted to us—by giving Meer Ah Moorad a brace of pistols a | which he took a fancy to, | obtained from him the use of his LSP Jumptee, or state Barge as far as Hyderabad, which was rather » fortunate circumstance, as we were much better off in it, than ‘n the common boats—the state Barge or Jumptee was 96 feet long and had two cabins with curtains to them, in which Morris bein and myself made ourselves very comfortable. The Jumptee is iil capable of containing 100 men fora voyage of several days | but 150 might cross the river in it—the other boats were of diffe- rent sizes from 20 to 60 kurars burthen ; the kurar being equal to about 3 kundies. There is no want of boats on the Indus, and I have no_ hesitation in saying that 2,000 boats large and small could be collected between Roree and sea—a man of | Hyderabad told me that with three days’ warning he could pro- 4 cure 400 boats By sunset this evening we had reached Chande ka Gote the distance of about 56 miles, the villages we passed are laid pel) down in the map, but the rapidity with which we proceeded barely allowed me time to note them down. The river 1s truly i magnificent, its breadths in some places being 2 or 3 miles, and | scarcely even less than one mile broad —the banks are generally covered with trees, and the numerous boats of the fishermen, or those crossing at ferry render the scene a very pretty one. The depth of the river from the Boatsmen’s account never was less that: three fathoms, the current ran at the rate of about 33 and sometimes in the bends, and turns of the river upwards of “pf 4 miles per hour, so that there was little to do but to keep the ut boat in the stream, and thus we floated down, sometimes going vic sideways, and at others stern foremost. The boats were managed with great ease by a long oar fixed at the stern of the boat, and the way it was used resembled what sailors call231 “sculling.” The whole of the boats on the Indus are flat and those of the largest size when laden draw about 4 feet water. Sunset April 13th, 1832— We left Chande ka Gote about 4 p.m. and have just arrived at Rukan, the distance about 61 miles. Our voyage was similar to that of yesterday—the river and appearance of the country much the same, we took leave of our Mehmandar at Meetanee, where Meer Rustum’s terri- tories end, but had scarcely fixed ourselves for the night, when | heard that my tormentor, Syed Nujif Ally Shah, had arrived, however I did not see him—that being a pleasure reserved for the 14th. April 14th, 1832—About 7 this morning, after leaving Ru- kan a boat came alongside of the Jumptee, and out stepped Nujif Ally Shah, and Lorotuf Ally Khan, both servants of Meer Ali Moorad they were bearers of a letter to me, with a request that [ would deliver some letters which the Syed had, to Colonel Pottinger. Nuyjif Ally was as usual particularly mysterious, and said that the letters for Colonel Pottinger must be delivered se- cretly ; on which I told him that I would have nothing to do with the business, and that if he chose to go openly to the Envoy, he could do so—I at the same time wrote a note to the Colonel who was in another Jumptee, mentioning the arrival of Syed, and his proposal. The Envoy replied that we were now out of Meer Rustum’s territories, and that he would receive no secret or private communications from any of Ali Moorad’s people. The two letter bearers on receipt of this piece of intelligence vented their rage on each other, and much to my satisfaction went off. I was perfectly delighted to see my tormentor, nearly suffocated with rage. The last words of poor Lootut Ally who was a little mean-looking fellow, with a squeaking voice, were expressive of the misery they would endure, in being tracked up the river to Peer Mohomed Rashid Ka Tandah. By 12.0’clock this day we reached Sehwan 50 miles, when Dr. Sinclair, Lieutentant Pottinger, Mr. Scott, Lieutentant. Morris and myself prepared to visit the temple of Lal Shahbaz, and the ruined fort which Lieutenant Burns mentions in his memoir—we procured a small fishing boat and went up the Arul to Sehwan, which was about 3 miles distant from our anchorage. The wey eras Pee a (om . , i ie Be gh 4 i e * Se ‘ oe ne SN Oe I Baer i (eae Pe ag RR NR ee Rdte ie 232 water of the Arul was beautifully clear, and sweet, very unlike the muddy stream of the classic Indus. We landed about ; of a mile from the town and proceeded in the direction of some ruins which we supposed to be the Fort. These ruins are about 1 mile south-east of the town of Sehwan, however when we ar- rived we found that what we had supposed to be the fort built by Alexander the Great, was merely an ancient Edgah. We were all much disappointed, and turned our steps towards the town ; f but before reaching it we fell in with two Sindians who offered to Mi show us the Fort built by the Kaffar (infidel) as they called Mit Alexander the Great, and we readily followed them to the top . of a mount in rear of the town. The mound 1s in shape an | irregular oblong, is about 80 paces high and may be 1,500 feet long, by 800 feet broad. These were the remains of several Towers and walls and the entrance or gateway was in pretty tolerable repair. The interior of the mound had apparently formerly been hollow, but was nearly filled up with rubbish and wherever there were any deep holes the remains of solid masonary were visible. Our conductors told us that when it rained heavily that the earth being washed away, coins and other curiosities such as medals, &c., of ancient times were found about this place, and that Lieutenant Burns had bought I, several; however, we could procure none. From the castle we proceeded through a tolerably long street to the temple of Lal Shahbaz a celebrated saint—the history of whose mura- cles would fill several volumes— the entrance to the temple, was ai through a narrow lane—and we had hoped to have escaped be- mi ing crowded and annoyed, by the preople as we had scarcely seen any one but our two conductors during the walk to the castle. The whole population were however in waiting for us at the temple and when we reached the narrow lane before i i mentioned there was a shouting and roaring created by an ay assemblage of Syeds, fakirs and beggars of all descriptions | which was enough to deafen us all, however we walked straight Hy up to them and entered the tomb, leaving our shoes in the hy court-yard. A Parsee had accompanied us with some money _ as a present to the poor of the place, also to the Peers. It was from ostentation | suppose that he chose to carry the bag which contained the money under his arm—he had scarcely commenced untying the bag to distribute the money when he oe 4 Nhe > ‘ ry (tae . i 4 FM ccs site - y 2430 was set upon by upwards of hundreds of these vultures, and would have been quickly in the state of perfect nudity, had it not been for the interference of William Pottinger who happened to see the transaction, and who with much difficulty extricated him from his perilous situation.—The tomb of Lal Shahbaz does not merit any description. It is similar to the common Peers’ places which may be seen in all parts of India. The town of Sehwan is a dirty place and [ should think that Syeds, fakirs and beggars included—it may contain about 5,000 inhabitants— we reached our boat soon after leaving the temple, and arrived at the Jumptee in time for dinner, quite tired, and somewhat disappointedewith our trip. The right bank of Indus at Sehwan is rocky and the hills which are of considerable height run close down to the waters edge—these hills run out of the range called the Berhoohee mountains which separate Sind from Baluchistan. The country on this bank of the Indus from Sehwan to the sea is much of the same nature as that in the vicinity of Sehwan being sandy and unproductive, and in which there is little or no cultivation except in the immediate vicinity of the river. 15th—Leaving Sehwan we proceeded as far as Halla, or rather reached that part of the river which is opposite Halla, the town itself being 2 or 3 coss distant. We had a strong wind from the south-west which towards evening increased to a gale. The river between Halla and Sehwan is similar to the other parts in breadth and depth the left bank is in all parts of the river level and covered with Shikargahs or cultivation, we passed several large villages all of which are laid down in the map—their size and population being described in the route book. 16th— I left Halla at half past six expecting to reach Hyder- abad by 12 o’clock, but the wind increased to that degree, that it became impossible to make way against it. By 12 o’clock my boat had reached the mouth of the Fulleli and here, as the weather was so unfavourable the boatmen recommended we should remain. I endeavoured to get a boat to take me down to the Fulleli to Hyderabad, but owing to the sand bank which runs across the mouth of the river, but little water had L (Iv) 355—30CNTY FES. dhekes nO Hee ee Me 234 as yet entered into it, and it was not navigable. The descrip- ton of this river as also the other branches of the Indus has We been given in the memoir. It blew a perfect gale of wind during the whole night. On the 17th we reached the landing place opposite Hyder- Ae abad, and got our tents pitched near a garden belonging to a the wives of the late Meer Kurrum Ali. 20th—Took up our old encamping ground near Hyderabad. Sunday, 22nd.—This day we paid our last visit to Meer Moorad Ali Khan, our reception was a kind one and the | Ameer evidently by his manner showed how much confidence he placed in the Envoy. The Shikarpoor reports which had | so much alarmed him, having been proved to be false, contri- a buted in no small degree to his forming his present good opinion ) On the 28th we moved down to the river. | 28th—Left Hyderabad in boats and reached Bunna near AN which the Pinyaree Branch strikes off. Previous to arriving at | Bunna we passed the town of Jirkh, and saw the remains of eh some pacca buildings near the water’s edge, some of them in ma the water, I had no time to land and examine the vicinity of f this place but it struck me as being possible that this may have been one of the points where Alexander erected a town- | About 12 o'clock on the 30th April we reached the land- ing place at Tatta which is about 33 miles by the river from Bunna the right bank of the river from Jirkh nearly to Tatta is \ hilly and stony the hills are not very high but run in close on | the river, in some places and at one part in particular near a Peer’s place there is a small hill on which was a fort erected ‘ it would entirely command the river. In the evening Dr. Sin- ah clair and myself rode to Tatta which is nearly 3 miles from the ; river and due west of it. The place has fallen greatly to decay ih and is no longer the rich city it formerly was—the manufactures Mh of Loongees for which Tatta is celebrated have now almost a ceased to exist, no Loongees are made without an express order an from Government. We saw the house occupied formerly by al Mr. Crowe but it (like most of the buildings in Tatta) was inbad repair—it appeared to be occupied by some Sindian, so we did not enter it. Tatta is altogether a melancholy looking place, affording little or nothing worth seeing and we returned to our boats much disappointed. There are a number of gardens in the vicinity of the place which produce vreat quantities of apples—they are small but havea good flavour. They were sell- ing at 400 for the rupee. I should not conceive the population of I'atta exceeds 7,000 souls-—at the present time a great falling off from what this place was even in the time of Mr. Crowe. May 2nd—We left Tatta nearly this morning and proceed- ed 6 miles when we passed the mouth of the Baghar. The branch of the river we proceeded by from the above, is called the Sitah, and appears to have existed for about 12 years previous to which period the Baghar was the principal branch of the Indus. The Sitah is now as broad andas deep as any other part of the Indus but the Baghar is nearly dried up. By 12 0 clock we reached the small village of Ooplanna where we disembarked. May 6th—We arrived at Muggerbhee or as it is also called Bhee this morning. Our road to it from Ooplanna does not deserve any description, it being over a level country studded with tamarisk and here and there with rice cultivation, a dis- tance of about 20 miles by the road, though much less ina straight line. The whole of this part of the country is flooded during four months of the year. We passed several small villages in the road none of these containing more than 40 or 50 huts. Muggerbhee is a tolerably large place and | should think it may contain about 3,000 inhabitants. The town is situated on the left bank of Goongroo river, which is here about 200 yards broad and said to be two and a half fathoms deep. About 1 mile and a half from Muggerbhee in a southerly direc- tion there is a bund thrown across the Goongroo river; the reason assigned for this bund having been built is, that the river water at Muggerbhee became salt during the flood tides, in consequence of the salt water joining the Goongroo by. the creek now called the Seer Baree. By this creek or Karee ~ a rR % een ee ogee+ — . A Oe cecil Ving age : ple eA soe a . i , eye Aye he. senile Tid LU soods are brought up from the sea (at high tides) to the bund before mentioned ; and are from thence conveyed to the Goong- roo and Penyaree branches to the interior of Sind. This faci- lity of navigation gives Muggerbhee a great advantage over most of the towns of Sind, and when it is considered that most of the commerce 1s saleied on between Cutch and Sind 1s vza Muggerbhee it appears surprizing that the place is so small as itis. The Goongroo river as well as Penyaree, and the exten- sive march balled Manjur, have been described in my memoir on Sind. There were 25 boats at this place the largest were of 25 Karars burthen, and the smallest of 4. The Goongroo like all the rivers in Sind abounds in fish. We were told that at Muggerbhee there were 10,000 fe- male camels and in one drove which we saw there were atleast 1,200. The situation of Muggerbhee is a very peculiar one, and should it ever become necessary to invade Sind, I should strongly recommend its being entered by Muggerbhee. Boats could eanUy sail up the Seer ahtce: to the bund, or at any rate as far as Juttka shir, which is about 15 miles from the bund, here ie troops could disembark and a short march would bring them into a country where supplies, and fresh water are abuneant. It is not ‘to be oe that such a movement would be unresisted by the Sindians, and probably the first step with them would be to remove the supplies of grain into the interior. The grass and water of which there is abundance could not however be thus disposed of and grain for a few days would be procurable from our own bazars. — The advance from Muggerbhee to Hyderabad might! either be performed by land, or water, the latter a ffording an easy and cheep way of transporting heavy baggage. The treaty which has just been concluded with Sind will | think materially affect Muggerbhee, and render it of much greater importance than it now is, the facility of reaching it from the sea by the Seer Baree which is only a voyage of three days at the most, and it can be made in two if the wind | 1S favourable, is a circumstance which must be of much im por- tance to the trader. The voyage from Muggerbhee _ to92° oy Hyderabad can | understand be performed in 5 days, with ease, so that 8 days would be the period required for reaching the capital of Sind by this way; whereas vza Tatta, and the main stream of the Indus the voyage could scarcely be performed under 10 or 12 days perhaps 15} and if I am rightly informed in the navigation of the Wunneyance there is a strong current to contend with ; all this fairly considered leads me to recommend the voyage to Muggerbhee as more ex- penditious, safe and easy than that vza Tatta. May 8th.—A ride of about 11 miles in a south-east direction and alternately through cultivation and jungle brought us to Bhoor, the village which [ have mentioned as being our halting place on the 15th or 16th January we encamped on the edge of a marsh some distance from Bhoor this marsh was formed from three large water-courses about 2 miles off called Cajeera ka Dhund, and which were supplied from Muggerbhee. The country was beginning to feel the effect of the rising of the river, and I was told by the fishermen at Cajeera ka Dhund, that in a course of 15 or 20 days the greater part of the country would be under water, and that they then retired nearly as far inland as Roree. The difficulty of procuring water between Bhoor and Kotri induced the Envoy to make one march of it from Bhoor to Lukhpat, we therefore started on the evening of the toth at 4 p.m. and marching all night reached Lukhput bunde1 on the 11th about 11 a.m. by the route which has been des- cribed in the commencement of this journal, as also in my route book and as the Mission has now reached our own territory, | bring my journal to a conclusion. My memoir contains such information on Sind as I have been able to collect. In the route book and map, the situation, size, resources and popula- tion of the towns and the villages have been laid down and in conclusion I can only hope that ' have fulfilled as far asrit has been in my power the important duties of the situation confer- red on me at the recommendation of the Envoy to whom for his kindness towards me on this as on many former occasions | shall ever feel grateful. (Sd.) EDWARD DEEHOSTE, Lieutenant and Surveyor to the Sind Mission. pecs 3 Be i (a a as ry eg RRA CeeSelections from the Reeords of the Commissioner in Sind. SHURCLTION No: Vi. An account of certain details of administration and development in Sind, relating to the pre-conquest period.241 NO. 124 OF 1836. POLITICAL DEPAI IME IN. ON THE INDUS (BELOW TATTA). Dated roth December 1836. SIR, My letters Nos. 115 and rrg of the 25th and Zoth ultimo to your address will have made the Right Honourable the Governor-General of India in Council acquainted with the suc- cessful termihation of my negotiation in Sind, and as I am now on my return to Kutch, I propose in the present despatch to lay the detail of my proceedings before His Lordship in Council, together with any observations and suggestions, that strike me as likely to be interesting, or to be expected of me. 2. I had an intention at one time of reporting separately on what I shall distinguish by the Commercial and Political subjects of my Mission, but the discussion of those topics became, specially latterly, so interwoven with each other, that I now see it would be impossible, without much repetition, to adhere to that intention, and | think one general report will be more perspicuous, and therefore, | hope more satisfactory to His Lordship in Council. x. On arriving at Vikkur, I found two of the Ameers’ state boats (Jumptees) had been waiting for me there several days, in charge of Mahomed Abid, the Kardar, or Governor and Ex-officio Nawab of Tatta and Hyder Khan Laghari, the Governor of Mugrubeen and Jatee or South-Eastern Districts. The former is the servant of Noor Mahomed Khan, and the latter of Mir Meer Mahomed and from their local jurisdjctions thev are the most influential men in this (the southern part) of Sind. They informed me that I was to be met by other officers at Tatta, and that they had in the meantime been directed to consider my orders and pleasure equally imperative on them, as those of their immediate masters; and further to provide during our progress up the river, all sorts of necessaries for myself and every soul in my suite. This latter part of their instructions, L (tv) 355-3!PS F Se ee a es ™ Pes ae , ; en — - oar i ae wk eee ss * = 242 I tried in vain, to get them to waive or suspend. They declared they would incur the high displeasure of the Ameers by so doing and after holding out against their incessant and pressing entreaties for a day, I was at last obliged to compromise the matter, by giving them a list of about thirty persons, who were regularly provisioned from Commuissariate boats in attendance on the Jumptees. At Tatta— which halting place I reached on the 16th ultimo or fourth day from Vikkur—I was received by Mirza Bakar, Mohomed Yoosif ‘ Khistmatgar’ and Ahmed Khan, Nizamanee, the ‘ Mahmandars’ severally on the part of Meers Noor Moho- med Khan, Meer Mohomed Khan and Nusseer Khan each of whom brought me messages of the most kindly and friendly na- ture, full of the anxiety with which their Highnesses anticipated my approach to the Capital. Before the first interview with these officers, Mirza Bakar (who though originally a slave, is Noor Mohomed Khan’s principal Treasurer, Secretary and bosom friend) sent me a private message by our Native Agent (Moonshi Jethanand who had likewise jomed me at Vikkur) to beg that I would not impart to any one that | had been invited to visit Sind (as reported in my letter No. 75 of the 30th August last) circumstances having since occurred which rendered the Ameer very desirous that that fact should be kept secret for the present. This was the first intimation I had of the con- tinuance of the family differences, which caused me so much trouble afterwards but of course I promised compliance with the request. My ‘Mahmandars’ being as anxious as myself to get to Hyderabad, we proceeded on our voyage on the 17th; and arrived at the landing place three miles from the City, before breakfast on the 21st. Every day during our progress, we had been met by messengers from the Ameers with enquiries, accompanied by presents of fruit, sweetmeats, and as soon as my Jumptee was brought up Mirza Bakar sent for my perusal an autograph note to his address from Noor Mohomed Khan expressing His Highness’ joy at the arrival of his old and faithful friend and intimating his resolution to depute his well beloved brother (cousin) Ahmed Khan Talpoor to escort me to the tents which had been pitched for my accommodation,This nobleman is the son of the Ameer’s maternal uncle, Mahmood Khan Talpoor, who is now in command of the Sindian army on the Frontier and the deputation of a person of his rank to welcome me was, | afterwards ascertained, an unprecedented mark of respect and attention, even towards missions from crowned heads. 6 Ahmed Khan Talpoor accordingly came to my boat about 10 a.m. and after a repetition of all the messages and assurances of gratification which had been delivered by the ‘“Mehmandars’, he proposed to me to mount one of Noor Mohomed Khan’s favourite horses which he had brought for my use and to accompany him to the Ameer’s tents. | however excused myself on the plea of beforehand sending up my servants and baggage, which [I said, | should do in the course of the day and follow them myself the next morning. The Khan begged me to study entirely my own convenience and choice on every point as (he added) Noor Mohomed Khan’s object was to treat me not as a stranger but as a dear and valued friend, whose visit was a source of real pleasure and with whom he wanted to stand on no kind of ceremony. 4. The 21st and 22nd were occupied in moving from the river to my encampment and in receiving an incessant round of complementary messages and congratulations, with a repetition of which I need not trespass on His Lordship in Council as it is sufficient to say they were everything that hospitality and respect could dictate. I sent the Native Agent to Noor Mohomed on the 22nd to ask to be excused from taking provisions any longer and after several messengers had gone backward and forward I succeeded in my object so far as my people went but His Highness and Meer Nuseer Khan insisted on entertaining Doctor Hathorn and myself for three days, each, and for this purpose they sent a regular establishnfent of domestics, cooks, &c., who pitched tents in the rear of my camp and ‘provided us twice a day at our usual meal times with sumptuous repasts, sufficient for thirty people, which were served on plate and glass. 8 Onthe evening of the 22nd Mirza Bakar came to propose to me, mm case I was sufficiently rested after myBs dN is ao hes ‘ bios. eee. iahitinnp laps Pte a ee 244 fatioues, to visit the Ameers the next day. He repeated the wish of Noor Mohomed Khan that I would not divulge to any one that he had invited me to Sind and spoke of His Highness’ extreme anxiety to know the contents of the Governor-General’s letter of which I was the bearer. [| took the occasion to explain to Mirza that I had two distinct communications to make—one regarding the re-opening of the Indus, the other of a purely Political nature—and as there was nothing secret 1n it I further showed him the copy of His Lordship the Governor- General’s letter and authorised him, on his asking leave to do so, to tell his master the purport of it. After he had read the letter he assured me the Ameer would do all in his power to meet my wishes but that there were cogent reasons which I would hear from His Highness’ own mouth and which rendered secrecy and precaution advisabie, for some time at least. This conversation lasted about two hours and afforded me a_ perfect insight into the domestic dissensions of the reigning family, but as the facts I elicited from Mirza Bakir were subsequently officially communicated to me | need not here anticipate them. g. On the morning after, Mirza came back to deliver Noor Mohomed Khan’s best thanks to me for the explanatory message I had sent the preceding evening and likewise to as- certain if I still held to my promise of visiting him that day, which I said I would be most happy to do. At 3 p.m. Mirza returned and was followed in about a quarter of an hour by four or five Belochee Khans to escort Doctor Hathorn and myself to the place. We rode through part of the town (which appears to have extended in every direction since 1831) over the ruined bridge of the fort and up the winding, sloping, lanes (or streets as they call them) which were so crowded with armed men, caparisoned horses, and riding mules, that our guides could hardly force a passage for us At length we reached a court- yard where we dismounted and walked round a square building at the further side of which we entered a low door leading into a still lower passage, not wide enough for two men to pass. Here there was much hustling from intruders trying to force their way in, but men were guarded with studied respect, &c., after a little delay we ascended a flight of narrow stairs to a small but very comfortable room into which after putting off our shoes we were ushered. :245 10. Meers Nur Mohomed Khan, Nusseer Khan and Shahdad (Noor Mohomed Khan’s eldest son) were sitting on a couch and in front of them was a low square stool on which sat Ahmedkhan Talpoor who came to welcome me at the river. The room was nearly filled with well dressed chiefs, to all of whom I was introduced before I took my leave. The three Ameers rose on my entrance, came forward a step or twoand shook hands with me [| was then placed close to Noor Mohomed’s right hand on a velvet cushioned chair which raised me _ higher than their Highnesses. A chair was also brought for Mr. ‘Ha- thorn and Syed Azamuddin Hassan (the Native Agent at the mouth of the river) was desired to take a seat beside Ahmed Khan Talpoor. 11. After we were all arranged, the Ameers expressed their great satisfaction at again seeing me and their hope that | had been well and happy. Noor Mohomed Khan next enquired about my sea voyage to Vikkur, how I had fared on the river and the Governor-General’s health. How long His Lordship had arrived; where Sir Charles Metcalfe was now, &c. He remarked on the advantage of our system of uovernment in whick everything went on with such regularity that the highest officers of the State were changed without its being in any way perceptible. He and Nusseer Khan were also loud in their thanks and praise of Mr. Hathorn’s skill and attention to themselves and their families and Noor Mohomed Khan asserted that he then felt stronger and better than he had done for many years before that gentleman’s visit to Sind, a fact to which his amended appearance bore ample testimony. He next alluded to Mr. Heddle and the neglect of his Vakeels at Bom- bay, but I tried to waive the subject and said it was not becoming in me to discourse on the acts of my superiors, to which he answered. ‘True, very true. I know allan. aam both pleased and thankful for your and the Doctor’s friendship.” 12, His Highness next asked my age and when | told him he smiled and said “ You are just five years older than | am.” I consider myself quite a young man? How can you be thinking of going to Europe which Mirza Bakar tells me you are? You must not leave your friends. Your remaining in India is attended with great advantage to them, &c. I repliedae way ee aoe 1a SR ve sal’ * ie ie z a Bb OR ie 240 that every one naturally wished to visit his home after a long absence He rejoiced ‘True | am selfish and therefore | want ou to stay... | told Mis Highness @iatne, joss of some ships in China Seas, of which | had heard that day and this led to reflections on the dangers of a sailor’s life and to Noor Moho- med Khan’s quoting an Arabic proverb denoting that there was but a thin plank between people at sea and eternity. He enquired, if the vessels were steamers, whether they were equally subject to damage by storms, &c. 13. The whole style of the Durbar is greatly improved since Mooradali Khan’s days. The couch on whichthe Ameers sat was, as well as the pillows at their back, covered with beautiful brocade, and the whole room richly carpetted. Their Highnesses were apparelled in white vests, with a profusion of precious stones and pearls on their dresses, swords and shields which had an imposing effect. 14. When we had sat about an hour and a half, Noor Mohomed Khan politely intimated, according to the ettiquette of Sind, that he hoped I would stay as much longer as [| liked, on which I took my leave but Mr. Hathorn and Syed Azamoodeen, remained behind at the Ameer’s request and. went to visit Mir Meer Mohomed who was so unwell as to be un- able to appear in the Durbar during my sojourn at Hyderabad. He sent me many civil messages by them and late in the evening Mirza Bakar came to invite me to repeat my visit the following day. He told me that Noor Mohomed Khan was overjoyed at the tenor of His Lordship the Governor-General’s letter and that he had been sent to receive any communcations I might wish to make before my second visit. As it was then so late I begged Mirza to come back the next morning and when he did so I found that the Ameer wished me to defer my communications, till he had again seen me himself. 15. At 4 p.m. we went tothe Durbar. There was less crowding and none of indecorous excitement we yesterday wit- nessed. Noor Mohomed Khan and Nusseer Khan received us in a small lower room in the same compound. They were sitting on a beautiful flowered silk cloth spread on the carpet, and held down by large golden weights. When we went in, they24 ——J rose, shook hands and took their seats on a couch as the day before. We had hardly gone through the usual routine of enquiry when Noor Mohomed Khan beckoned to me to move my chair nearer to him and whispered to me that the men sitting opposite (amongst whom I recognized Mohomed Yoosit ‘Khismatgar, and Mohomed Khan Talpoor, my principle ‘Mahmaddar’ in 1831) were spies and that I must say nothing that I did not mean to be made public. The two men | have named are the servants of Meer Meer Mohomed and as Mirza Bakar had apprized me on our road to the Durbar that Noor Mohomed and Nasseer Khan had decided that it was proper to keep ham (Meer Meer Mohomed) in the dark, until the political questions were discussed; I understood the Ameer’s hint which I otherwise should not have done. 16. I therefore introduced the subject of the arrange- ments to be made on the river and after I had briefly explained them from a paper I held in my hand, Noor Mohomed Khan observed that the British Government could ask nothing that was reasonable (q-al» 7.e., wajib) to which that of Sind would not accede and then begged me to draw up a memorandum and send it to him. which I promised to do. His Highness instantly changed the subject by making some frivolous com- plaints of merchants from Sind having been prevented from buying goods (he neither said when or by whom) at Bombay and of persons coming from Jodhpur towards Sind having been lately stopped on the road. The first affair [ said I doubted but that if he would furnish me with the particulars, | would enquire into it, and the second | remarked has probably arisen from the dread of the plague which had broken out in Marwar ; on hearing which the Ameer told me it was quite proper. He soon after adverted to the intimation I had sent him last year by Captain Burns about blockading his posts if he did not restore the property plundered from a vessel that had been stranded near the sea mouth of the river, and observed it was unnecessary amongst friends. I reminded His Highness that I had on that very occasion taken on myself to assure my own Government that any such demonstration of our power would not be required. To this he rejoined (¢ You qi right. +.) eens sider you the Agent of both the Governments, and I told Captain Burns at the time you were my best friend. It 1s your = x rh igs . Cee ih oe: —spe } 3 2. . business to smooth away all difficulties and you have ever done so.’’ 17. The conversation then became general and my hav- ing sent His Highness some ‘ pumbnoses i grown in my garden at “Bhooj led to a long dissertation upon fruits which introduced those of Persia and ultimately the politics of that Kingdom and the intention of the Shah to invade Afghanistan, of w which the Ameers had had recent intelligence from their Agent at Herat. His Highness told me he meditated going on a pilgrimage to Mecca and asked me how long would it take him to perform the voyage to Juddah in a steamship and whether | thought the Governor-General would kindly lend him one for his con- veyance. I said I had no doubt but His Lordship would oblige him and he declared he would write to me when he was ready to start, that he would embark at Karachi. His High- ness spoke of this same plan at two subsequent meetings but I nevertheless suspect he has no real intention of carrying “it into effect. Before we came away he told me he would send for Doctor Hathorn the next day and asked me to allow Syed Azam Deen to come with him to interpret. He repeated his applause of and thanks for, the former gentleman’s skill which had quite restored his health, talked of the Syed’s perfect knowledge of English and other acquirements, extolled the excellent conduct of the Hyderabad Native Agent, Moonshi Jethanand ; asked who was my Persian Moonshi and said he had often noticed the style of my correspondence with him which was much more clear and energetic than any of his Moonshis could compose. At last he observed it was sunset and near my dinner hour which hint I took to return to my camp. 18. After breakfast on the 25th I had a note written to Mirza Bakar to say my commercial memorandum was ready and to know when the Ameer would receive it. His reply was ‘immediately’ on which the two Native Agents and my Moonshi were despatched with it and returned about 4 p.m, to say that Noor Mohomed Khan had agreed tovall the proposais. He had told the Moonshees that the “people of Sind were so ignorant they would not understand what a fair meant under any term, that our cutting down the jungle on the banks of the Indus would be a waste of money, time, as the river was249 constantly changing its course and that as long as Syed Azamood Deen was stationed at the mouths of the river there could be no occasion for a European gentleman. He also asked who was to bear the expense of these measures, to which the Moonshees replied of course the British Government. Enclosure A is a transcript of the memorandum on which I shall presently offer some remarks. 19. Mirza Bakar came in the evening and brought me a little note from Noor Mohomed Khan begging me to confine my most inmost thoughts to the bearer. Mirza stayed two hours, and we went over the whole of the past and present politics and prospects of Sind in great detail. I told him my candid sentiments of the weakness of the existing Government, of the notorious divisions and dissensions amongst the members of the ruling family, of the advantage to all parties of eagerly closing with the offer the Governor-General had authorised me to make to them and of the little occasion I saw for any secrecy between the two Ameers. I repeatedly asked Mirza how their Highnesses stood towards each other. He said that Noor Mohomed Khan and his brother Nusseer Khan were of course of one mind and that they had every reason to believe that Mir Meer Mohomed Khan was with them but that Muir Sobdar would listen to no one, that he was a man of no personal talent and was led away by bad advisers, that he had a con- siderable party of low people in his favour because he gives out that he is opposed to our coming to take the bread out of the mouths of the Sindians, that he enacts the part of an agitator and flatters the chiefs and Belochees by telling them that they are quite capable of defending Sind without foreign aid and that our eventual objects are sinister. This procedure the Mirza said rendered him popular with the turbulent soldiery and others, who desire to keep the country unsettled, by which and the consequent frequent occurrence of disputes amongst the Ameers they continue to please their masters. Mirza admitted the full truth of what I had stated as my opinion regarding the weak- ness of the Government of Noor Mohomed Khan and likewise concurred with me as to the inadvisability or worse of disguise ; vet when I afterwards went on to talk of my next interview with the Ameers and the open style | would adopt he said that must LE, UY) 355-3ie »& te. ath i , yee: coc Gr Mes — ity ia ae | 24s ‘aes: £6 ; depend on those who were present, for that if even Mir Meer Mohomed Khan’s adherents were at the Durbar it would be dangerous to disclose the negotiation. 20. I was prepared fora good deal of the disclosures made by Mirza Bakar for I had heared in the course of the forenoon, that Meer Sobdar had quitted Hyderabad the prece- ding day on a hunting excursion, that the other Ameers had expostulated with him on the impropriety of his leaving the capi- tal when I was there, that his answer was that he had not sent for me, that he knew nothing about me or my objects, that he did not wish to have any connection with the English and that those who liked might receive me and be civil to ‘me. One of my informants was a native of Hindoostan who had been for- merly a servant of Syed Azamooddin but is now a golandaz in the employ of Noor Mohomed Khan and he told the Syed that it was universally belived that Meer Sobdar’s sole purpose in going out was to foment dissatisfaction amongst the heads of tribes, whatever his natives might have been he did not, from some unexplained cause, persevere in it as he returned early the next day to the city. 21. On the 26th Mirza Bakar arrived at the tents very early to make the usual daily enquiries after me and to tell me that he and Mirza Khusroo (another Geogrian, high in the confidence of Noor Mohomed Khan, and his brother) were to come immediately after my breakfast under pretence of discussing my commercial memorandum, but in reality to (discuss ) political matters. They did not however make their appearance till after dusk and I summoned the two Native Agents to hear the conference. After we had gone over the River-affair, which I could perceive at the moment was a mere form, Mirza Khusroo said they had certain communications for my own exclusive ear and asked me to retire to another tent. ‘I however sent the two Agents away and for what sub- sequently passed I beg to refer His Lordship in Council to Enclosure B. : 22. 1 excused myself from going into Durbar on the 27th on account of its being Sunday and shortly after the Native Agent, Moonshi Jethanand, was sent to Mirza Bakar’s house where he found the Mirza, Mirza Khusroo, the Durbar Moonshi251 and others concocting the draft of a new Treaty in Noor Mohomed khan’s name, on the contents of my commercial memorandum As soon as I heard of this I sent to stop them and intimated that all that was requisite was an interchange of memoranda between the Ameer and myself. The following morning the Mirza and Durbar-Moonshee brought the memo- randum with the replies to my proposals annexed to them and everything was finally settled, except the one article about clearing away the Jungle, upon which another reference to the Almeers was deemed requisite as connected with their High- ness’s shikargahs or hunting preserves. 23. On monday the 28th Meer Noor Mohomedkhan had a headache, which prevented his holding a Durbar, | therefore devoted this day to receiving visits from a variety of persons whom I had not before had time to see. Amongst them were Mohomed Tahir, Agha Reheem Sheerazee’s Agent from Bom- bay and a merchant from Ludhiana of the name of Uskur Al, who is on his way to India to lay in an investment. He made a representation to me about having been charged double duties on some merchandise he had sold last season at Vikkur. One duty for that place and one for Shahbunder. I found he had not paid the cash and I promised to apply to the Ameer on the subject. This man told me that goods from India would give a large profit, that the toll fell exceedingly light on such articles, that he had lost by his first speculations from not knowing the market but that Iron, steel Hardware of all sorts &c., would find a ready and advantageous sale, both in Sind and to the Northward. 24. After him came a large body of well dressed and respectable looking Hindoos from Shikarpur, who complained sadly of the oppression they suffered. ‘They said that the once flourishing trade between Sind and Khurasan was utterly fuined, that immence quantities of merchandize formerly passed through Shikarpur, both to the Eastward and Westward but that it was all now stopped, that in fact Shikarpur was almost just now deserted from dread of the Sikhs, who had been at one time within less than 30 ‘ kohs’ of the place, that the whole world anxiously looked to us to interpose and thereby restore the prosperity not only of Shikarpur but of all the countries oP FT ine ey iy ee ets me. Hy ¢bordering on our dominions, that the promises and assurances of Runjeetsing, the Ameers of Sind, the chiefs of Cabul, Kand- har and Peshawar, and of the Wallee of Herat, were all of a piece, equally false and faithless, that no trader could venture to depend on them, that they had always an excuse and pretence ready for exactions and that when complainants contrived now and then to lay their cases before them, though they sometimes gave ostensible orders to their officers and Farmers (of Re- venue) it was a perfectly understood thing and some times even mserted in the terms of the Farm, that they were not to be attended to. I told these men with whom I| chatted for upwards of an hour, of Captain Burns’ Mission and of the general views of the British Government with which they were highly gratified and went away declaring that in a few years, commerce would be restored under our auspices to its old standard. 25. In the afternoon I prepared the secret memorandum, Enclosure C, sent word to Noor Mohomed Khan by Murza Bakar that I should forward it to him by Syed Azum-oo-Din the next morning, which | accordingly did. I directed the Syed to speak to His Highness abont my early departure and to express my trust that no presents would be offered to me as | had heard a rumour, that some were being prepared. I also sent my compass and a rough sketch of the mouth of the Hujjamree branch of the River which I had prepared to explain fully to the Ameers the intention and use of Buoys and land- marks which I had been told they did not yet comprehend. The Syed got to the Durbar before the Ameers appeared, and had a long chat with Mir Ismailshah who had once nearly unlimited power in the court of Sind and was the sole adviser of the Rulers as to their foreign relations. He is now disgusted at the merited insignificance into which he has sunk and makes himself rediculous by his gasconade. He expressed to Syed before all the chiefs, who were waiting to pay their respects to the Ameers, his surprise that after having made a defensive and offensive alliance with Sind we did not act up to our stipulations and protect it from the aggressions of Runjeetsing. He asked if I had obtained my ends and said he had started no objections to them in consideration of his long standing and personal friendship for me, though I had not borne it in an equal degree in mind and had neglected to depute a personOE 9 from Cutch to condole with him on the death of his son who was killed in a skirmish with Shah Shuja-ool-Moolk’s troops, near Shikarpur. 26. As soon as Noor Mohomed Khan had taken his seat in the Durbar he called the Syed to him and said ina whisper. ‘These Belochees prevent my talking to you on secret affairs. I will send Mirza Bakar to do so w oa Colonel Pottenger. Tell the Colonel to give the memorandum you have brought to Mirza and | will read it at my leisure.” He also said ina louder voice he would givc me my leave on Saturday, that he regretted my departure, but fully appreciated the friendship that had brought me to Sind. That I must visit him daily till [ went, and that it would be a disgrace to him if | did not take his presents. When the Sy ed came back, I des patched Moonshee Jeth 1anand to the Ameer with a memo au on the following points :— (1) The levying of double duties at Viccur in the name of that plac e and Shah Bunder, which | requested might be stopped. (2) That the Rana of Parkar had represented to me that some of the relations of the Ex-Rana (who had been lately released from confinement at Bhooj and receives an allowance of a rupee a day trom the British Government) were intrigu- ing against him and unsettling the minds of the people from the dread of a change’ in the chiefship. (3) That I had heard that there was a duty levied on goods sold at Shikarpur by our merchants, in fhe name of a ruined town cn the banks, of lie Indus and that this exaction was unjust and must be prohibited. 27. To these matters Noor Mohomed Khan gave replies of the most satisfactory kind. He said the exactions both at Viecur aod Shikarpur should be stopped, that many such things were done by the tarmers and officers of Governmenttre a 254 without his knowing of, or benifitting a farthing by them; that the rule in Sind was for each Ameer to do as he liked in his own share of the country but that as Viccur belonged to Nusseerkhan and Shikarpur to himself he had no difficulty in meeting my wishes in the present instances. With regard to Parker he was so pleased with the tranquility in that direction that he would be implicitly guided by my suggestions as to the management of that District. 28. At 3 0’clock we went to the Durbar and were re- ceived in the usual kind manner. When seated Nur Mohomed Khan asked me in a low voice if | had had any «conversation that day with Mirza Kadir. I answered ‘“ None”’ but that I had delivered the secret memorandum to him. He went on to say “I have told him my views. He will come to you. He has told me all your opmions. [agree with you. You are more than a friend. [ am greatly obliged. You must arrange everything. His Highness then assumed his common tone and expressed his regret, that he could not go on a hunting excursion with me but that owing to Mir Meer Mohomed’s illness he was unable to quit Hyderabad. He spoke of my wish to decline taking presents, said, that the Syed had told him they would be sold that that did not signify, it was his custom to give, and mine to sell, that he had not every day such a friend as me to “honour him”’ and that he would only offer me one or two tokens of regard such as would be worthy of me. A great deal of chitchat followed and atlast His Highness proposod to go and visit Mir Meer Mohomed. We walked through the streets which were crowded with people. Noor Mohomed led the way and Nusseerkhan held me by the hand and always put me first where the path was from any cause too narrow for us to proceed abreast, Mir Meer Moho- med really seemed extremely glad to see me. Though suffer- ing very much and looking exceedingly ill he came forward of his couch, before I could prevent him and warmly shook hands with me. I expressed the unfeigned regret I felt at his indis- position, advised him to follow Mr. Hathorn’s advice and that | doubted not he would soon be well. After sitting with him nearly an hour I came away leaving Noor Mohomed Khan and Nusseerkhan there,255 29. Mirza Bakar rode home with us and went to Syed Azamoodin’s Tent whence he sent me word, whilst I was at dinner, that.he wished to speak to me on two important topics. I called him and the Syed and he said he had read my secret memorandum which was precisely to the purport of what had passed at my conference with him and Mirza Khusroo. That he had been closetted with the two Ameers for several hours the night before and had detailed to them word for word my opinions and sentiments, that he had been desired to refer two points for my advice. The one, that Noor Mohomed Khan’s intention had been, as soon as I left the capital, to call out the whole of the*army of Sind; which included every man between the ages of sixty and fifteen, that His Highness would have to go himself as the Head of the State and would be accom- panied by one of the other Ameers, whilst two would remain at Hyderabad. That when Noor Mohomed Khan _ himself moved the whole population “en masse’? would be bound to join him, that the expense and trouble would be very great but that those questions must not be considered on so great an emer- gency, &c. The other point was the possibility of Meer Sob- dar’s refusing to allow even the commercial agreement to be carried into effect. What was to be done in that case? 30. Touching the first matter, I advised that Noor Mohomed Khan should wait atleast twenty days before he issued any orders for calling out the troops. That in that time the effect of Captain Wade’s negotiations with Maha- rajah Ranjeetsing would probably develope themselves and that if they were successful a vast deal of commotion and injury to the Province would be obviated. With regard to Meer Sobdar. I expressed my belief that he dared not oppose any arrangements made between the two Governments. That His Lordship the Governor-General of India had throughout and more specially in his instructions to me shown his great consideration for all the Ameers individually, but that if the British Government, however desirous of effecting its objects by friendly means, had at one time made up its mind to do so by force in case of opposition, it was not likely it would allow one of the inferior sharers in the country to counteract its enlightened designs. Mirza Bakar most — a ——— Ne ah er a4 is OA a ee = on eee ee Se in “ Kray a ee ee 1 4 ba ee i ead LIS @ 33S le OX oy eee SF IRS aaa | i eae ‘aap a 4 . ais oy VO FY ee a ee an ae Satie ph: te Sag a 3 er ec - meee ea Rao veWee . wa 3 hewmen WF ie te m ont Cie om Baik! , ae — eee a in pie ee / le eel : unqualifiedly acquiesced in my remarks on both points. He said Noor Mohomed Khan would be implicitly guided by my advice as to his own movements. That Meer Sobdar was an idiot, subject to fits, and led by violent and interested men who excited themselves by eating opium and Bhang and then bragged of their promise and deeds that it was therefore hard to say what excess they might think of in this state of frenzy and that it was, at all events, Noor Mohomed Khan’s duty to make me aware of his apprehensions. I then suggested that | should write a friendly letter to Meer Sobdar placing the matter clearly before him and pointing out in friendly though decided language the inevitable evil consequences to his interests that must spring from his opposing arrangements which clashed in no degree with his authority or revenue. | concluded by saying that some such step as this would be necessary before we could interfere. Mirza approved of the idea and recom- mends me to propose it to Noor Mohomed Khan by a message through Syed Azamoodin promised to do so the next day and Mirza left me about 8 o'clock at night. 31. He returned on the morning of the goth a httle after sunrise to say that he and Mirza Khusroo had, the night before, fully explained my secret memorandum to Noor Mohomed Khan and Nusseerkhan. That their highnesses were delighted with the care I had taken on the subject and unreservedly agreed to every syllable and finally, that they wished to see the Syed as soon as possible at Meer Shahdad’s house were they would be free from all risk of interruption. | accordingly despatched the Syed, in company with the Mirza and told him to ascertain if he had a good opportunity, whether the Ameers would like two of my tents which I had been informed they had admired from the walls of the forts. The Syed came back about: noon, having had a most gratifymg interview. The Ameers (Noor Mohomed and Nusseerkhan) repeated their deep sense of my friendship and pains and their entire acquiesence in everything. The only alteration they suggested was that if they are obliged to pay for their troops they are not to cede the fourth share of Shikarpur, but otherwise they are ready to do so tomorrow. Their Highnesses appeared to have speedily plucked up courage, for they told the Syed, that Meer257 Sobdar was not worth the trouble J Pen to take about him and that he and his party would be struck dumb when they saw the upshot of our inte rposition in favour of Sind, and would pray to be forgiven. On minor matters their Highness said, they had ordered two Jumptees, that Mirza Bakar would escort me to Tatta and show me some hawking and other sport, at one of Noor Mohomed'’s Shikargahs 1 in the way, that they would be thankful for the tents, if | could Spare them without incon- venience, that they hoped I would sanction the Syed’s coming occassionally up to Hyderabad to visit them, that they had made the same arrangements as before with regard to supplies on my way down the river, and would not hear of any objections to it. What was it amongst friends ? 32. | apologized to the Ameers for not visiting them today, the 30th November, as I was anxious to get my letter off to your and Captain Wade's address to announce the close of my political discussion. In the evening Mirza Bakar brought the commercial agreement with the seals of three of the Ameers affixed to it. I underst ‘and it was sent to Meer Sobdar, who refused evento readit. I took the opportunity to sound the Mirza as to what sort of presents would be most acceptable to the Ameers and told him of the almost utter impossibility of getting anything new at Bombay. He said their Highnesses preferred Gun Locks and watches to all Sera qannemines but that whatever might be selected would be prized, as a token of the Governor-General’s friendship. 33. On the tst instant I had a visit from Syed Al, who is Agent to Ali Mohomed Khan Shoostry of Bombay, and 1S about to set a factory at Hyderabad. He was much gratified to hear of the arrangements I had made for facilitating the trade, and expressed his opinion that nothing short of our continued and decided interference will ever revive the commerce with Afghanistan. The establishment of fairs appeared to him an excellent idea, and he did not doubt (he said) but they would under our countenance succeed in time. Before he left me he begged me to recommend him to the Ameer’s protection and to mention the respectability of his connection at Bombay, ' of which, I afterwards learnt some enemy had insinuated a doubt. L UY) 35533 7 aPC OO i? cs; ae 4 4 Ow A. pee bs e — oa Sits Bch aaa @ Lc ee em RE nee Ree 2 Pe Pe tee an nat ae 5 = Pe eg th ecg, aye’ ‘ ». wl mt Hat 7 ey 2 cat Mats. 34. I afterwards saw the Ex-Rana of Parkar who resides (with my concurrence) with his relations about ten miles from Hyderabad, and receives his stipend from our Native Agent. He was loud and unfeigned in his thanks and praises, said that he and every one of his family were our devoted slaves; that he had told Noor Mohomed Khan how kindly he had been treated during his confinement at Bhooj and the liberal arrange- ment made by me on his release; that His Highness was very much pleased and surprized and had told him the English Government was a very great one and deserved to be so, for its acts. 0 as. I went to the Durbar at 3 o'clock and did not get back to my tents till dusk—Noor Mohomed Khan and Meer Shahdad were only present when we went in. but Nusseer Khan joined them after we had been there about half an hour. Our conversation was of the most desultory description and embraced a vast range of subjects, for their Highnesses asked questions which led from one topic to another. I showed them Mr. Fassin’s map of India and Central Asia, and pointed out the positions of Mecca, Kerbella, &c. | also gave them some very beautifully finished razors and pen-knives made from the iron-work taken off the piles of the old London Bridge and showed them a piece of Indian Rubber cloth as well a bit of the original ‘ gussi.’ The idea of iron having been worked u to such perfection, after it had been five centuries and a half under the water, seemed to them hardly credible, but they were even more astonished at the Indian Rubber cloth and honestly confessed that they would not have believed 1t possible had they not seen it. They were amused like children, called the different Brohee Chiefs up to stretch the cloth and vowed we were a wonderful people. They eagerly asked me when I made use of the word signifying chemistry; if it was possib'e to transmute any of the base metals into gold and exulted very much when I said nothing of the kind. I found this was a favourite pursuit of several of their relations, they were glad to eet my testimony in favour of their own opinions that it was not to be done. Noor Mohomed Khan said “ you are perfectly right when you call your country-mens’ Science chemistry. It is the real art your medical men for instance prescribe to aa) patient an atom of medicine which has more effect and does more good than a pound or quart of what our Doctors stuff down our throats and which is as likely to poison as cure. That one fact shows your skill and yet our fools talk of making gold and whenever they fail they allege as an excuse that they forgot one little ingredient which they will introduce in the next experiment. 36. Moonshi Jethanand had asked my permission on the 2nd instant to visit Meer Ismailshah who had specially requested him to go to his house. The Moonshi came to me early on the 3rd instant and reported that he had been there the night before, that Ismail Shah had repeated the complaints he had made to the Syed as to my want of friendship in not condoling with him on his son’s death and which was further evinced by my not having, since my arrival, invited him to visit me; he further said he had openly expressed his disappro- bation to Meer Sobdar at his not putting his seal to the Com- mercial agreement which had been submitted to him for that purpose, that Meer Sobdar now regretted his own refusal, that he wished to open a communication with the British Govern- ment through me and wanted my previous permission to send a Vakeel to me at Bhooj. I went over our views in detail with the Moonshi and said that I could neither hold any sort of underhand intercourse with Meer Sobdar nor recognize his Vakeel, unless he came with the full knowledge and concur- rence of Noor Mohomed Khan who was the acknowledged head of the Government and the proper channel of all foreign com- munication; that I was the Manager in Sind and could make no sort of advances; but that if Meer Sobdar would obtain His Highness Noor Mohomed Khan’s consent and depute a person to me at any time (whether before I left Hyderabad, or atter- wards) I would be happy to receive him. With respect to Ismail Shah’s complaints I observed that they were of no value, that I strongly suspected his object was to excite Jealousy, that it was not my part to send to invite him (as he seemed to expect) to come and see me, but that had he done so I should of- course have treated him with due civility and attention. 37. During the morning | sent the copy of the Commer- cial agreement in English and Persian under my seal and signature to Noor Mohomed Khan. His Highness received‘* 2k Wet # ‘ ‘* MD si : Sth 200 't in full Durbar, read it over himself and then gave it for peru- sal to Meer Ismail Shah who handed it to another person and so it was passed all round the circle. 38. I went at the usual hour to the Durbar. The Ameers were most kind and friendly in their manner. All the people present, except the two Mirza and the Syed, were sent out into an anticchamber when Noor Mohamed Khan told me he had agreed to all | had proposed and would religiously abide by his stipulations, that should it be found necessary to send our Army to Sind he would pay whatever portion of the expense the Governor-General chose to name, that a British Officer, though not explicitly sanctioned by the commercial agreement, might come and go when we liked and do as we liked, that Shikarpur offered (in his opinion) vast commercial advantages over either Tatta or Hyderabad for an Agent, that the Governor-General must send a Regiment or two, that he and Roostum Khan of Khyrpoor could and would do all we wish- ed there relative to Duties and Customs, that Kharaksing had told an Agent (Akhund Bachal) whom Meer Mohomed had sent to expostulate with him, that he would withdraw the Sikh troops from Rojan on the Hyderabad Government be- coming responsible for the future conduct of the population of that district, that he hoped he would do so. If not our intimation would no doubt induce him but nothing must make any change in the agreement | had now made with him (Noor Mohamed). That if ever he wanted our advice or assistance, regarding his other neighbours, he would consult with me and take no step as to external policy without the Governor- General’s concurrence. That all the world should see how he appreciated his friendship, that I must be his Vakeel with the Governor-General as I was His Lordship’s with him, that | must write to him at all times without ceremony on every matter and that he would pay instant attention to my letters ; that he would do the same to me; that the moment | gave him permission to do so he would withdraw his Vakeels from Lahore, that he felt assured our interposition and power would soon tranquilize the countries to the northward, that it would be an act of grace, that would redown to the fame of the Governor-General and bring blessing on His Lordship’s ad- ministration. After Noor Mohomed Khan had done speakingaU} Nusseer Khan expressed the same sentiments, said he was equally g gratified as his brother with my visit to them and the close connection to which it had led. that he had always wished that to be the case through me, that I must not think of going to Europe till everything was finally and firmly arranged, &c. 39. lhe people were then called in and the conversation as usual became general. We talked of the British Empire and its Revenue, the power of the King, the Lords and Commons, the manner of raising taxes, granting supplies and making laws, the origin and nature of the East India Company, the Court of» Directors, how elected, &c., &c., all of which they said were admirable arrangements. Noor Mohomed Khan introduced the subject of Parkar, and I told him | had given assurances to the ae that so long as he preserved peace and conducted his country properly he would be supported. His Highness said I had done quite right. He then told me | must not pay my cassids who brought letters to him as it was friendly to leave it to him to do so. He said he wanted to prepare some presents for the Governor-General but did not know what would be best. 1 told him to wait, but he pressed me very much and [| mentioned a sword, and any articles of the manufacture or workmanship of Sind. 40. When it grew late and I proposed to take leave, Noor Mohomed han said it must be so, that it went to his heart to part with me. He had never met with any one who had made him so happy. He wished he could keep me altogether at Hyderabad, he would send for me to meet, him at one ‘Of his hunting seats. He hoped yet often to see me in Sind. I was now his brother and as dear to him as Nusseer Khan or his own children, &c. On my nsing to come away, he said I must acc ompany yous few steps and walked:to the outer door. Where he, Nusseer Khan and Meer Shahdad cordially shook hands with Doctor Hathorn and myself and commanded us to the divine protection. The next morning Mirza Bakar came and repeated all the Ameers had said the evening before. He told me that there was nothing | could ask that the Ameers would not do, that they trusted to me to write very often and to be lieve that it was not mere expression a eeii haa eae r ve % ‘ a when they declared the gratification my letters would give them. Mirza said he leo be back in the afternoon with the tokens of regard and accordingly about'4 o'clock he appeared with two horses with saddles oe bridles complete mounted with gold, two rifle guns mounted with gold and enamel with locks, ec swords with belts mounted in gold and enamel which he presented to me in the name of three Oe the elder Ameers and Meer Shahdad. 41. 1 gave presents in cash to the persons who brought the above oifts as likewise to the Durban, Furashes, Gbbles, Durwans, and other servants who had done extra trouble on my account. The tents with the exception of the two I had offered to the Ameers, were all struck in the course of the day and sent with the baggage to the River and on the morning of the 5th instant | rode down and embarked on board the Jumptee. I received a number of messages and presents of fruit during the day. Amongst the messengers was one from Meer Nusseer Khan to ask me if | remembered his promise the day I arrived at Hyderabad and to know whether he had fulfilled it. This alluded to His Highness having, before he could have possibly known anything of his instructions, sent me word that so far as it rested with him, whatever I required should be done and of course [ expressed my perfect recollec- tion of the kind assurance | had received. 2. Mirza Bakar and the two other Mehmandars (Diwan Johurmal onbe half of Nusseer Khan and Dost a “Khiz- mutgar’ on the part of Meer Meer Mohomed) joined the boats in ae evening of the 5th and we cast off at daylight on the 6th. At 4 p.m. that day we brought up at Noor Mohomed Khan’s hunting seat, about 45 miles “below Hyderabad, where I remained the next day and reached the landing place near Tatta before breakfast on the 8th. I there found ‘the Governor ready to receive me. [ halted that and the following day and went to see the City and the (splendid) remains of mosques, tombs, &c., in the neighbourhood. On the evening of the oth I gave Mirza Bakar his leave and made him a present of some silver spoons and a pair of handle sticks and shades, which he had admired. Hes beyond all comparison, the most intelligent and influential man in Sind, and took the greatest interest in the202 success of my negotiations, from the conviction which he ap- peared to feel that they were eminently calculated to support and strengthen the authority of Noor Mohomed Khan to whom he is wholly devoted. Enclosure D is a copy of short memo- randum which I drew up at Tatta and entrusted to Mirza Bakar for delivery to His Highness. 43. I have thus finished the narative of my proceedings up to this date. [ shall report further in a future despatch and I now proceed to respectfully offer to His Lordship in Council the few remarks that remain to be made on the enclosures A and C referred to in the 18th and 25th paragraphs. a 44. The former is so full and distinct that [ trust it will be considered to combine every desirable pot. | subsequently ascertained that the fees referred to in the 3rd clause are included in the River Toll and I instructed the Native Agent accordingly. I could not discover that there had been In any single case the slightest exaction beyond, or deviation from, the terms of the Toll Treaty, but I nevertheless deemed it advisable to insert the 4th clause. I consider the provisions of the sth clause to be perhaps the most important of the whole document. Traders will now be lable to choose their own convenience and season for despatching their goods and by retaining them till the southerly gales have set in, they will have them conveyed to the Entrepot at Shikarpur or Mithankote, at less than a tithe. Of the trouble and expense they would cost at other periods, boats then frequently go from 30 to 50 miles a day against the stream and even the increase of the River at that time facilitates their advance by enabling them to run over what are dry banks in its lowest state. 4s. I feel (nearly) certain from the enquiries | made and information | gained after the commertial agreement was drawn up, that a fair may be established almost immediately at Shikarpur. The merchants of that place with whom I conversed perfectly comprehended the place and its object and could I at the* time have foreseen the result of my political negotiations I should not have hesitated to name Shikarpur instead of Tatta. ‘There will however be no difficulty in making the alteration. Fut CiePcie iat Ser ] cau “thas 46. Of the great advantage of the measure pointed out in the oth article, my personal ‘observation has fully on all my trips to Sind satisfied me, but should steam vessels be Oe on the River or even with the warehousing system much of the necessity for removing the jungal will be done away. It was however as well to secure the permission and the Ameers have only required that their preserves (Shikargahs) shall not be molested. ‘This is so reasonable a request that I instantly acceded to it. In fact when I recollected that perhaps the only perfectly happy portions of their Highnesses’ lives are passed in their sporting excursions, in which they seem to be for the time relieved from all the cares and annoyances of the capital, I felt | had not only no right to ask them to make a sacrifice of the kind but that it would have been w rong to do so and besides this undeniable argument I do not consider that the preserves would materially (if at all) prevent tracking, were the trees that fall into and now remain in the water along the banks at those parts of the river removed and for doing which permission has been granted to us, although the people of the country are prohibited at their peril from touching them even for firewood. Indeed the ‘ Shikargahs’ are watched and prized with all the care and anxiety that were ever bestowed on Royal Forests in any part of Europe and which we still see shown to game preserves in our own enlightened country.. We must therefore bear all these facts in mind, before we can properly appreciate the Ameers disposition to meet our wishes on this hitherto ill-understood and apparently trifling point. 47. I purposely omitted to bring forward the questions of a reduction of the toll, and a portage by land. On the former I wish to make some further enquiries and to obtain the advice of well informed and practical men, before I submit my opinion for His Lordship in Council’s decision. With regard to the portage, I feel assured the Ameers would consent to it, but I doubt its practicability from the constant occurrence of small muddy creeks and artificial canals, which run in from ‘the edges of the river and across which merchandise: could not be transported without boats and much labour. | look on it also that the warehousing clause of the commercial agreement completely sets the portage on one side and | further felt thata hac? it would not only have seemed to the Ameers unaccountable, but absurd for me to have started doubts on a subject, on which no man in Sind entertains the least. I mean the practicability of navigating the river at all times. It is never denied that it is attended with much dithculty, at this season, and yet without any particular exertion, and some of the boats with their com- mon crew, we went up at the average of 14 miles per day, whilst in the proper months, a rate equal to two and a half or even three times that may be reckoned on, and as for depth of water I believe it will always be found to be ample for vessels drawing between three and five feet, even in the dryest portions of the year. 1 have myself had no experience, however small, in inland navigation, beyond the three trips which | have made up and down this River but Syed Azamoodin who has travelled much by water on the Ganges and Jumna, and who might be supposed to be biassed in favour of his home, assures me that the facilities on the Indus far surpass those of the Bengal-River, that the boat people work harder in Sind and that on his estimation, there is no sort of danger in a good strong boat, in which latter point I most fully coincide, nor could I hear of any accidents. 48. The secret or political memorandum leaves every- thing to the judgment and pleasure of His Lordship in Council. It will be seen that the two Mirzas in their conference with me (enclosure B) and also Noor Mohomed Khan in my last interview (para. 38) urged that our Agent should be fixed on an imposing footing and dwelt on the peculiar advantage of Shikarpur as a commercial Entrepot, which latter opinion was corroborated by all the enquiries I made. In a political point of view I esteem it to be equally, if not more, important. It is unquestionably the key to Sind, and the establishment of an Agency (there) will not only inspire confidence amongst the traders and open an extensive field for speculation, but will enable us to watch and awe the Meezarees and other trouble- some tribes, to indirectly support and guide the imbecile Government of Khyrpvor and to gradually introduce the germ and maxims of good order and a fostering rule, which cannot fail in due time to extend their influence to all classes and imperceptibly to ameloriate the degraded condition of the L G¥) 355-"34ak ae people at large, in conjunction with the certainty of our objects being attained. 49. The chief precaution to be observed by our Agent will be, I conceive, not to attempt to force our principles forward too rapidly, which would certainly lead to misunder- standings, complaints and possibly collision. The notions of the most enlightened (if | may apply the term) Sindees are on most matters, and specially as regards commerce, at utter variance with our customs and even reason. When the first boats from Ludhiana arrived at Shikarpur the merchants of that city were obliged to apportion the goods*they brought amongst themselves and pay for them at a rate fixed by the Civil Officers. This was done by the express orders of Ameers to prove to us their wish to encourage our speculators, but it had the evil effect of disgusting theirs. When I was at Hyderabad the other day, some Afghan merchants arrived with fruit, carpets, &c., and I find this observation on the occassion in my journal. It shows the very extraordinary system in force here that the Ameers instantly placed a strong guard over the whole Kafila and would allow nothing to be sold till they were themselves served. | understand they pay punctually and liberally for whatever they take and the merchants do not complain of this curious embargo. 50. Toresume, [ look upon it that the Agency at Shi- karpur will become from the very outset a highly important situation and | am disposed to offer my most respectful sugges- tion to His Lordship in Council that it should be placed on a corresponding scale. I think Sind would be a bad station for European troops for a permanency and there appears to be no occassion to send any there, now that Maharajah Ranjeetsing has agreed to retire within his own Frontier. But I am dis- posed to recommend that there should be a regiment (or at the very least) a company of Native Infantry, a company of Golandaz with the usual complements of guns and a body of irregular horse, which force might be reduced or strengthened hereafter according to the course of events in Sind and in the regions to the northward and westward.207 51. The extra expense of such an armament, I confess [ consider to be secondary in the scale of the politics of India. It would, I presume, exceed the fourth of the present revenue of Shikarpur which were estimated to be at three lakhs and fifty thousand rupees a year, but | am told they were at one time equal to sixteen lakhs of rupees and I see no good reason why they should not again attain that maximum It will be however for His Lordship in Council to determine the number of and consequent charge for the troops, as well as the portion of it which the Sind Government is to bear. It has struck me as one arrangement worthy of consideration that the Ameers should, in part of their share of the expense, cede to us the free and untaxed navigation of the Indus for all boats plying up or down under our passports. 32. The despatch was commenced the day I left Tatta and I closed it at Mandvi. The circumstances under which | have written it,in the midst of constant interruptions, hurry and noise oblige me to apologise for its imperfections in style and arrangement. There are other points, connected with my late trip, on which I shall have to trouble His Lordship in Council as soon as I can get settled. I may here anticipate, by mentioning, that I met both Captain Burns and Lieutenant Carless at the mouth of the River on my return and placed those officers in full acquaintance with my proceedings so far as their respective duties required. The instructions I issued to them, I shall submit as soon as possible. | shall send a copy of this despatch for the information of the Right Hon’ble the Governor in Council at Bombay. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient servant, (Sd.) HENRY POTTINGER. wee a208 ENCLOSURE A. The coast of Sind has no hills and is so low and level that it is very difficult and even sometimes impossible to discover the proper entrance to the mouth of the river. Permission is therefore requested to lay down buoys in the water, and te erect a wooden land mark on the shore, at the proper spots where buoys and mark can be changed when alterations take place in the river. 2. Cases will sometimes occur, notwithstanding these precautions, in which from feul woods steam vesséls intending to come into the river will not be able to do so, and they must in that event seek for shelter in any port they can reach. The examination of the whole of the coasts and Harbours of Cutch and Sind from Mandvi to Karachi has therefore been ordered and His Highness is requested to instruct his officers to this effect. Vessels of war will not be employed on this duty and when the Harbour of Karachi is to be examined (which has not been since the Mission of Colonel Smith in the year of the Hijree 1224) the ofhcer will make a special application through the Agent for a Purwana to the Nawab of Karachi to furnish a small boat and one or two experienced men to assist. 3. The anchorage fees (Moharee) on boats at Vikkur varies agreeable to their size. To prevent disputes and to encourage the resort of merchants to that and the other Bundurs at the mouths of the river, these fees are recommended to be reduced and defined in order that information thereof may be given to the merchants concerned. 4. Syed Azmoodeen Hassan, the Native Agent appoint- ed by the Governor-General to reside at the mouths of the river has arranged with me and is now about to proceed to the station. It is begged that His Highness will give orders to all the authorities to be kind and attentive to the Syed and to refer to him in the event of any disputes about the toll on the sea or river boats or other matters which are to be strictly guided by Treaty and any extra duties or demands not autho- rized by it to be positively prohibited.209 5. «As the best season for sending goods up the river happens to be that at which they cannot be imported by sea it becomes requisite to make some arrangement on this account. It is therefore to be arranged that all persons bringing goods to carry up the River may land them and place them in‘a warehouse or store at Vikkur or Tatta under the seal of the Native Agent before mentioned until the proper season for their despatch up the river arrives. Any portion of such goods if sold at any time will of course be subject to the duties esta- blished by Treaty and after they are over stored no package is to be removed or opened without the leave of the Native Agent else the full duties must be paid on such package. 6. Itis the wish of the Governor-General to establish fairs to be held annually and to which merchants from all stations would bring their goods and sell or exchange them for those of others. Thus merchants from Bulkh, Bokhara, Toorikstan, Kabul, &c., would bring the productions of those countries and exchange them for the produce of Europe, India, &c., which are to be brought from India and Sind by their merchants. If the Government of Sind would give due encouragement one of these fairs might be established in its territories which would be a great source of wealth to the people and increase of revenue to the State. It 1s intended to propose to Maharajah Ranjeetsing to have one of these fairs held at Mithankote or some place in that neighbourhood and should the Ameers of Sind approve of it a similar one might be held yearly at Tatta. The Governor-General of India directs me to explicitly state that he looks to the Government of Sind to keep the Mezarees in complete check and to suggest how this is to be done effectually. If my advice is required I will be réady to give it. 8 The Hyderabad Government must say distinctly whether it is responsible for the acts of the Khyrpur and Meer- pur Ameers as connected with the river and traffic by it, because if not, it will be requisite to enter into separate engage- ment with them, a measure which has been hitherto avoided out of respect to the paramouncy of Noor Mohomed Khan. eg DEO A a re oACater aries 9. Amongst the minor arrangements the Ameer’ s sanction | is required to cutting down the jungle along the banks of the yt river where it may be found necessary to do so to facilitate r tracking. snide | to. The General Superintendence of a British Officer aH seems to the Governor-General and Colonel Pottinger to be | almost indispensable to give effect to the views of the British Government, to the (cordial) aid and union of that of the Sind and to the prevention of disputes, correspondence, &c. Ae j Cini Ah tt. It is to be observed that the Government must not ah, be deterred from commencing on some of these arrangements | ie by the apparent difficulty of effecting them. Every important matter looks difficult at first but all obstacles give way to exertion, and encuragement in the course of time.a71 ENCLOSURE B. As soon as the Native Agents had retired Mirza Khoosroo again read over the commerc:al memorandum reiterating Noor Mohomed Khan’s acquiescence in its provisions till he came to the 10th article when he said that they (Mirza Bakar and himself) are desired by Noor Mohomed Khan to confess to me alone that he had not the power at that moment to allow a European gentleman to reside permanently at Hyderabad, that he might come and go as I liked and that the residence of Lieutent Wood for so many months, and the permission now accorded to our officers to any number to remain in the country for the purposes of surveying were the best proofs of His Highness’s feelings. They admitted that the only obstacle was the weakness of Noor Mohomed Khan’s Government and that the Baluchees were numerous and might be powerful but that they were divided amongst themselves and that even the Talpoors (the Ameer’s own tribe) protested against being watched and dictated to by an English gentleman. To all this | answered in the same candid and friendly language I had used the preceding day to Mirza Bakar. 1! remarked that the best means for Noor Mohomed Khan to strengthen his hands was to receive our agent and to let his opponents see that he relied on our friendship. The Mazarees said that His Highness did the latter to the utmost degree, but that whilst he believed and hoped he met the Governor-General’s wishes by what he had done and was about to do, he also felt it to be his duty (lazim) to endeavour to reconcile his relations and others to his measures and that he did not doubt but he should be able to do in such a manner as would please me. We then entered on the affairs to the northward and after an hour’s conversation it was settled that an Officer on the part of the British Government is to reside at Shikarpur to be the medium of communication with Maharajah Ranjeetsing on all subjects, that at first troops are not to be sent but that if the Maharajah will not give up his enterprize and will draw his forces and the Governor-General has to send an army to effect that object the Sind Government will pay whatever is considered proper in part of the expense; that Noor Mohomed Khan onsigs WR atte: i he Se. wali an ol his own and Meer Rustom Khan's part offers to cede the fourth of Shikarpoor and its dependencies for the expenses of the British Agent and his guard and followers ; that the number and description of troops to be sent at any time was to depend : solely on the Governor-General’s pleasure and His Lordship’s idea of the exigency of the case, that every facility ie canton- ing and provisioning them would be afforded ; that all supplies for the army or agency brought from India would pass tree of duties or any other demand, that Noor Mohomed Khan and Rustam Khan would recall their Vakeels from Lahore and hold not the slightest communication with Maharajah Ranjeetsing except through us and that the Hyderabad Government would be answerable, after these arrangements are made, for any excesses of the Mazarees or other ‘tribes. With respect to past excesses the Mirza said that the Ameers did not attempt or mean to deny that some had been committed but that that they did so explicitly as to their having been sanctioned by them, that they had offered to make repa- ration as to losses which was refused and w hilst their unoffend- ing subjects were plundered to a greater extent than they believed had been the case with those of the Sikh Government and their Vakeels were in friendly communication with and attendance on Maharajah Ranjeetsing, a plea was made of what had happened to invade their country and to seize and confine respectable officers and above all to degrade and insult the Musalman religion. To the preceding stipulations and observation I remarked that I did not doubt but the Governor-General’s mediation would effect the Ameers object without the necessity for an army coming to Sind and ne if such necessity should arise it would also Ke met, that | doubted whether His Lordship would accept, the offer ap a fourth of a revenue of Shikarpoor, that a British Agency at that City seemed to me to be calculated to secure the objects of all parties but that if matters were peace- ably settled there would be no occasion for any considerable CXPeNnse. To this latter observation Mirza replied by saying that the Agent being placed on a firm and strong footing would be10 highly advantageous. It would keep all who were disposed to be evil doers in order and it would give our merchants and all others confidence, that the Ameers therefore hoped the Governor-General would send his Agent and force and that their Highnesses would support his authority in any way. [ chose to point out and would take care that he and every one with him were treated with kindness and respect. With respect to the other foreign relations of Sind Mirza said that the Ameers were Just now on the most friendly terms with all their neighbours, that there was not therefore anything with which,to trouble the Governor-General concerning them but that in case of necessity arising the kind offer I had made would not be forgotten. L (Iv) 355-35 ; . oaiaie > e4 a eae eS 2 WP ceil RR MCS ae i Oe Tine i), a 7 RTE TS SW a bes SS SS | ns oh a RNC 2 [rte hat th oh 2 28 ay. Mel oa” — $ pes SS i RG a ee ON ey eg ee Par Maer, nk er a ars: A i 8S oe ad at aed ae a arePo ee 274 ENCLOSURE C. are SECRET MEMORANDUM. ! ? The arrangements connected with the river are all now happily settled and I trust they will m due time prove a success of wealth and advantage to both States as well as their subjects . The other matters with which I am charged by the Gov- ernor-General are equally important and perhaps attended with Va more difficulty because their settlement depends in some degree ein on the concurrence of a third power, namely, Maharaja Ranjeet- rt | sing. a i It is therefore highly necessary that | should before my HE departure be quite certain that Meer Noor Mohomed Khan and* | aap | myself clearly understand each other in order that I may make A no mistake in submitting my Report to His Lordship. the Governor-General. is «in ce ‘ Sie n 8 £ bes. Aye fi glial eth Vi The following are therefore the points which I understand’ _ to have been discussed between Mirza Khosroo Beg and Mirza ° Bakar on the part of His Highness Meer Noor Mohomed Khan and on behalf of the Governor-General in Jndia :— 1. The Ameer Noor Mohomed Khan proposes that Ai a gentleman on the part of the British Government shall ah | reside at Shikarpoor and he shall be the medium of all a communication between the Governments of Hyderabad | and Lahore. { 2. That such officer shall be accompanied by such ih a guard as the Governor-General may deem proper but that the Ameers at present hope that the necessity for a Bnitish Army coming to Sind will be avoided by Ranjeet- sing’s withdrawing his troops on our intimating to him the new terms on which the States are placed. Me 3. That should Ranjeetsing refuse to withdraw his rk troops or to desist in his designs against Sind, the British Government will then take steps to extend its protection to Sind and that the latter State will pay such portion of ce the expense as may be necessary.275 4. hat the number of troops and the description of them must depend on the judgment of the Governor- General of India, and that the Ameers will assign a place for their being cantoned at or near Shikarpoor and will order their officers at all times to assist in procuring the necessary supplies at the established rates of the country. _ 5. hat any supplies that may be necessary for the troops that have to be brought from India shall pass free of all toll or other duties. 6. That as soon as treaty grounded on the above terms 1s made and ratified by both the States Noor Mo- homed Khan shall recall his Vakeels from Lahore and shall have no communication with the Maharajah Ran- jeetsing except through the British Government. z. Should Noor Mohomed Khan wish to secure the mediation and protection of the British Government from all external enemies I am authorized to receive His Highness’s overtures to that effect and to submit them for. the consideration of the Governor-General as His Lordship’s first object and greatest anxiety is that all the States and kingdoms connected with or bordering on India shall enjoy the blessings of Peace and friendship. 8. That Noor Mohomed Khan offers to cede the fourth share of Shikarpoor and its dependencies for the expenses of the Agent and the troops that may come with him and that the acceptance or otherwise of this offer depends on the pleasure of His Lordship the Governor- Gerneral.° fala imeeatanil . $ 4 ee > Sil thet ‘ SS ines te io te. ll - ; ~ 2706 ENCLOSURE D. MEMORANDUM. There are two points which | consider of so much impor- tance that I am most anxious to impress them on Noor Mohomed Khan and | therefore make a written memorandum for His Highness’s notice— 1. His Highness is aware that the chief reason and the pretence which Maharajah Ranjeetsing has assigned for having invaded the Sind Territories are the depreda- tions and excesses of the Mazaree Baluchees and the alleged supineness with which the Government of Khyrpoor had viewed their lawless proceedings. It is not to be doubted but the Maharajah will urge these facts in his communications with Captain Wade and though it is not necessary to believe all that is said on the subject yet there are strong grounds on the Maharajah’s part for remonstrance. Of course one of the first stipulations which Captain Wade will make under the guarantee of the British Government will be that the Mazarees shall be henceforward effectually restrained and this must not merely be promised (as it has been) but completely acted up to. [ do not think that this duty of restraming the Mazarees can be left to the Khyrpoor Government alone ; and I beg Noor Mohomed Khan to settle at once with Meer Rustom Khan, the arrangement that is to be made. The opinion of his friend is that Noor Mohomed Khan should station a body of his own troops under a_ respectable and trust- worthy officer on the Northern Frontier of the Mazaree districts to keep those notorious plunderers in check. If this is not done complaints will constantly be made and the British Government will have to interfere to preserve its good faith as mediator. 2. I trust that Meer Sobdar will see that the close alliance which has now been formed and which has really rendered the interests of the States the same, is greatly to his advantage in common with all the other sharers in the revenue of Sind, and that he. will cease to listen to interested and evil advisers, but as he may plead ignoranceahi as his execuse I am still of opinion that it would be very advisable for Noor Mohomed Khan to explain to him ail that has been done as well as the objects in view. After this is done should Meer Sobdar attempt to interrupt or oppose the arrangements he must stand the consequences, but it is clear that till he has been warned he cannot be fairly called to an account. The Governor-General wishes not to interfere in the domestic policy or transactions of Sind, but as Meer Sobdar Khan’s open opposition to the fulfilment of the agreements which this friend has entered into with Noor Mohomed Khan might oblige His Highness to deviate from this rule, it appears to this friend that it would be much better that the first intimation to Meer Sobdar Khan should come from Noor Mohomed Khan which would leave him without an appology hereafter. gth December A. D. 1836 or 29th Shahban A. H. 1252. —he tt aes ee ae > tas Par Ts isedieinn in okt ; j } i" iSelections from the records of the Commissioner in Sind. SELECTION No. VII. Routes taken by Colonel Soppitt’s Detachment in May 1841, from Quetta to Noushkey. ——-—: 0: ——_—— Memorandum prepared by Captain LeMessurier, Superintendent, Sind Survey, in connection with.SF bbe duke a treet ss. tt tate oa e bi | :OSI Memorandum on the route taken by Colonel Soppitt's Detachment, in the early part of May 1841, from Quetta to Noushkey. The present route differs but little from that taken by Colonel Soppitt’s when he proceeded in the early part of May last against Noushkey, and that only in the number and_ order of the marches : those now given being more convenient for troops, while those taken proved long and harassing from the want of information on the subject of water, in the Singboor Pass ; in other respects the route 1s precisely the same. ee ex % a . 4a “ “ah pe sae i ee : + ‘ e On a reference to the route it will be seen that the distance from Quetta to Noushkey is 93 miles, over a tolerably good road ; the first half is particularly so, with the exception of a small portion over the ‘ Kullan Baruk Pass’ which the pioneers cleared for the artillery. The remainder resembles in charac- ter that of the Bolan. The Khoord Baruk Pass is 6 miles further south on this range, though practicable for fully laden | camels, is not so for artillery. The direct road from Moostung to Punj pace is by this pass. At about half way or about 46 miles from Quetta the road Kullan Sings [ ~inaohc Wer ae boor an enters the bed of the Kullan Singboor river, which may be pay oir rivers, considered the entrance of the pass, and gradually descending follows it for 22 miles to its Junction with the Khysur river 32 miles from Punj pace and 174 (by the road) north-east of Noushkey, at which point it enters that river and winding with it ‘n all its turns and sinuosities for 12 miles it debouches into the plains of Noushkey at a place called Babund. The last 12 miles, though practicable for artillery, is a broken and difficult road Practicability ‘ a no E ot roa or and presents many more natural obstacles to the passage of ee troops than any part of the Bolan Pass. From Babund the road passes over a plain on the mght bank of the river to Noushkey, which merits from its situation and appearance parti cular description. The position of Noushkey has been selected with some noushkey and judgment, it 1s somewhat singularly and rather strongly posted its description on a small promontory formed by the Khysur river bursting through a detached and isolated spur orridge from the Hootee L (tv) 355—36es s De ie. Napier he eg be OM Inhabitajus. range of mountains which terminates 23 miles to the north north- east of it, The spot selected for the site of the encampment (for it cannot be called a village) is the highest on this spur, and gives it the command of the ground in its vicinity. The river Khysur washes the southern base of this promontory and furnishes an abundant supply of water. This face is naturally scraped and precipitous but accessible in one or two places by foot paths leading up through ravines and water-cuts made by the rains. At this point its elevation is 158 feet above the bed of the river, but from the plain to the eastward it is not more than 123. On the crest of the spur where it is most elevated an enclosure has been formed of loose stones and mud, carelessly thrown together varying in height from 23 to 39 feet. It is of little strength, and an entrance could be easily effected at any part. Within its extent a few openings have been left for entrances, the ascent is short but steep, with well defined roads leading up from various directions. The extent of this enclosure is 150 yards from north to south and 136 from east to west. There are no edifices of either mud or stone to be seen; the space within the enclosure is filled up with a collection of 60 or 70 ‘ Geedans’ or tents made of basket work, covered with the dark blanket or felt of the country ; the appearance is wild and singular resembling an encampment in the desert. The inhabitants do not exceed 400 or 450 souls, of which 200 are fighting men. ‘To thenorththe spur extends (but lower) for three-fourth of a mile, the furthermost point being perhapsas high as Noushkey, but it is out of matchlock range. To the south the continuation of the spur on the left bank of the river partially commands Noushkey, the highest point being also out of range. To the west the country is open, and generally extensively cultivated; the supply of water from the Khysur river being abundant for irrigation; but during the present season the wheat crops as well as all other cultivation have been altogether neglected from a dread of Fuzil Khan’s depre- dations, the chief of the Zuygur Mingeels, with whom there is an open feud. The inhabitants of Noushkey are of the Rushanee Tribe, who pride themselves in having held hereditary possession for¢> 9 a ao 4 eight generations. The present chiefs, and these are two, are Abdul Aziz and Dost Mohomed. They are not brothers but descendants of two chiefs somewhat celebrated in the legends of, ,... the desert, as the founders of two tribes called respectively after ee their names Bahahuddin and Jallaluddin. These descendants are styled Abdul Aziz Bahahuddin and Dost Mohomed Jallaluddin, Abdul Azeez being of the former and Dost Mohomed of the latter sect. Tradition relates that the ancestors of these chiefs were bound together by ties of consanguinity and good neighbourhood, and lived in such harmony as the children of the Desert are wont todo. Noushkey in those days was held by a Mogul Naib deputed from Kandhar by the King. This Naib was a roue and as often as a gazelle eyed daughter of the Desert crossed his path another victim was added to His Harem, and in quest of such sport did the Naib pass much of his time. Chance took him at length to the tents of Bahahuddin, who little suspecting the object of his visit invited him in; food was prepared and eaten and the parties separated; but soon it was discovered that the glory of Bahahuddin’s house had departed, his daughter had been borne off by the ravisher; pursuit led to little hope of success and an open attack on so formidable an enemy was fruitless in the recovery of hischild. In his despair Bahahud- din turned for consolation and advice to his friend and adopted brother Jallaluddin—they met and consulted—when wrongs are grievous and hearts panting for revenge little time is lost in maturing plans; it was decided at once that nothing but the blood of the ravisher could wash out the disgrace brought on their house. They collected a few chosen followers and proceeded secretly to Noushkey—the arrival of strangers was made known to the Naib who invited them to his tent-—the ‘nvitation was declined saying ‘if the Naib will first come and eat with us then will we go to him for such is the custom of our tribe”. The Naib anticipating no evil went to Bahahuddin’s tent—the ‘Nagarah’ greeted his arrival; in an instant after- wards he and his followers were cut to pieces. Lhe district of Noushkey was immediately seized by Bahahuddin who gave half the lands to Jallaluddin and thus cemented his friendship for ever; and a chieffrom each tribe has co-jointly held Noushkey ever since—such is the tradition. a were FN, we ee 7" BSee 284 Supplies. There are none to be found on this route; but in the very smallest quantities at the few villages between Quetta ma and Punj pace whence to Noushkey there 1s nothing. The at plains of Noushkey generally yield an abundant supply of grain | annually ; this year the inhabitants were reduced to much necessity and want, the common food being the seed of a wild plant found in the plain—made into cakes, and the undigested erain washed out of the dung of the camels belonging to the i force. Rai: ge a, 4. a: Cae Wa a Generally the supply is abundant, but some difficulty yh might arise between Punj pace and Khysur, a distance of 3? i | miles, though with ordinary precaution there was sufficient for i Mit the force. The springs of Jowurree Kullan and Jowurree Khoord 23 miles north of the main road are copious —while that at Manoo Chukkool 1 mile distant from the road in the same direction ! could be made to yield by management a good supply. There are two other springs at the Chummun-i-Singboor and Rust- arree ; at the latter the supply is very limited. At the Chummun water to any extent might be obtained by digging. Remarks on It has been observed the Singboor pass resembles in some themountain deoree the Bolan, and that the “mountains bounding it do not a oo differ materially in their formation from the great ranges form- } ing the lofty barrier between Kutchee and Baluchistan ; the characteristics are certainly the same, being bleak and precipi- | tous but they are less lofty. With reference to the two ranges My bounding the Singboor pass it is worthy of remark that, that on the left bank of the river or to the eastward forms the general water lodge which divides the waters of these rivers which*rise in the neighbourhood of Kelat and lowing north fall into the Zarah river in the Pisheen valley, such as, the A Sheereen-ab, the Shorirode and from those which have their ne source in the mountains to the west of Kelat and flow south Hil and south-west towards the desert beyond Noushkey Kharan a such as the Singboor Kullan, the Khysur, the Guadarree and Gullangoor, &c., a circumstance by which the confirmation Day of this part of the country will be easily arrived at. |The range to the westward is in many parts equally lofty with the above, vzz., 1,000 to 1,200 feet, it borders the Shorirode valley to the west and separates it from the plains of Shora- wuk, while to the north the range gradually diminishes as it approaches the valley of the Lorah river—taking up the direction of this range to the south-west it will be seen that it bounds the Singboor pass on that face to the Khysur river whence under the name of the Kootee range it rises to a greater elevation than it had previously attained, 1,500 feet, and com- pletely commands and shuts in the remaining portion of the pass with another range from the eastward ; this remark applies particularly to about half way between Khysur and Noushkey where the defile narrows and the hills to the eastward rise wall-like over the road; from the westward a_ broken and rugged spur from a lofty peak forms a rentering angle which completes the difficulty not easily overcome. The hills to the eastward are barely accessible, those -to the westward are stong and easily held and unless a footpath which leads over the neck of land connecting the lofty peak and the main range can be secured there is no means of turning tt. Pursuing the course of the river for 5 miles further the “ Kootee” range terminates abruptly to the westward over- hanging Noushkey to the north north-eat distance about, 23 miles, beyond this range to the westward the country 1s open to the Desert, with loose sand-hills of a peculiar red colour, scat- tered over its surface. The ranges to the eastward of Noushkey taking a direction more south, gradually break off into unde- fined masses and detached hillocks which finally lose them- selves inthe sands of the Desert. There are however detached mountains and even ranges which are seen rising to the west- ward, some bordering on, while others are described as being situated in, the Desert. Those to the southward of Noushkey and, distant from 15 to 25 miles are called Shuk, Hoossain, Jowarkain and Rastkoh ; they are named in their order the former being the nearest ; while to the westward the hills of Charzaee rise conspicuously to view, some 50 to 60 miles distance. ‘These mountains vary from 2,000 to 3,000 feet in height above the plain. eee ee oh. Pe I geen ee ae ig s Oe eee “> he at: ieee PoeRoads. biting the hills. } \ i “i ; Hee Guaaae:| Th Rivers, Tribes inha- There are many roads which intersect the Singboor pass leading to Kelat, Moostung, Shorawuk and several parts of the Desert; the most conspicuous is the main Cafila road between Kelat, Shorawuk and Kandhar which occurs about g} miles south-west of Punj pace; 3 miles further a short but rather difficult road for laden camels leads to the left (eastward) to Kurd-azab by Rustarree where there is a spring ; another of the same description passes by the springs of Jowurree Kullan to Shorawuk 4 miles beyond Rustarree des- cribed in route No. 1; while there are numerous footpaths taken by and known only to Brohees. From the Khysur river to Noushkey only one road branches off from the main road ; it is called Rah-i-Chukkool and is considered a short cut to Noushkey and a less tedious march for persons travelling lightly than by the course of the river: it however is not a Gun road and is in some parts narrow and difficult ; it joins the main road 24 miles to the west of the junction of Singboor river with the Khysur ; it shortens the distance to Noushkey by 25 miles. From Rah-i-Chukkool a road branches off to the north to Gait on the Shorawuk road from Kelat: it is a mountain road but not described as difficult. The tribes inhabiting the hills on the line of route of the Singboor pass are Sassobee, Soomarlarree and Mingal Brohee, who contrive to eke out a precarious and wandering existence by means of their flocks and occasional acts of plunder ; and as no opportunity is lost which holds out the slightest hope of the latter, our advance on Noushkey must have yielded a golden harvest indeed for these destitute people and made up for long years of abstinence. Barren as these mountain ranges are, inhabitants are found scattered over them very generally, though few are seen by the well guarded travellers who might readily believe that the country he was passing through was an uninhabited wilderness, so complete is the desolation and stillness around him. Several rivers occur on this route, the principal of which is the Khysur. The Sheereen-ab is the first river which is met with ; it rises 20 miles to the north of Kelat and flowing from the district of Mungochur it passes to the west 13 miles from the village of Bubree (28 miles from Quetta) and pursuingthat direction it cuts through the Kullan Baruk range of hills between the two passes of that name, and entering “the valley of the Sherirode joins the Sherirode river 34 miles to the north of Punj pace and finally falls into the Lorah in the Pisheen valley near the village of (?) The water of the Sheereen-ab is slightly brackish. The Sherirode or Chehdehe river rises in the Kird-azab plain, which may be called a continuation of the Sherirode plain to the south 12 to 13 miles; it is generally dry. The Khoord Singboor rising 103 miles to the south-west and flowing north-east falls into the Sherirode 4 mile north of the village of Punj pace; while the Kullan Singboor having its source at the same point takes south-west direction and as already stated joins the Khysur, 22 miles from its rise. The two Singboors are generally dry. The Khysur, though a small river at the point where the Singboor falls into it, has a copious stream of water which is constant for 1o months in the year. This river rises in the mountains about 18 miles to the south and perhaps a little east of the point of junction above alluded to; at 6 miles from that spot near a halting ground called Inam Khaostoh the Gindarree and Gullangoor rivers fall into it; the latter is the larger of the two, it rises in a more southerly direction than the former which has its source in the mountains to the west of Kelat and in the bed of which the ordinary road from that place to Noushkey lies, a description of which is annexed. Following the course of the Khysur to its debauchure into the plains of Noushkey it would be difficult to find a river more tortuous and winding in its channel or more. closely shut in by lofty ranges, On escaping from the mountains its course is west to Noushkey, where bursting through a low ridge 160 feet high, immediately to the south of that place, it throws off several branches in its passage across the plain to the west and south—the main channel takes a south-west direction and flowing to the west of the lofty mountains called Sheikh Hossain, Jowurkain, etc., enters a tract of land called “ Nowur” resembling the plains of Kutchee, so called from the water of the river being bunded up, which are made to spread over and irrigate that district. Escaping there Khysur flows still further to the westward and is finally lost in the sands of the desert. The Khysur river, Gullangoor and Gindar- ree rivers,| General Bi tee remarks. Other rivers which debouche from the mountains further south all partake of the same character, and like the Khysur contribute to form cultivated strips of land where wheat and barley are grown and flocks with camels and horses extensively bred, The best breed of horses are generally to be found to the north-west of Shorawuk, and in the plains lying between it and Kandhar-—many from this district are annually taken to the Bombay market ; Camels, also bred in these parts, bear a high reputation and price. I was unable from illness to visit Shorawuk—it greatly resembles, | am told, Noushkey in its posi- tion, being on the western side of the mountians facing the Desert and is subject like it to very great heats ; it 1s however described as 2 more cultivated tract yielding barley and grain in very large quantities, the water from the Lorah_ river affording for the greatest part of the year abundant means of irrigation— during summer the river dries up. Shorawuk is dis- tant 35 to 46 miles north and west of Noushkey with little or no water on the road which is level but sandy ; it is called a night's march. The climate of Noushkey differs widely from that of Quetta, while its situation subjects it to all the vicissitudes of the Desert. It is 2240 odd feet lower than Quetta. The heat during the period our troops halted at Noushkey from the middle of May to the middle of June varied from 98 to 100 at mid-day and not infrequently rose much higher in the smaller tents of the sepoys, while the deleterious quality of the water of the Khysur river produced fever and dysentry to an alarming extent. I attribute this illness principally to the water, as an escape from it invariably produced a beneficial change im health. Noushkey is situated in latitude No. 29"-30".01" GP, LE MESSURIEE, CAPTAIN, Superintendent, Sind Survey. (Sd.) Quetta, 3rd July 1841.289 ROUTE No. 1. Route from Shawl Kote or Quetta to Noushkey via Bubree Kullan Baruk Pass and punj pace. On quitting Quetta the road passes over an open level May ist m9 plain, studded with villages, around which cultivation is exten- Quetta. South sive, to Sir-i-ab, where water from Karey is abundant and gate camel and horse forage also; some villages are passed on M. F. the road where supplies are procurable. There are none at © 3 Sir-i-ab. General direction of route south. One of the branches of the Loraheriver takes its rise at Sir-i-ab. From Sir-i-ab leaving the high road to Cutchee, the direction May 2nd becomes south by west, and the road at 33 miles passes by a Mohbee, small range of hills to the left called Lundye, whence it gra- 14 4-94 dually but perceptibly ascends, and is somewhat broken and stony. At 8 miles 1 furlong the road divides, one leads to the westward between two hills to the Nishpa pass, the other direct to the Koh-i-lukh. The northern entrance of the former is 10 miles and 170 yards from Sir-i-ab. The ascent for the last mile and half is more decided, though not difficult ; at this point the direction becomes south, and the road descends. The pass has lately been cleared by the Pioneers; there is a good road through it, it is two miles long, with the lofty range of the Chettun mountains overhanging it to the west and a small range to the east, the highest point of which entirely commands this Pass and formed this strong hold and watch tower of a band of Kaukers, who till last year held it to the terror and destruction of all travellers : it is now perfectly safe. ‘The other road leads over the Koh-i-lukh, a rough and broken pass to the eastward of the Nishpa and is usually taken by horsemen and foot-travellers. These two roads run parallel and are about half a mile asunder; the distance saved by the Koh-i-lukh is three- fourth of a mile. Three miles beyond the southern entrance of the Nishpa pass, the Mohbee river is gained ; the ground is open and extensive on its banks for an encampment with a good supply of water and camel forage. There are no habitations or supplies whatever at Mohbee. General direction of the road south south-west. L (iv) 355-37 ee SE A a a aS -_ 64. REALM ALE Sa oe . eeMay 4th Bubbree M. F. g 6-160 May 5th Bub- ih bree to Pun} pace Punj pace to the Chum- mun-i-Sing- boor. . M, F. 9 I 290 At mile 1 3 the road passes between low hills, and at mile 4°4 leaves the made road to Moostung via Teeree ee it enters on anopenandc ultivated plain and leaving at the 8th mile the village of Fasnneith 1 mile to the north, it s skirts a small range of low hills for three-fourth of a mile and passes between them to Bub- village with no supplies; water good General direction of the road west. bree, which is a small ° and ple ntiful from Korey. The road for the first 4 miles 1 furlong passes over an open plam, at the 5th ee it enters some low hills, between which it winds for three-fourth of a mile and then enters the Kol- tun Barak ae ss by a gorge 120 to 130 yards wide ard 500 yards eee whence the road Fallow. a watercourse and gradually ascends for t mile 2 furlongs to the top of the pass; “the road is good throughout and cae 10 obstacle to artillery, the descent on the western side is more abrupt than that on the eastern. The entire length of the pass is 2 miles 2 furlongs; it has been cleared lately by the Pioneers. ‘The height of the range is about 500 feet ; on Jeaving the ie valley of the Sher-i-road and at ro miles 2 furlongs i Shereen-ab river is crossed. It flows north by west “and joins Sher-i-road river 24 miles to the north, which is crossed - 4 mile further on; at 13 miles 3 furlongs Panj pace begins. It isone of the four village 2s of the Sher-i- road district, has 120 house S, 3 shops, supplies are very scarce, but corn is grown in cons! iderable quantities in the neigh bour- hood, it is watered abundantly from Korey. The general direction of this march is west from Babree. 7 over which the Lae ‘pastes pass the road enters tl For 54 miles the road passes over a level plain, when it enters broken an = are sround which continues without any vari iation till the oth mile 1 furlong to the Chummun-i- Singbgor, which is a beautiful green spot in a small valley 200 to 250 yards wide and three-fourth ofa mile long; hasa good supply of water, with the best forage I have seen ih this part of the country. On the Chummun there is very good encamping ground the road from Punj pace is generally good but the the windings of the river direction ‘fe the route is ged to follow Bl (1e ge ne ral ] Pe aCé,; artillery however are obl LO -SCCUTEG a good south road. -west fear Puny291 Leaving the Chummun, the road follows the windings of Ghummurr the river, having a gentle ascent and is of the same character as Woe % before ; half a mile beyond the Chummun the main Cafila road Chukkool. fromKelat to Shorawuk and Kandhar is crossed. At 14 miles pass a small well of good water, at 25 pass two others ; the supply is scanty in both places. At 3 miles 1 furlong the highest ground iS gained, whence the waters flow north-east and south-west forming the rivers Singboor Kullan, and Singboor Khoord, the former flows south-west, the latter north-east. At 5 ¢ miles 5 furlongs a road leads to the eastward to Rusterree | where water is generally found, but not in any suificient quantity toewater a detachment exceeding 100 men; a road leads from Rusterree direct to the Kelat vza Kardagab, it is described as level and good for laden camels. Kardagab from Rusterree is 9 to 1o miles. At the 8th mile a road turns off to the right, or rather due north, it passes following the bed of a watercourse to the westward of a small range of hills and leads to Manoo Chukkool distant about 13 miles from the road, where there is a tolerably good supply of water, with forage for camels and horses. ‘This place has been recently cleared by the Pioneers. A short distance to the south of this spot there is an open place for encamping. Manoo Chukkool is not seen from the road, and it is advisable to procure good guides, to point out the spot; to regain the main road from Manoo Chukkool it is necessary to countermarch the last mile. The road from the Chummun-i-Singboor lies in the bed of the Singboor river and is generally good. General direction of the road south-west. Khysur river Proceeding half mile beyond the turning off to Munoo “yy” p. Chukkool, a road branches off to the right to Jowurree Kullan 4 s and Jowurree Khoord, each having a copious spring ; the former is 2 miles 4 furlongs distant, the latter is somewhat farther, they are both situated in deep and narrow ravines, the roads leading to them being in the beds of dry watercourses. The water from both these springs after flowing a short distance sinks ‘nto the sand. A good road for laden camels leads by Kullan Jowurree to Shorawuk—distance 3 days Munzal. About half way from Manoo Chukkool to the Khysur river, Judghal is passed where there is a small spring of water, but¥ ee EP jae ae Aw ll patty Sanh: eae a LPO I eee SURE SR eS ee, nee em oh ee oh “ ne : de Pe he ja alia Satins 5 : . Ae OB | ie - ——_—_— ae per ay r oe ee ee oe LR et ee Way Pe ee Fj a ne 4 eres ee EP coor seer — Bee a8 ah S cee e oe <6 4 ae Es ae pe ee 292 not sufficient for any number of men; a mile beyond this another spring called Chukkool occurs and again at the 3rd mile or the 11 miles 5 furlongs from Manoo Chakool a third spring ; they are all on the right or western bank of the Sing- boor river and yield little water in their present state. From the last spring to the Khysur river is 4 miles. The road on approaching it, is rather rugged and stony, The Khysur river » hasa large stream of water which rarely dries up. The encamping ground on its banks is uneven and stony. The bed of the river is thickly covered with Tamarisk bushes, forage is found for camels in the neighbourhood ; hitherto the road is level and tolerably open. The hills on each side vary from } to 2 and 3 miles distant. General direction of the road south-west. The road from Khysur to Babund follows the windings of the river, which are tortuous and extremely distressing, the stream being crossed no less than 42 times in 12 miles. For the first 25 miles the road les through thick tamarisk jungle, at the 7th mile a small pass is crossed which is taken by foot passengers and horsemen: camels, &c., having to wind round the southern base of a hill in following the course the river to avoid it, hence to Babund 5 miles the road is of the same description and practicable for artillery, from Khysur to Babund the road is generally closely shut in with lofty hills on each side, which command the pass completely; and as some points are particularly strong and defensible a determined enemy might annoy an advancing force without risk or exposure. This remark refers particularly to that part of the pass the 7th mile from Khysur. At Babund the road emerges with the river from the hills ; the Kootee range which had flanked it to the westward here terminates. The encamping ground is good and open at Babund with forage in the neighbourhood. The division of the distances as above given is not a judicious one, but was adopted by the force proceeding to Noushkey. The distance from Khysur to Noushkey being only 17 miles 3 furlongs, the halting ground ought to be at the gth mile from Khysur, which though a short march in point of actual distance, is. still fatiguing one from the windings and the broken nature of the pass and should be adopted in preference to Babund ; at that spot the ground is open for encamping, the distance thence to Noushkey is 63 miles—it has no name. General direction of the road south-west.298 On leaving the encamping ground at Babund the I ae eenealn ae der ee SER Ie SORTS bemrin 8S: em Su ae elias: Te ee ‘Tee ae a ee pect > ’ cm : 33 _— est = cao “ = eee. ene PR GS ace or ae ge pee et 2, 8 Bs ak By, # 1Agra, 17th April 1843. GENERAL, I had the satisfaction of receiving to-day your letters from the 27th of March to the 3rd of April both inclusive, eight in number. Your last letter does not inform me of the abandonment of Umerkote ‘and of its occupation by our Cavalry; but I have reason to think, from reports received several days ago from Deesa, that that event may have taken place on the 4th. I apprehend that we shall be able to communicate very rapidly by Jyepore, Ajmere, Jodhpoor, Balmeere and Umerkote when we have that latter place. Captain Trench, now at Jyepore, has been written to upon the subject. The Rajah of Jodhpoor is very anxious to repossess Umerkote. It belonged to his Raj till within the last forty years. I should be glad to let him have it, if I were satisfied upon two points, first that he would be able to keep it, and secondly that his occupation of it would not facilitate the smuggling of opium. Upon the latter point [ have written to the Governor of Bombay. t have, ce; (Sd.) ELLENBOROUGH. = ae iggt RRM ge EY ee ae en i ok PERE, . =. ee see .310 No. 610 OF 1843. Hyderabad, 26th August 1843. CAPTAIN RATHBORNE, | Collector and Magistrate, Hyderabad. el | SIR, « | [ have the honour to request that from enquiry among your records or from the old officers of the Ameers, you_ will acquaint me what lands now of Sind and in the neighbourhood of Umerkote formerly belonged to the Jodhpoor Government. I have, &c., (Sd.) E. BROWN, Secretary to the Government of Sind.211 No. 327%. Jodhpoor, 9th September, 1843. To CAPTAIN BROWN, Commissioner in Sind, Hyderabad. SIR, I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 635 of the 30th ultimo, and to inform you that the authorities at this Durbar have been requested to send persons with their Duftars to Umerkote to meet the ofhcer deputed by His Excellency the Governor in Sind to institute enquiries regarding the boundary in that quarter. 2. I had the honour to address His Excellency on the 2nd of June last in transmitting for His Exellency’s information a copy of a letter No. 514 of the 8th of May from the Secretary to the Government of India with the Governor-General to the address of the Agent Governor-General for the States of Raj- putana on the subject of measures for preserving the peace of the Jodhpoor and Jessulmeer frontiers bordering on Sind and the permission granted to the Maharajah of Jodhpoor tore- occupy all the territories he formerly held by his ancestors im the district of Umerkote with the exception of the Fort and the Town, which for the present at least were to be occupied by the British troops. it was further represented to His Excellency through the copies of communications which accom- panied my letter, that the requisite announcement had been made on the subject to the Maharajah. Marwar troops are, as you are doubtless aware, in the neighbourhood of Umerkote only waiting for permission to occupy the district of that name till of late annexed to Sind and which was formerly held by His Highness’ ancestors. 4. Whatever information I may be able to gather on the subject of the eastern or western boundary of Umerkote shall be transmitted without delay. I have, &c., (Sd). EE DEON, Political Agent, Jodhpur. hi ig! PORE MEL i” gS he ay AT er ‘ ‘ ccpomedat = Cae ae aNo. 100 OF 1843. | Kurrachee, 19th September 1843. ee “6 | I. THOMASON, ESQUIRE, | Secretary to Government of India, . | Fort William. it SIR, aa | I have the honour to forward for submission to the Right a) Honourable the Governor-General of India, copy and trans- 3 lation of a petition I have received from the Rana of Umerkote By and the Chiefs of Chachera and others in that neighbourhood, & expressive of the tyranny they experienced at the hands of the 2 ex-Ameers of Sind and their unwillingness to serve under the st Jodhpur Government. . I have, &c., fe (Sd.) CHARLES NAPIER. Bi LON a abet ie, aid, oes MER 5had 348 Enclosure to letter No. roo of 19th September 1843. Petition of Mehraj Rana Muljee, Shamsing the chiefs of Chachera and Rukey Raj and Mahasing, the chiefs of Chellan. Dated September 16th, 1843. From time immemorial Umerkote Jand the other adja- cent country and the Thurr have belonged to our ancestors, Meean Kalora took it from us sixty years agoand gave it over to the Rajah of Jodhpur; he held it for 30 years since when the Meers of Hyderabad have taken possession of the fort of Umerkote and we have held the lands free of tax till the last 15 years when the Ameers demanded tax, we were unable to hight so we agreed to pay. They demanded the same tax from us as from their other subjects, but the collectors took more and have deceived us. We now petition that you will restore to us the land of our ancestors. The Balochees have seized the wells in the Thurr which i we have spent our wealth in digging formerly; we had no power so we remained silent, but now we appeal to you for Justice. The Rinds and Khosas are continually plundering us, our property consists of camels of which they have stolen more than it would be possible to enumerate; they have stolen a horse and a camel within the last six months ; our wish is to be under the British Government and not under any of the Rajahs of Jodhpoor. When the Rajah of Jodhpoor held Umerkote the fort only was under his orders and the surrounding country belonged to us, we wish we may get it. Ae Ges eg BAR A Ce re sf We were going to Captain Jackson when a Regiment which was coming from Deesa not knowing we were friends fred on us and killed three Thakoores and a guide and plundered Rs. 115 of property belonging to the dead men. Captain Jackson told us to apply to you for the restoration of our property. The present Kardar is committing great tyranny and wants us to pay grain which we have already paid to the Ameers. : True translation, (Sd.) H. S. PELLY, Lieutenant, Persian Interpreter. L (tv) 355--40314 NO. 342. Jodhpur, 23rd of September 1843. | To : 4 | CAPTAIN BROWN, rc Military Secretary to His Excellency | the Governor of Sind, Hyderabad. ea SIR, \ | With reference to your letter No. 635 of 30th ultimo, | oe have the honour to enclose for information a copy of one which I have this day addressed to Captain Malet, and of its en- closure, on the subject of assistance rendered by the Jodhpur Durbar in furtherence of his object of ascertaining points connected with the boundary of Umerkote. I have, &c., (Sd) do LUDLOW, Political Agent.315 Enclosure No. 1 to letter No. 342 of 23rd September 1843. No. 341. Jodhpur, 23rd September 1843. To CAPTAIN MALET, Commissioner, Omerkote. Sk, With reference to the enclosed copy of a letter No. 635 of the 30th ultimo, from Captain Brown, Commissioner in Sind, to my address I have the honour to transmit for information a copy of a note which I have this day received from the Vakeel at this agency representing that a copy of the Government map of the territory of Umerkote having been taken it is to be sent to you forthwith by the hands of Amansing Chandawat, who will endeavour to obtain from persons on the Frontier all the information which you may desire to possess regarding boundaries. This course has I am assured been found the only practicable one for eliciting the desired information as no persons at this capital are at all intimately acquainted with the question upon which you are about to enter. A copy of this letter will be sent to Captain Brown for information, I have, &c., (Sd) 'L LUDLOW? Political Agent. Nore.—Enclosure No. 2 to letter No. 342 of 23rd September 1343 being in Persian, is not printed, Bis gh PRO EL re: ; om. a tase Py RE DN Ce Boas abla cee RE sia tad 5 ; ms. ie glee316 No. 368. Jodhpoor, 14th October 1843. To CAPTAIN BROWN, Military Secretary to His Excellency the Governor of Sind. SIR, : With reference to the objects for which the Jodhpoor troops were despatched hence towards Umerkote some months ago, I have the honour to enclose for the consideration of His Excellency the Governor of Sind a copy of a note* which I have received from the Jodhpoor Vakeel representing on the part of his Government that inconvenience and expense are incurred by the protracted stay of the force in its present position and requesting that if it be not the pleasure of His Excellency that it should occupy the territory of Umerkote, authority may -be granted for the return of Jodhpoor troops to the capital whence they can again proceed to Umerkote on permission being received to that effect. | have, &c., (Sd.) To LUDO Political Agent, *Not printed being in Persian,3 U7 No. 215 OF 1843. - Fort William, the 21st October 1843. LIEUT. E. I. BROowN, Secretary to Government of Sind. SIR, I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of His Excellency’s despatch of the 19th ultimo, No. 100, forwarding a petition from the Rana of Umerkote, and others and in reply to inform you that the Governor-General in Council hopes that His Excellency will, when the demarcation of Frontiers shall be settled, have the goodness to communicate any suggestions which may occur to His Excellency with respect to the Rana of Umerkote and the Chiefs of Chachera. When the supre- macy over its former territory shall be restored to Jodhpoor, the Governor-General in Council would be desirous that that measure should not be attended with any grievances to the inhabitants, but that they should retain their ancient rights whatever they may have been. 2. The unfortunate event to which the petition refers excited the deepest regret in the mind of the Governor-General in Council, and he would be ready to sanction any measure of compensation for property plundered on the occasion, which the Governor of Sind might think just, and to adopt any means which may seem calculated to soothe the feelings of the relatives of the Chiefs who were killed. [ have the honour to be. Sir, Your most obedient servant, (Sd.) W. EDWARD, Under Secretary to Government of India. att 1 ae aie ee GER caer pass] om Be St gt wereect tec ee 318 No. 368 OF 1843. THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL AGENT, Ajmere. SER, By direction of His Excellency the Governor of Sind, | et if have the honour to inform you that Captain Malet of the SWE i Bombay calvalry is now employed in marking out the posses- ee sion of the British Government and Meer Ali Moorad Khan, of ei the Rajah of Jessulmeer and of the Nawab of Bahawalpore as mai a connected with Sind, and His Excellency would therefore wish mai an Agent to the Rajah of Jessulmeer to be sent to join Captain Malet. l have, o5c.s (Sd.) E. BROWN, Secretary to Government of Sind. - A io ds ee er ane ohana lay Pte (feline eck bg de el RN etSo No. 164 OF 1844. Dated Balmeer, 23rd September 1844. CAPTAIN BROWN, Secretary to the Government of Sind. SIR, Having“lately returned from Jodhpur, to which capital | proceeded under authority of the Agent to the Governor- General for the States of Rajputana, upon the subject of the demarcation of Sind and Marwar, 1 do myself the honour of submitting for His Excellency the Governor’s information, documents* enclosed to me by the Political Agent, at the Court of Marwar, bearing upon claims advanced by that principality to territory conquered with Sind and preparatory to proceed- ing to meet Lieutenant-Colonel Robert’s Assistant, upon that portion adjoining his Collectorate, beg the favour of His Ex- cellency’s orders and instructions upon my future proceedings connected with the remainder of the boundary of Sind and Marwar. The documents herewith transmitted being originals, | have the honour to request that you will be kind enough to return them when no longer required. [ have, &c., (Sd.). C.F; JACKSON, ; Political Superintendent, Mullane. *Eight enclosures. Ror? Ia es i ge ree artes Ms qs ASM ues, “> SRNR ae PSS320 Enclosure No. 1 letter No. 164 of 23ra September 1844. il No. 345- mat | i Jodhpoor, 19th June 1844. To i CAPTAIN JACKSON, Superintendent, Balmeer. SIR, ai | I have the honour to enclose copies of some papers that nh i passed between Colonel Southerland, Governor-General’s | Agent, Rajputana, and the Secretaries of the Supreme Govern- ment on the restoration of the ancient possessions in Sind of Marwar to His Highness Mahraj Tukht Sing. ne I have, &¢., (Sal)? POY ARES, Officiating Political Agent, Jodhpoor.321 Enclosure No. 2. No. 327 OF 1843. Camp Simla, 13th March 1843. To CAPTAIN I. LUDLOW, Political Agent, Jodhpur. SIR, | have {he honour to transmit for your information a copy of Mr. Secretary Thomason’s letter No. 373, dated the 6th instant, with a copy of my reply of this date and would feel obliged by your ascertaining from the Maharajah and reporting whether there are any portions of the territory of Sind, not belonging to Meer Ali Murad of Khyrpoor, which it would be agreeable to the State of Jodhpur to possess. [ have, &c., fod.) if, SOUEHEREAND. Agent, Governor-General. Enclosure No. 3. NO. 373. Dated 6th March 1843. SIR; The Governor-General is desirous of being informed whether in your opinion there are any portions of the territory of Sind not belonging to Meer Ali Murad of Khyrpoor which it would be agreeable to the state of Jodhpur or of Jessulmere to possess. (Sd.) J. THOMASON, Officiating Secretary to the Government of India with the Governor-General. & GY) 3557-4! ol : PRE: = Ps wee Se Se Sonal = nas — yas i eG a : “Ee ea * es, seEnclosure No. 4. No. 326 OF 1843. Camp Simla, 13th March 1843. Tp | J. THOMASON, ESQUIRE, Secretary to the Government of India with the Governor-General. SIR, I have only now the honour to receive your letter bearing date the 6th instant, No. 373, and beg to submit the following details relating to territory conquered by the Ameers of Sind from Marwar and Jessulmere and in possession of the Ameers upto the date of the battle of Hyderabad the 17th ultimo, although I cannot of course be certain that the details and dates are quite correct. From Marwar— Umerkote.—There were originally nine kots constituting the Sovereignity of Marwar and Umerkote was one of these. It was conquered by the Sindians and recovered by Marwar in the reign of Maharajah Bijeesing remaining under his sove- reignity during the remainder of his reign and during the 12 years reign of Bheemsing. But it was finally lost in the reign of the present Maharajah in Sumbat 1869 thirty years ago. at ri From Jessulmere— Sagur.—By Lieut.-Colonel N. Campbell’s map this place lies nearly west of Jessulmere, distant about 40 miles. It was conquered by the Ameers about 60 years ago in the time of Moolajee, the father of the present Maha-Rawul. Three shares of the territory are said to belong to the Ameers of Hyderabad and two shares to those of Khyrpoor,Gursea.— This place I do not find in any map. It lies in the direction of Hyderabad near Tatteedur about 50 kos from Jessulmere. It was conquered by the Sindians at an earlier period than Sagur and is said to be held by the Ameers in the same share as that place. ) The Frontier of Jessulmere extended to Umer Sing-ka- Kanda, in the direction of Sukkur, during the reigns of Juggut Sing and Uka Sing the great grandfather and grand- father of the present Maha-Rawul. And to Bude Barole, in the direction of Hyderabad during the reign of Moolajee the father of the’ present Maha-Rawul. The Sindians have encroached considerably on these, the ancient frontiers of Jessulmere and those encroachments continued up to the period of the negotiation of her treaty with the British Government. 2. It would of course be highly acceptable to Marwar and Jessulmere to receive back at the hands of the British Government these territories and any other territories of which they may have been deprived by the Ameer of Sind. I cannot of course tell whether there are any other portions of the Territory of Sind not belonging to Meer Al Murad which it would be agreeable to the States of Jodhpur or Jessulmere to possess. But on this subject I shall refer to Captain Ludlow and to the Jessulmere Durbar; the result of those references I shall hereafter have the honour of communi cating to you. I have, &c., : (Sd) fj. SOUTH BREAND, Agent, Governor-General. ST SS a, pe Fee aa FESS SLE OP EE a go os eg 4 Be. KER: ee 0" as Soulless Re ere, <3 Pe cw etre Shs ae SAY, cot hk deeamer enue tee tA et oie, wee he gf ved ans Se ape Fe ff pane: age gS: Ene eS a Ee OE Sones iy *Enclosure No. 5. No. 514 OF 1843. Dated 13th May 1843. CAPTAIN LUDLOW, Political Agent, Jodhpur. SIR, I have the honour for Col, Southerland to enclose copy of Mr. Secretary Thomason’s letter No. 522 of the 8th instant, and to request you will be good enough to lose no time in reporting for the information of the Governor-General the steps taken or proposed by His Highness Maun Sing for the re- occupation of the country in Sind, forcibly seized by the ex- Ameers from.the Marwar dynasty some years back. 2. Itis to be hoped that the contents of this letter will have a good effect on the party in the state opposed to our measures regarding the Naths and convince them how free from every feeling of selfishness our proceedings are in regard to Marwar. (Sd) P. Ty tee, Assistant Agent, to the Governor-General. el Enclosure No. 6. | No. 522. Agra, 8th May 1843. a4 To By * LiguT.-CoL. J, SOUTHERLAND, aaa Agent to the Governor-General, Rajputana. nt The Governor-General is desirous of being informed what i measures you propose to adopt upon the territories of Jessul- Hi mere and Jodhpur for the propose of controlling the Balo- chees.2. Itis of much importance that Sher Mohomed and the other Chiefs, who have taken refuge at Shahgurh and else- where the edge of the desert, should not be permitted there to organize bands of plunderers for the purpose of directing them either against our territories in Sind or those of allies in Rajwaro. 3. The Governor-General would willingly see the Rawul of Jessulmere again in possession of all the territories of which his ancestors were deprived by the Balochees and the Rawul must see that no more favourable occasion than the present could poss#ly occur for driving out those foreign invaders and oppressors. The honour and interest of the Raj are equally concerned in now effecting this object. The whole of the territory intervening between the frontier of Jodhpur and the town of Umerkote may now at any time be taken possession of by the Rajah of Jodhpur and the Governor-General would gladly see the Marwarees reinstated in these ther ancient dependencies. 4. The Fort or Town of Umerkote must for the present at least as a measure of military precaution be occupied by the British troops, and wherever the British troops may be, the British Government must exercise sole jurisdiction not only over the Fort and Town immediately occupied but over the lands immediately connected with them. With this exception however it is permitted to the Rajah of Jodhpur to re-occupy all the territories formerly held by the ancestors in the District of Umerkote and the Governor-General cordially congratulates the Rajah on an event so honourable to this reign and to his people as the recovery of these ancient territories from the hands of their late barbarous masters. - You will assure the Rawul of Jessulmere and. the J" ° . ° Rajah of Jodhpur that it has been the subject of special satisfaction to the Governor-General that the successes of the British arms in Sind should have led to events which must be so gratifying to their Highness and to their subjects. I have, &c., (Sd.) J. THOMASON, Secretary to Government of India with the Governor-General. Pe a OCCT ET a,320 Enclosure No, 7. No. 404. Jodhpur, 11th July 1844. To CAPTAIN JACKSON, Superintendent, Mullanee. SIR, On the 19th June in letter No. 345, I forwarded for your information copies of certain letters that had passed between the Governor-General’s Agent and the Supreme Government relating to the restoration of Umerkote Fort and District to this State; I now have the honour of enclosing a copy of a Khurreeta from His Highness to my address on the same subject, also copy of the note addressed by Major Ludlow to this Durbar intimating the purpose of the Governor-General to restore Umerkote. This note was written by the Major on the receipt of the letter from Government noted inmy former communication, , 2. I likewise enclose copy of the ‘ Hydnama’ between the Jodhpur, Rulers of Sind and the late Maharajah, also extract of a Furd which accompanied the Treaty of 1818, between the British Government and this Durbar and which has reference to Umerkote. 3. From the information contained in those documents and that you have gathered during your residence here, it is hoped by His Highness you will observe from the Khurreeta that you will be able to obtain for him the complete restoration of all the towers and villages possessed by Marwar in Umer- kote. i nave, oa6., (Sd.)-P: T.. TRENGa Political Agent.Enclosure No. 8 Statement of the Vakil of Jodhpur to Captain Trench, a2nd June 1844. I enclose sundry documents showing that Umerkote was the property of the Marwar Sarkar. I also enclose for your inspection the accounts of revenue and map of Umerkote and its dependencies. Enclosure No. 9. On the 11th of April of the present year the Sarkar of Marwar applied for Umerkote to be restored to them. A letter, dated 20th May, was sent to the British Agent at Marwar by the Secretary of the Governor-General saying that the Governor-General congratulates the Maharajah on recovering Umerkote which belonged to his ancestors, but which has been so long out of his possession. Enclosure No. to. A Treaty sealed by Meer Fateh Allee and Ghoolan Allee states that Umerkote and its dependencies belong to the Maharajah Deerraj and that will not interfere with it in any way. Enclosure No. 12. The Maharajah applies for permission to the Governor- General to be allowed to retake Umerkote from the Talpoors by force which he lost three years ago by the treachery of his own people. Dated 6th January 1818. Answer. , If you cannot recover by fair means and choose to use force, the British Government will not interfere. True translation. (Sd). PELEY, LipuUTENANT, Persian Interpreter. Re ga am OR ‘ pee 2 th eS A ’ soe er ge a, * * OT aie “a 54No. 2991 OF 1843. Kurrachee, roth October 1844. To CAPTAIN JACKSON, Political Superintendent, Mullanee. SIR, I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 164 of the 23rd ultimo, relative to the claims to Umerkote advanced by Marwar. In reply I am directed to state that His Excellency the Governor will not give up to Marwar the Fort or Town of Umerkote nor lands within 5 miles to the east of it. His Excellency with reference to the boundary question between Marwar and Sind have no instructions, to give you on the point you should refer to Colonel Roberts to whom in conjunction with yourself the duty has been assigned. As requested the original enclosures to your letter are herewith returned. 1 have, tzc,, (Sd.)° E. BROWN, Secretary to Government of Sind.No. togr OF 1844, Hyderabad, 31st December 1844. THE SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT OF SIND. SIR, | have the honour to forward extract from letter from - Lieutenant eForbes regarding an amicable settlement of the feuds at present existing between the Bathees of Mounder and Sodas of our territory. [ have, &c., (Sa.) #4. b, RATHBORNE, Collector and Magistrate, Hyderabad. | (14). 355-42300 Enclosure to letter No. rog1 of 31st December 1844. Extract of a letter from Lieutenant Forbes, Deputy Collector and Magistrate of Meerpoor, to the Collector and Magistrate of Hyderabad, dated 29th December 1844. From all I can learn the Mounda Bathees are most anxious amicably to settle all their disputes with the Sodas in our territory. They write that they will do anything that the Governor orders. That they will restore all stolen property and give up the thieves. Advantage, I think, ought to be taken of the funk established for it is nothing else on account of our ryots. Our Sodas are just as much to blame, I suspect, as the Bathees and have by all accounts carried off from the neihgbourhood of Rinda: as much property if not more than they have lost. Should it meet with His Excellency’s approbation if the Jessulmere and Jodhpur Governments would agree, Pancha- yat composed of the principal zamindars or rather Chiefs of Sind, Rejhistan, Jodhpoor and Jessulmere who reside near the boundary, would be the best court for these lawless regions and the one most likely to settle all disputes properly. Mallet is much liked by these children of the Desert and if a Panchayat was sanctioned would make the best Superintending Officer | know. True extract. (Sd.). A. B. RATHGORNE Collector and Magistrate.ART ~) <) No. 58 OF 1845. Sukkur, 7th January. 1845. To CAPTAIN JACKSON, Political Superintendent, Balmeer. SIR, 2 By direction of His Excellency the Governor of Sind, | have the honour to forward a copy of a letter No. 1091 of the 31st ultimo and its enclosure received from the Collector of Hyderabad, and I am directed to state that the plan proposed by Lieutenant Forbes of settling the existing feuds between the Bathees of Mounda and Sodas of our territories appears to His Excellency to be a very good one, if it can be arranged. (Sd.) E. BROWN, Secretary to Government of Sind, oe hae e i ‘Khyrpoor, near Buhawalpore, 5th January 1845. My dear Brown, I have come to this part of the country partly on account of boundary disputes between Bahawal Khan and his neigh- bours—but my reason for this advertising myself, as it were, is not to apprise you of that fact, but is connected with other matters. If however in writing to you in this way about them I do what is objectionable, consider this sheet as never blotted but burn it and let me know that you have done so for my present information and future guidance. Khubchand, a trader of Buhawalpore, has bewailed to me the joint cases of himself and his brother Dharamdas in Sind. Khubchand was considered by Governor to have done good service in the way of example, etc.,in connection with the opening of the navigation of the Indus and generally to have made himself useful to British officers in former times. In 1838 he received a Khilut from the Governor-General. After that period he appeared to have lent money to the Hyderabad Ameers (who had payments to make to us) and when, in 1843, their conduct lost them their country, Khubchand says they were in his debts rupees 1,55,000 of Sind currency. He appears to have applied to the Governor of Sind on the subject, and in May last His Excellency appears to have said that cases of the kind had been referred to Calcutta and thence, it was believed, to England. Khubchand is in debt to our Government through one or more of its Agents on this side (of whom I am not one so situated) and he makes difficulties about paying what is due for, native like, he perhaps thinks. We shall be compelled to pay him what he claims from Sind in order to pay ourselves as it were. I presume that in the case of Sind, Government will make good all ordinary claims against the Ameer tected chiefs when any unforeseen cause, or not be foreseen, deprives them of their Pp S—as among pro- cause which could ossessions, claims333 against them are listened to which otherwise would never be heeded. Would therefore you recommend that Khubchand should once more solicit attention to his case through your office or should he ask the Governor-General’s Agent, N.-W. Frontier, to lay it before the Supreme Government. With regard to the fugitive members of the Khyrpoor family I have been told that the Nawab must understand he is not to allow them a refuge in Buhawalpore but that they should either go to Sir Charles Napier or to Major Broadfeet. The Nawab I believe would have us think that those who did enter his territory have now quitted it. But there issome reason to doubt this, so far as I can at present make out. What ts the law in the case ? or the privileges of a Dependent Territo- ry? Are not the fugitive prisoners equally liable to punishment as if they had set foot on ground under one of our own Magistrates. | shall be at Khyrpoor where the Nawab is in a week (1 am going slowly) and a letter directed in Persian and English outside the Dak will reach me safely. My news from Lahore extends to the 28th ultimo only. No excesses had been committed. The Sikhs indeed feel that to have tolerated a foreign dominion, such as that of the Dogras of Jammu was disgraceful to them. They feel too that to be strong they must be united and there is also in reality a strong attachment to the mystic Khalsa, I do not know that my duties will allow me to get to your neighbourhood but I should like much to shake you again by the hand believe me, however, very sincerely yours. ® (Sd.) J. CUNNING HAS.No. 19 OF 1845. Dated Balmeer, 25th January 1845. To CAPTAIN E. BROWN, Secretary to the Governor of Sind. SIR, Upon the subject matter of your letter No. 58‘ol the jin instant and its enclosure, I have the honour to transmit for the information of His Excellency the Governor of Sind, copies of letters to and from Major C. Thoresby, Agent Governor- General for the States of Rajputana. A copy of Major Thoresby’s letter will this day be transmitted to Captain Mallet for his sentiments as to future proceedings. l have, de . $F 2s Bae N ee ne FAS fia et? ey Ty ae ie ee Be > Se 5 a ed : ge aN CN tee A cae Sa terete Pita % ta i de aptleans No. 14 OF 1845. Sukkur, 23rd March 1848. To CAPTAIN MALET, Fe Resident, Khyrpoor. Ba SiR, e | have the honour by direction of His Excellency the Governor tp forward copies of a letter and its enclosure No. 109, dated 25th January last, relating to disputes between the Scedas and Bhutees and with reference thereto to request that you will furnish me also the information required by Major ‘Thoresby, Agent to Governor-General for the States of Raj- putana. a. SR Bath a Ae Stree ee” ES I have, &c., (Sd.) E. BROWN, Secretary. 2 RC fae egy PRR LS Soa re L (\ ) 355—43338 No. 705 OF 1845. i Fort William, 14th March 1845. To CAPTAIN E. I. BROWN, , Secretary to Government of Sind. SIR, With reference to the annexed extract of a despatch, dated mae ip Weare aero 4th October 1844, received from the Ofh- ) though not officially ciating Agent at Jodhpur, I am directed HO eee ait to request that you will move His Excellency Umerkote never belong- the Governor of Sind to furnish the HI cee Supreme Government with any documents rl or proofs on which His Excellency may have founded the opinion alluded to by Captain Trench that the Fort of Umer- kote never belonged to the Marwar State. | have, &c., (Sd). W. EDWARDS, Under Secretary to Government of India.Selections from the Records of the Commissioner in Sind. SELECTION No. IX. Instructions to Deputy Collectors of Hyderabad District regarding collection of grainrevenue in Hyder- abad Collectorate, 1843 —1847. a RF SiGe Fea STEN zee TS: "re ne a cree AR ea sr meee rnc mn rae — eres >. cee cs ein al = : 7 fie A ee eo ale — Eid to, BME? hl dae ee ae Br Sy aN a ie et SEN EN ieee ee Be ee Pee a ae Go lr ae abe ed aihct ; - 3 a %: Eb aon: ue AG oe ae Pr SE Oa nih oe, aa ies ee yee DRS RRO Se PRE tee pee Cs Oy gaan Re. ts a poe 8? tg hy. eS ere - 4 ss i ers wl F Y a ey Se - eeA ob 4 a341 Instructions to Deputy Collectors of Hyderabad regarding the collection of grain Revenue in that Collectorate. 1. Deputy Collectors should always bear in mind that they are placed in the districts as a check upon the Kardars and other native subordinates and not to supersede their func- tions. ‘They will therefore not interfere with. these people in the ordinary duties except to prevent oppression towards the ryots on the’one hand and fraud towards the Government on the other; but they will exercise a general supervision on them, 2. Buttaidars with their Mohurars and Zabits will be sent on the 1st proximo from Hyderabad into every Purgunnah in the Collectorate who will make the Buttai and forward their ‘cussera’ papers to Collector leaving a copy with the Deputy Collector of the district in which the Purgunnah hes. 3. These papers will be checked by a reference to the Buttai and Zabit accounts of former years in the Collector's office and it will be the duty of Deputy Collectors in their towns through their districts to ascertain by personal inspection how far the Buttai and ‘zupts’ as made by the Buttaidars and Zabits correspond with the actual quantity of ground cultivated and its produce this year. Until a regular survey 1s made of the whole country, this can never of course be ascer- tained to a nicety, but enough may be done by a careful inspection aided by information gained from the cultivators, to discover cases where gross fraud is committed or attempted , and in the event of Deputy Collectors, finding any such case an immediate report should be made to the Collector. 4. Ambardars will be similarly appointed from Hyderabad and into their charge the grain as estimated by the Buttaidars will be given; and when the whole has been collected instructions will be issued by the Collector regarding its disposal. The nye ee RITE eS oe Ree e * ss Wd, ia ¥ 7 XN -are to be forwarded on the days above ordered and the other monthly papers may be sent in on any day before the roth and the annual estimate of canals and bunds must be sent in on or before the rst November of each year and the account must be made out for each Purgunnah separately. Besides the above returns the Deputy Collectors will fur- nish monthly, on or before the 2oth of each month, a casualty return of Jagheerdars holding Jagheers or residents in the Pur- gunnahs under their charge, giving the date of decease, number and age of sons, if any, and amount of land held by them and which has thus lapsed to Government and in what Purgunnah situated. In consequence of the above additional duties thrown on the Deputy Collectors a new and more equal distribution of the several districts is necessary and the followng new distri- bution of Purgunnahs is made in consequence :— Halla district. CAPTAIN ANDERSON. Purgunnahs. Chinejah. KKhittah and Dowlatpur. Dinejah. Muneyjah. Kund Chakarwah. Laikghee Mubarakwah. Wunjaree and Dahlee. Halla. Katie Khanote. Ali Bur Gessoomer. Shahwah Lohana. Mohomed Khan’s Tandra. CAPTAIN JONES. Purgunnahs, Sumawatee. Oodajanee, Hingoranee. Kurbe Tickoor. Syedpur Ludhan. Chowdra. KChuttar Ugamanee. Kaskartyar. Dundee Kokur. Shahwah Mushrook. Shahwah Magrubee, Thole Danda.Shahbunder. LIEUTENANT JAMESON. Purgunnahs. Shahbunder. Jatee. Chejah and Suttah. Mangur. Meerpoor district. LIEUTENANT FORBES CAPTAIN DRUMMOND. Purgunnanhs. Mattaree Kundoo. Ali Burr Sangro. Surfrazwah. Imamwah. Ropah Meerwah. Nara Junagunee. Umerkote. Shahghur Khangurh. Cammara. Hoosree Bindo. Katree and Sipea. Allybar Khanwah. Imamwah Peenoah. Jooda. Meerpoor. Allayar and Nassarpur. Almaka Gotee. LIEUTENANT FENNING. Purgunnahs. Bunna Laikpur. Dutchur Wallishah. Tye Mooradpur. Keeral Kote Almah. Runta Beila. Dadooki Chowria. Korwah Galai. Bairampoor Seeranee. Meerpoor Battora. Dook Gaja. Amrah Shah Kapoor. Kuddee. Lakat Meerwah. Wunga. G. Woop, ESQUIRE. Purgunnahs. Dadwa Salar. Beedino Kilro. Mundhur. Looharree. Wallasa Kuddan. , Kolree. Kuddera Khyrpoor. Shahdeewah. Wungakuk. Chuchgaum. Trinda Kashore. ae See pn ie “ : ay. 4h, te Sa & é BE 8 Jbait ee on ¥ te oe. J 350 HEADQUARTERS DIVISION. Dooaba. In carrying on the duties of thei several districts the Deputy Collectors must follow entirely the several circulars or particular orders whether in English or Persian that may have been already or may be henceforward issued from the Collector’s office but they will correspond direct with the Kardars and collect and be responsible for the revenues of their several districts. In order that the Collector may be entirely and immediately acquainted with every step taken by them, they will, besides the weekly diary in English forwarded to the Governor, transmit me daily, Persian copies of all letters received by them from the several Kardars during the day and their answers thereto as | send to them copies of such papers at present. There are two kinds of cases regarding which no orders ought to be given without reference to me, claims to Jagheer and claims of Jagheerdars to water from the Government canals. (Sd.) A, B. RATHBORNE, Collector and Magistrate.NO. 594 OF 1847. COLLECTOR AND MAGISTRATE’S OFFICE, Hyderabad, gth July 1847. MEMORANDUM. The following alterations are made in the districts of this Collectorate :— The Hoosree, Katree, Hingoranee, Oodajanee, Kurbee* Tickoor, Khuttar Ugamanee and Kaskartyar Kardarates are attached to Hyderabad. The Mattaree Kardarate is joined to Halla district. The Dadwah Tellar, Buddino, Kolree, Kuddera Khyrpoor, Shahdeewah, Wungakuk, Chuchgaum and Binda Kathair Kardarates are joined to the Mohomed Khan’s Tandra district. The Tundee Kokur Kardarate is joined to the Laikpur district. The Mundhur, Looharree, and Wallasa Kuddun Kardarates are joined to the Shahbunder district. The necessary notifications to be made to Kardars and transfers made in the office papers. (Sd.) A. B. RATHBORNE, Collector and Magistrate. AT ae ROCHE: - = i PS Say of a Ta * er ie — Bs! din x Tae oe er te Sy gto Aas a © re Hg ROMMEL OtSelections from the Records of the Commissioner in Sind. SELECTIONS Nos. X and XI. (1) Creation of the appointment of the Commissioner in Sind and his duties described, 1847. (2) Annexation of the Province of Sind to Bombay Presidency, 1847. Bir, 4 = : ea ees eae : . — ff c.3 BS Oe. TIN Ag cae aT AT LTE oe a a a Nh Ma Sisk: FS eae ee ee ee ty te Bilt — Ce Ta PT Ser a Fs MES Re Le MS Cig a ge Oa Sn Te in BES aes TB ES Ae Sia cole age eee RA age ee erate." e 1 RS Se ee oe i cS = bs a es iN = + — , Deen se Re ~ : ae < =, og ene ny re ey ae é i - - di ian a ill oe —e L (1v) 355—45355 NO. 3462 OF 1847. Bombay Castle, 15th September 1847. R.:K.. PRINGLE, ESQUIRE, Bombay Civil Service. SIR, I am directed to inform you that in consequence of the approaching retirement of His Excellency Lieutenant-General Sir Charles Napier, G.C.B., from the Government of Sind, the Honourable the Governor in Council is pleased to appoint you Commissioner for the civil administration of that Province, from the date of His Excellency’s departure, which this Government is best to believe will take place about the 23rd instant. <2. | am desired to transmit for your information and guidance copy of a letter from Mr. Elliot, Secretary to the Government of India, with the Honourable the Governor- General, dated the 25th ultimo containing an exposition of His Lordship’s sentiments in regard to the mode in which the administration of Sind should be conducted pending the receipt of final instructions from the Home authorities. In conformity with the wishes of the Right Honour- able the Governor-General of India, communicated in the 4th paragraph of the above mentioned letter, Captain E. J. Brown, of the Bengal Engineers, 1s to continue to hold his present office of Secretary and, pending ulterior arrangements, no change should be made in any civil office. 4. It being deemed advisable that ‘an officer should, for the present, be attached to you in the capacity of Assistant, the Governor in Council is pleased to appoint to that situation t onfenant 1. EB, Lester; of tic X Regiment, Bombay Native Infantry, and while so employed he will be permitted to draw the same amount of salary as he at present receives as an Assist- ant in the Deccan Revenue Survey.ort tor Se 350 5. Pending definite instructions from superior authority, the Governor in Council considers it unnecessary to give you any detailed instructions, but he would indicate that your duty, generally, as Commissioner in Sind, will be first to conduct the Government on its present footing, and second to collect the fullest possible information relative to the present condition of the Province and the system of administration now in force, to serve as a guide in hereafter determining on the future plan of Government. 6. It will occur to you that, for the attainment of this last mentioned object, it will be proper to direct your enquiries to the extent, population, revenue and resources of the several Territorial Divisions of Sind, the nature of the land tenures and the present system of revenue management, the Customs and all other branches of revenue, the general character of the people of Sind, and of the tribes on the Frontier, and the general tone of their feelings towards the British Government. 7. Your enquiries should also include the civil and crimi- nal justice of the Province, and Police, and the efficiency Or otherwise of the present system, the present establishments in the several departments, their sufficiency or otherwise for their objects and the advantages and disadvantages of their present organization. 8. It will further be requisite that your attention should be directed to the receipts and expenditure of the Government in all its branches, including not only its present but its past financial position from the period that this Province came under British rule. 9g. The above heads are only e guide to some of the points on w you should obtain the fullest advisable that your enquiries s which may appear to you essenti of the condition and resources of for this Government to possess fo to the measures which finally ma administration of Sind, 10. It will no doubt occupy a considerable period before you will be able to obtain complete and accurate returns on the several points above indicated. You are therefore requested numerated to serve as a hich it will be requisite that information, since it will be hould be directed to all points al for conveying such a view the country as will be requisite t the purpose of giving effect y be determined for the future357 to obtain in the first instance, information upon these points, in such a general way, as will supply the Honourable the Governor of Bombay, who proposes to visit Sind towards the close of the present year, with sufficient data there to form a judgment respecting them. 11. You will perceive from the 5th para. of Mr. Elliot’s letter that the Right Honourable the Governor-General of India has now under consideration, in communication with Sir Charles Napier, the subject of the future military arrangements in Sind. Pending, therefore, a decision by His Lordship as to the mode iy which the military arrangements are to be con- ducted, all matters of a military character should be conducted by the senior Military officer in the Province, all establishments and business of a strictly civil character beg under your control and direction. 12. In your communications with Government you should address the Governor in Council direct, but your correspond- ence with your subordinates, or with other departments, should for the present be continued through the Secretary, Captain Brown. 13. The Governor in Council has not yet received any positive information as to the precise date of Sir Charles Napier’s departure from Sind. But as it is directed in the 7th para. of Mr. Elliot’s letter of the 25th August that the Civil Commissioner should proceed to Kurrachee in the vessel ordered thither to convey Sir Charles Napier to Suez, | am directed to request that you will embark in the Honourable Company’s steamer “ Moozufur” which is appointed for this service an which will leave Bombay on or about the 2tst September in order that you may be ready to receive charge from His Excel- lency on his departure. 14. Pending a decision as to the amount of your salary as Commissioner in Sind you are authorized to continue to draw the same salary and allowances as you at present receive as Chief Secretary. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient servant, (Sd “A MALE, Secretary to Government. ba Wee! erDated Simla, 25th August 1847. To THE SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT OF BOMBAY. SDR, I am directed to intimate for the information of His Honour in Council that the Governor-General hag received a letter from Lieutenant-General Sir Charles Napier, G.C.B., dated the roth August, tendering the resignation of his office as Governor of Sind, on account of the state of the health of his family which has suffered severely during the present year. 2. The Governor-General in accepting Sir Charles Napier’s resignation, regrets to lose the valuable services of so able and distinguished an officer; and His Lordship requests that His Honour in Council will cause a Government steamer to be prepared to take Sir Charles Napier and family from Kurrachee to Suez, with the necessary instructions for the Honours and Salutes to which the Lieutenant-General is entitled as Governor of Sind. 3. With regard to the arrangements to be made for the appointment of an ofhcer to carry on the Government of the Province of Sind, I am directed to transmit for the information of the Honourable the Governor in Council, copy of the Gov- ernor-General’s letter to the Court of Directors of the 18th September 1846, No. 7, conveying His Lordship’s sentiments of the course that ought to be adopted on the departure of Sir Charles Napier. This letter has not as yet been answered by the Court, but the Governor-General has reason to believe that the decision of the Home authorities may be very shortly expected and His Lordship recommends that all questions pertaining to the salary of the Commissioner or Lieutenant- Governor may remain undecided for the present and any appointment be considered to be of a temporary character until the orders of the Home authorities have been received.399 4. The Governor-General recommends that Captain Brown, the Secretary to the Government, should continue to hold his present office. His services, talents and zeal are highly valued by Sir Charles Napier and his loss at the present moment would, His Lordship thinks, be productive of public inconvenience. The Governor-General is in communication with Sir Charles Napier with regard to the Military arrangements of the Province, the distribution of the troops and the strength of the forces to be retained in Sind for the year 1848. No immediate alteration being required, the Governor-General will com- municate with His Honour in Council on this subject after he has received the Military Report from Lieutenant-General Sir Charles Napier and His Honour in Council can then in consult- ation with His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief, Lieutenant- General Sir W. Cotton, make such arrangements in concert with the Governor-General as may be deemed to be most expedient during the approaching cold season. 6. The Governor-General is of opinion that it will be conducive to the public interests as well as to the facility of carrying on for the future the Government of Sind after it has been annexed to the Bombay Presidency, that His Honour the Governor should visit the Province in the end of the present year at the most favourable season. His Lordship is convinced that 2 or 3 months can be most profitably spent by His Honour in making himself acquainted with the local peculiarities of the Province, the state of the various departments as they now exist, the system pursued in the collection of the revenue, that of the Custom and Judicial Department, and on all points on which, as Governor of Bombay, His Honour’s decisions will eventually have to be given, when the Province 1s to be governed by orders sent direct from Bombay. ‘The Governor- General can devise no plan so likely to result in assisting the Bombay Government to govern the country successfully, as that of availing itself of the talents, zeal and energy of His Honour the Governor Mr. George Clerk in conducting the internal enquiries here recommended. His Honour would have the advantage of seeing everything with his own eyes, and will be invested with full authority whilst he 1s on the spot, to make360 such arrangements as the altered state of affairs may require after the Province has lost by the departure of Lieutenant-General Sir Charles Napier, a public servant, who combined rare abilities for the civil and military administration of the country, and whose presence in recollection of his military achievements was calculated to ensure tranquility by overawing the turbulent portion of the frontier population. His Excellency Sir Charles Napier proposes to embark early in September, which will afford sufficient time for His Honour in Council to make every necessary preparation, of a temporary character, causing the individual selected by His Honour in Council in the first instance to carry on the Provin- cial Government of Sind, to proceed there in the same vessel which is destined to take His Excellency to Suez. 8. The questions relating to the mode in which the Province is to be annexed to the Bombay Government being now before the Home authorities, the Governor-General deems it unnecessary, as their decision will be shortly expected, to enter into further details on this subject. I have, etc., ($Sd,)}> He Mi, ELLIOW, Secretary to the Government of India with the Governor-General.NO. 7 OB. ro7e, FOREIGN DEPARTMENT, Simla, 18th September 1846. To THE HONOURABLE THE COURT OF DIRECTORS. HONOURABLE SIRS, I have to acknowledge your Honourable Court’s despatch No. 19 of 24th June 1846 in which you refer to a former com- munication of the sth June 1844, No. 22, addressed to the Governor-General in Council, which states that whilst your Honourable Court adheres to your former opinions regarding the proceedings in Sind, you will not issue any instructions for the guidance of the Governor-General in Council with respect to the affairs of Sind, which have hitherto been conducted by the Secret Committee, satisfied that the best insterests of the State will be consulted in any proposals which may be made for the future management of Sind; and the despatch con- cludes by expressing an anxioas hope that all practicable measures may be adopted for ameliorating the condition of the Ameers. >. The more recent despatch of your Honourable Court expresses your trust that the Governor-General in Council will be enabled to frame for your consideration a definite plan for the future management of Sind. With regard to arrangements which will be best adapt- ed for the future management of Sind, I am of opinion that the whole of that Province ought to be annexed to the Presi- dency of Bombay, that the troops and all the establishments, both Civil and Military, should be furnished by, and committed to the charge of, the Governor in Council of that Presidency. That so long as Major-General Sir Charles Napier continues L (iv) 355—46- ” ak ‘ LAG * ° 362 to exercise the civil and military duties of the Government and the Command of the Forces in Sind, it will not be advisable to make any change in a country recently subdued. 4. Great advantage has attended the union of the two appointments of Governor and Commander of the Forces in Sind. A warlike military people are more likely to be disposed to obey the chief who conquered them than any other public officer who may be selected by the Government. 5. This opinion is limited toa state of affairs such as that which has existed in Sind since | arrived in Irfdia.- The state of the Province during the years 1844 and 1845 could not with advantage have admitted of the annexation of Sind to the Presidency of Bombay. 6. The Government of India could not have selected during the last three years a more efficient officer than Major- General Sir Charles Napier for the duties he so ably performs in Sind. On public grounds therefore there has been no occa- sion on which I could, with benefit to your Honourable Comp- any’s Service, have recommended any better plan for the administration of Sind than the present. 7. Inthe letter addressed to your Honourable Court dated 2nd May 1845, No. 22, on the subject of retransferring Cutch to the Bombay Presidency, the Governor-General in Council assumed that Sind would ultimately be annexed to Bombay and gave his reasons why he was averse to disturbing any part of the existing arrangements until a settlement of the , whole question could be finally carried out into effect. 8. Assuming that the state of affairs in the Punjab and in Sind are now sufficiently disclosed and have arrived at such a settled state of tranquility and order as to justify me in recom- mending a system for the future management of Sind, I would observe to your Honourable Court that there are reasons of a personal nature affecting Major-General Sir Charles Napier which would make me prefer the postponement of any altera- tion so long as Sir Charles remains at the head of affairs in Sind, conducting his duties under the Government of India.Ah: 393 _ It can scarcely be expected that such a change would be acceptable to him and I do not perceive any advantage to your Honourable Court’s service by substituting the authority of a subordinate for that of a supreme Government so long as the Major-General remains in Sind. 10. Whenever Sir Charles Napier may retire, I should immediately recommend the annexation of the whole of Sind to the Bombay Presidency, selecting the most able Civil Officer in the Presidency as the Commissioner aided by an active and judicious Military officer. od t1. The Revenue Administration, the Police and Internal affairs of the country as well as the Political affairs on the Frontier would be committed to the Civil Commissioner in the same manner as in our other Indian Provinces. 12. The administration of Justice as regards criminal cases would be open to consideration. The view taken by the Governor-General in Council on this subject is recorded in a letter to the Secret Committee of September 14th, 1844, and approved by the Secret Committee on 4th December 1844. I 1 do not understand that your Honourable Court's ~ letter of the sth June requires me at the present moment to give more than the foregoing general outline of my opinion. 14. In authorising the Bombay Army last spring to be augmented by three regiments of Native Infantry under the discretion vested in me by your Honourable Court, I withdrew the Bengal troops from Sind. This augmentation was given ‘n substitution of the Bengal troops permanently withdrawn and not because | considered that the Bombay Army required on other grounds that augmentation—thus gradually prepar- ing for the annexation of the whole Province to the Bombay Presidency whenever the distinguished officer now at the head of the Government of Sind may retire. 15. With regard to the treatment of the ex-Ameers of Sind your Honourable Court will find from despatches address- ed to the Secret Committee and specially one of date August z Sa PE AEF Y . ae ay304 14th, 1846, that every possible consideration has been shown at all times to them and that no opportunity has or will be i lost of ameliorating their condition and of conciliating their | feelings. 16. In December 1845, I suggested to the President of the Council, that they should be put on the same footing as the Mysore Princes and I am well aware that his honour has ile omitted no pains to render their position as agreeable to them i as under their circumstances it can be made. ¢: I have the honour, &c Ge ey (Sq. HARDINGE. True -copy. PY (Sd.)- Aue MAILE | Secretary to Government. True copy. (3d.) H -MieieT Secretary to Government of India, with the Governor-General.395 \T pay: NO. 2042, A HOREIGN DEPARTNENT, Simla, the 31st August 1847. ‘Fo CAPTAIN E. I, BRown, Secretary to the Government of Sind, SIR ) 9 | am directed to transmit to you the accompanying General Order by the Right Honourable the Governor-General with a request that you will cause it to be issued the day that Lieutenant-General Sir Charles Napier, G. C. B., embarks from IXurrachee for Aden and not before that period, nor will you allow the order to transpire before it be issued. 2, Should any officer be deputed from the Bombay Government to take charge of the Government of Sind on Sir Charles Napier’s departure you will of course apply for your superior officers’ instructions before you issue the orders. I have, &c. fSd.y°. Pv ERB Secretary to the Government of India, with the Governor-General. TE gee eee Bis ised7 be ie . ae C eslbhoad - noHF 300 General orders by the Right Honourable the Governor-General. Simla, 1847. His Excellency Lieut.-General Sir Charles Napier, G. C. B., having tendered to the Right Hon’ble the Governor-General of India his resignation of the office of Governor of the Pro- vince of Sind, His Lordship desires to express the regret he feels in losing the services of so distinguished and valuable an officer. F The Governor-General most cordially acknowledges the sense he entertains, of the just, firm and able manner in which His Excellency has conducted the Civil administration of the Province entrusted to his charge. This important and difficult duty has been performed with an ability which justifies the ankmited confidence which His Lordship has reposed in Sir Charles Napier, a name gloriously pre-eminent as the Leader of the Forces which achieved the victories of Meanee and Hyderabad. The Lieut.-General will after a long, brilliant and honour- able career in the public service retire from Government of Sind, having in the course of his service in India received the approbation of the Government he has served, the thanks of the British Parliament and been honoured by a distinguished mark of his Sovereign’s favour. By order of the Right Honourable the Governor-General, (Sd). ELLIO’; Secretary to the Government of India, with the Governor-General.307 No. 2788 oF 1847. KKurrachee, 1st October 1847. COLONEL THE HONOURABLE H. Dunpas, C.B., Commanding the Forces in Sind. SIR ) lam dsected to inform you that, consequent on the departure of His Excellency Lieut.-General Sir Charles Napier, late Governor of Sind, Robert Keith Pringle, Esquire, having been appointed by the Honourable the Governor in Council of Bombay, under instructions from the Right Honourable the the Governor-General of India, Commissioner for the civil administration of Sind, had this day assumed charge of that office. 2 Iam at the same time directed by the Commissioner to transmit for your information extract paras. 11 and 12 of a despatch No. 3462, dated the 15th ultimo, from the Secretary to the Government of Bombay in the Political Department and to request you will have the goodness to take such steps as you may consider requisite for making known to the officers and soldiers under your command the new modification under which the Government of the Province is now to be adminis- tered. [ have, &c, (Sd.) E, I. BROWN, Secretary to the Government of Sind.* # io . ee Si ial ssa j h AM 568 Circular to the Heads of Civil Departments in Sind. No. 2789 OF 1847. Kurrachee, rst October 1847. To Tur COLLECTOR OF SHIKARPUR AND OTHERS. SIR, I am directed to inform you that consequent on the departure of His Excellency Lieutenant-General Sir Charles Napier, G.C.B., late Governor of Sind, Robert Keith Pringle, Esquire, having been appointed by the Honourable the Governor ‘n Council of Bombay under instructions from the Right Honourable the Governor-General of India, Commissioner for the civil administration of Sind, has this day assumed charge of that office. > Under the new modification according to which the a & Government of Sind is now to be administered, all matters of a military character will be conducted by a Senior Military Officer in the Province and all establishments and business of 4 civil character will be under the control and direction of the Commissioner. a. YOu will continue to address official communications relative to the business of your Department, as heretofore, to the Secretary to Government of Sind, by whom they will be laid before the Commissioner. 4. You are requested to make known the purport of these instructions to the officers under your control. I have, &c., (509. Baas BROWN, Secretary to the Government of Sind. No. 2790 of 1st October 1847 to the address of Collector of Hyderabad. No. 2791 of 1st October 1847 to the address of Collector of Kurrachee. No. 2792 of 1st October 1847 to the address of Collector of Customs, Kurrachee,369 No 2793 of 1st October 1847 to the address of Offg. Captain of Police, Sind. No. 2794 of 1st October 1847 to the address of Resident, KC hyrpoor, No 2795 of 1st October 1847 to the address of Civil Judge Advocate-General in Sind. No. 2796 of 1st October 1847 to the address of Political Agent, Cutch. No. 2997 of rst October 1847 to the address of Treasurer in Sind. No. 2798 of 1st October 1847 to the address of Superin- tendents of Canals and Forests in Sind. No 24799 of 1st October 1847 to the address of Superin- tendent Indus Flotilla. No. 2800 of 1st October 1847 to the address of Superin- tendent, Boat Department, Kotri. No. 2801 of 1st October 1847 to the address of Superin- tendent, Boat Department, Sukkur. L (iv) 355-47St £ ae Sra Me 3 gl ages és ‘gh Reta. See eee re a a Y were No 2804 OF 1847. Kurrachee, rst October 1847. ‘To THE HONOURABLE GEORGE RUSSEL CLERK, Governor and President in Council Bombay. HONOURABLE SIR, | have the honour to inform you that I arrived off Kurrachee harbour on Board the ‘ Moozuffer’ steamer on the forenoon of Thursday, the 23rd ultimo, and landed the following day, since which time | have been residing with His Excellency, the late Governor Sir Charles Napier, and had opportunities of receiving from him in personal conference, such information or sugges- tions as he wished to communicate, relative to the affairs of Sind. 2. His Excellency and family embarked on Board the ‘ Moozuffer’ for Suez this morning and I have caused it to be intimated to the authorities in the Province that 1 have assumed charge of the civil administration in pursuance of the com- mission received from your Honourable Board. 3. in conformity with my instructions, I shall lose no time in taking the necessary steps for procuring information as to the condition of this Province and the mode of its adminis- tration, and pending ulterior arrangements, shall conduct the Government as nearly as practicable on its present system. In order however that your Honour in Council may in the meantime have some general conception of what that system is I shall proceed at once to submit a cursory sketch of it, in as far as I have been able to gather # from the officers with whom I have as yet come into communication. 4. The Province is divided into three Collectorates, the upper that of Shikarpoor in which are a Collector and-5 Deputies, the central that of Hyderabad in which are a Collector and 7 Deputies and the lower that of Kurrachee in which are a Collector and 3 Depu- ties. Under these are Kardars or Tahsildars answering to the Revenue.3} Mamlatdars in the Bombay Presidency with their several establishments of writers, peons The revenue is for the most part settled in kind, but a sinall portion in money. In the former the maximum Government share has been limited to 3 of the gross produce; ail extra cesses and all transit and town duties and personal taxes have been abolished A uniform land measure and uniform weights and measures generally, also the Company’s silver and copper currency have been introduced, (no remissions are granted and loans in the shape of Taccavi are made with caution.) There are no hereditary district or village establishments. The details of management are settled between the cultivators and the Kardars without much intervention on the part of the Kuropean officers. The Government share of the revenue in kind is sold by contract and the proceeds realized by instalments, generally about a year in arrear of the sales. Defalcations occasionally occur but are not frequent. There 1s a considerable quantity of land under life alienation but little under hereditary alienation. The grants are almost entirely personal, few or none religious or charitable and none for district or village service; there are no money assignments on the revenue. All Jagheerdars who submitted to Government on or before the 24th May 1844 (the period when Sir Charles Napier summoned them to a_ general Congress) have had their existing rights guaranteed. No lists were taken of such Jagheerdars at the time on which entire dependence can be placed but their names_ were hastily taken down by Sir Charles Napier’s Moonshee. Each individual however received a document under the signature of Sir Charles Napier, and on these being subsequently presented in support of claim the original deed and proofs of the then existing rights have been investigated by the Collectors and statements of them submitted for the confirmation and seal of the Governor. It is presumed that in this way the greater portion of such claims must, by this time, have been disposed of. The canal department, which is considered of vital importance to the Revenue, is directed by a Superintendent with large establish- ments both European and Native, under his orders. He has also the superintendence of the forests. The chiet duty of this deparment has hitherto been clearing out the old feeding canals: the past year has shown that a very large outlay is ca eet peer AP pT aarti as ra7 ae bi ‘ee “y tat c ac sickey aM Pe See ; Ceadbes zi os called for ere the ryots can be expected to cultivate with confidence. A survey was also to have been undertaken by this Department, but it has for the present been postponed, under orders from the Supreme Government, to the more pressing duty of clearing the canals. Lands irrigated by the canals are charged with a water rent in addition to the ordinary land assessment. The customs are managed entirely in conformity with the Bombay Regulations and A sith. Ae neighbouring foreign states have without exception been decla- red ‘foreign’ for the purpose of the customs revenue and the trade across the land frontier restricted toe prescribed routes and subjected to frontier duties. The sea customs are collected by a Collector of Customs, the land custom by the Collector of Land Revenue. No excise on spirits has been generally established but a partial measure of the kind has been experimentally introduced. A revenue Is also derived from fisheries. Five per cent. is levied on the amount of civil suits from the party against whom costs are adjudged. These together with Post Office receipts, fines, escheats and extraordinaries appear to constitute the sources of revenue. The receipts last year are stated to have amount- ed to Rs. 26,40,801 and the revenue due on account of the value of grain and hoondies outstanding to Rs. 13,53,408 which would make a total of about 40 lacs but this partially includes revenue due for the preceding year also and _ revenue extraordinary, so that the ordinary revenue for that year may perhaps not have exceeded go lacs. _ Diaries of proceedings are periodically submitted by Collectors, but no annual reports on the revenue and state of their districts. 5. Civil justice is administered by the Collectors and their Deputies or by Panchayats under their superintendence but chiefly by the latter process. The records of proceedings are retained in the offices of Collectors and monthly returns showing the names of the parties, the nature and amount of the suit, the substance of the decree and the amount of cost are forwarded by those officers for the information of the Governor through the Judge Advocate. Appeals have not been systematically admitted, but on a petition being made to the Governor against a decree. € Civil justice,lf on the face of the case he saw reason for interference, he directed the proceedings to be revised by a Military Commis- sion. At present, there is little information before Government of the details of the administration of Civil Justice, beyond what may be gathered from the monthly returns. 6. The agency for administration of civil and criminal — eee justice and Police consists (1st) of an tration of Justice and Police, Ollicer, designated “ Civil Judge Advocate General” with two deputies—the Judge Advocate-General is stationed at Kurrachee andthe Deputies at Shikarpoor and Hyderabad—their functions are to direct and revise judicial proceedings and the Judge Advocate to act generally as a Judicial Advisor to the Governor; (2nd) the Collectors and Deputies who are also Magistrates; (3rd). The Captain and 3 Lieutenants of Police who have the control and direction of the Executive Police and are also Magistrates ; the Captain having a general jurisdiction, the Lieutenants within the three territorial divisions respectively ; (4th) Military Commissions each consisting of 3 officers furnished by the nearest Commanding Officer on the requisition of the Magistrates, 7. Criminal Justice is administered primarily by the Col- lectors and their Deputies as Magistrates and by the Captain and Lieutenants of Police as Magistrates, both classes of officers having con- current jurisdiction within their respective limits, but being independent of each other. Offences have been classified with reference to their atrocity or their character as bearing on the state of society and a scale of punishments established. Minor offences are tried by Magistrates and their Deputies, or the Captain of Police and his Lieutenants and the sentence at once carried into effect under the orders of the Trying officer. In those of a more serious nature, the proceedings of the sub- ordinate officers are forwarded to his Principal who submits them, with his opinion, to the Judge Advocate for his confirm- ation. Inthe most serious class of offences, including those in- volving capital punishments, the Magistrates commit the accus- ed for trial before a Military Commission. The proceedings Criminal Justice, cupeeeemmeerciarn374 of Military Commissions are conducted at the outstation by. the Deputy Judge Advocate and at Kurrachee by the Judge Advocate: General and on conclusion are submitted by the latter officer for the orders of the Governor. The principal crimes are cattle and camel stealing, and murder arising out of cases of adultery, but the latter are less frequent than they were. The punishments are fine, imprisonment with or without hard labour, flogging, transportation and death. In the-case of extreme punishments the sentences are carried into effect only under the orders of the Governor. Monthly returns of cases within the final jurisdiction of the Magistrates showing the nature of the offence, proof and sentence are forwarded for submission to the mover Trials not requiring the confirm- ation of superior authority are recorded in Persian and the records kept in the aca. of the Magistrates. Those requiring confirmation are recorded in English and a records kept in the office of the Judge Advocate. All rs of a judicial or Magisterial nature requiring the oa S pat are trans- mitted for submission throu gh the office of the Judge Advocate. There are Jails at each of three stations, their control and management is under the exclusive direction of the Captain of Po ae. and his Lieutenants. a S, The. Police force consists o7— Police Mounted Police of all rank i: 838 Rural Cy re oe 896 City oe ib fa 476 2,210 They are commanded by and under the exclusive direction and control of the Captain and his three Lieutenants and posted in the manner best calculated to secure the peace of the country and provide for the various Jails guards and other civil duties. To the Captain of Police is entrusted the internal tranquility of the Province beyond the Military posts. It is the duty of the officers of Police to make themselves acquainted with the character of the population and to adopt every means for obtaming the earliest intelligence of anything likely toS15 affect the public peace ane give immediate information of it to the Governor. ‘There appears to be no_ professional Local Police, but eee are wag akers sin every village who are said to be very expert in tracing robberies and it is the established rule that all the ehanidats of a village should afford every information and assistance to the Police in the pursuit and apprehension of offenders, any neglect of which is punished with fine. : g. Muilitary officers at outposts and in command of forces at remote stations, have | understand occasionally been in the habit of exer- cising a discretionary power in adopting such measures for the protection of the frontier against the Hill tribes as the exigencies of the service might appear to them to require and reporting direct to the Governor. Our Political relations with His Highness Meer Ali Morad Khan are conducted by the Resi- dent at i hyrpoor and those in Cutch by the Resident there, both of whom communicate with Government through the Secretary. Political administration. 10. There is a General Treasurer for the Province who has his Treasury at Kurrache He sup- plies the wants of the Miltary Paym: aster at Kurrachee and the officers in charge of | Military Treasuries at Shikarpoor and Hyderabad. All departments except Collec- tors draw funds from him. He cashes all bills or receipts countersigned by the Governor, submits his accounts direct to Calcutta arid receives instructions ther efrom, draws bills on all Treasuries in India subject to the orders of the Accountant- General, at Fort William. His Treasury is supplied by such Bills by the surplus revenue of the Collectors of Land Revenue and Customs and if requisite, by cash remittances from Bombay, but chiefly from the first of these sources. He’ for- wards to this Government a monthly cash balance Return, which together with those of 3 Military Treasure Chests are forwarded to the Government of Fort William and Bombay. The Treasurer and Collectors forward their accounts direct to the offices of Audit and Account in Calcutta and they are adjusted through those offices without any communication with this Government. It is understood that there is at Finance.a ie 376 yresent a large amount of inefficient balance awaiting final audit. All estimates of prospective resources and liabilities as well as all general statements of receipts and disbursements are framed under instructions from the office of Account at Calcutta and submitted through it, so that this Government has no direct information of its financial position, beyond what it may possess from such casual statements as it may have especially called for. But if any requisition Is made by the Covernment of India for the general returns financial or other, out of the ordinary course, they are prepared in the office of the Secretary to the Sind Government. The monthly charge on account of civil salaries and establishments as it stood at the commencement of the present official year amounted to Rs. 64,547. 11. All appointments of officers in the Civil Depart- ment have been made by the Governor subject to the confirmation of the Supreme Government. Appointments. 12. The above is a hasty sketch of the system of Government now prevailing. I cannot answer for its being strictly accurate in all its details, but I believe it to be suffici- ently so to give your honour in Council a pretty correct general notion of its character and thereby to facilitate your delibera- tions in regard to any immediate instructions which you may deem it necessary to issue for my guidance. I do not perceive any very serious practical difficulty in conducting the Govern- ment on its present footing until ulterior arrangements can be made. The separation of the Civil and Military authority may perhaps occasion some embarassment and necessitate a resort to anomalous expedient at first, but I will do my best to prevent the public service from. sustaining any avoidable incon- venience from this cause, and in this, | have no doubt, I shall have the cordial co-operation of the Officer Commanding the Forces. One of the first points in the present system in which you may probably deem it expedient to direct some alteration, and this anterior to any more extensive changes to be even- tually introduced, is the substitution of some other agency for that of Military Commissions in the administration of Justice,377 such an agency being obviously unsuited to a Civil Govern- ment. It occurs to me that a model for immediately effecting such a change might be found in the system in force in the Deccan under the sole Commissioner, the Hon’ble Mr. Elphin- stone, on our first acquisition of that country. The exisiting civil agency there is nearly analogous to what then subsisted there, and might I think without difficulty or objection be charged with the performance of the same duties until a more regular system can be introduced. I have not the details of that system as respects the extent of power and character of the duties assigned to the respective functionaries, to refer.to, but they must be on the records of the Bombay Government. 13. Some early change may also be requisite in regard to the discretion which Military officers exercise in the direction of proceeding on the frontier as regards their political bearing. In such cases it may be advisable to transfer the political direction of affairs, except in cases of emergencies calling for immediate action, to the Collectors as Political Agents under the general control of the Commissioner, the conduct and responsibility of military operations in carrying out political measures resting of course with the Military officers. But I am unwilling to introduce any changes in this respect until I see my way before me, and am better acquainted with the working of the present system and the nature of the exigencies to be provided for. I therefore merely notice the point at present that it may receive the consideration of your Honourable Board. 14. Should any vacancies occur in civil appointments, delay in filling up which might subject the public service to inconvenience, I will at once take upon me to appoint officers to fill them subject to the confirmation of your Honour in Couneil. 15. Some establishment of peons, &c., immediately about my person will be required to supply the place of those which Sir Charles Napier had in his Military character from the Military Department and which will now be withdrawn. These L (Iv) 355—48 eT Ta ae nN We es Be 4 + ee Oe se ey , eee tea ‘ A, MALLABE: Chiet SecretaryNO. 2329. Simla, the 30th September 1847. THE SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT, Bombay. SIR, I have received and laid before the Right Honourable the Governor-General your despatch No. 249, dated the 15th instant, with its enclosures, and am directed in reply to state that His Lordship approves of the measures adopted by the Honourable the Governor in Council for carrying into effect instructions contained in my letter of the 25th ultimo No, 2o19. 2. His Lordship takes it for granted in reference to the 4th para. of the instructions given to Mr. Pringle, that it is not intended in affording to the Commissioner temporarily the services of an Assistant Commissioner, that that officer should, in the event of the sudden illness or coming away of the Com- missioner, succeed Mr. Pringle in his Civil and Political func- tions. These will devolve on the senior Civil Officer in the Province who will not have the power during his temporary occupation of office of issuing any instruction to the Command- ing Officer respecting the movements of troops. 3. Inreference to para. 3 of the instructions above allud- ed to, I am directed to observe that the object in recommending that Captain Brown’s services should be retained was that the Commissioner should have the benefit of the experience of an officer through whom for 5 years all the orders of His Excel- lency Sir Charles Napier had passed and who from his conf- dential situation, possesses an intimate knowledge of the Lieut. General’s views as to the Civil and Military administration of Sind. ~= 4. With regard to the 5th para. of my letter of the a5th August, recommending that His Honour the Governor of Bombay should proceed to Sind towards the end of this year, IGE ae gon z ep ag BOSE Cee ee ee* Cae a cdl 382 you will observe that it was there expressly stated that His Honour ought to proceed after the Province of Sind shall have been annexed to Bombay, in order that all doubt might be avoided as to the authority of the Governor of Bombay, when visiting a Province beyond the limits of Bombay Presidency. Before His Honour can be required to proceed to Sind the sanc- tion of the Court of Directors to the annextion of Sind to Bombay will probably have been received by the Government of India, unless the delay, which has occurred in expediting the Governor-General’s despatches to England, should retard the Court's answer. ~” 5. In reference to the 11th para. of the instructions to Mr. Pringle, | am directed to forward copy of a memorandum transmitted by the Governor-General to His Excellency Sir Charles Napier on the 15th July last, the day on which His Lordship received intimation (although not officially) of the probablity of Sir Charles Napier’s retirement from the Govern- ment of Sind. In that memorandum His Lordship requested His Excellency’s sentiments as to the numbers and distribution of the army and other matters connected with the Military arrangements for Sind. His Excellency may, before this letter reaches Bombay, have sent a copy of his answer to the memorandum, for the information of His Honour in Council. As soon as the answer in question is received by the Governor- General, His Lordship will address the Bombay Government on the subject. I have, &c., (od. 3. Ma Secretary to Government of India with the Governor-General.383 Copy. Memorandum by the Governor-General of India. Simla, 15th July 1847. The period of the year for taking into consideration he annual relief of troops having arrived, I have to request His Excellency Lieutenant-General Sir Charles Napier will report upon the force which he proposes to maintain in Sind for the year 1848. If the state of Sir Charles Napier’s health will permit of his remaining in charge of the Government and of the army, during the year 1848, I should be disposed to accede to a further diminution of Force in Sind, but if, as I fear, His Excellency’s health should have become so impaired by climate as to induce him to return to Europe, after an arduous and successful service of 5 years in Sind, I should in such case not be disposed to consent to any material diminution of the force during the year 1848. [t is impossible for the Government to exclude from its consideration the moral effect which must be produced by a change of masters over the feelings of a warlike and excitable people recently conquered. The name and presence of the conqueror of Meanee and of Hyderabad, does constitute in this sense a portion of our means in securing peace and order and it has a value which is appreciated by me and must be com- puted in determining the numbers and the distribution of the force whenever the Lieutenant-General retires from Sind, The Bombay Presidency is most amply provided with troops of every description and it is therefore unimportant whether 3 Regiments of Native Infantry, more or less, be retained in Sind, the only additional expense to be incurred being that which arises out of the extra pay and allowances to these three Regiments whilst serving beyond the Bombay Presidency, and this expenditure is not to be compared to the advantage of being at all times in a perfect state of preparation on that frontier. ay Saas Bae ease aeons ah a ar Ra ae ea oe Pere a pr foe 2 Me: ae 5 eG RAER AE Sa TRE:ne 354 Sir Charles Napier will therefore be so good as to report for my information, the distribution of the various arms at each station throughout the Province and the numbers of each garrison, which he is of opinion ought to be ready to move at the shortest notice. For instance at the large stations such as Kurrachee, Hyderabad and Shikarpoor a portion of each garrison will under any circumstances remain in charge of the place— the moveable portion kept in readiness to march at the shortest notice will be specified, with the means of transport ordered to be kept up at each station, including all the camp followers required for such a moveable portion of the force when it does take the field. ? I should also desire to have a return with explanatory remarks of the Ordinance and Commissariat stores now retained in the Province of Sind, the quantity of musquet ammunition in reserve and in what depéts, exclusive of the usual proportions in charge of each Regiment. A similar return as regards the Field Batteries of Artillery specifying the number of rounds for each gun which would be taken into action under the immediate charge of the officer commanding the Field Battery, the mode of transport, the number of ammunition, waggons for each Battery (say six and 9 founders), the reserve ammunition for each field gun, not in charge of the Captain of the Battery on the line of march, the mode of transport and the system established for ensuring a ready supply, specifying as before required, the number of rounds for each gun always in charge of the Captain of the Troop or Battery. Secondly the Reserve the nearest at hand and thirdly the number of rounds for each field gun in each magazine and Depot throughout the Province. A return to be sent in of the seige Artillery and proportion of ammunition as well as all the Engineering Stores, stating the magazines in which they are deposited. I should also be glad to have Sir Gharles Napier’s opinion as to the expediency of converting the Island of Bukkur into a keep or magazine, in which Ordinance and Military stores could be safely lodged, The smallest permanent garrison which the355 defence would require with any information as to the salubrity of the post at various periods of the year, and generally speaking whether there are any other points which in His Excellency’s opinion ought to be secured by the Military works, bearing in mind the general principle that the Military policy of this creat Empire is an aggressive and not a defen- sive system and that it is most undesirable e, except for the purpose of securing stores, to disperse and lock-up troops in defensive posts I am also desirous of having His Excellency’s opinion as to the valufe to be attached to the Steam Flotilla on the Indus, as connected with the defence of the country, either m expedi- ting the movement of the troops or inthe saving of expenditure by “the transport of troops and stores in peace and war. Sir Charles Napier has paid the greatest attention to the health of the troops in Sind. I shall be obliged to him for the fullest information on the point stating the months of the year when movement of troops ought most to be avoided, On all these matters connected with the occupation of Sind, His Excellency will exercise his discretion in affording the fullest information, which proceeding upon his_ professional ability and local experience, cannot fail to be of great value for the guidance of his successor. (Sd). HARDINGE: True copy. (Sd,) Hi. Me BREIOCs: Secretary to the Government of India, with the Governor-General. True copy. A. MALLE. Chief Secretary. L (iv) 355-49#usebie s No. 4128 OF 1847. Bombay Castle, 29th October 1847. | Pi R. K. PRINGLE, ESQUIRE, ey | Commissioner in Sind, SIR, | With reference to my letter No. 4031, dated the 22nd 1 instant, | am directed by the Honourable the Governor in ia Council to transmit to you the accompanying copy of one No. 287, I have this day addressed to the Secretary to the Government of India with the Right Hon’ble the Governor- General, in reference to the appointment of your Assistant, | Lieutenant Lester. I have, etc., (ad) 3A MATS. Chief Secretary.NO, 287 OF 1847. Dated the 29th October 1847. To Et. M. ELLIOT, ESQUIRE, Secretary to the Government of India, with the Right Hon’ble the Governor-General. SIR, [am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 2329, dated the 3oth ultimo, approving of the measures adopted by the Hon’ble Governor in Council consequent on the instructions communicated in your letter of the 25th August last, No. 2019 and to state for the information of the Right Hon’ble the Governor-General of India, that a copy of your communication under acknowledgment has been furnished to the Commissioner in Sind for his information and guidance. 2. With reference to the remark contained in your para 2 | am desired to explain, that in appointing Lieutenant Lester, Assistant to the Commissioner, it was from the first intended that that officer should serve only in a confidential capacity, similar to that of Private Secretary, that this Government never contemplated his carrying on the duties or taking charge of the office of Commissioner in the event of Mr. Pringle's absence and that Mr. Pringle was made fully aware of this when directed by the Honourable the Governor to select a young officer for the confidential duties adverted to; and I am further desired to explain for his Lordship’s information that the only reason for designating the latter officer as Assistant, was, that His Honour in Council considered the designation as more appropriate than that of Private Secretary to a Civil Commissioner. ; [ Waye, cle:; (Sd.) A. MALLET, Chief Secretary. True copy. (Sd.) A. MALLET, Chief Secretary. 5 Noa + Wg POR CS PRE388 & No. 4122 OF 1647. Dated the 29th October 1847. R. K. PRINGLE, ESQUIRE, Civil Commissioner in Sind. SIR, { am directed by the Honourable the Governor in Council to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 2804, dated the 1st instant, reporting your arrival at Kurrachee on the 24th of the preceding month and submitting a hasty sketch of the system of Government now prevailing in Sind. 2. In reply and with reference to paras. g and 13 of your letter, 1 am desired to inform you that so far from the Govern- ment wishing you to make any alteration which may at all weaken the powers now exercised by the officers on the Frontier, before you are fully acquainted with the working of the present system and the nature of the exigencies to be provided for, the Governor in Council is prepared to approve of your strengthening the authority of those officers, if you and Brigadier Dundas deem the doing so necessary to the proper protection of the country. 3. | am instructed to request that you will at your leisure report particulars regarding the inefficient balance alluded to in the roth para. and that you will call upon all the local autho- rities in charge of treasuries to look to any inefficient balance, which their accounts may exhibit, with a warning that, they will be held responsible for every such item until sanctioned and passed by sufficient vouchers into the body of their accounts. 4. lam further desired with reference to para. 12 to inform you, that the Government is fully satisfied that you and Brigadier Dundas will do you best to prevent the public service from sustaining any avoidable inconvenience from the separas tion of civil and military authority.389 5. In compliance with your request contained in the same para. | am instructed to forward copies of the documents mentioned in the annexed list, containing the details of the system in force in the Deccan under the Honourable Mr. EI- phinstone on the first acquisition by the British Government of that country—some further papers containing information on the same subject will’ be sent to you as soon as copies can be made of them. 6. The Governor in Council approves of your anticipat- ing the sanction of Government to the arrangements alluded to in paras: 14 and 15 of your letter and desires me to state that the Civil-auditor has been instructed to furnish you with the information applied for in the postscript of your letter. I have, etc., (Sd. 2 A MALLET. Chief Secretary.aes. x ‘hte winless ’ OSes eta eg 311g, wg hats 539? No. 3574 OF 1847. Kurrachee, 22nd November 1847. To THE HONOURABLE GEORGE RUSSELL CLERK. HONOURABLE SIR, I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Mr. Chief Secretary Mallet’s letter No. 4031 of the,22nd ultimo and enclosures containing an exposition of the Right’ Honour- ble the Governor-General’s views in regard to the future administration of Sind. On reference to the 5th paragraph of Mr. Secretary Elliot’s letter No. 2329 it would seem that the Right Honour- able the Governor-General expected that copy of Sir Charles Napier’s Report on Sind would have been communicated officially by His Excellency to the Bombay Government. A copy of His Excellency’s memo I have already forwarded privately, but as the return and documents referred to in it have not accompanied it, | have now the honour to transmit copies of them for the information of your Honourable Board. [ have, &c., (Sd.) RR, BK. BRANGLE. Commissioner in Sind.Selections from the records of the Commissioner in Sind. SELECTION No. XIL it (az) Military Commission appointed by Sir Charles Napier to enquire into a complaint against Seth Naomull, Head Kardar of Kurrachee, and findings of the Commission, 1847. (4) Seth Naomull’s appeal to Government. (c) Government decision recognizing his services.393 Headquarters Kurrachee, 21st August 1847. Extract from General Orders. By His Excellency Lieutenant-General Sir Charles Napier, G.C.B., Commanding the Troops in Sind, No 1 with reference to General Orders No. 3 of the 16th instant, the following opinion of the Military Commission, which assembled at KKurrachee on the 2tst day of June 1847, for the purpose of investigating into a complaint made to His Excellency the Governor py Hotchand against Naomull, the Kardar of Kurrachee, together with His Excellency’s remarks thereon, are published for general information. Opinion. The Commission having maturely weighed and considered the evidence which has been brought before it, is of opinion— (1) That the complainant Hotchand did together with Mungoomull purchase (650) six hundred and fifty kurwars of the grain of the Ghorabaree district of the Khurreef season of the year 1845 and that the receipt for this grain not having been signed by the complainant Hotchand and his_ partner Mungoomull, must have arisen either from culpable negligence on the part of the persons in the Collector’s office whose duty it was to see that this receipt was signed, or else from collusion on the part of the said persons with the complainant Hotchand and Mungoomull. (2) That the complainant Hotchand has failed to prove that he saved the Government 10,000 rupees by raising the rate at which the grain of the Ghorabaree district was disposed of. At the same time the Commis- sion think it its duty to remark that the grain of this district appears to have been sold in a very irregular manner in the season referred to. L (1v) 355-50 PPC a ee: weet * . * she ae ‘ eI, Re ee RR ‘ : ; . are ot ae ah" 0 ue ~~ ; Te ee eae eae s @ Q. Have you your books for the year 1844 ? A. Yes, here they are. The books are here produced and the following extract made from them :— “A Bill, on Bombay, dated 7th Phagoon (April 1844) for Company’s Rs. 300 payable at 4 days’ sight, negotiated at the rate of 113-12-0. Kashanee rupees for 100 Company’s rupees. A Bill on Bombay, dated 12th Phagoon (April 1844) for Company’s Rs. 200 payable at 4 days’ sight negotiated at the rate of 114 Kashanee rupees for 100 Company’s rupees. A Bill on Bombay, dated 21st Phagoon (April 1844) for Company’s rupees 1,000 payable at 4 days’ sight negotiated at the rate of 114 Kashanee rupees for 100 Company’s rupees. A Bill on Bombay, dated 17th Jeth (July 1844) for Company’s rupees 2,000 payable at 4 days’ sight negotiated at the rate of 105-4-0 Kashanee rupees for 100 Company’s rupees. A Bill on Bombay, dated 18th Jeth (July 1844) for Company’s rupees 500 payable at 4 days’ sight negotiated at the rate of 105-12-o ‘ashanee rupees for 100 Company’s rupees. A Bill on Bombay, dated 18th Jeth (July 1844) for Com- pany’s rupees 325 payable at 4 days’ sight negotiated at the rate of 105-12-0 Kashanee rupees for 100 Company’s rupees. A Bill on Muscat, dated 17th Cheyt (May 1844) for 25 Tommans payable at 25 days’ sight negotiated at the rate of 21 rupees per Tomann. _ A Bill on Muscat, dated 17th Cheyt (May 1844) for 15 Tommans payable at 25 days’ sight, negotiated at the rate of 20-4-0 Company’s rupees per Tomman. A Bill on Sehwan, dated 1st Vesakh (June 1844) for 1,000 Govindee rupees payable at 25 days date at the rate of 106-12-0 Kashanee rupees for 100 Govindee rupees,421 A Bill on Sehwan, dated tst Akhal (August 1844) for C ompany’s rupees 550 payable at 25 days date negotiated at par. A Bill on Sehwan for 250 Company’s rupees of same date and same terms. _ A Billon Sehwan, dated 2nd Akhal (August 1844) for Company’s rupees 1,000 payable at 25 days date negotiated at par. _ A Bilb on Sehwan, dated 30th Akhal (August 1844) for Company’s rupees 500 payable at 25 days after date negoti- ated at the rate eight annas per cent. premium. Three Bills on Sehwan, dated 29th Kutee (December 1844) for 1,000, 500 and 500 Company’s rupees all purchased from Cheloo payable at 25 days after date and negotiated at the rate of 1 per cent. discount.” Examination resumed by the Judge Advocate. Q. I see that on the 17th Cheyt (May 1844) two Bills on Muscat were negotiated one for 50 Tommans, the other for fifteen at different rates. Can you tell me what was the cause of this difference in the exchange ? A. It is not customary for Bil) to sell always at the same price, sometimes they are cheap, sometimes dear. Q. But these two transactions took place on the same day. Had the relative amounts of the Bills anything to say to the difference of the exchange ? A. The reason is this in the morning there is one rate. In the evening another, and again if anyone particularly wants to buy and there are none anxious to sell, the buyer has to pay a premium, but if there is more anxiety to sell than buy, the seller sells at a discount, but it makes no difference whether the bill is for a large or small amount. Se a eS a Ga ee ss eee Rag BAS ae al “‘Sa. ee Soe 422 Q. Was Kheemun, the Bill broker, in partnership with you in 1844. A. Kheemun was in partnership with me for five months only from February to May 1844. He then carried on business by himself. Mewar withdraws. Kheemun, the Bill: broker of Kurrachee, being called is questioned. q By the Judge Advocate. Q. Were you employed as a Bill broker at Kurrachee, in the year 1844 ? A. Yes at first with Mewar and Parsram, but from July I carried on business by myself. Q. During the period, did you negotiate the sale of any Bills of large amount ? A. Ican tell by referring to my books. The witness here produces his books and the following extracts are made from them :— “A Billon Bombay, dated 6th Akhal (August 1844) for Company's tupees 4,000 payable at 31 days after date and negotiated at the rate of 1-3-0 per cent. premium. A Billon Bombay, dated 7th Sawun (September 1844) for Company’s rupees 250 payable at 31 days after date and negotiated at par. A Bill on Bombay, dated 12th Sawun (September 1844) on the same terms. A Bill on Muscat, dated 2nd Akhal (August 1844) for 31 Tommans payable at 21 days’ sight and negotiated at the rate of 9-1-0 Company’s rupees per Tomman. | |A Bill on Muscat, dated 3rd Sawun (August 1844) for 21 Tommans, payable at 21 days’ sight and negotiated at the rate of 19-5-0 Company’s rupees per Tomman. A Bill on Muscat, dated 16th Sawun (August 1844) for 66 l'ommans payable at 21 days’ sight negotiated at the rate of 19-10-0 Company’s rupees per Tomman. A Billon Sehwan, dated gth Budho (October 1844) for Company’s rupees 250 payable at 25 days after date and negotiated gt the rate of 2 annas per cent. premium. A Bill on Sehwan, dated 3rd Asoo (November 1846) for 500 Govindee rupees payable at 25 days after the date at the rate of 124-6-0 Kashanee rupees for 100 Govindee rupees. A Bill on Sehwan, dated 17th Asoo (November 1844) for 500 Govindee rupees payable at 25 days after date and nego- tiated at the rate of 96-6-o Company’s rupees for 100 Govindee rupees.” The witness withdraws. Kheemun, Bill broker, is again called in and at the request of Naomull’s agent Atoomull, his books are again examined and the following extracts made :—- “A Bill on Sehwan, dated 20th Magh 1go!1 Sumbat (March 1845) for Company’s rupees 400 payable 25 days after date negotiated at the rate of 1 per cent. discount. A Bill on Sehwan, dated 4th Magh tgor Sumbat (March 1845) for Company’s rupees 1,000 payable 25 days after date negotiated at the rate of 1-2-0 per cent. discount. Two Bills on Sehwan, dated 5th Magh 1901 Sumbat (March 1845) for Company’s rupees ,500 and 250 payable 52 days after date negotiated at the rate of 1-2-0 per cent, discount. 7) ST guar parr: ag. ROR LE:wal he ba Mag git es Alta bee SS Pita . . bh Bee , “ 7 ? . aon - ihe s me oe i et ARR ae FO han CP anaes 8 SEF a Va eh ; . paint ee oh kale! os" gi Sg Meee ss Mig sto oy Te me rome a 5 aie “Mee Nile a alle EBS, : lean Y = eee, FEES OS See fea Fa lee: BP 8 a tetra a 4 .: ; - Ralacs ee ae 3 424 By the Judge Advocate. Q. Inthe year 1844, did the amount of the Bill make any difference in the rate at which bills of exchange were procurable in the market ? A. If any one was to purchase a Bill for a large amount he would certainly get it at a cheaper rate than he would a small Bill. But if the buyer or ‘seller were anxious about the transaction the rate would depend on which was most anxious for the transaction. Q. Did you negotiate any transactions éor Bills of small amount on Sehwan during the year 1844? A, No, none under 100 rupees and these were Govindee rupees ° How do you know that if a person were to pur- chase a Bill for a large amount he would get it at a cheaper rate than he would for a small Bill ? A. It has happened several times that I have gone to the merchants to ask for a Bill for two or five thousand rupees and they have said they would sell it me at a dis- count of 1-8-o and if I wanted a Bill for a hundred rupees I should have it at discount; but the rate depends again on which party is anxious to negotiate the exchange, OQ. Are there any entries in your books for the year 1844 of large Bills and small Bills having been transacted on the same day The witness examines his books and the following extracts are made :— ‘ ‘A Bill drawn on Sehwan, dated 25th Budho (October 1844) for 400 Govindee rupees, payable 25 days after date, negotiated at the rate of 95 Company’s rupees for roo Govindee rupees. A Bill on Sehwan same date for 250 Govindee rupees, payable 21 days after date at the rate of 95-4-0 Company’s rupees for 100 Govindee rupees.L (Iv) 35554 5 A Bill on Bombay, dated gth Asoo (November 1844), payable 61 days after date for 800 Company’s rupees negotiated at the rate of eight annas per cent discount. One bill on Bombay same date and payable at same period for Company’s rupees 200 negotiated at the rate of 1-12-0 per cent. discount. lt appears that a Bill for 200 rupees on Bombay was purchased at a cheaper rate than the other Bills of larger amount, the sale of which was transacted by you on the same’ day. Can you explain the cause of this 2 A. The Bill for 800 rupees was an undoubted good billdrawn by a wealthy merchant Ramoo. There was no fear of its being returned. The other Bill for 200 rupees was drawn by one Haroon who is not a shroff and the bill was a doubtful one and on that account cheaper. By Atoomull | ©. Where were you in December 1844 ? ° A. I don’t know the English names of the months, but | was at Dwarika in the month of Kuti (December 1844) and returned to Kurrachee aboutithe rst of Nahree 19cl Sumbat (January 1845). ©. When examined before the Military Commission you said that the discount on Bills drawn on Sehwan in the month of December 1844 was four annas, how did you know this ? A. Hotchand questioned me and | told him that I was not here in the month of Kuti (December). ‘In the month of Nahree (January 1845) when I was here, Bills on Sehwan were selling at a discount of 12 annas and a half and afterwards at a discount of one rupee and one rupee four annas. I did not say that the discount was 4 annas in December. ww Bill on Sehwan of the value of five thousand rupees ? O. Have you ever transacted the negotiation of a#5 9526.0) wteel o vat tattle teteeceneteneearen eae teieeeneieeneneniamanamemnmeniiaas No, never. Kheema withdrawn. At the request of Atoomull, Mewar is again called in and the following question put to him. By Atoomull. Q. Inthe month of April 1845 did you negotiate a Bill on Sehwan to Keerat, Shroff, and, if so, at what rate P A. Yes, I find the witness refers to his books (that on 26th Phagun (April 1845) Keerat was the purchaser of 4 Bill from Cheloo for 3,000 rupees on Sehwan at a dis- count of 1-6-0 per cent. Witness withdraws. Khooshall Rai, merchant of Kurrachee, being called in, is questioned. By the Judge Advocate. Have you had much experience in buying and selling Bills of Exchange ° A. Yes, I know all about it but my two nephews enerally manage this part of the business. oO & ©. Does the amount of the Bill make any difference at the rate at which it 1s transacted. A. There is no regular rule for Bills of Exchange. Sometimes it happens that a Bill for a small amount can only be bought at a high premium and one for a large amount ata low premium, and sometimes directly the reverse. It altogether depends on the demand. Q. Do you know of any other cause for variation in <~ the rates of exchange ? A. It depends entirely on the anxiety of the buyer or seller to complete the transaction,427 The witness’s books are here examined and the following extracts made from them :— : A Bill on Sehwan, dated and Akhar (August 184.4), for Com- pany’s Rs. 1,500, payable 21 days after date negotiated, at par. A Bill on Sehwan, dated 15th Buddo (October 1844), for Company’s rupees 250, payable 21 days after date negotiated, at two annas per cent. premium. A Bill on Sehwan, dated ist Kuti (December 1844), for Govindee rupees 500, payable 21 days after date negotiated, at the rate of*96-4-o Company’s rupees for 00 Govindee rupees. A Bill on Sehwan, dated 29th Kuti (December 1844), for Company’s rupees 1,000 sold by Cheloo, payable 21 days after date negotiated, at the rate of one rupee per cent. discount. Witness withdraws. Kheemchand, merchant of Karachi, being called in, is questioned by the Judge Advocate-General. (). Have you had much experience in buying and selling bills of exchange ? A. I have bought and sold them ; I know about them. nd €). * Voces. the amount of. the - bil make any difference in the rate at which it is transacted ? A. Sometimes there is a difference of four and six annas between the rates of large and small bills and some- times they are to be had at the same rates, there is no general rule. Q. Does the same rule hold good in the purchase of bills as in the purchase of grain or other articles in which there are wholesale and retail rates ? A. If anyone 1s anxious to buy, a small bill will be procured by him at a cheaper rate than a large one would, and if any one was anxious to sell, he would sell small bill say at one rupee discount. If he sold tor a larger sum_he should sell at one and a half rupee.igh Ti 0 Sides rete ete a ae call ese sects ; CO ade So Bh o. ae Sr a Syd a Weta. *. QO. Po -you know of any other cause for the variation in the rates of exchange ? A, There is no other reason but the demand and the supply, and if the Shroffs find they can dispose of a bill to advantage they do so. The witness books for 1844 are here examined and the following extracts made from them. : — One bill on Muscat, dated 28th Chet (May 1844), for 50 Tomanns, payable at 21 days sight negotiated at the rate of 20-6-o Company’s rupees per lomann. One bill on Muscat same date for 15 Tomanns, payable at 21 days sight, negotiated at the rate of 20 Company’s rupees per Tomann. One Bill on Muscat same date for 85 Tomans’ paya- ble at 21 days sight, negotiated at the rate of 20-8-o Company’s rupees per Tomann. One Bill on Sehwan, dated 26th Sawun (September 1844), for Company’s rupees 1,000, payable at 21 days after date negotiated, at par. The witness withdraws. Question by Judge Advocate. ©. Atoomull, have you anything to say on the part of Naomull regarding the subject of enquiry ? A. Naomull merely told me about December 1844. I don’t know the cause ofthe rest of enquiry and have nething to say to it. Atoomull withdraws and the enquiry is closed. Remarks. I beg respectfully to remark that the witnesses Khooshal Rai and Kheemchand are two of the most respectable mer- chants of the town of Kurrachee, and I think their evidence may429 be fully depended upon. I have had their books for examined, also those of several Bill Brokers of the Town, whose names were mentioned to me as_ persons having extensive dealings in bills, in the hope of finding entries of transactions of large and -small amounts that had been negotiated on the same day. The search has however been unsuccessful, and | have been unable in any of the books examined to find entries of bills on Sehwan of larger and smaller amounts than those . extracted. ¢ 1944 The dithculty of. arriving at a correct understanding re- garding these Bill transactions on Sehwan is much increased, In Consequence of nearly all bills prior to the month of August 1844, having been transacted in Govindee and Kashanee rupees, the relative value of which appears to have fluctuated considerably. With reference to the evidence given before the Military Commission regarding the rate at which bills were purchased in the month of December 1844, I beg respectfully to observe ) it appears to be incorrect, the books of Mewar and Khooshal Rai (extracts contained in pages 8 and 18) both showing that Bills in Sehwan were purchased in December at the rate of 1 per cent. discount. These bills apparently formed part of the bills negotiated during that month on account of Govern- | ment by Naomull. K, YOUNG, Captanm. Judge Advocate-General in Sind. Kurrachee, 29th August 1848.ss owt wisi ici 420 MINUTE. With reference to Naomull’s letters of the 5th and roth instant to the address of the Judge Advocate-General, that officer is: requested — ist. To forward extracts paras. 2 to 10 and para. 13, commencing from “it will further be remembered ” to the end, to Captain Preedy, and to call upon him to state whether the course of procedure therein described 1s in accordance with the practice of his office and with his instructions. and. Tocall upon Captain Preedy, with reference to the 19th para. to state at what rates the bills, therein alluded to, were negotiated by Captain Lavie at Sehwan* and whether Naomull was in any way connected with or could have influenced their negotiations. ardly. To call upon Naomull to explain, with re- ference to the agreement in para. 21, how the suspicion being that Cheloo had obtained the bills from Government at rates more favourable to him than were current in the market, their purchase from him by other parties at the same rates should be so improbable as to remove that suspicion. 4thly. To examine Parsram and Kheema, and to obtain the opinion of respectable merchants and bill brokers as to the alleged difference of rate between whole- sale and retail bill transactions both generally and specially as it existed at the period under enquiry, calling upon them to support their opinions by a reference to books and documents. R. K. PRINGLE, 21st August 1849. Commissioner in Sind.No. 265 OF 1848. Dated the 24th August 1848. THE COLLECTOR AND MAGISTRATE, Kurrachee. SIR J [ have the honour by direction of the Commissioner to forward, eftracts of a letter to my address under date, the 5th instant, from Naomull, late Head Kardar of Kurrachee ;and with reference to paragraph 13, | am instructed to call upon you to state whether the course of procedure therein described is in jaccordance with the practice of your office, and with your instructions. 2. With reference to paragraph 19 you are requested to state for the information of the Commissioner the rates at _ which the bills, here alluded to, were negotiated by Captain Lavie at Sehwan, and whether Naomull was in any way connected with, or could have influenced, these negotiations. I beg you will be good enough to order Parsram and Kheema, the brokers named by Naomull, to attend at my office on Monday next, the 28th instant, at 11 o’clock a.m. and to bring their books with them to enable me to examine them regarding the negotiation of bills of exchange. [ have, &c., kK. YOUNG Judge Advocate-General——— No. 959 OF 1848. Dated the 26th August 1848. To THE JUDGE ADVOCATE-GENERAL IN SIND. SIR, In acknowledging the receipt of your letter No. 265 of the 24th instant, transmitting copy of a letter to your address from Naomull and requesting me to state whether the course of procedure described in para. 13th of that letter is in- accordance with the practice of my office and with my instructions, I have the honour, in reply, to state for submission to the Commis- sioner that such is not now the practice, although it was so formerly. Naomull being unacquainted with Persian, the satas or agreements were always prepared by my first or second office Moonshee who obtained the signatures of the purchasers to them and afterwards brought them for my countersignature. I considered the Moonshee who procured these signatures answerable for the correctness of them. Since the remodel- ling of my office establishment and the appointment of a Head Moonshee, I have ordered that all agreements shall be signed before him, after which he countersigns them as a voucher for their correctness and brings them with the parties before me, for my signature and confirmation. 2. In reply to the queries contained in the 2nd para. of your letter I beg to state for the Commissioner’s information that the bills negotiated by Captain Lavie at Sehwan during the month of December 1844, January, February, March and April 1845 were all negotiated at 14 percent The Shroff who negotiated these bills at Sehwan is named as Laloo and he was, as I understand from Naomull’s nephew, a partner in the profits arising from some of the bills remitted from Kurrachee, the profits arising from the bills negotiated at Sehwan were all, [ believe, enjoyed by himself. The house of Hotchand & Co., being one of the principal firms in Sind, might doubtless influence the money market at Sehwan, but as there are manyShroffs located there who are unconnected with this firm, and as Captain Lavie used his best endeavours to get his Bills at as cheap a rate as possible, I am of opinion that he would soon have discovered it, had any undue influence been used in the Sehwan Bazaar by Naomull or his Agent. 3- In compliance with the request contained in the 3rd para. of your letter, I have the honour to inform you that | have directed Parsram and Kheemun, Brokers, to attend at your office with their books, on Monday next, the 28th instant, at fa O.clock. . | have - cce., PRE DY oC anetin Collector and Magistrate, Kurrachee. KKurrachee Collector and Magistrate’s Office, Kurrachee, 26th August 1848.434 No. 278 OF 1848. iat Dated the 4th September 1848. To THE COLLECTOR AND MAGISTRATE SIR, With reference to the extracts of a letter from Naomull, late Head Kardar of Kurrachee, forwarded to you with my letter : No. 265 of the 24th ultimo, I have the honour to réquest that ‘| you will state for the information of the Commissioner, whether the course of practice described in paragraphs 2 to to of Naomull’s letter is in accordance with the practice of your office, and with your instructions. | | have, &c., K. YOUNG, Judge Advocate-General in Sind. siege Me! i PF Oe nae eT BBE ye .ks oi eas +“ omyNO. 999 OF 1848. IKURRACHEE CoLLECTOR AND MAGISTRATE’S OFFICE, Dated the 5th September 1848. THE JUDGE ADVOCATE-GENERAL IN SIND. SIR, | have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 298 of the 4th instant, enquiring whether the practice described in paras. 2 to 10 of the extracts of a letter from Naomull forwarded to me with your letter No. 265 of the 4th ultimo are in accordance with the practice of my office and with my instructions. 2. Inreply | beg to state for submission to the Com- missioner that I simply directed Naomull to inform the grain merchants in the town that grain was for sale; as to the mode in which this information was to be communicated | gave him no instructions. 3. Naomull, as Head Kardar of the Collectorate, was, | consider, bound to receive persons on business, at any hour, or in any place and I certainly attach no blame to him for receiv- ing persons who wished to make offers for Government grain at the house set apart for the transaction of business, by the firm of which his father is the head. Every Kardar in the Collectorate to this day receives offers for the purchase of Government grain in his -dwelling house and afterwards for- wards the persons who make the offer to the Deputy Collector or to myself. After receiving such offers we make enquiries as to whether higher rates are obtainable and if not, after obtaining security, close the bargain. All this was done in the case referred to, with the exception of taking security which until lately has not been customary. I have, &c., PREEDY Captain, Collector and Magistrate, Kurrachee.a - Bei ce Oia Ma Bat ie al 7.7 me Se . aan eee ” , iT — * ee Bila ust hae ; ae ie ec Ba tee ae i ae es eS eae Ky . “ait ile: es ee 7 # z + Ry Yo nig, . ba fe NN ic ta | Bed aera a f tes Bisa St t ' fe " Ws i, ;: mk " in Pa os ey iy we gs ao ef, ead J ’ es ge y Pig a Se Fee vl a ip ree Pe a MM. Oe fe ok A i a t i ne Bon Dadian Secale a 8; & . , oe BS iF es Fe yw 3 ioe p<, A Pikes c : : : 2 ab gn SES sitaellb x nt, sll = ee ee > x < a ~ - See He 430 NO. 2449 OF 1848. To THE RIGHT HON’BLE VISCOUNT FALKLAND, Governor and President in Council, Bombay. My. LORD, | have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Mr. Secre- tary Goldsmid’s letter No. 2591, dated the 6th May last, in the case of Naomull, late Head Kardar of Kurrachee. © 2. Before reporting my proceedings consequent upon the instructions contained in Mr. Goldsmid’s letter | beg to point out a misapprehension in the circumstances of the case as stated in the 2nd paragraph. Naomull was not disgraced and dismissed the service by a Military tribunal on an ex parte statement without being put on his trial or heard in his defence, but a Military Court assembled by His Excellency, the late Governor, to enquire into acts of malversation alleged against the establishment of the Collector of Kurrachee by an inference, having recorded an opinion that there had been irregularity in the sale of Government grain, that a concern direct or indirect of Naomull and others on the Collector’s establishment in_ the purchase of such grain was objectionable, and that a mercantile firm with which Naomull was connected had unduly profited in the disposal of Government Bills of exchange, Sir Charles Napier gave Naomull the option of being tried before a Military Commission on charges founded on the matter adduced before the Court of Enquiry or retiring from the public service with inca- ° S . © pacity for re-employment, the former of which alternatives not having been acceded to by Naomull he remained in exclusion from public employ upto the close of Sir Charles Napier’s Government. 3. On the receipt of Mr. Goldsmid’s letter I directed the Judge Advocate-General to frame charges against Naomull from the proceedings before the Court of Enquiry and to forward them to him for his reply, which having been received and considered I directed such further proceedings to be taken asES ae Te _ be iti. Bes ema 7 esa eas oe ee — ety eS pn ie a yb eas, en a See ee ASS a BEES, 43° were requisite for the completion of the case. Copies of all these documents are herewith transmitted for the information of your Lordship in Council as per annexed list. The original proceedings before the Court of Enquiry are also re-trans- mitted. 4. After a careful consideration of these papers [ am of opinion that there are not sufficient grounds for charging Naomull with dishonesty but that his extensive local influence and connection with the principal mercantile firms in Kurrachee makes him an unsuitable person for the situation of Head Kardar in the Collector’s office there, the duties of which when he held it were somewhat similar to those of Daftardar in the Bombay Presidency; I would therefore recommend that he should not be re-instated in that office but that his exclusion should be divested of anything implying a reflection on his character ; and in that case it may be for your Lordship in Council to consider whether his former services as brought to notice by Captain Preedy in his memorandum, dated the 14th January last are of a nature to entitle him to any acknow- ledgment in the form of a pension. RK. Ky PRINGDE, Commissioner in Sind,ee 2 dine SNe Sa Male t i ’ mh" hae a mM Se Ras a % a ay gh oe a et : si Sta Fe 0 ar ot ths a Fes 4 i. a: 3 ‘ aes % BRS i ¢ lige acc Ag: Ge nd ees eek, : iat as ree eye pds No. 6840 of 1848. TERRITORIAL DEPARTMENT. R, K. PRINGLE, ESQUIRE, Commissioner in Sind. SIR, In acknowledging the receipt of your letter No. 2449, dated 15th September last, submitting copies of the corres- pondence, together with the original proceedings before the Court of Enquiry in the case of Naomull, late Head Kardar of Kurrachee, I have been directed to inform you that, after an attentive consideration of the proceedings which have now been held, and of Naomull’s defence and explanation on the charges preferred against him, His Lordship in Council concurs in the opinion recorded by you, that there are not sufficient grounds for charging Naomull with dishonesty. 2. The Governor in Council however agrees with you that Naomull’s extensive local influence and connection with the principal mercantile firms in Kurrachee make him an un- suitable person for the situation of Head Kardar in the Collect- or’s office, and that he should not therefore be re-instated, although his exclusion should be divested of anything implying a reflection on his character. From the information respecting Naomull’s services at present before Government, I have been desired to state, that His Lordship in Council does not consider that he is entitled to A pension. I have, &c., COURTNEYS, Acting Secretary to Government. 1st November 1848.439 No. 3061. Dated 11th November 1848. To THE COLLECTOR AND MAGISTRATE, Sir, With reference to your predece j P No, 326, dated the oth February 1848, from Commissioner in Sind to Governor and Presi- dent in Council, No 433, dated the 26th February 1848, from Commissioner in Sind to the Governor and President in Council. No, 2591, dated the 6th May 1848, from Secretary Goldsmid to Commissioner in Sind. No. 2449, dated the 15th September 1848 from Commissioner in Sind to Governor and President in Council. No. 6840, dated the 1st November 1848 from Secretary Courtney to Commissioner in Sind, KURRACHEE. ssor's letter No. 117, dated the 8th February last, I have the honour to trans- mit for your information copies of letters as per margin, and to request you will have the goodness to communicate to Naomull the decision of Govern- ment in his case in such a form as may meet the intention of the Right Honourable the Governor in Council as intimated in the 2nd paragraph of Secretary Courtney’s letter. I have, &c., nh. RK. PRINGLE. Commissioner in Sind, FT aac aaa eae eee EC eg ROM AL el ™% ¥ i> AE ie eg any eM Dig 2s) a eet ES tip ty tbe A bee: i oat Agere Fal calm. ae SERS anne ineiaaienediianemnteteniemmetemettimnieemmennetcmmmiatiaetaemdtatammemedttamtammniianmmentae » a rant Mee he il 440 NO. 3062 oF 1848. Dated the 11th November 1848. To THE JUDGE ADVOCATE-GENERAL, IKXURRACHEE. SIR, | have the honour to transmit for your information copies of letters noted below :— : (1) Letter No. 2449 of 15th September 1&48 from Commissioner in Sind to Government of Bombay. (2) Letter No. 6840 of i1th November 1848 from Government of Bombay to Commissioner in Sind. I have, X&c.., K. Ko PRINGEE, Commissioner in Sind,NO. 115. OF 1848, Dated 14th November 1848 ‘Po SETH NAOMULL, Kurrachee. SIR, Under instructions from the Commissioner in Sind, I beg to forward topy of a letter No. 6840 of 1848, dated 1st instant, to his address from Mr. Courtney, acting Secretary to Govern- ment of Bombay, conveying the decision of the Governor jn Council upon your case, and in reference thereto, intimating that there were not sufficient grounds for charging you with ‘dishonesty and that your exclusion from public employment should be divested of anything implying a reflection on your character. Iam, &c., T. R. STEWART, Captain, Deputy Collector and Magistrate, J (Iv) 355=— 56 eggs PRE Ge BEE: el a442 NO. 3353 OF 1849. TERRITORIAL DEPARTMENT. Dated 17th May 1849. R. K. PRINGLE, Esquire, Commissioner in Sind. With reference to my letter No. 6840, dated the 1st November last, I have been directed by the Right Honourable the Governor in Council to transmit for your information and guidance the annexed extract para. 7 of a letter from the Honourable Court of Directors, No. 6, dated the 4th ultimo, relative to the case of Naomull, formerly Head Kardar of Kurrachee. I have, &c., COURTNEY, Acting Secretary to Government. NO. 1151 OF 1849- REVENUE DEPARTMENT, Dated the 26th May 1849. Copy transmitted to the Collector of Kurrachee. R.: K. PRINGLA, Commissioner in Sind.Fxtract of a letter from the Honourable the Court of Diréctor’s No. 6, dated ath April 1849. Para 7. After a careful consideration of these proceedings we are of opinion that there are no grounds for charging Naomull with dishonesty in the exercise of his office, but considering the extensive local influence possessed by his family in that place, we agree with you in thinking him an unsuitable person for the situation of Head Kardar in the Collector’s office. We see no objection, however, to his being employed elsewhere in the service of 4zovernment. COURTNEY, Acting Secretary to Government. me a re TES TO fs a Sere Ae, © fT So a aaa eg ILS ieee poe! Sstfe ° BF y ye ae BOT reat 2. Las ae PEAS eee 4 eee et < eta: ae & ke Pe a2 hae UE Sash Pa, i ss ‘ % 7 Tees a vi ig be, ARH ioe abe if ey . ge ol i a 444 No. 4731 OF 1849. TERRITORIAL DEPARTMENT. Bombay Castle, 28th July 1849. RR K. PRINGLE ESQUIRE, Commissioner in Sind. SIR: [ have been directed by the Right Honourable the Governor in Council to transmit the accompanying copies of a petition from Naomull, Seth, formerly Head Kardar of Kurrachee, dated the roth ultimo, and of its enclosures, and to request that you will be good enough to favour Government with your opinion both as to his claim to some mark of favour in recognition of his former services and the nature of the remuneration, if any, which you would suggest. 2. I have, at the same time, been desired to notice, that Naomull appears to have been furnished with a copy of the Government reply in his case; as no authority was given for this in the letter and such a course has been expressly prohi- bited in the last para. of the Government Circular of 31st October 1835, No. 2590, without the special permission of Government, His Lordship in Council has instructed me to furnish you with the accompanying copy of this circular for general application in Sind, € | have, &c., W. MALLET, Chief Secretary to Government.CIRCULAR. No. 2590 OF 1835. TERRITORIAL DEPARTMENT. Bombay Castle, 31st October 1835. To TBE COLLECTORS OF LAND REVENUE AND SEA CUSTOMS. Sie. From several cases which have recently come _ before Government, the Right Honourable the Governor in Council is led to believe that the Public officers under this Presidency are in the habit of making known to the Native Princes, Chiefs and others who are under their control or with whom they may have official correspondence, the whole of the communications relating to them made by Government to themselves by sending a literal translation of the letter from Government or embodying its-whole contents into that sent to the individual concerned, in consequence of which, not only are the decision and wishes of Government frequently communicated to those who are affec- ted by them, but also the motives and policy on which such decision is grounded and which it was by no means intended in many instances should be revealed to the persons interested, but which were made known to the Government Agent for his own information alone. 2. Besides this practice another also obtains which is equally objectionable, and which is the giving up by public functionaries of copies of letters to there own address or of correspondence which may be on the records of their ofhces to Princes, Sardars or other individuals who may apply for them, The documents so obtained have not unfrequently been made instrumental in causing much inconvenience and embarassment to the Government. J ROSS oT Ry tgs * De BNE: HeWwe 4 si % ay . De en! aa St aa) ee annals aa Oe J “ i 2a aa iy aa : Se IIE hoi a pe aly hee a * 3, In some cases it must be evident that practices such as those to which your attention is now directed, may be highly prejudicial to the public interests and the Governor in Council, directs, therefore, that they be in future discontinued as being objectionable in themselves and as having a tendency to commit Government in many points where such should be avoided, as well as to give parties ground for raising fresh discussions and even for litigation with Government or its officers. 4. Whenever you may be required to make any com- munication or intimation to any Prince, Sardar or other indivi- dual, you are to observe it is a strict rule in future not to give a full translation of the letter you may receive from Govern- ment, not to embody the whole of its contents in your own communication to the person addressed, but you are to write a letter or ‘ Yad’ as the custom may be in your own name, containing such parts only of the Government communication as are evidently intended to be made known to the party interested. Whenever you may entertain doubts as to the exact points which should be communicated, you are invariably to write to Government previous to addressing the individual. 5. The Governor in Council further strictly prohibits you from giving copies of any letters or official correspondence on the records of your office, without having first obtained the special permission of Government. I have &c., N. H. FOWNSEND, Acting Secretary to Government.VISCOUNT FALKLAND, Governor in Council, Bombay. The Humble Memorial of Seth Naomull of Kurrachee. HUMBLY SHEWETH, 1. That your Memorialist has been honoured by re- ceiving the letter, No. 3353, dated 17th May from W. Courtney, Esquire, Secretary to Government, containing an extract of Despatch from the Honourable the Court of Directors, approv- ing of the decision which your Lordship had given in your Memorialist’s favour, which is one of: the many proofs of the kindness and care which the British subjects in Sind have received from your Lordship and the Honourable Court. 2. That your Memorialist and all his family were freed through your Lordship’s mediation from the disgrace to which he had been so mercilessly and unjustly subjected by the Sind Government, but your Memorialist was grieved to learn from your Lordship’s instructions as stated in Mr. Secretary Courtney’s letter, dated 1st November 1848, that the services faithfully performed by him were not known to your Lordship, and that your Memorialist was not entitled to any remuner- ation. 3- That your Memonrialist is well aware of your Lord- ship’s sense of justice, and he would regret therefore to give any trouble. He begs permission to lay before your Lordship the following circumstances which are obtainable from the official records of Sir Henry Pottinger, and also of Colonel Outram, when these gentlemen were Political Residents in Sind. During the years 1837 and 1838, your Memorialist served under Sir Henry Pottinger, that Honourable gentleman was pleased to approve highly of his services and to recommend Taglar eae gh FO OL GES RT ey ~ “@ PSR aS. a ERR 3 aayour Memorialist to the protection and favour of the British Government ; and also recommended your Memorialist for the situation of British Native Agent in Sind, and that some salary or remuneration might be granted for the duties he was then performing. The despatch referred to was dated Febru- ary 1839 to the address of the Governor in Council of Bombay and to that paper your Memorialist respectfully solicits your Lordship’s consideration. 4. That subsequent to the last mentioned date (February 1839) your Memorialist acted in the same capacity under Colonel Outram C. B., Resident in Sind .. ~The letters of that gentleman to the supreme Government and to the Bombay Government prove the way in which your Memorialist served the Government and how much his services were valued by that gentleman whose correspondence throughout certifies to this fact. 5. That your Memorialist also served under Colonel Valiant, Colonel Spillar, Colonel Farkarson, Captain Wallace, Captain Pelly and Captain Leckie all of whom were politically employed in Lower Sind until the month of May 1842. Your Memorialist’s services up to that time had been gratuitously and cheerfully given and he was allowed to have hopes to the very last that the applications made by Sir Henry Pottinger and Colonel Outram in his favour would be attended ; this was never done and his services to that period were un- remunerated. 6. That it is well known to your Lordship how un- deservedly your Memorialist’s exertions to the before mentioned date and since have been requited by the late Sind Government, and he has reason to think that his services and those of other members of his family performed at the risk of life and property when the Ameers threatened your Memorialist with destruction for acting with the British, are now forgotten and that he is no longer considered worthy of any mark of favour. 7- That your Memorialist is now old and unable for active service and is satisfied with his present position with thei, een ee eee 449 favour of Government. He has witnessed many grants of land and money squandered on undeserving men, who have robbed the Government and its subjects, when men who have performed good and faithful service are disgraced. Your Memonialist feels assured that justice will be accorded to him by your Honour or by the Honourable Court of Directors and solicits that the disgrace of an unjust and ignominous dismissal may be obliterated by any small mark of respect or Inam from the lacs of waste land in Sind, in lieu of any pecuniary re- muneration it may please the Honourable Court to bestow upon him and his family. 8. That your Memorialist begs to append copies of pub- lished correspondence from Sir Henry Pottinger and Colonel Outram reporting the services of your Memonialist, and copy of a petition addressed to the former with his Excellency’s re- marks thereon on the back, dated Madras _ 17th January last, to all of which your Lordship’s favourable consideration and gracious approval are solicited. And your Memorialist as in duty bound will ever pray. NAOMULD Si Te. IKurrachee, roth June 1849. . (Iv) 355—57 = - . es * ca aa Raat ea ERE a es ; ioe £ 4 Ly ‘i ‘ s . Y : ee Se eet eae aoe Phe gee Oe a a e Nee r CT See wr we Tae ay or ees | i tant pta oad % pa 5 =e ee Ae 3 Se Swi en5 dt Syee ae Extract from letler from Lieutenant Colonel Outram to the Secretary to the Government of India, dated [Hyderabad 8th December 1840. I take this opportunity of calling to recollection my letter to your address, dated 4th June last, recommending a small pension and dress of honor to be conferred on Naomull Seth for former services, to which no reply has yet been received Since then I have derived much assistance from that devoted friend of the British Government on the present negotiation with Meer Shere Mohomed, as shown in the accompanying correspondence, in assisting the troops in passing “through the country, and also in bringing to light the peculations of Moonshi Jethanand, whereby he has not only brought upon himself the enemity of that individual but also of all the most ‘nfluential Shahukars of the City who were concerned in Moonshi Jethanand’s frauds. [ remain of the same opinion as then expfessed of the impolicy of employing that person or any other native of Sind extensively connected in the country in any responsible per- manent situation, but I consider that he highly deserves distinc- tion for his many services to the British Government and that it is politic to show that we appreciate and reward such Services. [ beg leave therefore most respectfully to repeat my former recommendation of this individual to the favourable consideration of His Lordship the Governor-General in Council. A copy of this letter will be forwarded to the Government of Bombay. I have, etc., J. OUTRAM.451 No. 131 Camp Jerruck, 28th January 1839. From SER HENRY POTEINGER. Resident in Sind. To REAR ADMIRAL SIR FREDRICK MAITLAND, Naval Commissioner-in-C hief. SIR, | have the honour to forward a duplicate of my letter to you of the 21st instant, also a copy of one which I addressed on that day to Colonel Valiant. The enclosed copy of a demi-official letter which I wrote yesterday to the Governor of Bombay will put you in full possession of the state of affairs up to this moment. Whether the Ameers are unwilling or unable from the violence of their soldiery to treat with me, it matters little ; and should the latter be the fact, it is not to be forgotten that those chiefs have placed themselves in this predicament by calling out their army. And referring to more recent instructions which I have received from the Governor-General of India | should now consider myself at liberty to ratify the treaty | have offered the Ameers, without an additional stipulation and, such further penalities shall be inflicted on them as the Government may think fit to direct. Under these circumstances a force must of course go to Kurrachee and take possession of that place which I trust for the reasons assigned in my first instructions to Colonel Valiant will be effected peaceably ; but it is needless to tell you that all opposition must be put down. aw ayog Rt eat SMa a ae = Fs ee Woy ay Mew * .- ; Pia on, HF adn he ~~ ee Pa ats Seen yes * yee shit eps 4 452 There is one point to which I solicit your kind and minute attention. I aliude to the protection under all circumstances of the house, family and property of Naomull Seth of Kurrachee. That individual is now with this force. He has most zealously, indefatigably assisted us and | cannot convey my deep anxiety regarding him and his, better than by saying that they ought to be guarded as though they were those of the Governor-General of India. I have, etc., H, ,POTTUINGER.To His EXCELLENCY SIR HENRY POTTINGER, G.C.B., Governor of Madras. The humble petition of Naomull Seth of Kurrachee (Sind) Most HuUMBLy SHEWETH, That your petitioner was well known to your Honour whilst in this country and humbly trusts that his character and services performed under your honout’s auspices have not escaped ycur honour’s memory. He now takes the liberty of addressing these few lines to your honour. Uhat your petitioner, from the time of your honour’s de- parture from Sind, continued the devoted servant of the British Government, performing with zeal and energy every duty that was assigned to him. That at the recommendation of Colonel Outram, late Political Agent at Hyderabad, your petitioner from the month of May 1842 was appointed by the supreme Government to perform the duties of Native-Agent at Kurrachee and through the kindness of that officer your petitioner was honoured by many favours, his services having also been acknowledged bya ‘ Kelat’ from the Governor-General of India. That your petitioner from the above mentioned date until the country of Sind was conquered by the British, continued in the same capacity, receiving the same salary of Rs. 100 (one hundred) per mensem, after which, through the kindness of the Collector and Magistrate of Kurrachee (Captain Henry Preedy) and the favour of the late Governor of Sind, your petitioner’s salary was increased to Rs. 200 (two hundred) by his holding the situation of Head Kardar of Kurrachee. , In the last named capacity your petitioner acted for four years with faithful and unceasing energy, attending daily at the Kacheri of the Collector, in the execution of every duty present- ing itself to the exclusion of your petitioner’s interest in trade. That your petitioner’s exertions were approved of by the Collector, Captain Preedy, your petitioner has had every proof and assurance and to that gentleman your petitioner most respectfully and confidently refer your honour. eelBut it was the fate of your petitioner that the machinations of evil designing people of this country, enemies to the late Ameer’s Government and alike enemies to the British Govern- ment, should prevail against him. These men, with the encouragement then given to their practices, preferred false and frivolous charges against your petitioner; a court was convened by General Sir Charles Napier, the late Governor of Sind, composed of three Miltary officers (two of whom were young gentlemen of a Queen's Regiment) who were directed to enquire into these false charges. Ther limited knowledge of the language and practices of the Sind people gave your petitioner little hope of justice. False evidence was adduced, and your petitioner, to whom was denied the privilege of a common felon, without hearing what had been recorded against him or of being heard in his own defence, was ordered to retire from, and was pronounced incapable of being again employed in, the services of that Government, which your petitioner had long and faithfully served, or to stand a trial. With a court composed, as above stated, your petitioner was not desirous of risking his life and character, he preferred submitting for a time until he could receive justice. In this degraded state your petitioner continued until the late Governor quitted this country, when by the favour and wellknown justice of the Bombay Government, your petitioner’s case was ordered to be investigated and after a strict but im- portant enquiry by the Commissioner, Mr. Pringle, and Captain Young, the Civil Judge-Advocate in Sind, your petitioner was acquitted of all guilt, as the accompanying copy of a letter from the Bombay Government will show. It has been in this manner your humble petitioner has been treated after his long services, performed often at the risk of his life and property when the Ameers Government threatened him with destruction, your petitioner's character was degraded in the published Sind General Orders, and whilst he was thus stigmatized he was ashamed to solicit your honour’s inter- ference or help, that justice might be granted. But this justice has at length been extended to your petitioner, yet his name, his trade, his influence in his family and caste have suffered, and his past services are no longer thought of.455 Your petitioner with great grief observes that his mercan- tile connections and local influence render him unsuitable in the eyes of Government for further employment ; your petitioner is not in indigent circumstances and does not ask service for the sake of emoluments. The salary he has enjoyed would form but a small portion of what your petitioner has forfeited in trade by his having accepted that honourable service. But that your honour may know that but for the advan- tages connected with the above stated obstacles to present employment your petitioner could not have been of the slightest assistancé or service to the British Government when it con- descended to employ him, and it was well known to your honour, to Colonel Outram, and to General Sir Charles Napier, when they honoured your petitioner with their orders, that he was engaged in trade. Your petitioner begs therefore, that he may still be held worthy of the confidence then reposed in him, Your petitioner once held a certificate in your honour’s handwriting, this valuable document, he had the misfortune to lose during the war, and your petitioner has now no evidence of your honour’s favour or approval. But your petitioner solicits that through your honour’s well known influence with the Government of India, his character may be restored in the sight of his countrymen, by any mark of respect the Govern- ment may be pleased to confer, in proof of the removal of the disgrace to which your petitioner has been so mercilessly and unjustly subjected. Your petitioner is now advanced in years, and from long sickness is unable to exert himself in trade, and prays that with your honour’s assistance some provision may be made for him in his declining years. Your petitioner has with great pride and solicitude watched your honour’s high and honourable career since this country was blessed with your honour’s adminis- tration, and prays that continued prosperity and health may attend your honour and family, and your petitioner as in duty bound will ever pray. (Sd) NAOMULE: Kurrachee, 3rd January 1849.; 8 ie he a ' xt Seay Sats Yi pees ; - 4 Pe A’ safe Oe Fe ‘i RA lng ba tg ae EE , md ie ene ¥ - * tS discs OE i At Bile ir ab apn x “ra, = Sia ed 7 ; 7 fe ae eer oe ae Ries es anit a os ’ atta Re Oe ie gon, MRE dod. Soe ee ay ey aad a A SS. Ae ae or bee Se tka ht aQut ebe MEMORANDUM. In reply to this petition. | think it only just to say that I have always retained (and still do so) a high sense of the devotion, ability and integrity with which Seth Naomull. of Kurrachee acquitted himself of various important trusts confided to him whilst the affairs of Sind were under my guidance. That opinion induced me to strongly recommend Seth Naomull to the favour of the supreme Government, as well as to the countenance and protection of my successor, Lieutenant Colonel Outram C. B., and I am happy to learn from thé accompaniment to this petition that the Seth’s character has been so effectually cleared from the stigma which would appear to have been unjustly cast on it. At the same time, | cannot interfere in this case beyond bearing this willing testi- mony to the merits (as I found them) of a zealous and consistent well wisher of the British Government and its then Allies. (Sd.) HENRY POTTINGER. GOVERNMENT HOUSE, Madras, 17th January 1849.ee ne . . eee ed »; = Be Re ao te ot Ee Re ees eae > . sais sae Soa na cas aad <" Sadaetentasets ve 0 ie ; ; a al No. 1605 OF 1849. REVENUE DEPARTMENT, Kurrachee, 14th August 1849. . PTHE COLLECTOR OF KURRACHEE. I have the honour to transmit copy of a letter No AT Si, dated the 28th ultimo, from Mr. Chief Secretary Mallet with accompaniments, and with reference to the memorandum dated the 14th January 1848, left by you for submission to the late Governor of Bombay, Sir George Clerk, to request you will favour me with your opinion as to the amount and form of remuneration which would be most suitable and acceptable in ) recognition of the former services of Seth Naomull and that in | doing so you will have the goodness to abstain from any com- munication with Naomull himself on the subject. 2. With reference to the 2nd paragraph of Mr. Mallet’s letter I have to remark that Captain Stewart appears to have misunderstood my letter No. 3061 of the 11th November last as authorising the furnishing Naomull with a copy of the Government reply in his case. I have, &c., (Sd.) R. K. PRINGLE. Commissioner in Sind, Kurrachee, 14th August 1849. L (Iv) 355—58 Bg grei bla " ‘ a ty : ‘ Se ee 458 No. 985 OF 1849. : Dated 18th August 1849. SIRs In acknowledging the receipt of your letter No. 1605 of the 14th instant, transmitting copy of a letter Noee73t, dated a8th ultimo, from Mr. Chief Secretary Mallet and requesting me to give an opinion as to the amount and form of remune- ration which would be most suitable and acceptable in recog- nition of the former services of Seth Naomull, I have the honour in reply to state, that not having had any communication with the Seth on the subject of his petition, either prior or subse- quent to his submitting it to Government, | am not aware to what particular object his wishes and expectations tend. | observe however in the 7th para. of his petition that he prays that some small mark of respect or Enam from the lacs of waste lands in Sind, in lieu of any pecuniary remuneration, may be conferred upon him, and | am of opinion that such perhaps would be the most suitable and acceptable remuneration for his past political services. [ would beg therefore to recommend that a Jagheer of 1500 or 2000 beegahs of cultivable land should be granted to him in the Beronath of Tatta, or in any other Purcunnah which may be considered preferable, to which might be added, should Government think fit, some honorary title, such as it is customary to confer on Hindoos of the Seth’s rank in India. 2. With reference to the remark contained in the 2nd paragraph of your letter under reply, | beg to state that, having communicated the same to my Deputy Captain Stewart, I have the honour herewith to transmit copy of his explanations, from which you will observe that Captain Stewart was not aware of the existence of the Government order referred to when he forwarded a copy of the letter conveying the decision of Government on his case to Seth Naomuil. [ have, Sais Be nea ieee 1 eat ncaa soi - oa — =a SU et ae ° eS esse soar cee A ee 2 a ies ae a Ens a Rg re Se dak sd atte — — ae lle aa SS EL es ae : 477 Memo. of Division of grain in Buttai between Government and the Cultivator. 1. The sharing of the produce of the land between Government and the cultivators is called Buttai. This word appears to mean simply sharing and is applicable to the division of any kind of produce between the owner and the Jabourers engaged in its production. The most important division bein that of the grain between Government and the cultivators, this is what is generally understood by the word. ®@ 2. For the collection of revenue in Buttai the Collectorate is divided every season into districts of a convenient size and a temporary establishment appointed to each. This consists of :— (1) The Buttaidar or divider whose duty it is to superin- tend the watching of grain in the field, their reaping and final division between Government and the cultivator. (2) The Buttaidar Mohurrer or writer who writes the Khusra or accounts of Buttai. (3) The Field watchmen (Kurrawahs) who watch the crops on the part of Government. (4) The Durwari or grain measurer who measures the grain. 3. The office of Buttaidar is one of great trust, and though not highly paid, it is willingly undertaken by respectable men, such as second class Jagheerdars, &c. The Mohurrer is usually a Hindoo of the Kamora or Amil class. ihe. Field watchmen of whom there are generally two to each Kurrah are appointed half by the Buttaidar, and half by the Kardar, from among their own dependents and followers. The Durwaris are always Hindoos of the banyah class. 4. The claims of Government and the cultivator in the Buttai are in the round numbers, four casas per Khurwar called ‘“‘Khuruch” (or expenses) for the former and three i are ree am © one Ke RST X Yay ie NE ERY ae Le Tag a tee are Rg Re ES ee 9 . Maa a Oa " fag ae 7 icra hee -casas per Khurwar called Lapah (wages or hire) for the latter out of the gross produce and of the . remainder one-third for Government and two-thirds for the cultivator. <. The cultivator has moreover the nght of separating and keeping a portion of the finer grain for seed, giving Government an equivalent out of his share of common grain. 6. To adjust these claims accurately it would be neces- sary first to measure the whole produce of a field, and after- wards the Government share which would entail nottonly preat delay but also great waste of grain. The grain having been watched while standing, by the “ Kurrawahs”’ on the part of Government and by the cultivators on their own account, is reaped by labourers hired by the Zamindar or owner of the land. These labourers are usually the cultivators and their families, together with members of Brohee and Belochee tribes who come from Cutch and Kelat for employment during the cold weather. The reapers cut the grain and carry it on the backs of their bullocks or on their own heads to the Kurrahs or Buttai enclosures. 8. The Kurrah is a cleaned space, surrounded with a thorn fence, under each harvest, prepared by the cultivators under the directions of the Buttaidar ; at the door a shed is built in which the field watchmen live; at regular intervals of about 20 yards round the outside, a cultivator sleeps under a temporary kind of sentry box made with Jowaree stalks or other straw and a few sticks and two of them by turn patrol all round during the night. A grass rope is fastened along the fence and every joint of the rope is sealed with a mud impression of a wooden stamp, bearing the name of the district. At night the door is closed with thorn bushes and mud impressions of the seal so ee that the bushes cannot be removed without breaking the seals. _ 9. Every heap of grain in the Kurrahs both before and alter threshing is sealed by an impression of the above stamp made of handful of loose earth put at-intervals on the heap.Tor. Ae soon as the reaping is finished, the cultivators tread out the grain with their bullocks, and clean it, and the grain is then ready for division which is effected in the following manner according to immemorial custom, II. Supposing the produce of a field to be 3 Khurwars and 55 casas, and the owner wishes to set aside 30 casas for seed, his grain will be set out in five separate heaps. One of 30 casas for seed, one estimated as equal to the Khuruch and Laph a and called the Tukseem (literally division) say 25 casas. 12, el’he remainder constituting the bulk of the produce is divided into three equal heaps called ‘ Khorees,’ as nearly as as can be done by the eye, and from practice and by putting the gram in regular covers, division is made with equal accuracy. This is all done by the cultivators. 13. In small villages all the grain is collected in one Kurrah and in large villages there are several Kurrahs, or part of the produce of one village is sometimes on account of con- venience of situation put in the Kurrah of another. [4. In either case the produce of each field is kept separate and set out in the manner above indicated, and the Buttaidar then commences operations by choosing whichever he may consider the largest Khoree for Government and mea- suring it. 15. The parties employed or usually present at the Butta are besides the Zamindar or land owner and hari or cultivator— (1) The Buttaidar. (2) His Writer. (3) The Grain Measurers. : (4) The Kardar or his Deputy. (5) The Kardar’s writer whose duty it is to write an account independently of the Buttaidar’s writer _and as a check upon him. (6) Any Hindoos, who may have made advances to be repaid at harvest time, attend to look after their interests.ast Meh. lili a 480 16. The measurement is made by the Durwari with a wooden measure called a toya, and holding one toya or 1/240 of a Khurwar, two men work at once and one calls out aloud the number as they go on, upto one hundred, when the amount is written down by the Mohurrers. 17. Formerly the toya was a heaped measure, but for the last two years a strike measure has been used in the Government Buttai. The rule of measurement being that the Kardar who takes charge of the grain may make the Durwari fll the measure to the utmost extent by shaking and pressing down the grain, and that the Buttaidar shall see the strike (in Sindhi Takee) carried fairly along the edges of the measure. 18. The strike toya is so adjusted as to measure about the same as the one formerly in use. 19. In the case above supposed there would be— ae | | Khoree No.1: || Khoree No. 2 Khoree No.3 | 1 Khur. | 1 Khur. 1 Khur. | Tukseem : Seed | 25 casas. gO casas. | Khoree No. 1 having been found to measure 1 Khurwar is entered as the ‘‘ Hissa Sirkar’’ (Government share) and three Khurwars are considered the “ Hur do Sira’’ or gross produce (literally both ends because it consists both of Government and cultivator’s grain), 12 casas are then taken for Government Khuruch, and g for the cultivator’s Lapah from the Tukseem. 20. The seed is next measured and as it measures 30 casas, two casas are taken from the Tukseem as Khuruch for Government, but the Zamindar is not allowed Lapah on any but the ‘‘ Hur do Sira.” |aS Re ig a ae ee ale oo gas 21. ‘The 30 casas of seed are made over to the culti- vator and 10 casas taken from one of his Khorees which with the 2 casas Khuruch are entered under the ‘head of seed (in Sindh:-“* Biy’’). 22. The two casas of Tukseem still remaining are divided according to the same rules, Government taking Khuruch and one-third, the cultivator two-thirds and no Lapah, 3 toyas would accrue to Government and 1 casa, 1 toya to the culti- vator out of 2 casas, 23. elhe result of the above division will give— Ke em for the Government share 3. SE ate ,, cultivator s iin 2 AO 1 24. Atter the division the few grains left on the ground during the measurements are collected and the Government share on them, estimated and taken from that of the cultiva- tors, they seldom amount to more than a Choatai and are entered as Koocdee (literally waste) in the accounts. 25. If the produce of a field only amounts to one or two casas it 1s all méasured and the Government share entered without any detail. 20. The Buttai Khusras do not show the amount of grain made over to the cultivator ; they show the measurement of the three Khorees because that is technically called the gross produce or ‘Hur do Sira’, and as before remarked the cultivator only receives his ‘Lapah’ (intended to cover the expense of reaping at the rate of 3 casas per Khurwar on this and not on the real gross produce, and the same obtains with regard to the Toyagee or pay of Kotwal and Buttai establish- ment ). 27. When the whole of the grain ina Buttai enclosure has been divided, the Government share is carried to the Ambar Khana by the cultivators under the superintendence of the Kardar’s Goomashtas (Agents), and the cultivators then divide what is left among themselves. L (1v) 355—61 ae ae 3 e -- - : 5 ee | -e Sas ae th eee oe - ciao. ag ae a c ee eae ; FR Soe RR Sa Ra aT OEE ee Pe Be eo POLAT Lee482 28. The cultivators are the “ zamindar” or land owner and the “ haree”’ or grower of the crop. 29. The cultivator’s share of the grain is subject to certain deductions out of the gross heap before its ultimate division between the haree and the zamindar. 30. The seed (in Sindhi “‘ By”) this has to be paid for to the banyah or zamindar who advanced it according to the stipulation made at the time of its purchase. a1. The interest is charged at the time of its ‘advance by putting a price higher than the real market value thus if Jowaree is 4 casas a rupee in the bazaar, the zamindar or the capitalist who advances the seed charges at the rate of 3 casas a rupee, and if grain at harvest time should be 5 casas the rupee, the cultivator will have to pay 5 casas for every three advanced to him. 32. Fifty per cent. is a common interest to put on the seed at the time of its advance, but the rate of payment is generally settled by the principal zamindars and Hindus of the village or district according to the state of the harvest and market, and the full amount is seldom insisted on. 33- Reaping (in Sindhi Labb, or Labarah). The usual pay of a reaper is two patoes of grain a day; an account of the number of people employed is kept (generally in Sind) by any person the cultivator may employ for the purpose, and the amount deducted from the common heap. 34. Field watchmen (Khurwah). It is the custom for the field watchmen besides the pay they get from Government to receive 2 lbs. of flour a day and forage fora pony from the cultivators: the flour is usually advanced by a banyah who: is paid at harvest out of the common heap. 35: The hire (in Sindhi “ Bharo”) of the bullocks or camels for carrying the Government grain to the granary is calculated and paid for out of the common heap.36. The artificers (in Sindhi “ Kusabee”) who make ploughs, wheels, &c (Carpenter, Blacksmiths and Potters) are paid, the amount varying as the cultivation is by wheels, or on flooded (sylabee) lands. 37. The driver of the bullocks (in Sindhi Dand Kaho) at the wheel is paid for at the rate of 6 ples a day out of the common heap. 38. The village Moola who has charge of the mosque and calls out the times of prayer, the barber and the water- carrier, always get a small contribution, and in some villages a small quantity is set aside for charity for the spiritual instructor or for various other purposes general to the community. 39. The quantity of grain to be deducted on the above accounts from the common heap may be estimated as follows for the ordinary kinds of grain— Seukh, Moke, Wheel or Sylabee cultivation. ec. 3 Ke ee Seed ...., y Rees, ota Or 4 Reaping i fait Ora Bere 0/12 40 Carpenter ic i ue Ba Ge 41, 6 Cattiage of ptain to pranaty.: ...° Oo: a. A SO] Potter i Ms PA ares O43 0 Use of wheels é, RAD | aes, eis Pay of driver o ne ee G2 0 Moola, hajam and sundries .. 0 2 oO Gio a OO @ O. i. oO 40. ‘“ Moke’”’ is cultivation irrigated by canals whose water is above the level of the field and which therefore flows over the surface without being raised artificially. Sylabee, liter- ally flooded, cultivation is that grown on land which has been inundated by the river and retains sufficient moisture for the* a eq htt Nite see ihc ni 404 growth of a crop without irrigation. Seukh is land in the neighbourhood of the river which though not flooded becomes sufficiently moist from the water round it to grow a crop with- out irrigation. 4t. The remainder is divided between the owner of the land and the grower of the crop. 42. The amount claimed as rent by the zamindar varies ‘n different localities. In Mehar the rent, with which 1s in- cluded the expenses of canal cutting which are always paid by the zamindar, is one-fourth of what remains after «he above deductions on moke or sylabee lands and one-tenth on wheel lands. 43. The rest is the share of the grower, provided he found his own bullocks. 44. On moke, sylabee, and seukh lands no bullocks are required except for the single ploughing, and the cultivator hires them if he has none of his own. 45. On wheel cultivation the owner of the bullocks receives a share for each bullock ; a bullock shares the same as a cultivator: thus suppose two men and four bullocks have been employed on one wheel the grain will be divided in to six shares, and apportioned accordingly. 46. Supposing two men to cultivate 12 beeghas of Jowaree on one wheel with four bullocks and the produce to be 30 casas per beegha, the distribution would be about as follows :— Total produce 6 Khurwars. KR 4G AES as Government share 1g 2. OS See Durmiyanee expenses <2 OO a ee Zamindaree ae 1 O76 322. 4. 4 Bullocks a A. * 1. 3Gh Ss ae 2 CultivatorsThe Durmiyanee expenses (literally middle expenses being contributed by both haree and zamindar) are detailed in paragraphs tg to 26. 4”. Or supposing the same quantity of grain to be grown on 18 beeghas of moke land its distribution would be — Kk. €, te ee Government share... HEM 2 UE OIG © O Durmiyanee expenses ak OF 80 (0-6 te) r e . ; Zamindar (or rent) ... 2 O1AGT CO ABure Cultivator’s share... 2 ee es Khurwars aioe O> O10. 30 48. All these shares are taken away by the parties to whom they severally belong as soon as the Government grain has been removed, and within a week of that time the largest Kurrah will have been closed. 49. The whole process of Buttai occupies about 12 to 16 weeks from the time the grain is reaped till the final clearing of the enclosure. 50. The foregoing account may be taken as an example of the division of the grain in a Buttai village, but different customs exist in different districts. 51. In some districts by old customs 2 heads of Jowaree a day are claimed by the reapers, out of the general produces. 52 In some, in place of Lapah on rice and muttar, a share generally 1/21 is given each day as reaped. This is called “Lye” (literally wages paid by a share instead of a fixed amount) and was given probabaly on account of the greater labour required, to reap these two kinds of grain. In the time of Meers, however, it was allowed in some districts on all crops.C2 53. The zamindaree on some moke lands amounts to half, while some zamindars take none, merely requiring the cultivators to pay their share of canal expenses, one quarter is the common share taken in the Mehar district on moke and one tenth on wheel lands. 54. It is seldom indeed that a cultivator takes home the quantity of grain above shown as his share; a few who have bullocks of their own and are out of debt may do so, if careful ; they are able to save money, and eventually become small pro- proprietors themselves ; they may be considered as tenants of the zamindar hiring the land and paying him rent. But the bulk of cultivators who bring nothing but the labour of their hands are generally so much involved either to the zamindar or to the banyah that their share of grain is insufficient to pay off their debts. The consequence is, their employers take the greater quantity, giving them credit for it in an account which is allowed to run on from year to year. 55. Lhe zamindar encourages the cultivator to remain to a certain amount in his debt, as it gives him a claim to the services of the debtor. The small quantity of gram given to this description of cultivator at the Buttai is soon disposed of, and he again appliesto the zamindar, who employs him at canal digging or other work till the sowing time comes round, nominally paying him wages, but in reality giving him about 2 pounds of Jowaree a day and crediting him with the rest in his account current. 56. In lands paying cash rents the zamindar or other person who undertakes to pay the Government dues is simply entitled to the grain Government would have taken in Buttai, but a common arrangement in these cases is that the Durmiyanee expenses shall be first deducted and the zamindar shared equally between the cultivator and the person who pays the rent, the latter foregoing interest on seed and _ other advances. 57. This arrangement and the mode of fixing a fictitious price on the seed, seem to be merely contrivances on the part of the zamindars to avoid direct usury which is forbidden by their religion.58. The land cultivated by Hindoos has generally been mortgaged to them, and it is still more to’ their interest to keep a certain number of cultivators in their debt, as they charge 24 per cent. compound interest on everything advanced, _besides what they may make on seed or by Buttai. | 59. Some crops, such as cotton, tobacco, sugarcane etc., are never Buttaied by Government, but cash assessment of from Rs. 1-8-0 to 2-8-0 per beegha levied instead, and again rents are converted into cash payments by special agreement. The distinction of Government share is, however, always kept up by the*Natives, and whether the cash assessment is paid by the zamindar or by a speculator, the payer first takes what would have been the Govevnment claims in Butta; and the remainder is divided in the proportions detailed above, unless special agreements are entered into. 60. Land is occasionally sold, but only by those who are urgently pressed for money and who are consequently obliged to submit to any terms. Four years purchase reckoned on the net rent may be considered a common price. 61. Land is much more frequently mortgaged than sold, the same disgrace not being considered to attach to a man who mortgages as to one who sells his patrimony, though the prospects of recovering possession are often as great in one case as the other. 62. The mortgagee obtains possession of the land, the interest of the money advanced being provided for by the rent. ‘I'he owner usually retains the right of redemption for an unlimited period. But till the advance is repaid the mortgagee stands in the place of the zamindar in ‘the division of the produce. : (od.) AL YOUNG Mehar, 23rd March 1851. Deputy Captain.r —_ ea é < se : é ee ee by? i a eo Sg ‘ pa Pas Sale ‘3 i es ty ant PRR al a Meee nn eh mee GET hake ea ke Y « - - * aM ee rs eat m 5 Lae tl % roc selections from the Records of the Commissioner in Sind. SELECTION No. XLy, * ee se ou ¥ meu sies eo Lie - Ty LEAS AT AS RR ae r CE TRS Ie TS = SORE OES Seen eo eee a: Sie eet et Ree Oe RM he spe : x aera = “ wily — ae * or e Schemes for Kurrachee water-supply :— (a) by Captain DeLisle, Engineer, 1857. (b) by Mr. John Brunton, M.1.C.E., 1860. (c) by Mr. Barns, 1866; (d) by Khan Bahadur Moorad Khan, 1866-68. ota i ae SRE erie can a ee i oir tains Ne, ae Ate. si FO ae PR a been ceedings Ade ig SPR se ee 2 BR 6 PORT L (iv) 355—62Ppa Aibstede a 49! NO. 973 OF 1857. GENERAL DEPARTMENT, Dated 26th June 1857. CAPTAIN DEEISEE. ENGINEER. MEMO. » Besides the plan taken up by the Municipality of Kurrachee, for conveying fresh water to Keamaree, two schemes have at different times been agitated for improving the water-supply of Kurrachee. One was known as the Kurrachee Water Company, and was a joint stock undertaking for obtaining water from a well near the Commissariat Godowns, on the road to the Government Gardens, and dis- tributing it throughout the Camp. 2. The plan appeared to be a very simple and practicable one, but it is at present in a state of suspended animation, principally owing to the removal of the original projector. The other was a plan originally designed by Captain Baker, for bringing in water from the Mulleer River. This was a very simple and practicable scheme, which has slumbered and been revived on various occasions since the conquest of Sind. 4. I shall be very much obliged if Captain DeLisle will examine the records of both objects, and favour me with his opinion through the Superintending Engineer, as to what can be done to get either or both executed. (Signed) H. B. E. FRERE, Commissioner in Sind. COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE, Kurrachee, 26th June 1857. |+92 No. 2294 OF 1857. PUBLIEG WORKS DEPAR TEEN TE Kurrachee, 20th July 1857. From THE ACTING SUPERINTENDING ENGINEER IN SIND. To THE COMMISSIONER IN SIND. SIR; [ have the honour to submit a memorandum and plan on the subject of supplying water to the Cantonment of Kurrachee, framed by Captain DeLisle. 2. He appears to me to have exhausted the subject, and to have left me nothing to say, but that l agree with him. The cost however 1s greater than it has yet been estimated at. 3. Taking Captain Baker’s lowest estimate, 1,186,525 rupees, for 32,179 gallons, the price per gallon is Rs. 3-11-0 nearly. Captain Hill’s was 1,10,803, which, however, may be fairly doubted, the principal expense being in the pipes, which are estimated at 11 annas instead of Rs. 1-8-0; we will call his estimate .2 lacs, the cost per gallon is g annas and 2 pies 4. Captain DeLisle’s pipe at 135 cubic feet per minute, gives 3 annas and 4 pies only; his discharge is at 35 cubie feet per minute, equal to 1,215,000 gallons, Say 1,200,000 ; this is not quite 50 per cent. above the quantity which seems now to be required, and allowing for the leakage of a constant supply system, and moreover for the certain increase which will take place in the population, it may almost be doubted whether it may not be requisite to increase the supply before many years have elapsed. 5. From a careful calculation made by the late Major Peat, I find that when the Fusiliers were in Kurrachee, and mustered 22 Officers and 766 Non-Commissioned Officers and Privates, the supply provided for them was 6,278% gallons per795 diem, which ts as nearly as possible 8 gallons per man; but I apprehend the women and children, and perhaps followers, were included in this, so that the supply may have been only at about 5 gallons per head, which was brought in carts, etc., and must be considered as a minimum. It must be remem- bered, however, that when water is freely supplied, it is as ae) used, and with the greatest benefit from a sanitary point of view, 6. The lowest estimate of quantity now employed in Eng- land is 2® gallons per head; and so far from reducing that estimate, it would seem proper rather to increase it, as it is notorious that in a vast number of instances (indeed asa rule), houses even of the better class are not provided with baths. 7. -There are omissions in Captain DeLisle’s estimate ; for instance, he has not mentioned the cattle who must be provided for. 8. I have enlarged on this as [ think it was wished to restrict the quantity of water in Bombay. 9g. Supposing Captain DeLisle’s estimate to be nearly correct, it is clearly to be seen that even if we sold the water for irrigation of gardens, it would be worth purchase at a price which would remunerate Government. 1o. At present I believe the pipe would bring in more water than could be used for human consumption, although, eventually, it will probably be all wanted; as it would be expensive and troublesome to have a system of stopcocks, the water at night might be sold for irrigational purposes, thus avoiding the expense and trouble of cocks or reservoirs to catch the surplus water. 11. There is no question that the Municipality will find it cheaper to purchase the water from Government than to raise it by mechanical means from their own well, and the junction can be easily made. 12. There are many reasons why some considerable time will elapse before the commencement of the work; as, first, Sa Nae ERE. 5 FE % Pe i i ti te * 4 ‘ hr BG Hs = *ee 494 that a detailed plan and estimate must be made, and then that the sudject must be referred to the Honourable the Court, and as there may be some difficulty in getting the plans and the detailed estimate ready in time for this year’s review statement (indeed I can scarcely hope to do so, although | propose, in case you approve the general project, to employ Lieut. Thomson on the work as a separate project under Captain DeLisle, and my own assistant also, Lieut. Baker, could be temporarily employed on the work), and if we cannot prepare it for the review state- ment of this year, it cannot go in before the end of 1858. : a 13. For these reasons, which evidently poimt to con- siderable delay even in commencing the work, it would be well to consider Captain DeLisle’s suggestion as to the purchase of the Cantonment Water Company’s well and stock, which may perhaps be within the power of the Bombay Government. 14, The well may from tine to time be useful hereafter should the aqueduct require repair, and the distribution pipes would form portion of those eventually required. Thus a certain amount of progress may be made without wasting any public money. 15. | have understood that the pipes procured by the Company are not fitted for the purpose, but it is a well known fact that water-supply without proper sewage atrangements is mischievous even in England. | have, etc., (Sd.) WALTER SCOT. (giana Acting Superintending Engineer in Sind. Kurrachee, 20th July 1857 P. S.—I may further mention that on a fair calculation, 1,000 gallons of water, delivered by Bullocks or Bheesties in the Staff Lines or new European Barracks, cost Rs. 4 annas 2 and pies 8; according to Captain DeLisle’s highest proposed charge, the cost would be 4 annas, or less than 1/16th. (ad) We SCOm:495 Memorandum by Capt. DeLisle on various projects for supplying Kurrachee with water from the Mulleer River,or from wells near the Lyaree River. CAPTAIN BAKER’S PROJECT. Source of supply.—Below the junction of the two tributary torrential streams the Dumb and the Sokhan with the Mulleer, water appears on the surface of the bed and continues for some distance down, until it disappears in the sands. It was from this streafm that Captain Baker proposed to derive his supply by constructing a head reservoir in the form of a well, and diverting the stream into it by means of sand dams in the bed, to be renewed whenever necessary after floods. The sufficiency of the supply is admitted by all those who have entered into the question to be ample even after several successive years of drought, and it will not, therefore, be neces- sary further to discuss this portion of the project. Aqueduct.—This was to be formed of the common unglazed water pipe manufactured 7:0 by the Natives, the shape and BEG cde ; ‘ : c : CO ( dimensions of one of them are shown in the margin, vzz., about a foot in length and eight inches in diameter. The small conical end is inserted in the wide end of the next tube and the joint was to be luted with strong clay. These pipes were the only kind procurable in Sind at that time, but it is evident that the great obstruction presented to the flow of water by these contracted joints is a very serious objection to their use, and in fact this was allowed tor, as Captain Baker in estimating for cast iron pipes as substitutes for the earthen tubes, only gave them a diameter of four inches. These earthen pipes were to be laid on an uniform slope ; jointed with clay and surrounded by a casing of stone and mud to protect them from injury. Across some low ground on either side of a hill torrent, a raised aqueduct with four masonry arches in the bed of the stream, was to be built ofa 496 This formed: an expensive item in the esti- stone and mud. : . | mate, and an alternative method of using an iron pipe syphon at this part of the line was also estimated for in No. 2 estt- mate. A third estimate gave the cost of an iron 4 inch pipe for the whole distance. Extent of supply.—According to the levels the slope of the pipe would have been about 3 feet per mile from the head -eservoir to the Cantonment reservoir, above the Sudder Bazaar, and it was calculated that the quantity of water would be 103:27 cubic inches per second, or 32,197 gallons per diem. Distribution.—The water was simply to be delivered into 4 circular reservoir 600 feet in diameter and six feet deep, so as to hold a supply sufficient for several days in case of an accident happening to the aqueduct. Where there is only a single line of pipe and that of great length to be dependent on, this 1s a very desirable arrangement. Cost.—The following are the amounts of the estimates.— No. 1. For earthen pipe aqueduct Rs. 1,86,760 including reservoirs and ma- sonry aqueduct. No. 2. Substituting iron syphon for Rs. 1,18,525 masonry aqeduct No. 3. Fora 4 inch pipe throughout. ~—-Rs._1,21,265497 CAPTAIN HILL’S PROJECT. This differs from the former only in the details. A short canal with filter and well was to convey the water to the pipe. The situation of the head was nearly the same. But the pipes were to be of glazed stone ware with socket joints, and were to be procured from England with cement for the joints. The main pipe was to be 12 inches in diameter. Captain Hill’s levels however differed a good deal from those of Captain Baker. The former on a distance of 11 miles 1,120 yards, found the total fall to be only 21°47 feet, which corresponds to a fall per mile of only 1 foot 10 inches, in lieu of 3 feet as given by Captain Baker. Captain Hill estimated the discharge of his main at 400,000 gallons per 24 hours, but according to Neville it would not be more than 350,000. It was proposed to run a dam of sheet piling across the bed of the Mulleer to hold up the water, but the expense of this item léd to its being put off until the actual necessity for it was proved. The stream crossings were to be effected by simply passing the pipe below the level of the beds, protecting them if necessary by concrete, The distribution was to consist of reservoirs fed by branch pipes from a distributing reservoir at the tail of the main, and extended to the Barracks, Camp, Jail, Town and Keamaree. The total cost was estimated at Rs. 1,10,803 but the price of the piping was far too low, for instance, the cost per foot of 12” pipes including carriage and fixing was taken at {1 annas, while the actual price in London is 13 annas at the Manu- facturer’s yard, and the cost for freight, carriage, breakage and fixing, would probably have raised the pipe to Rs, 1-8-0 per foot. The project was however warmly recommended, and about to be put in execution, when proposals were made by a newly organized Company to undertake the water-supply, and the subject was again dropped. The new Company, however, after expending their subscribed or paid up capital in sinking a large well near the Government Gardens, of which the Upper works for drawing water are still unfinished, suspended their operations and left the water-supply as it was before. L (Iv) 355—93me e's 4098 KURRACHEE CANTONMENT WATER COMPANY. The works of this Company consist in a large well near the Government Gardens, from which the water is to be raised toa height of 26 feet above thé level of the ground. As nearly as I have been able to ascertain, this corresponds toi 2 feet below the datum line of the Railway Engineers, vzz., the top step of the Trinity Church, the head of water will be 24 feet above the step. The only plan of distribution furnished by the Company shows a line of pipes to a reservoir at the back of the Sudder Bazaar but they made proposals to supply the Barracks, Jail, and Town with water, and with one or two exceptions, it was possible for them to do so. The Jevel near the new European hospital is about 15 feet above the step of the Church, at the northern end of the old European Barracks about 27 feet above the step, and at the northern end of the new Barracks about 30 feet. It is evident that along the Patcheries of the new Barracks and the European hospital, the supply would only be partial. But as the scheme is so far advanced, and can be com- pleted within a shorter time than one for bringing water from the Mulleer, it would be an advantage to lay lines of pipes for distribution from the well, in such a manner that they would afterwards be available for the larger project whenever carried out. This object would be attained by carrying a main along the back of the Sudder Bazaar, and as near the new Barracks as the levels will admit, and taking off branches nearly at right angles for the supply of the Sudder Bazaar, Regimental and Staff Lines, and the Horse Artillery, Government House, and the Railway station could also be supplied in this manner. A branch could also be laid to the aqueduct now under prepara- tion for the Municipality, as an auxiliary, in case the supply from their well should not prove adequate. These advantages however are dependent on the time within which the work could be completed, as otherwise the Mulleer scheme, which could certainly be carried. out in a year or eighteen months, is499 far superior both as to the quantity of water that could be delivered, and the ultimate economy, as no expense would be incurred for raising water. It would therefore be necessary for the Water Company to raise fresh subscriptions from the shareholders to complete the works, or to take up a loan, and should they be able to obtain one from Government, a clause might be inserted in the bond, that Government should have the right of purchasing their works at cost price, should it be determined to execute the Mulleer scheme, but it would be a simpler and safe plan to purchase them as they now stand. The well would always be useful, even if the Mulleer works were constructed, to furnish a moderate supply whenever the other was under repair. There is also a large quantity of glazed pipes in the possession of the Company, which if not suitable for the distribution could be used for sewerage, and be handed over to the Executive Engineer for that purpose. i It is then recommended that the Company’s works be valued, and an offer made to them for purchasing the whole as they now stand, that they be then completed and used until the larger scheme from the Muller be carried out, after which | they would be useful occasionally whenever the Muller 4 aqueduct happened to be under repair. | SKETCH OF NEW PROJECT FOR BRINGING WATER FROM THE MULLEER RIVER. The population of the Camp of Kurrachee is estimated at oe) oe 1s 15,000" souls And of the Town and Suburbs at ait, UZRIOOG 4.7 5, Total ... 40,000-souls. The allowance made by modern Engineers for water-supply is 20 gallons per head for all purposes, culinary, washing and watering roads and gardens, ®nnn 5 OO Thus the quantity required per 24 hours would be gallons #5 8,00,000 o For the Railway, say ... ie ae 6430, 00e For the Shipping, Keamaree and Ghizree oe a i Bile ee?502 run. To be on the safe side, however, it would be better to take Rs. 1-8-0 per foot or Rs. 7,920 per mile of aqueduct. These pipes would be glazed with borax and fitted with collars to be jointed with a water tight composition. He states that he cannot make socket pipes of these dimensions. At the level fixed on for the Distribution Reservoir, the cutting in passing the ridge along the N. E. of Camp will be very trifling, while in the projects for bringing the sapply from Jemedar-ke-landee, the cutting is nearly 30 feet in depth. On the other hand, the depth at which the pipe must be laid near the Mulleer will be 5 to 6 yards, the pipe gradually approaching the surface as it descends the valley. The cost may be thus roughly estimated :— 16 Miles of pipe 18-inch diameter, at Ris. 7,920 per-mile... <. RS, “9696 1 Mile of gathering pipe with dry a at Ks. 6,000 per mile Fae 6,000 2 Miles of excavation, 5 yards deep, at 4 annas per yard on Rs. 2,200 per mile. i Seger 4,400 14 Miles of excavation or earth embank- ment, 13 yards deep or high at 4 annasper yard or Rs. 660 per mie oe a pete weak Q,240 32 Air shafts at Rs. 100 each . 3,200 1 Head Reservoir eh oo 1,000 1 Distributing Reservoir ‘ 2,000 Total. 2.4 Rs, a32)960 Add for distribution... 97,480 Total ... Rs. 2,50,909idee teow Sebi fe Say two lacs and a half for the entire project, including the distribution pipes from the Cantonment well, and also a branch pipe to Ghizree Bundar, where water is much needed. The advantages which it is expected to obtain by this modification of the former project are these— The water will be delivered at a much higher level. The main aqueduct will have a greater fall per mile and be consequently less liable to deposit. There will be no necessity for any dam across the Mulleer for holding up a supply. The whole of the Barracks can have a supply of water laid on with the exception of the Artillery Pendalls. The deep cutting near camp will be saved. Of these—the most important are the height at which the water is delivered and the fall per mile of pipe, and to obtain them it is well worth while to incur the expense of the in- creased length of aqueduct. A map copied from the survey made by Lieutenant Mac- donald and sections of the shafts sunk on the Mulleer, kindly supplied by Mr. Hardy Wells, are annexed. The cost of an 18-inch iron pipe landed at Kurrachee would probably be Rs. 5 annas 10 per foot, and that of carriage, laying and jointing about Rs. 3 more, or Rs. 8 annas 10 per foot, which is equal to Rs. 45,540 per mile. Allowing an annual charge of 20 per cent. on the 24 lacs to cover interest, repairs and establishment, the cost of 1,000 gallons would be Re. o-1-103 and as this is a 50 days supply for one person, the cost for one day would be pies 0°45, of not quite half a pie. Even supposing that only half the quantity available could be disposed of, 4 annas per 1,000 gallons is by no means a ruinous charge to the consumer. The cost of the project can therefore scarcely be called extravagant, (od.).° A. DEEISEE, Captain, Kurrachee, gth July 1857. Bombay Engineers.pie As TG ae ap RT cdl ae ee er ee Mey ee a ae Mi ie 504 No. 1296 oF 1857. PuBLIc WORKS DEPARTMENT. Dated 1st August 1857. From THE COMMISSIONER IN SIND. To THE SUPERINTENDING ENGINEER, SIND. SiR: I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter noted in the margin, 4nd to beg ee 2ag4 of the 20th July you will convey to Captain DeLisle my thanks for the very clear, comprehensive, and complete report which you have forwarded. 2. The present is an unfavourable moment to ask Govern- ment to expend money, but the project is one not only so beneficial in itself, but so economical in the saving it effects in the current expenditure, that 1 propose to submit it with an urgent application for sanction. Before doing so I shall be glad if Captain DeLisle will put himself in communication with the Managers or re- presentatives of the Cantonment Water Company, and ascertain the amount for which they would be willing to transfer to Government the property of the Company as it stands. 4. I shall also be glad if he will ascertain by rough approximate estimate, the total cost to Government of supply- ing water to the Troops and Shipping, including all Military, Naval, and other Government servants and Departments in the Camp at Kurrachee, as well as Keamaree, Munora, and Ghizree. 5. I shallalso be glad if you will, as far as you are able, carry out the proposal in your 12th paragraph for supplying the detailed plans and estimates which will be required. I have the honour to be, etc., (Sd.) H. B. E. FRERE, Commissioner in Sind. COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE, Kurrachee, 1st August 1857.595 No. 2639 oF 1857. PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, Dated Kurrachee, 14th August 1887. From COLONEL W. SCO ET : Acting Superintending Engineer, Sind. LO H. B. Ey ERERE ESOUERE. COMMISSIONER IN SIND. SIR, | have the honour to submit the further report called for m your letter No. 1296 of 1st instant. I think that Captain DeLisle underrates the sum now paid by private parties for water. I have the honour to be, etc., (Sd,) — W, SCOTT. Vclond: Acting Superintending Engineer, Sind. L (Iv) 355—64ag ee aaa Wie ite Se i . i ie ae eh wig . Tica na > s 7 . - ' ee en ‘ i Pres te Righ EF P2i% - a a5 ai ge a aay OR Se ot or | a es ? oe ae. 3 lo be A Wi ‘ Z as A if eat LS hs ele as he be ot it Sea HIBS, 2 ia ng Ja ee : Be See Pk F i" : ‘ Cae soem gs ne. b , i 506 = Tue SUPERINTENDING ENGINEER, SIND. SiR; | have the honour to submit the further information re- quired by the Commissioner, except the price asked for the well and pipes of the Cantonment Water Company, as I have not yet received any reply from them. The expenditure on account of water during the month of July has been as follows :— : va INS: A871 oe Toes = .s: 464-1. — Departments qi 1j835 0.40 At Ghizree Bunder _... | Indus Flotilla and boats. ws 148? Ge Sanatorium At Keamaree ick ft WSCGr Shipping ... ia gh BOT ee — —-—— 1076 4 0O At Munora— Port Officer’s Establishment vei 105 eas For July, Total... 4,468 13° © While 20 per cent. on the estimated cost of the Mulleer water scheme is rupees 4,167 per month nearly, of which a considerable portion would be repaid by the Municipality and the inhabitants of Camp, assuming that out of the 140 com- pounds only 100 have Bheesties to supply-water, the cost would be 800 or goo rupees per mensem, making the total outlay rupees 5,268 or rupees 5,368. Assuming the ordinary load of a bullock to be 18 gallons and the average number of trips to be six, the cost per 1,000 gallons would be rupees 2-8-0 to 2-12-6. For water carts in Camp carrying 125 gallons at 4 annas, the cost per 1,000 gallons would be rupees 2.507 For the same to Ghizree or Keamareeat 12 annas per 125 gallons, the cost is rupees 6 While from the Mulleer the cost would be only 2} annas per 1,c00 gallons, or 4 annas if sold at double the cost price. From the above data I calculate the whole amount of water suppled for the sum of rupees 5,268 to be about 15,00,000 gallons, the average cost is thus rupees 3-8-0 nearly per 1,000 gallons, or 28 times that of the Mulleer water, while the quantity for the whole month does not much exceed what the watef-works are expected to supply in 12 day. [ have to request you will have the following corrections made in the original report— The level of water line at the Mulleer should be. 92°66 Total fall of pipes ae Ss Va 35/7 60 Fall per mile si a en Ba Taking the fall per mile at 34 feet only. The discharge of the full pipe will be cubic feet ... 150 When three-quarters full a me 146 When half full a sal Jes 75 These numbers would give more favourable comparative results than those given above, but I have not altered them as the case so far as economy ts concerned is already strong enough, [ have the honour to be, etc., (Sd.) A. DELISLE, Captain, Bombay Engineers. Kurrachee, 11th August 1857. True copy. (Sd.) W. A. BAKER, Lieutenant, Assistant Superintending Engineer, Sind,ET 508 No: 1416) OF ada: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT. Dated 22nd August 1857. From THE COMMISSIONER IN SIND. To Major Preepy; J. GIBBS, ESQUIRE; CaPTAIN DELISLE ; J. NEVILLE WARREN, ESQUIRE; P.-M, DALZELL, ESQUIRE. GENTELMEN, I have the honour to forward papers, as per margin, relative 1, Comp. file 107 of 1857, Public Works, contain- ing Captain De'isle’s plan for supplying Kurrachee with water from the Mulleer, with map. to a plan with which I have been favoured by Captain DeLisle, for supplying the Camp and Town of Kurrachee with water. 2. The planis now ina shape to admit of being sub- mitted to Government, and before doing so, the only question to be decided is, what proposition should be made to Govern- ment as to the mode of raising the money required to carry out the work. 3. From the tenor of the reply With regard to supplying Kurrachee with drinking water, | am directed to inform you that His Lordship in Council will be happy to learn that you have been able to mature some plan for raising the funds requisite for effecting this object (which he regards as one of a Municipal nature) either by a water rate or by a tem- porary increase of Municipal taxation, Government letter No. 2233 of 5th August 1857, General Depart- ment, The Right Hon’ble the Governor in Council observes that the orders of the Hon'ble Court contained in para- graph 44 of their despatch, No. 361 of 1855, permit Government to afford pecuniary aid to Municipal bodies in cases of great and unusual importance. given by Government to our application for an advance to enable the Municipality to supply the Town and Bundar with water, | have little doubt but that Government, if it did not execute the whole of the present work itself, would2. In consideration of what is stated in paragraph 4 of Mr. Frere’s letter of the 29th June, and in his subse- quent communication of the 4th instant, the Governor in Council is of opinign that the project of conveying water in pipes to the Bundar at Keamaree, may be re- garded as one which sufficiently fulfils the condition des- cribed in the preceding paragraph, to justify an applica- tion to the Government of India for permission to advance to the Municipality a moderate sum at the current rate of interest. ensure the repayment of the loan withi willingly support an application to the Court of Directors for a loan to enable the Municipality to carry out the project, if we could submit to them such a plan as_ would 1 a reasonable time. 4. | have therefore resolved to request you to form your- selves into a Committee for the consideration of this subject, and that you will favour me with your opinion as to the mode of taxation best calculated to attain the o 5. It must necessarily be one bjection in view. in accordance with the existing constitution of the Municipality, to which body I[ . purpose submitting it, before finally applying to Government. I have the honour to be, etc., (Sisned) .-H. COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE, KKurrachee, 22nd August 1857. B. E. FRERE, Commissioner in Sind.HaLO No.- 1832/05 10573 Dated 2nd Qctober, 1857. From THE COLLECTOR OF KURRACHEE. 10 THE COMMISSIONER IN SIND. SER: 7 & In compliance with the instructions contained in paragraph 4 Mr. Gibbs, Judicial Assistant Commissioner. of your letter No. 14] 6 Mr. N. Warren, Agent, Sind Railway. of the 22nd August, Captain DeLisle, Deputy Superintending Engineer, a Committee com- Mr. Dalzell, Deputy Collector, Customs. posed as marginally And Myself. noted, assembled to consider the plan of Captain DeLisle for supplying the Camp and Town of Kurrachee with water, and I have the honour to submit our report for your information. 2. I beg at the same time to return the plan and corres- pondence on the subject, received with your letter above referred to. I have the honour to be, etc., (Signed) H. W. PREEDY, Major, Collector and President. COLLECTOR'S OFFICE, Kurrachee, 2nd October 1857. ("y behets tp ears Ne gE tata tie LL ee eR 51i Report by a Committee appointed to consider Captain DeLisle’s plan for providing Karachi with a water-supply. _ A Report by Captain DeLisle upon the project of bringing water from the Muleer River for the supply of the Town and Camp of Kurrachee with good water, having been remitted to the undersiged by the Commissioner, with a request that they would report upon the feasibility of raising the necessary funds for execution of the project, as revised by Captain DeLisle. The undersigned report— That for the complete execution of this work, together with the utilisation of the Cantonment Water Company’s Works, and the Municipal works now in progress, for supplying the Town and Bundar with water, it appears that a capital of £ 35,000 Is required. To raise this sum it is suggested that a plan recently introduced into practice in Municipal corporations in England may be adopted, vzz., to borrow the capital re- quired on the security of Government or of Municipal rates, or assessment of some kind, and pay a rate of in- terest, exceeding the rate at which the money could be simply borrowed on the security, by an amount, sufficient to effect the amortisation of the capital and interest in a fixed number of years. Thus it appears that if the sum of £ 35,000 were borrowed at 8 per cent. interest, with 4 per cent. added for the amortisation, the loan would be entirely abolished, or rather, would expire, in a period of about 15 years. Upon this plan, a yearly sum of £ 4,200 would have to be paid for 15 years. As the loan would be taken by instalments, the amount payable as interest at the com- mencement would be lighter. Referring to estimates of revenue given in Captain DeLisle’s supplementary report, 1t appears that Government would derive much advantage by securing an unlimited supply of water for ... fe ie sca fe 4oeo per annum, that 140 compounds would be advan- taged by paying only 3 rupees per month on an average for an unlimited supply also, making a total revenue from Camp of ‘al et pe S00 ¥ Ie ay LEH yere 7 ah, i hg: 4 4 . " ee ‘ ¥ i Ma eS Era s a ie ee a t * eg ae ee PE LT LR eS Rm a eS ge a eo ge Bom as eS Oy, a ae el ae TG aes 4% ag Pa eM De at j= ge ae eRe, od es ah A eae, ae Var bm tee Peat gees a aR POT rare e we ay er rey AES Bas eo Seep es . aeee OX Bott enti er aps ae iy ne Woe ee TRE Nae or mghor aarere® woes Sas ee512 It does not appear to be by any means a high estimate, to suppose that a revenue from the Bazaar and from the Town and the Railway Compan may amount to z oe a8 £ 2,500 We have thus a total revenue of £ 7,000 Deduct the Yearly payment of ... ioe Leo And there remainasum of... sag £ 28G0 for management and repairs. It must be remembered that after 15 years when repairs may be supposed to become a serious item, the yearly pay- ments for interest, etc., will entirely cease, so that the total revenue will be available for management and repairs, or any other purpose. If the rates leviable by the Municipality or any special assessment can be made available for the purpose, the sum required may possibly be borrowed from one of the banks at Bombay. But if not, it appears very probable that it might be obtained from an English capitalist and on easier terms, if the Government would consent to guarantee a loan or the said rates or assessment. The Cantonment Water Works may be made available for use during the construction of the larger works; and thus the necessary income may be in part raised, at an earlier period, and the inhabitants of Camp receive an assured supply of good water. ‘This may be effected by an immediate outlay of about £ 10,000 on works, the greater part of which will be available for the larger scheme, The revenue necessary for the payment of interest and the maintenance of the works should be raised partly by a contract with Government for a full supply of water, partly by a water rent to be levied on every occupied house in Camp, and a rate on the houses in the Bazaar, and partly by a ‘sum to be paid out of the Municipal rates for supply of the Town. (Signed) H. W. PREEDy, Major, Collector and President (4 , ies, C°,,° 9-]- NEMILG WARREN, (4, 4A? DELiSts ( 3 -) PEM Dae Kurrachee, 1st October 1857.NO: 255 OF 31857. PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT. Dated 13th October 1857. From THE COMMISSIONER IN SIND. THE RiGgHT HONOURABLE LORD ELPHINSTONE, G.C.B., G.C.H., Governor and President in Council, Bombay. My Lorob, Your Lordship is aware that the Camp, Town and Port of Kurrachee contain no good drinking water, and that the wells of very inferior and somewhat saline water which the inhabi- tants are compelled to use, are at a distance of from one to five miles from the houses and shipping. 2. Consequently, the quality of water is bad, the supply scanty, and the cost of obtaining it very great. In 1846, soon after the conquest of Sind, Captain (now Colonel) Baker submitted a plan for bringing in water by pipes from the Mulleer River, a distance of 12 or 14 miles. The cost was moderate (under Rs. 1,20,000) the project un- exceptionable, and it was pressed forward with characteristic energy by Sir Charles Napier, who was fully alive to its vast importance to Kurrachee ; but somehow or other, it was re- peatedly delayed and shelved by Boards and Committees, Medical and Military, and though at various times revised and brought forward by Captain Hill and others, it iS no nearer execution than when Captain Baker completed his surveys. L (Iv) 355—65a aes. ee capa yee wis 514 It is altogether a curious instance of how a project of creat public importance of undoubted economical character and without a single material flaw, may be delayed and indefi- nitely postponed, even when men of great influence and energy do their best to promote tt. e, [calculate that in 12 years since Captain Baker’s time Government alone has spent 53 times the whole cost of his project in supplying their troops and depots with very inferior water, and Government are at this moment annually paying more than half a lac of rupees per annum for a supply which he proposed to give them nearly free of current expense for an original outlay of less than a lac and a quarter. 6. So obvious were the commercial advantages of supplying water to Camp, that a Joint Stock Company (the Cantonment Water-Company) was formed three or four years ago, to distribute by means of pipes a sufficient supply of the best water procurable in Kurrachee itself. The project was a sound one commercially and in an Engineering point of view, and of much public value, though inferior in some respects to Captain Baker’s. But it fell through, as Joint Stock Com- panies are apt to do in this country, when its origination Captain Ashburner, 8th N. I., left the station. 7. Neither of these plans must be confounded with that of the Kurrachee Municipality, which is simply to raise and distribute Kurrachee water through pipes to the Native Town (not the Camp) and Shipping, and to save the expense of its carriage on women’s heads or bullocks backs, in jars and water skins. 8. In the course of discussions regarding the Railway, ee General Jacob revived a_ plan of Lieutenant ach iy ra. Chapman for a canal from the Indus which would supply drinking water as well as an inland navigation channel. I have detailed in my letter noted in the margin my reasons for considering that irrespective of the expense (£5,02,500) which would alone have been ax19 difficulty, a navigable canal from the Indus is not the best means which could be devised for supplying drinking water to IKurrachee. g. On Captain DeLisle’s arrival in Sind in May last, | , referred the whole subject to him and have now the pleasure to forward copy of a very able and complete report from him with other papers, which I hope may be sufficient to guide Government in carrying out a project so long desired and of such vital importance to the Port and Station of Kurrachee. e 10. It will be seen that Captain DeLisle, whose scheme is more comprehensive than that of any of his predecessors, proposes to bring in the water from the Mulleer River in pipes and to distribute it throughout the Camp, the Town and the Port at Ghizree as well as at Keamaree, and to purchase and use, as an auxiliary means of supply, the well whence the ‘‘ Canton- ment Water Company” proposed to draw their water, or to sink a new well near the same spot. ‘This latter part of the project appears to me to be of very great importance, for I do not think it would be at all expedient to make the place entirely dependent on a supply of water from a source which would be more than 12 miles distant, and might therefore of course at any time be cut off or accidently interrupted. 11. As regards the supply of the town, Captain DeLisle’s project is auxiliary to that already proposed to. Government by the Municipal Commissioner; If carried out, it will give them a cheaper supply and better water, but the means of distribution will be the same as proposed by the Municipal Commission, so that neither project in any way depends on the other, or need interfere with or delay its execution. 12. The capital required to carry out Captain DeLisle’s project may be stated at 3 lacs of rupees, which appears more than sufficient to cover all contigencies, and on which the returns will be very large, if water were supplied at a cost considerably less than that now paid by the consumer.Pit, one < ae ie a te cl ps fos, go Pe pmmeaiteaygens fo) Be a We te ty 44 et fas cgay i E a Ot Cee. ) tons . eras” 003 algae 516 13. To raise this sum there appear two courses open :— ist. That the work should be undertaken and executed asa public work by Government, whose servants, soldiers, and departments form at present the largest class of consumers, and that Government should repay itself partly by the reduced cost of such supply to its own people, and partly by charging for the water supplied to private individual. 14. Itis hardly necessary for me to state the recom- mendations for or objections to this mode of proceeding. They are much the same as apply to any other great public work of general and permanent interest and utility being undertaken by Government. 15. Theother plan is that the Municipality of Kurrachee, should be empowered to borrow the money required to execute the work and to impose special rates which would provide for the extinction of debt within a given number of years. 16. For this purpose probably the easiest and simplest plan would be to pass a Special Legislative enactment, giving the necessary powers and responsibilities to the Municipality, pro hac vice. 17. There are so many considerations affecting a choice between these two propositions, that I will only add that both of them appear to me perfectly unobjectionable, and that | would advocate whichever of them might offer the speediest and most certain means of obtaining the great object in view, viz., the provision of an abundant and cheap supply of good drmking-water to a large and increasing cummunity. | have, etc., H. ‘Buk? FRERE, Commissioner in Sind. COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE, Kurrachee, 13th October 1857.« sieeiadone PP ipekieg i ie No. 69 OF 1858. PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT. Bombay Castle, 8th January 1858. Letters from the Commissioner in Sind, Nos. 2288 and 319, dated respectively the 13th October and 3rd December 1857, forwarding printed copies of correspondence on the subject of supplying Kurrachee with good drinking-water with the means of pipes from the Mulleer River. e Resolution of Government on the above, dated the 26th December 1857. Government consider that there can be no doubt as to the advantage of carrying out the project of supplying Kurrachee with water from the Mulleer River as proposed, and would not, under ordinary circumstances, hesitate to apply for permission from the Government of India to advance to the Municipality the funds necessary for giving effect to it. 2. Under present circumstances however, the Right Hon’ble the Governor in Council is of opinion that the alter- native proposed in paragraph 15 of the Commissioner’s letter should be adopted, and desires that the Commissioner will submit the draft of such an enactment as that contemplated by him, in order that Government may communicate with Mr. Legyeyt for the purpose of getting it passed into law. The draft should provide for the management of the water-works being vested in the Municipality; for repaying with the interest the sum borrowed by a rate to be raised for the purpose, the rate to be limited to a reasonable maximum ; ior the public supply of water being available in reservoirs conveniently situated for the rate payers ; and forthe sale of water delivered in houses or for gardening or manufacturing or other purposes for which large supplies are required; the proceeds of sale being brought to account in diminution of the general rate. HAR, Secretary to Government. ‘ - i ire ees : rer 15 3 Sewer TSZIRP Ss pale ees ws, . : oe ae 3 : Lee eee ee eas Se ee eee te RE e : Cee eg +: ea aoe se ae ees tse cea ek Oe ae518 No. 208 OF 1858. eR eins GENERAL DEPARTMENT. Kurrachee, 15th May 1858. My Lorpb, With reference to the Government Resolution as per | No, 69 of 8th January 1858 relative to the ma | have the honour to ia ; supply of water to Kurrachee frcm the Mulleer transmit the proposed Draft | River, ond ie stbmission oF 8 Oo ect het ae ee us | submission to the Govern- ment of India and the Legislative Council. L have, 6h6., H. Bo PRE Commissioner in Sind. P.S.—I have made to lacs of rupees the limit of the sum which can be borrowed, which allow for the use of tron pipes. H. B. T SP Commissioner of Sind.519 PROPOSED DRAFT ACT. Whereas it is necessary that power should be given to the Municipal Commissioners of the town of Kurrachee to take measures for supplying-water to the Town and Cantonment of Kurrachee and to the suburbs of Ghizree, Clifton and Keamaree, it is enacted as follows :-— 1. ft shall be lawful for the Municipal Commis- sioners appointed under Act 26 of 1850, for the Town of Kurrachee, with the sanction of the Governor of Bombay in Council, to borrow on the security of the Municipal Revenues, such sum or sums of money not exceeding ten lacs of rupees as may be required for the attairment of the objects mentioned in the preamble and to engage to pay interest for the same at a rate not to exceed Q rupees per Cent. per annum. 2. To provide for the repayment of the said loan and interest, it shall be lawful for the said Municipal Commissioners by and with the sanction of the Chief Commissioner to impose a tax on all houses, buildings and lands within the limits of the said Town and Camp of Kurrachee and of suburbs of Ghizree, Clifton and IXCeamaree, not to exceed 2 per cent. per annum of the estimated value of such houses or lands and this rate may from time to time be altered by the Municipal Com- missioners by and with the sanction aforesaid. 3. This tax shall be collected in advance in half- yearly payments on the rst March and 1st September each year, and shall be held to be due from the date of the first money being borrowed under section 1 of this Act. 4. The proceeds of this house and land tax shall not be used except to repay the money borrowed under section 1 of this Act. Until the whole principal sum so borrowed be repaid and when the whole sum so_ borrowed shall be fully repaid the rate shall be reduced to whatever may be required to provide for the current expenses,— SannESRRSnEEEEienene 320 The Municipal Commissioners shall prepare a roll showing the estimated value of each house and build- ing land and the amount of tax thereon to be levied, and such statement shall be open to public inspection for at- least 60 days before any payment of tax under this “Act can be enforced. 6. Should any person object to the valuation placed upon his house or land, he may cause the matter to be referred to arbitration in which case the Chairman of the Managing Committee of the Kurrachee Municipality shall name one Arbitrator who is not a Municipal Commissioner and the owner of the property to be assessed shall name one Arbitrator on his part and they shall, if necessary, appoint a referee and the finding of these Arbitrators or the majority of them shall be final. 7. The valuation roll shall not be liable to alteration except on a general revision to be made, if requisite, at intervals of not less than five years subject to which limitation it shall be in the power of a majority of the Municipal Commissioners to order such a revision when: ever it may appear to them to be necessary and any difference of opinion between the Commissioner and the owner on the subject of such valuation may be referred to arbitration as above provided in clause 6. 8, The management and control of the water- works when constructed shall be in the hands of the Municipal Commissioners who shall provide for the pro- per supply of water in public reservoirs conveniently situated for the rate payers, and any water supplied in any other manner than to the public reservoirs shall be charged at a rate to be fixed by the Municipal Commis- sioners in addition to the general tax levied under clause (2) and the income derived from the sale of this water shall go to pay for the annual working expenses, estab- lishment, repairs, improvements, etc., any balance being brought to account in repayment of the original loan.g. For all purposes connected with the protection of the water-works, pipes and cisterns and the prevention of fraudulent practices with regard to the distribution of the water, the Municipal Commissioners shall have authority to draw up rules which after having been ap- proved of by the Government of Bombay shall have force throughout the limits to which the water provided by the Municipal Commissioners 1s distributed. 10. These rules may be amended or rescinded and new rules made from time to time with the approval of the Government of Bombay. 11. Any breach of these rules shall be punished on conviction before any Magistrate or Deputy Magistrate by fine not exceeding 50 rupees. 12. The tax to be levied under clause 2 of this Act and the price of water charged under section 8 shall be in the first instance payable by the occupant of the pre- mises on which they are assessed, and such tax and price of water and any fines imposed under section 11 of this Act shall be recovered according to the provisions of Act 2 of 1839, by any Magistrate on the application of the Commissioners. Except as otherwise provided in this Act the Municipal Commissioners shall have with regard to the water-works the same powers and responsibilities as they have by Act 26 of 1858. 13. No land or building shall be exempt from the rate on any amount whatever. 14. The account of receipts and disbursements under this Act shall be kept separately by the Municipal Commissioners and shall be submitted to Government annually along with the accounts referred by section 13 of Act 26 of 1850. Fee B. Br INR Commissioner in Sind, . ~ ‘ 7 +S a a ———— ae gre 2S ~ - 5 ress er a r PE ge ae. 2 TS ae a : 2 ee ; eo Sr tee : aS ee i. ee : SER ME. ae, Bea “Teameursy Tere. Ss Seite c 1 ee ee PR eR ETT ets ek 5 ee he aeal x ere hehe. wath 522 No. 1736 OF 1858. PusLic WORKS DEPARTMENT, Bombay Castle, 19th June 1858. Letter from the Commissioner in Sind No. 208, dated the 15th May 1858, submitting Draft of an Act to be submitted to the Government of India and the Legislative Council pro- viding for the raising of funds to supply Kurrachee with water from the Mulleer River. Resolution of Government on the above, dated the 16th Fune 1858. Before submitting the proposed Draft Act to the Bombay Member of the Legislative Council of India, the Right Honour- able the Governor in Council requests that the Commissioner in Sind will submit information.as to the anticipated annual amount of the proposed tax. 2. Information on this point is required to enable Government to judge as to the number of years in which the maximum sum to be borrowed by the Municipality of Kurrachee, will be repaid. Ws da FoR Secretary to Government. No. 1564 OF 1858. PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, KKurrachee, 25th June 1858. Forwarded to the Collector with a request that he will refer to the Draft Act and favour me with a rough estimate. Captain DeLisle will, I am sure, assist. It is no use going into details, as the place is increasing so rapidly that the most care- ful estimate made in one year will be falsified in the next ; but it is easy to be on the safe side, by a rough estimate from the present state of things. .. BD, BE, PRE RE Commissioner in Sindrichie Laer 33 No. 1087 OF 1888. PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, Kurrachee, 6th July 1858. Returned with rough estimate of amount of tax. The number of houses is estimated from the population allowing 10 persons for Officers’ houses and five for those of natives. For the Muchee Meanee only third and fourth class houses have been taken as there are few wealthy natives among the fishermes of Kurrachee. If an allowance of 4 per cent. is to be calculated at present for amortization, the interest at 8 per cent. on ten lacs will be Rs. 80,000 per annum, far more than the estimated out-turn of the tax. A DEEISLE, CAP RAIN. Engineer.FY th i i \ "amp and Town of Kurrachee :— in € er cent. on the houses J Estimated Return of a Tax of 2 | N ATIVE. ~ Toul Istc uropeans Rs. 50. 4 3 | | No. of houses | Population. Locality, proportion to each class monthly rent 14 ivil Lines of Clifton 10 persons to each house, Q | | | | I0O 1,000 do Military camp NATIVE POPULATION. Military camp 5 persons to each house. 20,6061 do. Town “_ Muchee Meanee fishermen do, i‘Keamaree © © 1-67 Cele 2) Goby eho C) a oO ° | a On Ww oO Q Oo oO | OL a a | sf = | Oo? : ° CO - Bethe an 3G eee { i . ae | EAB Cae oe © | = = o © OV’ S Ou hs & Q Sy ‘ie ry erik . ‘ ; io Bs 4 heat: . Sa ; . gry . " Fed a = arcmin sara r ey ae a 3 5 - ; , Ae Spee 3 abner” ee ede seals ee wie i Oe rat a + ee Sr eae a eas ee ee ea ee testy ates Baye OS °F RIE ITED on xt oe RE EBT SES a BCR 6 RROD NS FatSs competent judges. These plans had been submitted to Gov- ernment who stated their willingness to assist by providing the necessary legal powers and by paying their own fair share of the expense but added that the planas a whole must be under- taken by the Municipality. The Act now before the Legislative Council was the result. It had been twice read and would be read a third time on 24th November next preparatory to its being passed. It was the object of this meeting to consider the provisions of the Draft and see if any improvement or amend- ment could be suggested. The Chairman then went through the clauses of the Act in detail explaining their purport and application, and concluded by suggesting that any proposition that might be carried at this meeting be referred to a Com- mittee who should embody any amendments in the form of the petition for submission to the Legislature. A protest signed by the Captain Vincent, Dunsterville, &c., was then handed by Captain Church and having been read the following propositions were then put. I. Proposed by Mr. Neville Warren, seconded by the Revd. W. Stickland, that— This meeting consider that in the bill for obtaming a water-supply in Kurrachee, clauses should be inserted making it obligatory on the Commission to lay small mains from the great supply mains, through thoroughfares in Camp, for supplying water to the houses at present lining the roads or hereafter to be built. Carried. II? Proposed by Mr. N. Warren, seconded by Mr. A. F. Bellasis— That a Committee be appointed to draw up clauses to amend the Act in reference to the inconveniences of supplying water and levying the rates with a view specially to relieve occupiers of houses and not owners from liability to increased charges before the water is actually supplied. That the Brigadier Commanding the Station be requestedto nominate with the sanction of the General of the Division two members to represent the interest of Camp residents and that Mr. N. Warren and Mr. J. M. Shaw Stewart be requested to represent householders, not of camp. After much discussion on the proposition the following amendment was then put. III. Proposed by Brigadier Adams, C. B., seconded by Major Murray— *That Camp limits including as in the Bill Ghizree and Clifton be entirely exclude: from all regulations in connec- tion with the Bill until the ideas and wishes of the Com- mander in Chief on the subject are known After a discussion on the subject the question was put to the vote when there appeared for the amendment 11 against 29. The amendment being lost and the original proposition ‘ having been put was carried by a large majority. AAT RT PRES The thanks of the meeting were then voted to the Chair- man for his able conduct in the chair and the meeting adjourned sine date. REEVETO | THE CHAIRMAN OF THE MEETING ASSEMBLED TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE DRART Aca FOR THE SUPPLY OF WATER FOR KURRACHEE. SIR, As my absence from the meeting assembled to-day to take into consideration the Draft Act of the Legislative Council of India, for supplying water to the town and suburbs of eee might be construed into a tacit approval of its provisions, request you will be so good as to read to the meeting this my dissent. As aresident of the Cantonment I object to this Act, as it Is, [ believe, an unexampled attempt on the part of a Municipality to levy taxes within a Military station and I am convinced that if this deviation from Military usages were brought to the notice of Government, it would cause the concluding section of the Act to be expunged. The fundamental principle of Municipal taxation is that rates are self imposed, either by the rate payers themselves or their representatives and itis a notorious fact that in the case of this Act this first principle has been entirely departed from, for not only have the Camp residents never assented to this tax, but they have never even been consulted thereon, and It Is equally well known that they are unanimous and decided in their opposition. It might be supposed from this neglect of the wishes of the Camp residents that the proportion of the tax to be borne by them would be small but I believe the contrary is the case and that ifa proper enquiry were made it will be found that the larger share of the burden would fall on them. The mode in which it js pro unjust as it falls heaviest, not on th the inhabitants of the most expensive houses, and it creates this anomaly, that in very many cases rate payers are called to mcur great risk and heavy taxation to procure the supply of an article at a dearer rate than it is now obtainable, posed to levy this rate is e largest consumers but on I have, etc., (Sd.) A, VINCENT Captain, Paymaster,IG0 1 concur generally in Captain Vincent’s remarks. I do not attend the meeting because, until it shall have been decided by the proper authority that Military officers in a Military Cantonment are liable to Municipal taxation, I cannot consider myself among the class of rate payers who are now invited to attend a meeting of the Municipal Commission. 3 I may however remark that if the Municipal Commission In carrying out their object of introducing a supply of good water into*’Municipal limits are content to receive a fair re- muneration from the residents of Cantonments who avail themselves of the advantage. This object, I think, might be better attained in the legitimate manner than by what is con- sidered an attempt to impose an obnoxious and arbitrary tax on the Cantonment; this attempt being made in the form of a clause introduced into an Act which is now before the Legis- lative Council, classing the Cantonment as a part of the subrubs of the town of Kurrachee on which, in point of fact it is notorious that the Cantonment in no respect whatever depends. (Sd.) - YOUNGHUSBAND, Kurrachee, 30th September 1859. I concur with Captain Vincent and Colonel Younghusband. (Sd.) DUNSTERVIEER: 30th September 1859. wR SY Sa LG OAS VA = Ze Be Ree eM Fs Ti Ae a Dee, Pa te904 To SIR BARTLE FRERE; KC.B,, COMMISSIONER IN SIND. 10th October 1859. Stk: Having been appointed with Mr. Neville to act on a Committee for amending the proposed Bill for providing water- supply, | asked Colonel Younghusband to inform me when Brigadier Hale would appoint two members on behalf of the residents in camp, and received a reply, that as the Brigadier has met with refusals from officers to sit upon the Commission he intended to have the question to be decided otherwise. Under these circumstances I beg to ask for further instructions. It is very desirable that the Act should be carefully con- sidered, and Mr. Warren and I are ready to revise it, and submit a report on it but we think that another member should be put on the Committee and would suggest that W. J. Mac- donald be requested to act with us, as he is wel: acquainted with the views and wishes of the officers holding houses in Camp. I have the honour to be Sir, Your most obedient servant, (Sd.) M. J. SHAW STEWART330 NO. 1416 OF 1859. GENERAL DEPARTMENT, Kurrachee, 14th October 1859. <4 To M.: [. SitAW SPEWAR | Ber SIR, I reply to your letter as per margin, I have the honour to inform you that I shall s Letter, dated. 1oth October 1859, intimating that the be obliged if Lieute- rigadier has met with refusals from officers to sit on ‘ a Committee for amending the proposed Bill for provid- nant MacDonald will ing water-supply and recommends that Lieut. J. Mac- Donald be requested to act with the Committee. sit as a member of the Committee, and that you then favour me with your views on the matter. i oo ~~, AE I have, etc., (Sd.) H. B. E. FRERE, Commissioner in Sind.530 Lt | | b No. 1417 OF 1859. | Dated the 14th October 1859. Te LIEUTENANT J. MACDONALD, Revenue Surveyor, Kurrachee. SIR | I have the honour to request, if you have no® objection, i ries Me T Sha that you will “aet as ‘2 member of the aa Stewart and J. Neville * Commitee appointed to consider the | scare proposed bill for providing a water-supply e in Kurrachee. Pe sah oh SOE cll SA Rete I have etc., P| (Sd.) H. B. E. FRERE, Commissioner in Sind. COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE, Kurrachee, 14th October 1859. " che a ti iis : ye ee ee * a fins: a Baier ee baie zs iy he tha les 5 bit pea gS Oia aati ea "From M. {. SHAW STEWART, Eso, Assistant Commissioner in Sind ; J. NEVILLE WARREN, Eso., Agent, Sind Railway Company ; LIEUT. J. MACDONALD, 3engal-Assam, Revenue Surveyor in Sind ; To THE COMMISSIONER IN SIND. Dated, 20th October 1859. Stk. On the 30th September, at a public meeting of the Municipal Commissioners and rate payers of the Town of Kurrachee held in the Collector’s Kacheri, the following resolutions were passed. 1. That this meeting considers that in the Bill for obtaining a water-supply in Kurrachee, clauses should be inserted making it obligatory on the Commission to lay small mains from the great supply mains, through thoroughfares in Camp, tor supplymg water to the houses at present lining the roads or hereafter to be built z. hat a Committee be appointed todraw up clauses to amend the act in reference to the inconvenience of supplying water and levying the rates, with a view specially to relieve occupiers of houses and not owners from liability to increased charges before the water is actually supplied. That the Brigadier Commanding the Station be requested to nominate with the sanction of the General of the Division two members to represent the interests of Camp residents, and that Mr. J. N. Warren and Mr. M. J. Shaw Stewart be requested to represent house-holders not of camp. S ° Military officers willing to sit on the Committee, you requested us to take the subject into our consideration, and communicate our view to you. L (Iv) 355—68 2. Some difficulty having been experienced in procuring —— mia” i Nee WE sy eR EAH ET RSTO SE = Sl RR ce es gee 2 ee ars PE EE eeMe pe * 538 3, Accordingly we met on the 15th instant and have the honour to report as follows :— 4. We consider that it would be highly expedient that some provision should be made to ensure to every house-holder a service main pipe being available near enough to permit of a smaller supply pipe being easily attached ; and to ensure this, it appears to us that the following two alterations are requisite :-— ist. In Section I, we would omit the word “and” after “reservoir” and after the word “ wells,’ we would insert the following words ‘‘aqueducts and other works, and shall lay down such main pipes and main distributing pipes”. af and. In Section IX, we would insert a provision that besides supplying water in public reservoirs, the Municipal Commissioners shall hkewise be required to arrange the main distributing pipes, so that each rate payer shall have one within 150 yards of his house, from which he can lay on a smaller supply pipe if he requires it; and if no such main distributing pipe shall be within 180 yards of his house, that the Municipal Commissioners shall lay down a smaller supply pipe to his house from any convenient point, and shall pay for the cost of the pipe over and above 150 yards; and further, that in every case the Municipal Commissioners shall be required to lay down the smaller supply pipes, on demand of the owner, charg- ing for such work at a fixed rate per foot, and that they shall also keep them in repair on the owner’s requisition at his expense. 5. We would leave it to the Legislative Council to provide any means of compelling the Municipal Commissioners to do their duty in this respect. We think that after the main supply and distributing works are completed the Commissioners should have no power to levy rates in any case where they fail to give proper facilities for supplying water, until such facilities be given. This exemption might be enforced against the Commissioners on application to the Chief Commissioner in Sind. 6. With regard to the 2nd proposition, we are of opinion that the protection required will be obtained by inserting the539 following words after the words ‘“‘ recovered from him” in Section XI.— “Provided always that no owner of any house shall be considered to have a right to demand or to levy any increase of rent from the occupier in consequence of the water rates imposed on him under this Act until the water. shall have been admitted into the main distributing pipes within 150 yards of his house”. We have considered likewise an application made by some of the chief native rate payers in the town, that provision should be*made for obtaining the necesssary funds by an increase of all or some of the present Municipal taxes rather than by a house tax, and we think that the cost of living in Kurrachee is already so great for the poorer classes, that it should not for the present be enhanced by any increase in the taxes, which like the Municipal taxes press equally on all with- out regard to their property but that the cost of the water works should be chiefly defrayed from the proceeds of some tax calculated, like the proposed house and land tax, to fall upon those whose property will be principally benefitted by the supply of water: we therefore do not recommend any:alteration of the nature proposed. 8. As regards Section III of the Bill, we would suggest that no rate be imposed without the sanction of the Chief Commissioner in Sind. The section as it stands gives the Commissinoners power to impose the rate, and leaves to the Chief Commissioner, on the representation of the Municipal Commissioners, the power to fix a less amount rate. We would leave it to the Municipal Commissioners to fix from time to time, with and by the sanction of the Chief Commissioner, such annual rate not exceeding two per centum on the value as may appear requisite for the due prosecution of the works, and fulfilment of the provisions of the Act. We have, etc., M: J. SHAW STEWART, ,) J. N. WARREN, 3 J. MacDONALD, Kurrachee, zoth October 1859. (Sd.) we Sees ee nm e "3 ey os ~ ig es mp yey Sy RES: IRR BN RT eT a a Re ne a oa tae ag Fg ORM CT See Pe se —540 if No. 346 OF 1859. Kurrachee, 24th September 1859. te To mel | HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR OF hl Bombay— Council. My LorbD, I have the honour to submit for transmission to the | Bombay Member of the Legislative Council a_report prepared | by a Committee appointed | to consider the Bill iol ensuring a Ht i better supply of water to Kurrachee and I beg to recommend . | that he should be instructed to forward the bill with the modifi- cations proposed in this report which embraces all the alter- ations which seem to me to be necessary. I would merely support for the consideration of the Legis- lative Council that in this and all Acts of Legislature the name of the Province should be spelt in the manner which most readily expresses the sound of the Native name and which is now generally used throughout it, vzz., Sind. I have, etc., Gets lee a Pieter nis Commissioner in Sind.541 _ Memorandum on the papers relating to the Act for sup- plying Kurrachee with water, submitted in obedience to the note of the Secretary to Government, Military Department, dated 3rd November 1859. , I. A brief history of this scheme will best prove how far the objections stated it in these papers are well founded. 2. Soon after the conquest of Sind, Sir Charles Napier, finding the want of good drinking water the one great drawback to the station of Kurrachee, as a large garrison, employed Colonel (then Captain) Baker of the Bengal Engineers to devise means for supplying the want. 3. Captain Baker submitted a plan for bringing in water by pipes from the Mulleer, a perennial stream about 13 miles distant. 4. The plan was highly approved by Sir Charles (about 1844-45) and sent for sanction to Calcutta. 5. There it was referred to the Military and Medical Boards, and sent back to Kurrachee for further report on some comparatively unimportant points. i 6. Sic Charles ordered the additional information which was asked for to be collected. One portion required the assemblage of a Medical Committee which treated the question rather as bearing on Medical controversies then raging at Kurrachee, and expressed opinion which sir Charles Napier saw would lead to further discussion and possibly to the reje¢tion of the whole scheme. He was then starting for his hill campaign, and laid the matter aside till his return: and the Sikh war and other matters further postponed its consideration: and he quitted Sind before any reply was sent to the reference from Bengal. | Days of financial difliculties and general postponement of all ' public works followed, and nothing had been done up to 185], when on his way home as Ex-Commander in Chief in India, Sir Charles, visited, Kurrachee.* * i tase od : 542 ». He then told me the history of the scheme, and urged me to reagitate it whenever opportunity might offer, as the thing more required than anything else to make Kurrachee a good station for a garrison. 8 No one could live a week at Kurrachee without being convinced of the soundness of this opmion. g. After a few months Captain Hill revived discussion by proposing that the aqueduct should be made and water brought in as a preliminary to the construction of the European Barracks, whereby about half a lac of rupees might be saved in the estimate for those barracks, as all the water for build- ing would otherwise have to be brought 2 miles by Bheesties and water-carts. 10. The suggestion was not adopted, and the barracks were built—but as the town increased, the want of good water was each year more severely felt, and at last, when a Railway was projected, a better supply of water became a matter otf pressing urgency. 11. It was put into the hands of Captain DeLisle, who slightly modified Colonel Baker’s original plan and increased the estimate. In this form it was submitted to Government who replied that the matter was clearly a Municipal one, and should be provided for by Municipal taxation, fresh facilities for which had been lately granted to Kurrachee. 12. Accordingly, with the aid of the Agent for the Rail- way Company who had seen a good deal of such schemes in England, the plan was revised and again brought forward as a Municipal scheme to be executed with money borrowed on mortgage of Municipal income. 13. For all this a special enactment was required anda Draft Act was submitted and sent to the Legislative Council. 14. Upto this point, nothing had been done without con- tinual reference to the Military Authorities. The plan was and is substantially the same as was devised as a purely Military scheme by Colonel Baker at the command of General Sir343 Charles Napier. In every one of the later steps, the Brigadier Colonel Parr, and the Bazaar Master, Captain Ashburner had a principal share, and as the Draft Bill left Kurrachee, it was entirely concurred in by all authorities, Military and Civil 15. Nothing was done regarding it during the years of Mutiny but after one or two appeals from Kurrachee, it was brought forward a few months ago in a slightly altered shape, and read 1st and 2nd time and published. 16. _In the mean time, most of the Military functionaries had been changed; neither the General Commanding the Divi- sion, nor the Brigadier Commanding the station, nor the Bri- gade Major, nor Bazaar Master had been in their present appointment when the original Draft of the Act was under discussion; and none of them knew what had been done—nor by whom nor why. 17. A misunderstanding unfortunately arose as to the meaning of the Bill as soon as it was published at Kurrachee, and I did not become aware of the misunderstanding till some time after. It was generally believed by the inhabitants of Camp that a tax of 2 per cent. was to be at once imposed, and that the consequent supply of water was at least doubtful. Hence the present appeals through the Cornmander-in-Chief, which I have every reason to believe would have been very much modified, even if they had been submitted at all, had the pro- visions of the Draft Act been explained to the memorialists and the present Military Authorities of the station—or had any reference for explanation been made to me before addressing His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief. 18. As soon as it was convenient, after the Bill in its present form was received at Kurrachee, a public meeting was at my suggestion called by the Collector, at which all the in- habitants of Kurrachee, Camp and City were invited to attend. A large number of all professions and classes did so attend, and the matter was very fully discussed. 19. Two or three obvious defects and omissions in the Bill were pointed out, and the means of supplying them sug- gested. It was resolved to appomt a Committee to put these aad ~ ‘ s a POs 5 s . ; a * ~ se 2 Median ¢ na ya = Tae Te ¥ - ri : . P bye eu te x AR GRY a THE MR RY RM Say ha Se ee: a) vf Las Poe TR ae eee ST oI FC Oe Ne ae e. ; a we Sra ee ee ee a et. eee ew eee ee LT Se OEE RE IA EN a Oe ee ee eg eee a | PRESET ee PRR os: — ge Sa544 into shape and the Brigadier-General-Commanding the Divi- sion was applied to nominate members to the Committee to represent to interests of Camp residents. 20. Noone was however appointed, mainly I believe Hecause those who had at first expressed ‘themselves’ micst strongly, were not willing to serve on the Committee. The Committee had however the advantage of several valuable practical suggestions from Brigadier-General Hale, Command- ing the Division, Brigadier Adams, Commanding the Station, and Major Murray, Commanding Depot of Her Majesty s troops, and these suggestions together with others offered by Mr. Neville Warren, the Agent, W. J. Brunton, the Engineer, of the Railway Company, were embodied by a Committee in draft sections to be added to the Bill, and have been submitted through the usual channel to Government in the General Department. I would beg that these proceedings may be referred to, as they will satisfy His Excellency the Commander in-Chief that all the reasonable objections now stated to the Bill had been anticipated, and remedies for them suggested before the present appeal reached the Commissioner. 21. Colonel Hart, the Chief Engineer, is now engaged in further revising the scheme and putting it in a shape for speedy execution. He will, ] am certain, pay every attention to the views of Brigadier-General Hale, and | have no doubt that the result will be to remove all grounds of reasonable objection from any quarter. 22. I will now briefly notice some of the objections taken in the papers now forwarded. 28, OBJECTION 1ST.—“ There is now no want of good water—the proposed taxation to bring in water 1s unneces- sary—vide petition of inhabitants of Camp to Bazaar Master, and Brigadier-General Hale’s letter, para. 3. This is in some respects a matter of opinion. Many an old seaman will assure his passengers and will himself believe that they have an ample supply of water when reduced to anallowance of a pint per diem. In the desert, a well a mile off which supplies each house-hold with a couple of jars of drinkable water daily affords a supply which to the people of the desert seems abundant, and I know more than one locality where the best water is so saline that pure river water seems insipid to those who have been accustomed to impure fluid. 24. But judged by any ordinary standard, there can be no doubt of the notorious fact that the supply of water at Kurrachee is scanty, precarious, and of very inferior quality. 25. ‘he wells whence the water is drawn are from one to five miles distant from the places where the consumers live. No later than the August last, just before rain fell, the scarcity was so great that we had it in contemplation to propose to the Military Authorities to diminish the consumption by sending all the cattle which could be spared to a place 12 miles off to drink. The rains are very precarious. We have of late 9 years of occasional rain following 9 of comparative drought and may now expect a cycle of years of drought to recur: the distress which will ensue to the greatly increased population from the consequent limitation of supply of water, will be very severe, unless averted by some plan for bringing in water from a distance. 26. The present supply from even the best wells, though the permanent inhabitants get used to it and it does not dis- agree with them, has on all new comers the effect of a weak solution of epsom-salts; hardly any new arrival escapes incon- venience and often severe suffering for the few first weeks of his stay, and to some persons of delicate organization and on invalids the injury is considerable and permanent. There is no gainsaying the fact which is vouched by the effects on the stomachs of g out of ro of all un-prejudiced new comers.’ 24. OBJECION 2ND.—“ Nezther the views nor wishes of the residents in Camp have ever been sought, or their interests < consulted in any way”—Vide Brigadier-General Hale’s letter para. 2nd. L (1v) 355—69 oo ae NAY ARAN AS RE NS Veer es 2a ee Cid ICS ae MS546 58. Ihave in the above summary pointed out that this is a mistake. After General Hale’s , Sn ee letter was written, the former corres- Captain Hill pondence was sent to him by the ooo Delisle. Collector, and I believe he is now Captain Ashburner. quite satisfied that all* who have Sa had anything to do with the scheme Majors ed Residents of were Military Officers: there were only +H Nees the two or three persons who were not time he drafted the Act resided either Military Officers in Military em- within Camp limits. ais aos a Be ploy or residing within Military limits. {t was in fact entirely a Military scheme, necessary in the first instance for Military purposes; the rapid increase of the town and port has since given the subject commercial importance. But it has ceased to be a purely Military work, mainly because Government cannot spare many lacs of rupees to exe- cute it, and its undoubted advantages render the non-Military portion of the community ready to submit to taxation in order to secure its benefits. So far from the inhabitants of the Camp having been neglected or not consulted, all who took any interest in the matter were referred to when the Draft Act was first prepared, and the interests of Camp were specially con- sulted Every means was adopted at the time to ensure publicity, but all this occurred before the present incumbents in the principal Military appointments arrived in Kurrachee ; they were thus unaware of what had been done, and were unin- tentionally led into error. 29. OBJECTION 3RD.—“ The scheme should be executed and wt should be left optional to the inhabitants to avail them- selves of tt or not as they please’’—petition of inhabitants of Camp and Brigadier-General Hale’s letter para. 3. I need hardly observe that this option cannot be left to the public inasmuch as a large preliminary outlay is required which can only be provided for by borrowing, and no lender will risk his money unless payment of the interest can be made compulsory, |Esto Ta an ae 30. OBJECTION 4TH.— The Bill authorises a novel and undesirable power of interference within Military limits con- ceded to Civil Authorities.’’—Brigadier Hale and Brigadier Adams. This latter seems to me a perfectly valid objection and may be met in two ways— In consideration of all property in Camp being held subject to the absolute control of Government, Gov- ernment may advance the proportion of the sum total due by hguse property in Camp, or at any rate undertake to be answerable for the responsibilities of such property, reimbersing themselves to such extent as they think necessary by taxing private property; or, Secondly they may allow the Act to be worked through the Camp Authorities. The former would, I think, be the simpler and easier plan, and need not entail a shilling of risk on Government. 31. OBJECTION 5TH.—‘‘ The Act levies a tax of 2 per cent. on all house property, but the expenses of bringing in water by Beehshtees will remain as before’’—Brigadier Adam's letter para. 5. 2. This is a mistake; the 2 per cent. is the maximum of taxation which it will be legal to impose, the actual expense is estimated not to exceed 4 per cent. and even that it is estimated will pay off the cost of works within 25 years, leaving the house property with a great supply of water nearly, if not quite, tax free. The charge for Beehshtees will be very greatly reduced even without service pipes: it will of course be cheaper to get an abundant supply of good water by Beehshtees from a public reservoir within a few hundred yards than as at present to get bad water from the well, it may be 1 or 5 miles distance. 33. To all the other objections stated in the letters of the Brigadier—General and the Brigadier, an answer has been incidentally given in the above summary i proceedings. It was quite accidental that the present Military Authorities at Kurrachee were not earlier informed how the case really stood and relieved from the misapprehension under which they laboured. I have since received much valuable advice and ,a 545 assistance from them in the revision of the Bill, and I trust they need no assurrance from me that nothing was further from the intentions of the promoters of the scheme, than in any way to supersede their authority or to keep them in the dark regarding a measure of so much importance. 34. Respect for H. E. the Commander-in-Chief forbids my entering into any detailed examination of the Quarter- Master General’s letter. I trust that the proceedings in the General Department, especially the small printed fesciculus of papers commencing with Captain Baker’s memorandum and ending with the report of the Committee on Captain DeLisle’s scheme will be sent for His Excellency’s perusal; he will then I am sure acquit the Municipality and myself of any intention to commit any of the irregularities, discourtesies and violations of all rule and precedent implied in Colonel Phayre’s letter, and I feel equally certain that Colonel Phayre will expercience some feeling of compunction that any letter from his department should have delayed the long pending execution of one of the cherished schemes of his great master, the only plan that I even heard of by which Sir Charles Napier proposed to bring water to Kurrachee. 35. In one of Sir Charles Napier’s private letters printed m his life, if | remember rightly, he speaks of bringing water from the Indus, but this was a mere floating idea, and the plan now referred to, matured, and recommended for sanction by him, was | believe the only one for supplying drinking-water which ever was seriously entertained by Sir Charles Napier or went the length of a reference to an Engineer’s office. (Sd.)) H. "By By PRERE, Late Commissioner in Sind. Bombay, 18th November 18509.549 NO. gate: Dated Fort William, the 2nd November 18509. THE SECRETARY TO .EHE GOVERNMENT OF BOMBAY. SIR, | am’directed to forward the accompanying copy of a Memorial, dated the 1st ultimo from certain house and land- holders of Kurrachee, praying that approval may not be signified to the passing of the Act to provide for the better supplying of water to the town and suburbs of Kurrachee, and to request that, with the permission of the Right Honourable the Governor in Council, a report may be submitted upon the subject. I have &c., (ad.) KR. B. CHAPMAN, Under Secretary to Government of India.Sg peg fit ES BOY The humble petition of the undersigned being the prin- cipal house and land-holders of the town of Kurrachee. To Tue RicHr Hon’BLE VISCOUNT CANNING, Viceroy and Governor-General of India and President of the Legislative Council of India, Calcutta. MOST RESPECTFULLY SHOWETH, That in accordance with a notice which appeared in the advertising columns of the Sind Kassid of the 30th September 18e9, a meeting of the Municipal Commissioners was convened at the Collector’s Kacheri at Kurrachee and the rate payers having been invited a good number attended when Sir Bartle Frere in the chair read out the draft of an act empowering the Municipal Commissioners to lay fares on all landed property to the extent of two per cent. on the value of that property for the purpose of bringing a plentious supply of good water from the Mulleer for the use of the inhabitants of the town and its suburbs including the Cantonments of Kurrachee and the ship- ping coming into Harbour. We your Lordship’s petitioners with all due deference beg to state that God has been pleased to furnish the town and suburbs of Kurrachee with a plentiful supply of water, that we have it in abundance, and to spare. That there was scarcity of water, it could not be obtained from the Mulleer face at this moment, there is none in the Muller, there is not sufhcient for the few cultivators on its banks. It is only in the rainy season or rather when it rains that water is to be found flowing down its bed. The persons with whom this scheme originated must have visited the Mulleer either during or immediately alter the rains. We the undersigned beg leave to state that at this meeting of the Municipal Commissioners a proposition was made to oppose the Act in all its bearings and was carried unanimously. We therefore humbly but earnestly pray your Lordship will on our account prevent the passing of the Act in question which we believe is laid before the Legislative Council of India on the 4th November next. Our motive for opposing the Act is the utter impossibility of the scheme succeeding; and even if there was a probablity of its succeeding, we should be equally opposed to it in its present form because the whole weight thereof is laid upon us which is in our opinion unjust and oppressive. If Government or the Municipality are in want of funds to enable them to commence or carry out any great scheme, let them increase their several imposts when all will bear the burden equally and no one will have cause to complain. In the hope of our prayer being granted we sub- cribe ourselves your Lordship’s very loyal and humble servants. seem SNE ag eae cana ln ee Kurrachee, 11th October 1859. (Signature. )NO. 2377 OF 1859. PUBLIC WORKS DEPAK IMENT. Dated the 30th November 1859. Fo THE COMMISSIONER IN SIND. SIR, I have the honour to acknowledge with your endorsement No. aogoPdated ‘the’: aS per margin,’ a petition of the principal ey iGyember: 1850. house and land-holders of the Town of Kurrachee praying that the proposed bill to provide for better supplying with water the town and suburbs of Kurrachee may not be passed. 2. The reasons urged by the petitioners against it are, that the town is already supplied plentifully with water, that the scheme proposed, which is to bring water from the Mulleer River, would fail, the supply in that river being insufficient ; and because the whole weight of the tax would fall upon the landed proprietors. The inhabitants of the Town obtain ther water from the bed of the Lyaree, a hill torent which sweeps fast the back of the town. Its bed is dry except when rain falls for a day or two in each year. The water is obtained from pits or holes dug ‘n the sand, and is slightly brackish and indifferent both In taste and appearance; the inhabitants of the town have known no other, and from custom are satisfied with it. The supply so obtainable is sufficient for drinking purposes, and it is obtained by them at no expense, as the females of each house-hold bring it to their houses. 4. To anyone who has been accustomed to good water, that procurable at Kurrachee is at first, very impalatable, and occasions diarrhoea; but inhabitants of the town, from long use, consider it passable and not inimical to health. Ai bne petitioners have dwelt particularly on the inade- quacy of the Mulleer River to supply the requirements of the waee GS LR eR PS RE ae SES eee ae”ee town—but the proposed Act provides simply ‘ for a com- plete system of water-works ”’ without any reference to the source from which the water is to be_ obtained. The Mulleer River (distant 124 miles from the Can- tonment) has certainly been thought of as one “or the principal sources from which water is to be drawn, but its sufficiency would of course be enquired into and tested by competent Engineers, ere any scheme dependent on it would be commenced. The petitioners have erroneously considered, I believe, that the flowing stream in the Mulleer was intended to constitute a supply for the town. The stream in question is limited to a small rivulet, except when rain falls when it becomes a rapid river; but it has been proposed to dig large wells in its neighbourhood from which, the general opinion is, that abundant water of superior quality would be secured. The water actually in the bed of the river, to which petitioners object as insufficient, would therefore probably not be made use of at all. There are small kutcha wells in the Mulleer valley from which excellent water is procured, and it is hoped that large wells would be equally successful. However, if the scheme were determined on, all this matter would be fully investigated. My own anticipation is that water would be brought from several points ; the supply from the town might, in that case, be obtain- re) ed from a source nearer than the Mulleer. 6. The water-tax will certainly press directly on the house and the land-owners who are considered to be the parties who will be mostly benefitted and who would be therefore justl called on to pay. The other alternative is to sell the water to those who like to buy, but this arrangement would be attended by inconvenience and uncertainty and would not create the means, or give rise to the loan from which the works are to be constructed. 7. There are two other causes which, though not mention- ed in the petition, are, I am aware, instrumental in causiug the inhabitants to make the objection and I will accordingly bring them to notice. 8. The first is, that it has been proposed to commence the water-tax immediately. The impression is that the rst of January next is the date proposed for their institution. Thecontemplated system ofw ater-works will necessarily take a long time say three or four years to mature and bring into working order ; in the mean while the inhabitants will have to pay for water which they do not get, and for constructing a gigantic system, the details of which are, as yet, unknown to them, and the success of which they consider doubtful. g. The second is that, some of the inhabitants entertain objections to the use of water, public to all and which cannot be drawn by themselves; their prejudices would stand in the way of their using it—specially if the water be raised by “ mots” made of hides, or came in contact with any substance other than their own drinking vessels, this prejudice however would probably yield in the course of a little time. to. In this report I have refrained from allduling to other than the towns people. The residents of the Cantonment have special reasons besides those mentioned above, for objec- ing to the tax, and which I am not called upon to bring for- ward here. IKurrachee, 30th November 1859. I have ete., (Sad.)°° —. JDUNSTERVILER. Acting Collector of Kurrachee. NO. 3030 OF 1859. PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT: Returned to the Collector of Kurrachee, with a request that he will enquire and report whether the petition to the Viceroy and Governor-General of India was a bonafide produc- tion, and whether it expresses the general feeling of the house and land-holders of Kurrachee. COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE, (Sd) ho Aco. Kurrachee, 2nd December 1859. Commissioner in Sind, E UY) 355-70 4 ye eR SRG TCI Tot GET Ce ES gL? OT ay ioe B Na in MEM EAS age gs ROLL LR aaa wee ce oe eae i de ated 3 . PR Pe pen ee554 No. 2425 OF 1859. PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT. Dated 6th December 1859. To THE COMMISSIONER IN_ SIND. SIR, I have the honour to acknowledge your mefnorandum No. 3030, dated 2nd instant, and to inform you m reply that in order to carry out, in the fullest manner possible, the enquiry therein directed, I invited the inhabitants and house-holders of the town of Kurrachee to meet meat the Kardar’s office yes- terday afternoon the 5th instant. 2. Accordingly, | was met by the principal Seths, the heads of tribes and castes, the Kazee, the members of the Panchayat, the principal Mahomadans, the chief traders, the few Parsees who live in the town and by all residents and house-holders who had any active interest in the matter. 3. They informed me that the petition to the Viceroy and Governor-General of India was a bonafide production. That it contained upwards of a hundred signatures; many of them there present informed me they had signed it, and the whole assembly represented that the prayer contained in It exhibited their unanimous feeling in the matter ; that the pett- tion was a spontaneous act intended to represent their disin- clination to the proposed measure. That they had made a petition to the Government of Bombay and apprehensive lest the Act might be passed and made law ere thei represen- tation had time to reach through that channel, that they had submitted this petition direct to the Supreme Government at Calcutta. 4. They informed me also, that they had objected to the proposed scheme so far as it had reference to the town, be- cause they had abundance of water, and were fully contenta5 with its quality ; that almost every respectable house had _ its kutcha well in the yard, the water from which served them for washing purposes, and that the members of their house-hold brought a pot-full of drinking water from the adjoining Lyaree River-bed, and that those who could afford it, or would not take the trouble of bringing it could get it brought to their door at a cost of I or 2 pies for a large pot-full. Under these circumstances they represented, they did not perceive the expediency of taxing themselves, to obtain an object which they already possessed and were content with. 5. pointed out to them that the supply in the Lyaree, in seasons of drought, became liable to failure and that it would be preferable to have a clean and desirable supply, rather than continue to resort to the dirty pits in the Lyaree bed, but they urged that these pits or holes constituted in their opinion, the only method of obtaining the water sweet ; that after a pit had been opened for 20 days or so, the water init became brackish when another hole was opened; that for the first few days after a new pit was opened the water was perfectly sweet, and they argued that on the same principle, any well or system of water-works in their neighbourhood would deteriorate in like manner. And they stated that the supply of drinking-water had never within their recollection, failed and it was not likely to do so hereafter. 6. They also argued that the Muncipality had already paid for a very large well constructed on the bank of the Lyaree, for the benefit and supply of the town, and they wanted to know why, on the completion of the imtended channels therefrom, any further scheme was considered neces- sary for them 4. They allowed that it was most necessary the shipping at Keamaree should be provided with water, but they conten- ded that the scheme intended for that object should be defrayed from general taxes on the trade of the port, and should not be made to fall on the house-holders of the town. 8. In short, they confirmed all what was represented in the petition, and begged of me to aid them in conveying their feelings of opposition to the proposed measure, » et 5 UFR TOSes me - . e ee Talis < tore s . cf a 4.4 a er ee ae * - ” * > zo Oe et die ee i qicak r z dnbad Sich JPRS a3 ge ola wih. 1 lagee ts me 550 g. | would fail therefore to fulfil my duty if I did not report their marked and very decisive opposition to the project. Not one of them, though I called on each party by name, would say a word in favour. On the contrary they would instruct each other in objecting to it. 10. I feel sure that at the bottom of the matter lies their objection to the house-tax, an impost which of all others, is particularly disgraceful to a Sindhi community. I think if the expenses were made to fall generally, by increasing the rates of Municipal taxation, that the scheme could yet be carried out with their free will, after allowing time for the present feeling of opposition to pass away. I have etc., (Sd.) J. DUNSTERVILLE, Acting Collector of Kurrachee, COLLECTOR’S OFFICE, [CKurrachee, 6th December 1859.357 NO 2011 (OF 1850. PUBLIC WORKS. DEPARTMENT. Bombay Castle, 17th November 1859. Document to whom sent. For what purpose, Commissioner in Sind oo a report. By order of the Right Honorable the Governor in Council, (Sd) «cH: YOUNG, Chief Secretary to Government. NOs375--O8. 1650. Kurrachee, 7th December 18509. In reply the Commissioner in Sind has the honour to attach the report by Captain Dunsterville, the acting Collector, to whom was referred the enquiry whether the petition was a dona- fide one expressive of the feelings of the general body of the inhabitants of Kurrachee. (Sd. J, JACOB, Commissioner in Sind. oH55° No. 31 OF 1860. Bombay Castle, 6th January 1860. SIR, With reference to the Under-Secretary Mr. Chapman's letter No. 2215, dated the 2nd November 1839, [| am directed to forward for submission to the Government of India, the annexed copy of a report No. 378, dated the 7th ultimo, from the Commissioner in Sind, and under the circumstances therein represented to convey the recommendation of the Right Honourable the Governor in Council that the proposed enact- ment to provide for better supplying with water, the town and suburbs of Kurrachee be for the present abandoned. I have. ete, (Sd.)- EH. yeas. Chief Secretary to Government. No. 32 OF 1860. Bombay Castle, 6th January 1860. Forwarded to the Commissioner in Sind with reference to his Report No. 378; dated the 7th December 1839. By order to the Right Honourable the Governor in Council. (Sd.) H. YOUNG, Chief Secretary to Government. No. 182 OF 1860. True copy forwarded to Collector of Kurrachee in reference to his letter No. 2425 of the 6th December 1859. (Sd.) J. {AUR Commissioner in Sind. Hyderabad, 16th January 1860,559 Water-supply for Kurrachee. On the 13th October 1857, Mr. Frere, the Commissioner in Sind, addressed the Government of Bombay on the subject of the supply of water for Kurrachee. He pointed out that the quality of water was bad, the supply scanty and the cost of obtaining it great. From the first occupation of Kurrachee after the conquest of Sind it had been Sir Charles Napier’s intention to bring in a supply from the Mulleer River and projects for doing so had been prepared by Captain now Colonel Baker of the Bengal Engineers, by Captain Hill and by Captain DeLisle. Mr. Frere pointed out how from various causes the scheme had been delayed and indefinitely postponed. 2. In May 1857, he had requested Captain DeLisle to examine the whole subject, and the report submitted by that officer was forwarded to Government. He proposed a com- prehensive scheme for bringing water from the Mulleer, and for distributing it through the Camp and Town and to the shipping at Keamaree and Ghizree and on the supposition that suitable earthenware 18 inch pipes could be manufactured in Kurrachee, the expense was estimated at three and a half lacs, With iron piping the scheme was roughly estimated to cost nine lacs. 3. Mr. Frere proposed two methods of raising this sum :— tst.—That the work should be under-taken and executed as a public work by Government, whose servants, soldiers and Departments, forma very large class of consumers and that Government should repay itself partly by the reduced cost of such supply and partly by charging for the water supplied to private individuals. end.—-That the Municipality of Kurrachee should be empowered to borrow the money required and to impose special rates which would provide for the extinction of the debt within a given number of years. 4 The reply to this letter, dated the 26th December 1857, was to the effect that under the financial pressure ‘Rage, B si , ‘ - et Auta sta ai -—— : : ie a ate enema PES PRE OW eT Ze Py CaaS : r : “ : 5 oe ARE ng ag fein ey : - i maa : 5 5 avers Sete ys TAR NaS x Eee et eT phe ny fis ¥ er es : * a co Ae a OS Ty ee ee See es ea it led Sle aa RS ES d eae ee ee on Se RT pes | See ok oe eee ie 2 RRC NAR Reesee. Sa sof cnet ha! eed M8, igs Nag Ea iui sce IT. 8. ~ a ee ee ea Sateen: : pa its 560 Government could not under take the work, but desired that the Commissioner would submit a Draft Act to enable the Municipality to raise the money, adding that ‘the draft should provide for the management of the water-works being vested in the Municipality ; for repaying with interest the sum borrowed by a rate to be raised for the purpose, the rate to be limited to a reasonable maximum ; for the public supply of water being available in reservoirs conveniently situated for the rate payers ; and for the sale of water delivered in houses or for gardening or manufacturing or for other purposes for which large supplies are required ; the proceeds of sale bemg brought to account in diminution of the general rate. 5. After mature consideration a Draft Act was sub- mitted on the 15th May 1858, by which it was proposed to enable the Municipality to borrow up to ten lacs, which sum it was roughly estimated would provide for the use of iron pipes, as it was very doubtful if earthenware pipes could be provided at a cheaper rate than iron. The Draft Act was sent to Mr. LeGryt on the 4th August 1858, but great delay occurred before it was laid before the Legislative Council, before whom it was read in amended form a second time on the 2oth August 1859 and referred to a Select Committee, who were to report thereon after the 24th November. 6. A general meeting of the Commissioners and Rate- payers of Kurrachee was held on the 30th September 1859, Sir Bartle Frere in the Chair. At this meeting all classes of the community were present, and the subject was warmly discussed. A sub-committee was appointed to reconsider certain parts of the Act, and then report was submitted to Government on the 24th October 1859. “In the meantime a petition purporting to be from one hundred and forty four of the chief house-holders of Kurrachee, praying that the Draft Act be not passed, was presented to the supreme Government of India. Petitioners opposed the scheme Ist because it was impossible that the water-works could succeed, and 2nd because they considered the plan oppressive ~o them. | ;~~ 8. This petition was referred to the Collector of Kurrachee who reported on the 6th December that the principal househol- ders in Kurrachee were opposed to the measure and considered that the house-tax imposed in the Bill was what they specially objected to. This report having been submitted to Govern- ment was forwarded on the 6th January to the Government of India with a recommendation that the proposed enactment be for the present abandoned. 9g. The reply which has been received to this letter is annexed. | In it the President in Council has expressed his desire that in carrying out this necessary measure the wishes of the community should be consulted and desired that the Com- missioner should be called on to report after communication with the people of Kurrachee. The Collector of Kurrachee, on refe- rence being made to him, stated that no definite reply could be given until the surveys on which Mr. John Brunton was then engaged were completed. 10. This survey was under taken in accordance with a vote of the Municipal Commissioners passed on 3oth July 1859, when the Managing Committee was authorised to engage the services of a competent Engineer to survey the surrounding country and report on the best means for providing water for the Town of Kurrachee and a sum of rupees 5,000 (five thousand) was placed at their disposal for that purpose. 11. Mr. Brunton was instructed to commence the survey and has now submitted his report, the main features of which are as follows, 12. It is proposed to provide water by storing it in the bed of the principal feeder of the Mulleer River, at a point thirteen miles above the place where the Railway crosses it. The place selected is at Dumlote, where the river passes through a gap in the hills, and where by constructing a ‘dam’ 800 feet in length, a reservoir capable of containing 1,677 millions of gallons of water can be formed. This reservoir gives a head of water two hundred and forty-one feet above the top of Trinity Church and one hundred and ninety-seven feet above the bed of a small L (tv) 355-7! ft a Pp @ a ay YR 7” ~ C ¢ = Rae a EE MNS re Ses i gs Set ae eee act ae % teed “2 . ‘ oe AR Ke ibs ft: eer ee Oe I eG PILL562 distributing reservoir behind the Artillery Pendalls, into which the main pipes will convey the water. The distance of the distributing reservoir from Dumlote is 22 miles, and the fall is therefore eight and a half feet per mile. It is proposed to have iron piping from England eighteen inches in diameter, which are estimated to cost 10 lacs of rupees laid down and covered in. The cost of the two reservoirs will be rupees 3,38,632 and Rs. 15,500, respectively ; from the distributing reservoir forty- four feet above the step of Trinity Church, branches will be laid on to supply the Camp, Town and suburbs at a cost of 1,20,000, (one lac and twenty thousand) rupees. ‘The total estinfated cost is sixteen lacs of rupees. 13. ‘This. estimate 1s considerably higher than Captain DeLisle’s estimate for iron piping, but the difference is chiefly due to the greater length of main piping required, Captain DeLisle having proposed to bring it from a distance of sixteen miles instead of twenty. three. The ‘reasons avhich —Ieq Mr. Brunton to recommend the Dumlote Scheme are :— 1st. The uncertainty of the supply procurable by Captain DeLisle’s plan of earthen pipes with open Joints imbedded in the fine sand of the Mulleer. end. The insufficient supply owing to the less fall which in Captain DeLisle’s plan is only three and a half feet per mile. ard. The superior quality of the water at Dumlote, as ascertained by chemical analysis and the advantage of drawing it from a reservoir and not from the sandy bed of the river. 14. The cost of the two schemes may be compared as follows :— CAPTAIN DELISLE’S ROUGH ESTIMATE. Head of water a. Eee gee 16 miles of iron piping JS Up eae Excavation for laying pipes ite i yy oe See Rs. 7,42,280Distributing reservoir Distribution a ag fi, 97,480 Rs. 8,48,760 Contingencies, 5 per cent. deg 42,380 otal Rs. isi: Rs: S611 4a fe eer To give a supply of 850,000 gallons per diem. Mr. BRUNTON’S SCHEME WILL COST. Head of Water Reservoir and Valve r Tower va: se ia (RS; 380,692 i Twenty-three miles of iron piping... gy, 10,3.9,310 Distributing reservoir bs aey; 15,500 Distribution es ale 1 ,20,000 RS.. 15,13;:442 Contingencies 5 per cent. eG 75,072 Total..." Ras .by,00.1 04 or 16 lacs to supply 2,050,000 gallons daily. The excess of Mr. Brunton’s scheme 1s owing to the greater length of piping and the cost of the reservotr, the rate per mile for laying the pipes being somewhat less in Mr. Brunton's ' scheme than in Captain DeLisle's.564 Captain DeLisle’s plan provides a supply at a rate of 20 gallons a day for forty thousand souls. Mr. Brunton rightly estimates the population of Kurrachee at nearly 60,000 and he provides for its increase to 100,000 — His plan will supply 20 gallonsa day to one lac people, besides 50,000 gallons a day for the Railway and shipping in all 750 millions of gallons a year. At this rate of demand the Dumlote reservoir, when once filled, would, with due allowance for evaporation and infiltration, sup- ply Kurrachee for 16 months and at the end of that time 24 feet of water would remain in the reservoir; and Mr. Brunton calcu- lates that the drainage into the reservoir would, with a fell of rain equal to the average fall since 1852 (thus omitting the great fall of 1851), amount to upwards of 4,000 millions of gallons, on the supposition that only 50 per cent. of the rain-water is lost by absorption.NO. 249. Dated Fort William, the 7th February 1860. H. YOUNG, ESQUIRE, Chief Secretary, Government of Bombay. SiR, I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 31, dated the 6th ultimo, forwarding a report by the Commissicher in Sind, on the petition which was lately addressed to the Governor-General by certain inhabitants of Kurrachee, praying that the Bill to provide for better supplying with water the town and suburbs of Kurrachee may not be assed into law, and conveying the recommendation of the Right Hon’ble the Governor in Council of Bombay that, under the circumstances represented in the Commissioner’s report, the proposed enactment be for the present abandoned. 2. Viewing the Bill as a local Bill for a local improvement the President in Council is quite disposed to admit that the wishes of the inhabitants should be complied with; and if, adverting to the opinion expressed by Captain Dunsterville, it_can be satisfactorily ascertained that the people generally would prefer an increase in the existing Municipal taxation to the new tax proposed by the Bill, it will be worthy of consideration whether steps should not be taken to recast the Bill, in accordance with the wishes of the community. 3. The President in Council would however much regret to see the measure altogether abandoned, and he would beg the Government of Bombay to consider how a supply of good ‘water will be provided for Kurrachee, if the present Bill, or some modification of it, be not proceeded with. The history of the measure is fully given in a letter from the late Commissioner to the Bombay Government, of October 1857, printed as an annexure to the Bill, and there seems no reason to doubt, not- withstanding the statements to the contrary in the petition now submitted against the Bill, that the existing supply of water : » 5 ~ ‘ essa o SUS eee mua ey y ag ba a oi ee ee PRET GHETE Y . Yeas =U ETE HES He : ie : : " Pee oe oo rae ie ‘ f i i le ee i Suhie weg ie Re wet hie Pee LS te ees at ee ranma —emeepan caer i ae MILO EB or Tg or] z A, ‘ RS gh. a 2 oe Ra: 5ST Seg sh tr Ree nn eae ~~ _ ah > AOR rea ep oes ie. ei566 is really insufficient, precarious and bad in quality. This being so it appears to the President in Council to be quite reason- able and proper that measures should be taken for improving the supply, and that the expense of such measures should be defrayed by special and local taxation. But while this may properly be insisted on, and while it should be distinctly inti- mated to the inhabitants of Kurrachee that the Government will certainly not consent to employ public money for the purpose of providing their town with a good supply of water, which may not improbably be the ultimate object aimed at in the present opposition, it is on the other hand obviously night that the arrangement proposed for carrying out the work shall be _ _., such as will throw upon the Government a *See on this point ; paragraph 13 of the late Share of expense fully proportionate to the Commissioner's letter’ “desree* in which it will partake 7. aa. oe benefits to be derived from an improved supply of water 4. Ifin this respect, it is made clear to the inhabitants that full justice is done, and if, as regards the share of the expense to be borne by the inhabitants, such form of taxation be adopted as is most acceptable to the general community, it will perhaps be found that the people may yet be willing that the measure should be undertaken as a local measure under the management of the Municipility. 5. The President in Council would advise therefore that the Commissioner should be instructed to take further steps in the matter ; and that he should be asked to report explicitly, after such further communication with the people as he may think desirable, what arrangement, if any, he considers would be more equitable than that proposed by the present Bill or which, being equally fair to all, would be more acceptable to the Native Community. | have, etc., (Sd.) W. GREY, Secretary to Government of India.NO. 585 OF 1860. Forwarded to the Collector of Kurrachee for communic- ation to the Municipality and inhabitants of the town of Kurrachee and suburbs. A copy of the Commissioner’s letter referred to in 3rd paragaaph is also forwarded, 2. The Collector’s report, on whatever arrangement may be desired by the Native community, is requested with refe- rence to the concluding sentence of the letter from the Govern- ment of Ingia. (Sd.) J. D. INVERARITY, Commissioner in Sind. COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE, Nagar Parkar, 20th March 1860. Sade FuAtaal dares eae568 ww No. 742 OF 1860. To THE COMMISSIONER IN SIND. SIR, With reference to your memo. No. 585, dated 2oth March 1860, enclosing a letter as per margin | No 249, dated tst have the honour to report that one of the February 1860, from the Deputy Secretary to first measures necessary to be adopted ere Government of India to A] ToChe Senne ae le People can be called on, wifh hope of Government of Bombay success, to defray through the medium of on the petition of the inhabitants of Kurrachee local taxation, the EXPENSES of providing against the Bill to pro- Kurrachee with good water, is to ascertain vide for better supplying ; : ° eae chek whether good water is procurable, sufficient in quantity, and the lowest cost at which the scheme can be carried out ; the doubts and want of infor- mation on these points has been one of the principal causes for the opposition which has been exhibited and in order to remove them, I have availed myself of the proferred services of Mr. Brunton, the Chief Engineer of the Sind Railway, who is to examine the neighbouring country, take the levels, get the water analysed and report on the best method of effecting the object at the lowest cost. 2. When this; information is obtained and can be put before the public, we can then hope that their approval of a well-digested-scheme showing the expected facilities of getting a permanent supply of water, and costing a limited sum, will prompt them to unite in raising the estimated funds by local taxation. 4. All this will occupy time, and my object is now merely to report that the matter is in hand, and that some delay must occur ere ] shall be in a position to reply to the references contained in the above quoted letter from the Government of India. I have, etc., (Sd). J. B. DUNSTERVILLE, Acting Collector. COLLECTOR’S OFFICE, Kurrachee, 2nd April 1860.No. 1840 OF 1860. GENERAL DEPARTMENT, © Kurrachee, 29th September 1860. Lo | THE COMMISSIONER IN SIND. SIR, In reply to your memorandum as per margin requesting me to report what steps I would recommend to avert the scarcity of water anticipated ; next year, I have the honour to submit that | had conversation with Mr. Brunton on the subject, and> that arrangements are under consideration for bringing water from the Mulleer by means of large tanks which are to be filled by means of pumps at the Mulleer, and brought by rail to a_ spot opposite the Town, and there discharged into a couple of receivers, one for Hindus and the other for Mahomadans. No. 811, dated 27th September 1860. 2. The matter is to be put before a Municipal Meeting to be held next week, when I have no doubt everything will be arranged. Mr. Brunton has already got a number of tanks made up and as he is most willing to render every assistance in his power, there only remains the question of how the expense 1s to be met. 3. ~There are one or two tribes, who would not under any circumstances partake of water, so brought, for instance the Cutchees, and the Punjabee Lohanas, but the Mahomadans and the bulk of the Hindu population, will make no such scruples, on the contrary they will consider it a great boon. 4. There is at present no actual scarcity of water: bur its quality is bad. There is however no doubt, unless rain falls in February, that our arrangements for obtaining a daily supply by rail from the Mulleer will be the only means of getting good water next hot weather. I have, etc., Gade. DUNSTERVILLE, Acting Collector of Kurrachee. COLLECTOR’S OFFICE, Kurrachee, 29th September 1860, L (1v) 355-72bl i as a a 28 gee dae. tks i) eh. sis ier ee mera aaa: as niet Sf ‘ A Bill to provide for better supplying with water KA the Town and suburbs of Kurrachee. Whereas it is expedient that the Municipal Commissioners for the Town of Kurrachee should be em- powered to construct water-works for better supplying with water the Town of Kurrachee and suburbs thereof, and that funds should be provided for the purpose; It is enacted as follows :— Preamble. (1) The Commissioners appointed under Act XXVI of 1850, for putting the said Act in force in the Town and suburbs of KCurrachee, shall carry out, with as little delay as possible, such a complete system of water works, and shall con- struct such tinks, reservoirs and wells as_ shall be necessary to provide for the use of the inhabitants of the said Town and suburbs a proper supply of good and wholesome water for drinking and domestic purposes and as shall be directed or sanctioned by the Chief Commissioner in Sind, and subject to such alterations as may from time to time be ordered by him, and until such works have been completed, and all the expenses thereof defrayed, and all monies borrowed for the payment of such expenses on the security of the rates and taxes and interest thereon, have been repaid, shall set apart for the purposes above mentioned an annual sum not less than Fogo flees vi ve out of the proceeds of the rates and taxes Water-supply. { provided by this Act and the said Act XXVI of 1850. (2) It shall be lawful for the said Commissioners appointed under Act XXVI of 1850, with the sanction of the Chief Com- missioner in Sind, to borrow and take up at interest, on the credit of the rates and taxes imposed and levied under the said Act and under this Act, or of a portion of them, any sums of money necessary for defraying any expenses incurred or to be incurred by them in the execution of any works under the authority of this Act for supplying water for the use of the said Town and suburbs, and for the Mortgage of rates,Se purpose of securing the repayments of any sums so borrowed, together with such interest as aforesaid, the Commissioner may mortgage and assign over to the person by or on behalf of whom such sums shall be advanced, the rates and taxes or the portion of them upon the credit of which such sums shall be borrowed. (3) To provide for the payment of the said loan and interest, an annual rate not exceeding 2 per cent. of the value shall be im- posed upon all houses, buildings and lands within the limits of the said Town and the suburbs thereof, and shall be payable by the owners thereof by half-yearly instal- ments. Provided that it shall be lawful for the Municipal Commissioners to fix from time to time with or by the sanction of the Chief Commissioner such annual rate not exceeding 2 per cent. on the value as may appear necessary for the due prosecution of the works and fulfilment of the provisions of the Act. Any rate so fixed shall be publicly notified before the commencement of the year in which such rate is to have effect. The said rate shall be leviable in addition to any rate or tax now leviable under the authority of Act XXVI of 1850. (4) When the said water-works shall have been - completed and all the expenses there- ae pccbayment © ofdefrayed, and all monies borrowed not toexceed what is for the payment of such expenses and sufficient For the cox interest thereon shall have been repaid, : the annual rate imposed by the last preceding section shall not exceed such rate as may be sufficient, in the judgment of the Chief Commissioner, to defray the annual cost of the maintenance of the said works, or such portion of the annual cost as shall not be defrayed by the income derived from the sale of water under section X (s) The Municipal Commissioners shall prepare a roll showing the estimated value of all houses, buildings and lands, and the amount of rate thereon to be levied; and such statement shall be open to public inspection for at least sixty days before any payment of tax under this “ct can be enforced. Rate on house and lands. Valuation57/2 (6) Should any person object to the valuation placed upon his house, building or land, he may cause the matter to be referred to arbitration ; in which case the Chairman of the Mana- ging Committee of the Kurrachee Municipality shall name one arbitrator who is not a Municipal Commissioner, and the owner of the property to be assessed shall name one arbitrator on his part, and the two shall, if necessary, appoint a referee, and the finding of these arbitrators, or the majority of them, shall be final. Objection to valuation. (7) The valuation roll shall not be liable to* alteration except. at: a general fevisiog 16 me a ee eae de. al teumisiie, er intervals of not less than five years; subject to which hmitation it shall be in the power of a majority of the Municipal Commissioners to order such a revision when- ever it may appear to them to be necessary, and any difference of opinion between the Commissioners and the owner of any assessed property on the subject of such valuation may be referred to arbitration, as above provided in section VI. (8) The Commissioners shall have full power to | ; make all necessary contracts for the ieee by ©om- Construction of the said water-works, but no Commissioner shall be personally lable for any contract so made, (9) The management and control of the water-works when constructed shall be in the hands ene ee) of hE Municipal Commissioners who shall provide for the proper supply of water in public reservoirs conveniently situated for the rate payers, and any water supplied in any other manner than to the public reservoirs, shall be charged at a rate to be fixed by the Municipal Commissioners, in addition to the rate to be levied under section III. The income derived from the sale of this water shall go to pay for the annual working expenses, establishments, repairs and improvements, any balance being applied in repayment of the original loan.973 (10) The provisions of sections X, XI, and XII of ie ee ae Act XXVI of 1850, shall be applicable to the rate leviable under this Act. (11) The Commissioners may demand from the ee occupier for the time -beine of any Ben ne petecevetel) owes building or land the sum due om occupier, ) 5 + ; , from the owner thereof on account of ' oa any rate leviable under this Act, and on non-payment of > 8 such sum may recover the same by distress and sale of any goods and chattels found on the premises; and in such case, the occupier may deduct from the next and following payments of his rent the amount which may be so paid, by or recovered from him, provided that no arrear of rate remaining due from the owner for more than one year, shall be so recovered from the occupier, provided always that no owner of any house shall be con- sidered to have a right to demand or to levy any increase of rent from the occupier in consequence of the water rate i imposed on him under this Act until the water shall have been admitted into the main distributary pipes within 150 yards of the house. (12) In the construction of this Act, words importing the singular number shall include the plural number, and words importing the plural number shall include the singular number. aj Construction. Words importing the masculine Gender. : gender shall include females. The words, “ the Town of Kurrachee and the suburbs there- * of ” shall include the Town and Canton- | ment of Kurrachee, and the suburbs of Ghizree, Clifton, and Keamaree. Town of Kurrachee and suburbs, (Sd.) W. MARGAN, Clerk of the Council. pn RE SLIT IEEE E LE EET ey aepeti 7 eg h Site! pias lee a +2 " eee ll dese le ne se ma Me — s ¥ a ee ape are a Kurrachee, 29th November | 860. J. D. INVERARITY, ESQUIRE, Commissioner in Sind. Se, In reference to the question of raising the capital required for construction of the water-works from Kurrachee, the plan of which was recently adopted by the Municipal Comgnissioners and inhabitants of Camp and town generally, I have the honour to state that [ believe [ can procure the capital of £160,000 in England, if the sum of £ 18,000 per annum required to secure 5 per cent. interest per annum and an amortisation fund to pay off the capital in 15 years can be guaranteed or secured in any way as follows, vzz :— (1) That Government should pay during the term of 15 years the present cost of water to its establishment stated to be in outlay £ 4,500-0-0 and in wear and tear at least £ 1,000-00 = .» ¢ 5, 500900 (2) That Government — should agree to pay for full supplies to bunga- lows in Camp and bazzar-—to be re- covered from tenants in such manner as the Military authorities may prefer f 1,500-0-0 (3) That the Municipality should avree to pay per annum, and recover the same by direct sale in the town or by assessment or additional duties ... £ 5,800-0-0 (4) That the Railway Company should pay at the rate of Rs. 3 per one thousand gallons their estimated consumption of 30,000 gallons perdiem. { 2,800-0-0575 (;) That water may be scld to the Shipping at Rs. 23 per one thousand gallons estimated quantity 20,000 gallons per diem fr a) d+, 900-0-6 (6) That water be sold to private bungalows and large godowns out of Camp estimated at on «a. £4 -500-0-6 f, 18,000-0-0 °. 2. ‘This plan is the same (subject to corrections required by an error) as one which I forwarded for the consideration of the Municipal Commission. [ was unfortunately prevented from being present at the meeting of the Commission for con- sidering the question. But understanding that my proposition was not acted on, | submit it for your consideration. 2. | may state briefly that [ showid ask for. the guarrantee of the 1st three items and that the lender would take the risk of the remainder. i have, ene, (Sd.) NEVILLE WARREN. No. 2506 OF 1860. PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT. Forwarded to the Collector of Kurrachee for report ip con- nection with the subject of a water-supply for the Town and Camp of Kurrachee now under the consideration of the Municipal Commission. (Sd.). J. D. INVERARITY, Commissioner in Sind. COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE, Kurrachee, 30th November 1860, ay ze Rae ow RTT 7 ~ = aT ws “eR r 3 . ¥ ‘ = 2. 2 w . “ - - - * * s Es og N 3 eo Soo ae See Sa ’ : ¥: .. ae ih eee a Soe s Sethe ee ete ee Te SSS ; rm int ‘ = a se 2 eR ey a eye EG co NNN IT IEEE ETE I VET ET TE a = chads SEAR LET Ae RE Pa ERE oewt ‘tee od egret ite Goh bgt 4 ss ite on 5 Pe ee , , «ae ; be av x hn ty bagel RL ie Ee ile MS &, ere A ren 570 No. 2218 OF 1860. GENERAL DEPARTMENT, Dated 8th I)ecember 1860, To THE COMMISSIONER IN SIND. SIRS 4 ©: With reference to the letter No. 249, dated 7th February 1860 from the Secretary to Government of ay 408 eet fon India to the Chief Secretary to Goyenamem *ebruary € 3 = - the Chief Secretary to of Bombay, received under endorsement as Government of Bombay. ber margin, directing that further steps should oe SS oan be taken in the matter of providing for the iv¥kat ; : : < Commissioner in Sind station of Kurrachee a supply of good water, to, the lector of have the honour te. repore inet ee considered advisable, in the first instance, to prepare a scheme by which a supply of water proved to be wholesome, should be obtained, and to obtain an estimate of the probable cost, in order that the same might be put fully before the public. 2. he previous schemes had been proposed by Military Engineers, more with a view to supply the barracks, and the military portion of the station, with water than with a general object ; and as the increase of the town and shipping had become very great during the last three years, it became necessary to consider them as the principal objects in the project. ‘ 3. Uhe Kurrachee Municipality had voted a sum of five thousand rupees for employing the services of an Engineer for the purpose of surveying the surrounding country and report- ing on the best method of obtaining a supply of good water. The services of Mr. John Brunton, Chief Resident Engineer to the Sind Railway, were accordingly engaged, and after several months of enquiry and observation he had drawn up and sub- mitted a scheme for fulfilling the object.4. A printed copy of his report is herewith appended. The original is accompanied by eight elaborate plans, sections and drawings illustrative of his report. 5. Being thus provided with a project which could be laid before the public, and be easily understood by them, a general meeting of the Municipal Commissioners, rate payers and such as chose to attend, was held on the 9th November, at which it was resolved that Mr. Brunton’s report and scheme be adopted, and that the Municipality should be entrusted with the duty qi carrying out the project, and of devising the means of raising the necessary Rs. 16,00,000 capital sixteen lacs of rupees. 6. On the 23rd of November a general meeting of the Municipal Commissioners was held to consider the subject. 7, At this meeting such methods of raising the money as were likely to prove successful were fully discussed, and among them was one submitted by Mr. Neville Warren, the Agent of the Sind Railway, which I notice particularly here, as he has since addressed you on the subject ; but which we can not entertain, as he stipulates for a guarantee from Government that they shall pay for a term of 15 years the present cost of water to its establishment or £ 5,500 per annum, including wear and tear, and also be responsible for £ 1,500 per annum for the supply of water to bungalows in Camp and bazzar, to be recovered from tenants in such manner as the authorities may choose, neither of which propositions have the Municipality any authority or power to listen to. 8 The Commissioners finally requested me to address a letter for the purpose of being submitted to Goverrfment, soliciting information if Government would give assistance by advancing the capital necessary to carry out Mr. Brunton’s scheme, sixteen lacs of rupees, and if Government would con- sider it expedient to do so, that the Municipality would under- take to repay the same at the rate of one lac of rupees per annum, commencing from the date the water 1s distributed in Kurrachee and would also pay interest on the loan. L (Iv) 355-73 Sea a Sai a Se EERO CTR 7 Gg ORS la ae Ste ae 4 ot 2 inl Rs iadhe eee oe a onal . * gn foe git phan Ye ‘aia i mpi th Spiny ™ ¥ gi Se ha hom PE 2 ag”) te ee 4 Puta ae 69 Se ew TL x ie ete ee 5/8 The lac of rupees is to be derived from the following sources. Ten thousand rupees per annum are to be set aside from the present income of the Municipality, a portion which it can very well spare far so important an object and twenty thousand rupees per annum are to be raised by increasing the present rates of taxation. The balance seventy thousand will, it is believed, be more than fully raised by the sale of the water. A mercantile gentleman who has been resident at Kurrachee ever since its establishment as a port, estimated that the shipping alone would pay Rs. 33,000 for water per annum if it were sold at a low rate of 4 annas per hogshead.« 10. The Commissioners also desired me to ask, in the event of Government declining to advance the capital on loan, whether Government would guarrantee five per cent. on the capital, 1f borrowed from a private Company. 11. Without some guarantee of this kind, no Company would lend money except perhaps at an exhorbitant rate of interest to a Municipal Association who are dependent on their continued unanimity and good wishes for the public good, for their very existence. 12. But it is earnestly hoped that Government will listen favourably to the request of the Municipality by advancing the money on loan. In a few years it will be repaid with interest, and will give a manifold return by various other channels, such as the increased prosperity of the port and the station, and the health of the troops. I have, etc., (Sd.) -J. B. DUNSTERVILEE. Acting Collector of Kurrachee, and President, Kurrachee Municipality. COLLECTor’S OFFICE, Camp Kotri, 8th December 1860.No. 2583 OF 1860. Camp Gopang, 11th December 1860. Bei “dated | aoth With reference to correspondence as November 1860, from e 1 ie Wane, bo) mateo Ko be returned) the Collector endorsement by Com- of Kurrachee is requested to forward a copy missioner in Sind No. ; : 2506, dated 2oth item of the proceedings of the meeting alluded with printed Report, ; dated ased October 1860 to in the 4th para. of his letter No. 2218 of Pe sieet Sint Railways the 8th instant. 2. Mention is made, in the same paragraph of a scheme for raising funds prepared by Mr. Neville Warren. It is not quite clear upon what grounds the Municipal Commissioners were debarred from entertaining this. At least should it have been stated whether, in the event of Government agreeing to the two first guarrantees required, the third guarantee would have been accepted by the Municipality. 3, The rate of interest and from what date accruing are ‘tems of information. necessary to be shown in connection with the loan contemplated in para. 8. 4. To estimate carefully the value of the opinion noted in para. g as to the probable receipts from the Shipping, the name of the authority should be given, It 1s requested that the rate of water entered in the same para. per hogshead, be further shown in gallons. (sd.)_ J. D. INVERARITY, Commissioner in Sind. Camp Gopang, 11th December 1860. ne rn eae Wen as ad a Fee Pa es as a Rg Me Ra- pacar te = 580 NO. 5 ‘OB oor. PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, Dated 6th February 1861. To THE COMMISSIONER IN SIND. SIR, € With reference to your Memorandum as per margin, on my Report for raising the means wherewith Mr. Brunton’s scheme for providing the station of Kurrachee with good water might fc ‘ ave the honour to enclose a copy of the be carried out, paar uo Bees ond i Relies proceedings of the Municipality held on the 29rd | 51 last, therein called for. No. 2583, dated 11th December 1860. 2. I refrained from earlier answering the questions contained in the body of your Memo., because at the time of its receipt, | was in the district, and beng a single member only of a large Association, I was not in a position to answer questions of such importance without making a reference to a general meeting which I hoped to assemble at a future time; however as I understood that you wish to lay the proposition before His Excellency the Governor, now daily expected here, I therefore do myself the honour to report what [ believe to be the general feeling of the Commissioners : oO ; o towards Mr. Neville Warren’s p roposal to raise the money from a private company, which js that a Private Company would undoubtedly demand repayment of the loan by fixed instalments commencing immediately after the advance has been made. This it would be quite out of our power to do, for the water-works would take about 2% OF 3 years to execute - and until they are ready, and returns from the sale of water are received, our Municipal body could do no more than pay the interest on the loan ; but the aid of Government is solicited in the hope that a_ benevolent Government who possesses a great interest in the prosperity of this rising place, would, if disposed to give such aid, consent at the same time to post-pone the demand for repayment of the capital, until such time as the works became complete and the water became avail- able. It is also hoped that Government would afford the required assistance at a more reasonable rate of interest than what we could obtain from a private company. Moreover in entering into any arrangement with a private company, the law expenses connected with the documents to be drawn up would be heavy, and the stipulations would be very stringent, and I very much doubt if any members of our Association could be prevailed on to sign them owing to the apprehension of involving?themselves in personal risk and responsibility. 3. It was under these circumstances I was requested to ask if Government would give their aid and to what extent, as it appeared to the members generally that the only source from which the capital could be obtained with satisfaction to themselves would be from Government. 4. With regard to the probable receipts from the shipping, Mr. Brunton has in his report calculated the requirements under this head at 20,000 gallons per diem. The mercantile gentleman alluded to in the gth para. of my report is Mr. Mclver, who stated that a water cask contained 56 gallons and that if each cask were filled at the rate of 4 annas each, the result would be— 56 ) 20,000 ( 357 casks per diem. 168 320 280 —_———$ 400 392 8 at 4 annas a cask, would be nearly go rupees a day, or Rs. 32,950 per annum. Mr. Brunton’s estimate includes, I believe, the native craft, and it must be remembered that it bears reference to a period of atleast 23 years hence, on the works becoming complete, when the shipping will, in all probability, be greatly Pa Tc aa: ee SERCO fe oe cagrye e Ps 63 i Wes 4 ae Ea igi wea ar PO Lye ; Ny shed a ak SiR a ws582 increased. The extreme difficulty of getting water for shipping and its indifferent quality when obtained, is the chief drawback to our port. It is intended in Mr. Brunton’s scheme to convey | water to the extremity of the Keamaree Pier which is but a few mo | yards from the ships at anchor, and | have no doubt that | : Commanders of vessels would gladly give 8 annas per cask in i | lieu of 4, so that supposing the probable demand for water i} ih for ships be over estimated, the amount mentioned by me is certain, nevertheless, to be realized at the enhanced rate. St ae I have etc., : (Sd.) J. B. DUNSTERVILLE. Acting Collector of Kurrachee. COLLECTOkR’S OFFICE, Kurrachee, 6th February 1861.Kurrachee, February 18th, 1861. |. De INVERARITY, ESOrR. COMMISSIONER IN SIND. My DEAR SIR, With reference to Mr. Brunton’s estimate for cost of the proposed water-works with iron pipes for the main conduct, I have asked for a comparative estimate of the cost of that item as ggainst a main conduit constructed of stone and chunam. It appears thus per mile— 316 tons iron pipe (@ Rs. 100 per ton ... Rs. 31,600 a). Haulage (@ Rs.30 : ce oe ¥47 cwl lead (@ Rs. 14 per ewl. =. ,, 2,058 587 jointsshumps labor @ Rs. 4 per joint. ,, 2,348 95040 c.ft. earth-work @ Re. 1 per 100 edt. a a a ‘Total. ... Ke 40,116 Per mile— 142,560 c.ft masonry @ Rs. 40 per c.ft. Rs. 57,024 36,960 ,, plastering @ Rs. 10 per 100 ore i 3» 606 285,000 ,, earth-work @ Re. 1 per 100 c.it. iio (5a Total... Rs. 43,576 I believe a tender has been privately offered to deliver the iron at about Sths the above and indeed Mr. Brunton’s fnal estimate is below that sum, so that the comparative difference is much greater than is shown above. The only other remark to make on the above items 1s that for a stone channel the inclination must be regular and more earth-works are therefore required. Whereas an tron abe ~ , és fig a e =O seceanraar mer py eo wee R O77; 7 ee oan re : ete rea te Roe ie pe avs 2 G7 ° eu : etary el Re ee Eee eee SA sk oe e aleleaiaat ee ee eee ee eet i te ce hs cr ee a sear eee Pay es RTOS OTe ae " 2 RR SS ERE BEE f Te ae et eee fk Sy a Pe a ga a rae BES ®, re eae py ok , ORME Peet eR Ratelh Mee MC Rk Me oe ARN Se es Oe Ll alee rT Sea Lo sald Peer eeet % ey. } ag584 ial pipe is laid down in the earth without reference to the variations ll of level, the general inclination being in the right direction. Stone drain surface Soi with pipes. See | There are two river beds to cross. Ifa stone channel K had not aregular inclination it would blow its head off at the first rise. The stone would have to be brought a considerable distance, and the most costly thing in Sind now is hafilage. Believe me, My Dear Sir, Yours very sincerely, Lil (Sd.) J. NEVILLE WARREN. oat ee " “Rh en ele Rig lash Sa ae eile 2 ce Nokin 585 Report by Mr. John Brunton, M.1.C.E., on the Scheme for providing Kurrachee with water-supply. Kurrachee, October 23rd, 1860. To THE PRESIDENT OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF KURRACHEE. LK In compliance with the instructions contained in your letter No»6r10 of 1860, dated 5th April, I have now the honor of submitting details of a scheme which, in my opinion, will achieve the end proposed, namely, to supply the rising station of Kurrachee with an abundance of good and wholesome water. This Report is accompanied by Plans, Sections, and Drawings as follows :— Drawing No. 1—Map of District. 2—Plans (contoured) of Upper Reservoir. 3—General Section on line of Pipes. 4—Cross Section of Bund and Werr. 5—Distributing Reservorr. d) ) 6—Valve Tower. 4 — Longitudinal Section on line of Werr. 8. Plan of Kurrachee, showing the mode of distribution proposed. In the first place, I made a careful examination of thie surrounding country, with a view to ascertain the sources from which a supply of water could be derived, and made myself fully conversant with the several projects, which, from time to time, have been brought forward for this purpose, These appear to be four in number :<— 1st Captain Baker's, and—Captain Hill's, 3rd—The Cantonment Water Company’s, and 4th—Captain DeLisle’s. L (tv) 355-74 = 5 =e Pe an en eos oe ne Fe PE OT ee§ & ee ie 586 Full details of each of these projects are given ina Report made by a Committee, named by the late Commissioner in Sind, and dated tst October 1857. This Report was printed and circulated, and it would, therefore, be superfluous for me to enter upon a recapitulation. To that Report, I beg to refer you, and would observe that, with the exception of No. 31n the list, each project has taken the Mulleer River for its source of supply, and in m opinion, judiciously, for the choice evidently lies between the Lyaree and the Mulleer. From the former, the water, with which Kurrachee is at present supplied, is drawn. Its quantity is notoriously inadequate to supply the increasing demands upon it, and it would be manifestly impolitic to interfere in any way with the existing supply. To the valley of the Mulleer, then, as in projects 1, 2 and 4, we must look for obtaining the end in view. On a careful examination of the details of the most recent of these projects, vzz., that by Captain DeLisle, I considered that, although he had obtained a greater fall per mile for his pipes than in either previous scheme, it was still too Kittle. The mode of collecting the water from the River, also, is open to serious objections,—the probabilities being that, from the fine character of the sand in the river-bed, the sid underground collecting pipes would be chol time, and to clear them would involve first cost of laying them down. e drains or ced ina very short an outlay equal to the With these views, I was led to go further up the River, and endeavoured to find some point where the natural form- ation of the river-ban! EN ERY SE cae aoe cn 0. hem ORE ee ES ge TS592 It is usual, in water-works of this class, te make arrange- ments for filtermg the water; and there would be no difficulty in doing so at Dumlote, by the erection of a filtermg tower of sufficient dimensions. But it will be a very expensive portion of the works, and as it is an important point to reduce the first outlay as much as possible, it is a question whether it might not be dispensed with for the present, and, if at any future times found necessary, filter—-beds may be formed In connec- tion with the lower or distributing reservoir, without interfering with the water-supply during their construction. So convinced am I that the water collected and stored in the way «proposed will be found sufficiently pure, and for some years that the consumption will not reach the capabilities of the reservoir, that I consider it desirable to postpone the filtration, and there- fore have not included the cost of filter— beds in my estimate. This is a question of paramount importance, and I have, te a ee therefore, given it very careful consideration. phe ewes pee Phe supply is dependent to a great extent affording the required upon the rain fall. I have obtained from a the Government Meteorological Observer the following Table of the rainfall taken at the Observatory of the European Hospital in Kurrachee, from the rst September 1855, to the present date. Rain measured at the Observatory at the European Hos- pital from the 1st September 1855, to the 31st August 1860. | | | | | | | | | ph tae bias Te me oO o B ce 4 is . ee a : a s : Year g o g | 'g 4 a z | | w | Grand | 2 = @ o * O | 3 total a s ia 5 & a > = Re ee ode o a2 © a © = Bol PS 1a i. 1 ee | Ww OS EE} a iy = < = ae | BE . Se pane poet ead 1855 ... O'I5 | 0°00. 0°00 | 0°00! .... a | ae ee ain ate ce | 0:15. 3 | | 1856 : oe 0°00 | 0°00 | 0°00 | 0:00 1°62 | 0°59 | 0°00 | 9:00 | 0°00 | 0-04 | o-11 | 0°25 | 261 | « | | wo 1857 i 0°38 | 0°00 | 0°00 | 0°00 | 0°41 | 115 | 0°09 | 0°00 | 0°00 | 0°00 | 0°29 4°34 | 6°55 5 | | | | | | | re 1858 vse, 0°51 | 0°00 | 0°00 | 0:27 | 0°00 | 0:00 | 0°00 | 0°00 | 0:00 | 0°03 | 4:94 | 0-09 | 5-90 | & | | ' | wN i | | | ” 1859 ve 1°08 | 0°00 | 0°02 | 0°20 | 0°00 | 0°00 | 0°02 | 0°00 | 0°00 | 0°00 | 4:90 | 0°00 | 6°22 |» aay | Veadlitead | 1860 ae? Nis, Lae ae | 1:09 | 0°00 | 0:00 | 0°00 | 1°22 | 0°00 | 0-00 | 0°52 | 2°83 J So ee a ee (Signed). C. RICHTERN, Kurrachee, 31st August 1860. Observer.593 Dr. Grierson has also furnished’ me with the following Tabular Statement, which goes back to the year 1851, when a very unusual amount of rain’ fell; so unusual, that I shall not include it in calculating the averages :-— | AMOUNT OF RAIN FROM THE YEAR I851. Kurrachee, 14th September 1860. Amount. | | 2 Year. | | Remarks. Inches. | Gents. | | | 1851 ir a 25 99 1852 i met 11 13 1853 ae | 3 33 1854 ee 2 2 go 1955 be a Be] I 185 a a Pe 79 1857 ee % Bs 34 O° - / 5 Ro, 1859 ; re 61 1860 ree 9g | Incomplete. From the ist table, it appears that the average fall in Kurrachee for the four years, 1856 to 1859, inclusive, was 5°32 inches, and by the 2nd table, that the average of the 8 years, 1852 to 1859, inclusive, was 6-71. There is no doubt that a greater quantity than this falls on the range of the hilly country drained by the Rivers, Mole, Mulleer, Jerinda, &c., and passes Dumlote, and while, in some years, no rain falls in Kurrachee, tt would be an incident of very rare occurrence, if such were to be the case on the hills, from which we propose to draw our supply. To render the calculations safe, [ propose to take 4 inches as the average rain fall to be depended on. The area of gathering grounds above Dumlote is at least 300’ square miles. L (1¥) 355—75 ene eae an aay 0 = ae ag FRM AER EE RS HR ie Pe a tg SORT Le TR I a 9 OE my a ga oe. rea. ane yee COE ET aE A Se ae PRU ANE, Fre es grea Nn ie re Wea 2ee et 594 The question, then, arises as to what will be the probable available proportion of rain falling upon this area, and here I cannot do better than quote a passage from Mr. Hughes’ valuable little treatise upon the water-supply of towns :— “Tt will be seen in the following table, chiefly taken from Mr. Beardmore’s valuable work, which has been so often alluded to, how variable are the proportions which obtain between the whole rain-fall and the available quantity which can be collected in the storage reservoirs. | } Names of Drainage Area. | Ban Reservoirs (Moorland) Greenock (flatmoor). .., Bute (low country)... Glencourse.(Pentland Hills) Belmont (Moorland) 1843 ” 1844 , 1845 ' 1846 Rivington Pike - from Stephenson’s Report (1847 and 1843) Registered rain-fall | per annum | | Depth of rain per annum flowing off the surface, as ascertained by gaug- ing of the streams. Turton and Entwistle 1836 3 - < 1837 ee Ashton 23 - seal Drainage areas on South side of| Longridge fell near Preston, May, 1852, to April 1853 oI Bateman’s evidence on the drainage) area of Longendale— First half of 1845 very day Second half ot 1846 ... First half of 1846 see October, November and December, 1846 ae es val § 54° The proportion a fifths of the whole rain-fall. The preceding table re per annum on certain dr the depth of rain which wi in the streams and rivul Isr é Proportion, or per- centage, of rain-fall which flows off the surface. eeetee 64'0 Teo 780 850 ppears to range from one-third to four- -presents the depths of rain-falling ainage areas, and in the next col ll produce the actual qu ets of the district. umn antity flowin The differencebetween the two depths, in each case, is composed of the fol- lowing :— ist.—The loss by evaporation and the moisture entering into vegetable life. 2nd.—The amount absorbed by the soil sinking into the ground, and not afterwards being given out by springs within the drainage area. The third column of the table shows the percentage of the whole rain-fall which can be collected. Mr. Hawkesly is said to have made experiments on an area of 100 square miles, which showed that 43 per cent. of the whole rainfall could be collected into reservoirs. Mr. Stirrat found, as the result of three years’ experi- ments at Paisley, that 67 per cent. of the whole rain-fall could be collected and delivered in the town. Some very accurate experiments were made in America, to ascertain the proportion between the rain-fall, and the depth which could be collected, to supply the reservoirs of the Chenango Canal. These experiments were made in Madison County, New York. One experiment was made on the water shed of Eaton Brook, an area of 6,800 acres, with a steep slope and a compact soil, underlaid by hard greywacke rock, elevated 1,350 feet above the sea. The quantity of water flowing off this drainage area was accurately gauged every day for a period of two years, and was found to amount to 66 per cent. of the whole rain-fall. Another experiment was made on the water shed of Medison Brook, an area of 6,000 acres, 1,200 feet above the sea. The slopes here are not so steep as in Haton Brook Valley, and the soil is gravel, resting on greywacke. It was found in this case, that 50 per cent. of the whole rain-fall was carried off by the streams. Experiments were made at two stations on the drainage sround of the Albany Works. At the first station, having a eration shed of 2,600 acres, it was found that from May till October, inclusive, only 413 per cent. of the rain-fall was Se eR es ay od : sien ‘ Te Aas SF : 5 , it ta rs on ey si VENTS bi Se ee ne ee oe Paty ete ee », Wes See eee ke, Wek ea eB Foe Le eae eS CO ae eg ° , slit ind a ae ee ; Soe ee Sok a ey er Fe a we oS Oo ee TS oO oS x 22 | Sol obs : ° 2 ql WoO oe Oe ~ oO ee oo | 0 oe a S 5 =e = te ene | a e oo 0 3 ~ ° : eC oO co CO CO = ~ & a ogy - On Oo ° o—_ Ww t~ OV\O ° cet we. ea) Q awa D a + ® io er etod 3 ti. = Q7o WI ; o > pa aes oO =0 0 OO Ay wo oo ot XQ tO oa = _ Be NoO7tm& wo a4 o 7 - = £ oe 3 eee Oo oS ; : eH so D a < oO ro ry — . a. ce YU “ "i ~O Oo & fy, o © - Sc 3 © O « = 3 \S Bs 5 hs is S Mm o8 = 288 "a O a "BAA Sic : So 6 3 | =aN a aie A P 900 ay 2 3c oO oo ae S wo cO*O + oO 39 m : CoN ” Y —_ co - ~ 9 on : > Cc fee Oo ea “hy oO ome oO oo o. oa i N = —> 6 : a : ; a 7S eye oO ® < oS >$ a A eae — = ae a3 = s es < S 45 S Ea & w - z x , =. a ty S dp pos a Satie a o 3 % Eeeige dy a Ss % a -934 < % a: oS 2S pe ee oe eee meas Sule) 2 83 Gee a ee 2 2 | oO. 3 . bos ce a 6 « . a} ca Ve yw aS x] cs oO a & Om = S c cs o oO : ie Go Vis os ae m% a x & & .= Go om oO wt o at Oe f ~ oF eee Bo ~ Se . a Z Ss ata ie ( et a ee ss S 3 & go On 5 a > oO Zz Bp oe « 4 a 4 bie — hea iJ a & a = Re a. Oo Gg & 309 a. w~ 2 & S of Oo Cy cnr ee Bee 4M n Oo Os YY OOo So 8 $3 a eare — MMS od Zi i 3 nS mn O00 e uw . = _ 0 Oo c o Oo ° oo Ss : Pre ueeeas. = SED S do A. dn Ps: AO oS am seg So 1 & Nn YO OQ Sao 3 oes (x) : 2 oo < | ; < é n > S = a oO y 2 oO oO Mw SoS oO es oO co a c NA ~~ > w cS wn WM =. oO > 2 3 - s Sele. o oO 2. Om a oe fay ee é : 5 on Wma ae Dt oan 29 oO HAW. QO t ers i ~+ + ono ee £9 as L (tv) 355-77| | | | ® 6 =| 5 8 om Se oO: 0 ‘ JE} G0} Oo < SRE — o 3 ae o a0 Q = on Soe ONS tee fy ~~“ a ~ ° o a wn oO “ssouyoTYyy O = yord JO zYSIeM [e}O], owe c me 9 wy a ° ° ‘pref sad uorjdizosap : a ~ ie . . a! _~ yoes jO 3YdIOM URI = =e ¢ s,.8 e U 4 ascot oO 1) yoes jo spied ur y3sua'y a oO ssa S 5 *ssous oe did bao a e yoea jo sadid jo zsxoquinyy a Se) "Joo UI JaJeM JO uUINTOD = 2 | B® JO ainssaid 03 yenby _ 8 cae a : ~ iS [ejEUl JO Ssouyzsiy J, oO 00 adid jo 19}9wWerp sayouy fe " or « © 2 = = ° Ga A 2 t|00 Yn ad 8 = > wo o g = a. S a as a Q © vA» o 6. .8 Pa yas | © —s > 5 6 < JM oe ke on O Oo 8 Y c o Qu 2 oh ‘ Bo . aw n& ao 2 = ie Se SS oS ‘oo N ~~CO ey + iG): es et ne ip Q n%s © ee ee g 6 ° O CS Xo N — 7) . bo bed AN _ mt 32) | 4 = 3 Re ‘ © ° WwW tS ° § 5 N N oS Q 3 3 ‘O : a : — Q wo S : B : Hag ~ n a8 2 bo > we £ SG eS ee So 4 eee 5 & — OCHv > eck r, S z0 90 wore 7 a, ee ~ ies a. ae ” oo 8 ~~ Sy oe ee ao ee 39 % Se ~ 90 te ° > 1s 2 ef = oo ST cl te ee oo & aeys WE cee es At present, the cost of the insufficient water-supply to the inhabitants of Kurra- chee is enormous. Cost of present supply. In Appendix A, is a return from the Commissariat, show- ing the cost to Government of the supply to the Troops. It amounts to an annual sum of Rs. 49,309, exclusive of wear an] tear and depreciation of stock, which, on the lowest esti- mate, cannot be less than Rs. 10,000. The annual outlay, then, on this head is Rs. 59,309 for the supply of 11,328,870 gallons. » It is almost impossible to ascertain the exact number of individuals supplied from this source, but, taking into account the number of camp followers, it cannot be less than 6,000, besides about 500 horses. This gives something under 5 gallons per head per day. Every one will allow that this is a most insufficient supply. Captain DeLisle, in his Report, dated 11th August, 1857, calculates from data, which I believe to be rather over than under the mark, that the water supplied to the inhabitants of Kurrachee, including Ghizree and Keamaree, costs 2§ rupees per 1,000 gallons. This calculation was made when Bhistie Bullocks could be hired at about half the price now ruling. My belief is that the average cost at present is at least 33 rupees per thousand gallons. To individuals at a distance from the wells from which the supply is drawn, the cost is at least 5 rupees per thousand gallons, But the Mulleer scheme I have proposed, the cost per thousand gallons for an unlimited supply would not be more than 4 annas or 3;th of the present cost, after allowing amply for maintenance of works and superintendence. It remains for the Municipal authorities to consider what will be the best means of raising the necessary capital to execute the works, and what would be the fairest and simplest mode of assessing the consumers in order to pay the interest on such capital. Le a pene ae ee Oa oN od TREY ae Se LOTT EAE ORS, ere a IGE I LT as aa nm RE SNE a ED IS tc we Ge PD Poe, mS oa ee sy Pee ie Cee Sia a Se RY = - r so x Lx Bat ‘s —< re 7 one. t x ‘ * ‘ -! " he sto oa i612 To carry out the scheme in its entirety, would require a capital of £160,000 which, on interest at 5 per cent., and with a Sinking Fund at the rate of 73 per cent. on the original capital, would need an average annual payment for 14 years of about £18,000, this would be at the rate of 523d. per 1,000 gallons for the quantity supplied for that term, at the end of which the whole would be free from incumbrance. Should Government be disposed to contribute its support to the scheme by continuing its present rate of payment, (£5,900), until the debt is liquidated, it would have p&id by that time the sum of £ 83,000, or rather more than one half of the original capital, thus leaving £12,000 to be raised yearly by the Municipal authorities by rate, or otherwise, as may be determined on. As the whole sum would not be at once required, the first instalments would be proportionately light. This will entirely depend upon the facilities which may Time required for occur for the delivery of the main conduct completion. and distributing pipes. I consider that two seasons will be required for the construction of the Dumlote dam. The first to get in all the foundations, and the second for the superstructure. There need be no delay in the laying of the pipes, which could be easily done as fast as they are delivered. If this delivery can be achieved in two years, which I think quite possible, there is no reason why the whole of the works should not be completed in two and a quarter years from the date of the pipe contract being signed, or earlier, if arrange- ments can be made for a more rapid delivery of the pipes. [ would here call special attention to the necessity which, from a sanitary point of view, will exist that the sewerage and drainage, generally, of the whole area supplied with water, be most carefully carried out and attended to simultaneously with the execution of the water-works now proposed.613 To bring into a town such a large water-supply as this scheme provides for, without taking steps to carry off the waste would only be inducing malaria, and consequent disease. In conclusion, I have great pleasure in acknowledging the good service rendered me by the Municipal Surveyor, Mr. Jugganath Suddasewjee, whose assistance with that of his Engineering Class, was placed at my disposal by the Municipal authorities. ) I have the honour, etc., (sd) JOHN BRUNTON, wi e.z. Kurrachee, 23rd October, 1860. Se ee ERS SR APPENDIX 2. ( Copy: ) No. 2591 OF 1860. KURRACHEE, COMMISSARIT OFFICE, 16TH JUNE, 1860. To THE ACTING COLLECTOR OF KURACHEE. Sik, With reference to your letter No. 1047 of the 14th instant, to my address, I have the honour to transmit a state- ment exhibiting the annual expenditure incurred by this Department in supplying water to the Troops, the Navy, etc., etc., with a Memorandum showing the quantity supplied to each Department, separately. I have the honour, etc. (Sd.) A. LUCAS, Major, Acting Assistant Commissary-General, Pe pe en ee ge oe eat ay ss FaSe steer ee See: —s ' at . ee ae eto ss , , a 7 a ‘ ie: a Stats Sect a ’ " ‘ : BC Sey cE cf see : 3 ee < ie fae aes me Cae en , 5 Pan 3, eee Re ES oak an Ss, ie ee ra f : Pica! Ge thie ( “ Pg cw ot ee Se a te ye? fe diet > a es, : Kahiin Oe SE Ret Ma = Kurrachee, 16th June 1860. ) 614 Statement showing the annual cost to Government of the Establishment required for supplying water to the Troops, Navy, etc., etc., exclusive of wear and tear of carts, animals, Feed and keep of 102 pairs of bullocks for drawing and conveying water if . RS. 46,445 OG Pay tol] iaeeadnie ihe 34 Dobly bearers for filling water, etc. see jy B1GO 4s ae Total expense of Establishment ; per annum ... c i. RS. 40,300) ao Memo. of the probably quantity of water supplied to Troops, the Navy, and other Departments, separately :— To the Troops and Hospitals ... 8,395,000 gallons. Raja and Ranee of Sattara, and : Raja of Kolapoor, State Prisoners ... 427,050 m Building Yard, Commissariat Establishment, Custom Department, and Steamers at Keamaree ver 15 OO i. Manora, station |... ah 245,280 - Ghizree Station and Steamers. 282,520 _ Sanatarium at Ghizree we 365,000 . Barrack and Medical Stores. ... 146,000 ss General Hospital oe 182,500 ‘s Total quantity of water ee supplied pis ... 11,328,870 gallons. (Sd.) A. LUCAS, Major, Acting Assistant Commissary-General. COMMISSARIAT OFFICE, )615 (Copy.) APPENDEX B. ‘Fo 7; Ee DUNSTERVILLE, Esouree, COLLECTOR OF KURRACHEE, AND PRESIDENT OF THE MUNICIPALITY. | Bombay, 13th August 1860. In May last, I received from Doctor Giraud your letter to his address, No. 804, dated the 17th May 1860, advising the despatch @f a box of various samples of water with reference to a scheme for the supply of Kurrachee. I obtained the box at last, though not till after much delay and repeated trials by sending messengers both on board the steamer and the Com- pany’s Offices, owing to the great discourtesy displayed by the persons who had charge of tt. 2. The injunctions contained in your letter led me to believe that more than an ordinary qualitative examination was required, and I, therefore, determined to estimate qualitatively the amount of the principal constituents of the several samples of water, not withstanding the time and labour that would necessarily be consumed in the work. From press of business, I was unable to commence this immediately, but I took it in hand on the first opportunity. 3. The analysis of the solid contents of a water is troublesome in proportion to the smallness of these contents, as the unavoidable loss from the solvent action of the water and the volatility of some of the so called fixed constituents, tends to introduce error, which is multiplied in proportion to the smallness of the total amount of material upon which the loss takes effect. But I have met with a difficulty ditterent from any which I could have anticipated, and which, being discover- ed at the last moment, has rendered almost ineffective the whole labor expended upon the analysis—it is, that the water ‘1 several of the bottles under the same letter differs extremely. To ensure accuracy, it is customary, if there is water enough, to estimate the amount of most of the constituents on separate quantities of liquid; in doing this, and relying upon the identity of the water in the several bottles, I took parcels of water indiscriminately from more than one bottle marked with the same letter. On summing up the result, | found them in I ee eat dy aaa ag OE RE TEN”? CTRL ae a cee, re ee 1 oe GO ey) te ea ae WY, SS #s Se si wa Met ei at a slapanarate saat seg -‘ ' + Fie 616 several cases quite unintelligible, the errors bemg far beyond what the most careless manipulation could: give rise to; and in proceeding to repeat some of the experiments for verification, I found that, while in some cases the results differed extremely from my former ones, in others, using the same bottles as at first, they came out identically as before. Further experiments have shown me conclusively that the difference is so general, and so extremely confusing, as to exclude the possibility of any approach to correctness. Thus, in one bottle, marked A., I found very nearly three times as much common salt as in another, and in one bottle, marked E., there was twice &s much as in another of the same letter. Much time was spent in attempting to solve the difficulty before this discovery was made, but afterwards it was useless to proceed further, and it is, | fear, too late to commence anew. 5. The fact of the difference is so decided, and so easily verified by simple experiment, that no doubt whatever is permis- sible regarding it. Whether the water of the several bottles has been taken from different parts of the stream or reservoir, whether the contents have become interchanged, or whether change to such an extent has occurred in the bottles themselves, I will not attempt to determine. 6. [can do no more, therefore, than state separately some of the chief results yielded by the particular portion of water upon which I operated without attempting to combine these into a complete analysis. In fact, the waters are all of good quantity; D. appears to be the hardest, and A., C. and F. the softest. The merest traces, only, of organic matter were found in any, and that, in all probability, derived from the corks, which were old corks out of wine bottles. I should say that C. 1s, on the whole, the purest. 7.‘ To the preceding remarks, an exception must be made in the case of the water B., in the analysis of which no similar discrepancy appeared, and the total amount of solids also agrees very well with that deduced from the specific gravity. I have, therefore, appended its analysis in full I have the honour, etc., (ad ROBERT HAINES, Acting Chemical Analyser to Government.TABLE JI, The numbers indicate parts in 10,000 of water. ~[=]e]>]*|s Specific gravit | | | | | | g y. | 1000'72| 1000'54 uae’ 1000°75 | ee] 1000°69 | | ( Carbonate of lime 2h EGO | 1328 | 1252 1'720 ‘OU! 1°136 Do. magnesia ial? "GOS | ‘797 | +621 ‘47 EES. I°120 » | | Lime "249 | 2 aan “161 ‘OI! "207 "289 | | Magnesia ‘AIG ob). “EES "187 260 037 "135 2°281 > | 2°689 Chlorine PROS Fy bepag xan 2°130 "825 ) | | | 1°473 Chloride of sodium | 4'445 | 2485 | 2°185 |not tried. |not tried. |not tried. Silica and oxide of iron - ‘100 | “310e "Sab | "756 do, do, | oe Sulphuric acid ae veel “RGA. Pe “601 "490 | "Sry "741 "896 | | TABLE II. Solid constituents in water marked B., in 10,000 parts. Chloride of sodiun aA Ss se 2°485 Sulphate of lime as ss o 809 Chloride of magnesium ... 23 ey ts Sulphate of magnesia ... = a 188 Carbonate of lime a: 2 ite 1°328 Do. of magnesia ... a wad ne Silica and oxide of Iron... = oo ‘210 Totak: 34 5992 Total solids by evaporation ... 5°490 L (Iv) 355—78 an a ey anaee, 3 ane ee ae eed: lsc tL ee: ae i ‘ . * aa Se ae Ya ieaihiaadl es pet aseddh * i “hy mye ee 618 APPENDIX - C. Locality. Date of collection. Specific Gravity at 60 Degs. Chloride of sodium Do. of magnesium Do. of calcium Sulphate of soda Do. of magnesia Do. . of dime Nitrate of magnesia Do. of lime Carbonate of magnesia Do. of lime Silica Organic matter in solution Do. suspended... Total solids Gaseous contents Nos. 21 to 25.—These waters are some of 19 specimens taken from all the wells and tanks in use at Kurrachee. Water at Kurrachee (Selected). — [ yarec. Bed of the River o June, 1859. 66 ‘04 ‘30 (X) 4°15 22 22 22 Sa ae SSM mM O ESc Jol Se | oe ORR et a ee eh as Oeics Os Qos oS Oh aye ce ea. a Tee 5 ie fe eee a o a eee 2 © es = Peo a le SeTZ| SS o 5 AO a > o & he H H H Eee — ee June, 1859 | June, 1859. | June, 1859. I,000'9 1,006°6 1,037'8 8:12 58°20 423°75 "78 4°35 47°73 "05 6°61 76°85 ‘69 “44 12°04 °38 1°09 2°91 "96 2°37 2°37 (X) (X) (X) 10°98 73°05 | 561-65 to wn Well on the Rutton Tank, | om | June, 1859. I,001"4 a 9°48 2°02 “O02 °45 0°95 1°26 (X) I4'll ’ The difference in the quality of the water is extreme; Nos. 21 on and 25, are fair, drinkable waters; in No. 23, there is a large impregnation of common salt; and in No. 24, the saline matter is present in enormous quantity ; twice as salt as sea water. the water is strongly brine,619 (Extract from the “ Sindian,” dated roth November, 1860. ) LOCAL. KURRACHEE WaATER-SUPPLY. As would be seen by the advertizement in our columns, a General Special Meeting of the Kurrachee Municipality was called for yerterday, to consider the question of the supply of water to Kurrachee, to which all interested were invited to attend, Accordingly, at noon preciaely, J: Inverarity, Esq., C.S., Commissioner in Sind, took the chair. We observed Coen ose present, Major Goldsmid; J. Shaw Stuart, Esq.; Captain J, B. Dunsterville; aptain Church; Drs. Grierson and Bean: Captain Pirie; Major Murray ; Colonel Turner; Messrs, Brunton, McIver, Meiklejohn, Dunolly, Maher, Ingle, Hill, &c., &c., and Seths Naomull, Khemchund, Adam Alli, Dinshaw Perozeshaw, and about 15 other leading Native gentlemen, ) The Commissioner commenced proceedings by reading the correspondence with the Supreme Government upon the subject in hand, by which it appeared that the Government considered this as a question to be dealt with municipally, holding itself at the same time liable to contribute in a full and fair degree, on account of the benefits it would itself derive. He then stated that, in consequence of a Resolution come to at a prior meeting, the Munici- pality had devoted a sum of five thousand Rupees for the completion of a proper and sufficient survey, which had accordingly been entrusted to Mr. J. Brunton, the result of whose labours was now before the meeting. It appeared to him that it was a false view of the subject to consider the interests of the Camp and Town of Kurrachee as dissevered in the matter. The welfare of the one was intimately wound up with that of the other. He adverted to the very precarious and insalubrious nature of the supply of water as at present existing, and pointed to the possibility of its becoming necessary, during the present season, of obtaining a supply of water from Mulleer, which it would be impossible to accomplish had it not been for the Railway. He also reminded the meeting that drought and rainy seasons apparently recurred in cycles of nine years; and with the daily increasing popula- tion, it was necessary to provide against the contingency by an ample water supply ; or it could not be expected that Kurrachee would be the Town it might otherwise be. He then requested Captain Dunsterville to read the report of the survey, which we do not republish, as it has been extensively circulated. The illustrative plans and sections were also dis- played. The Commissioner then recapitulated, in brief, the main features ot Mr. Brunton’s scheme. The cost would be about sixteen lacks of Rupees, or nearly double that of Captain DeLisle, but on the other hand, it contemplated the construction of a reservoir, calculated to store sixteen months’ censuption of water for a lack of inhabitants,—Captain DeLisle's only providing for the wants of forty thousand. When a full sixteen months’ supply had been furnished, there would, moreover. be a full depth of 24 feet in the reservoir. The pipes would be 23 miles in all, as against 16 of a smaller calibre proposed by Captain Delisle, which, of course, constituted a considerable item in the expense, He then. read a lette: from Captain Lidbetter, Lloyd’s Agent, expressing his regret at not being able to attend the meeting, and his full concurrence with its object. He pointed out the great inconvenience that ships were put to by the deficient supply of bad water they were obliged to leave port with, compelling them to touch elsewhere. It was, continued the Commtis- sioner, now a question for the .public to decide, as to whether the scheme should be carried out by the agency of the Municipality. or by any other, Government being willing to contribute its quota? He therefore, left it to the meeting, trusting that it would receive full and fair discussion as a public question, and, not with reference to any private or personal Mr. N. Warren asked, as some objection had arisen on a former occasion, as to whether it was intended to let the Military authorities have a voice in the matter. Mr. Inverarity replied that the Original idea was purely Military, and originated with Sir Charles Napier, who would have pressed it to an issue had it not been for the Sikh War, and subsequent financial depression. The increase of Kurrachee had now, however, rendered it a municipal one. The Military authorities had been fully consulted throughout, as would be proved by a Minute of Sir Bartle Frere, which he proceeded to read. insterests. Mr. Shaw Stewart wished to know if the expense could not be materially reducced, by providing for a less water-supply, say for 50,000 ? > eS eee ay is Te ee ere RYH GOES See ST ee oe‘eh ee ea meee: 620 stion in figueres on the spur of the moment Mr. Brunton could not answer the question in fig but might give it as his conviction that, at the very utmost, any saving so effected would not amount to twenty per cent. Colonel Turner said that, in his Opinion, the provision made was the very lowest that could be safely done, and that any alteration should be rather in the way of amplification than reduction. Captain Dunsterville asked if two smaller pipes, say 10 inch ones, could not be subs- tituted for the 18 inch one, so as to provide against accident ? Mr. Brunton replied that it would be unsound in theory, as the friction would be augmented. There was little fear of accident, as the pipes would be tested with a pressure of 300 feet before laying. Colonel Turner asked what data Mr. Brunton had as to the rain-fall in the District where he proposed to have the reservoir, ‘ Mr. Brunton had not any, beyond the information afforded him by those who knew the country. Captain Dunsterville and Mr. Maher spoke as to their experience of the fall, Colonel Turner then asked if Mr. Brunton had turned his attention to the Hubb River, which had the advantage of being double the volume of the Mulleer, and being drawn trom a greater water-shed. Mr. Brunton replied that he had, but found that the ground was not favourable involving a tunnel, except a considerable detour were made. There was a territorial, question also involved that might cause dispute ; and, above all, the fall would be much less than the one attainable by the reservoir he had proposed. The capabilities of the works might be increased, if necessary, by bunding the Mulleer above the present dam, and making this one a subsidary reservoir, Mr. Warren proposed, as a Resolution, that the plan submitted, to the meeting by Mr. Brunton be adopted, and the Committee of the Municipality be desired to consider the best means of raising the requisite funds. Mr. Maher seconded the motion. Mr, Shaw Stewart proposed an amendment to the effect that Government should be asked to advance the funds, on security of the municipal dues, and the rate of five per cent, payment of the principal not being demandable for thirty years, but an option given to the Municipality to pay off the debt in the meanwhile, if possible, in convenient sums. Mr. Warren objected that this tied the it was necessary that they should be at ]il did not consider that Government cou not borrow itself. e Municipality to one mode of action only, whereas >erty to consider any mode presented tothem. He ‘d lend money at a rate of interest at which it could After considerable discussion. the carried almost nem con, only three versation was held on the same su amendment was withdrawn and the Original motion hands being held up against it. Some further con- ; bject, and as to whether or not the question of raising the money should be decided at once. The Commissioner, after reading the notice convening the meeting, said that he could come to no Other conclusion than that it represented the whole of the community of Kurrachee ; and that, the:only question before them having been disposed of by a large majority, it rested with the Committee now to consider the ways and means, when and how they pleased. He, therefore, declared the meeting dissolved. : A vote of thanks to Mr. Inverarity was proposed and carried by acclamation, and the meeting separated with the exception of the members of the Municipal Committee. ‘ ol621 NO: 57 OF Fear; PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT. Report of the Commissioner on Memorandum No. 408 of 28th February 1860 from the Secretary to Government. The Commissioner in Sind has the honor to report as follows :—On the 13th October 1857, Mr. Frere, Commissioner in Sind, addressed the Government of Bombay on the subject of the necessity for providing Kurrachee with an abundant supply of wholesome water, that procurable in its immediate vicinity being bad and scanty. He had previously, in May of the same year, requested Captain DeLisle, of the Engineers, to examine the whole subject, and this Officer accordingly pro- posed a scheme for bringing water from the Mulleer, and for distributing it throughout the Camp and Town of Kurrachee, and to the Shipping at Keamari and Ghizree. ) 2, On the supposition that suitable 18 inch earthen-ware pipes could be manufactured in Kurrachee, the expense was estimated at 34 lacs of Rupees. With iron piping, the scheme was roughly estimated to cost g lacs. 3. Mr. Frere proposed two modes of providing the sum required. ist. By Government, who should undertake the work, and repay themselves partly by the reduced cost to themselves of the supply required for their troops and public departments, and partly by charging for the water supplied to -ivate individuals and companies. 2nd. By the Municipality of Kurrachee, who should be empowered to borrow the money required, and to impose special rates to provide for the» extinc- tion of the debt in given time. 4 Financial pressure prevented Government adopting the first proposition, and the Commissioner was desired to submit a draft Act to enable the Municipality of Kurrachee to raise the necessary funds. It was directed that this draft Act should provide for the management of the water-works bein2 vested in the Municipality, for the repayment, with interest, of RS ae a ae FS ae or tee Fe CIT LS ae 8 a622 the sum borrowed by a rate to be raised for the purpose ; this rate being limited to a reasonable maximum, for a public supply of water being available in reservoirs conveniently situated for the rate-payers ; and for the sale of water delivered in houses, or for gardening, manufacturing, or other purposes, for which large supplies are required,—the proceeds of sale being brought to account in diminution of the general rate. 5. Adratt Act was accordingly prepared, sent to the Bombay Member of the Legislative Council, read in an amended form a second time on the 20th August 1859, and referred to a Select Committee to be reported on after the 24th November following. 6. A General Meeting of the Municipal Commissioners and rate-payers of Kurrachee was held on the 30th September 1859, Sir Bartle Frere in the Chair. At this Meeting, the subject was warmly discussed, a Sub-Committee was appointed to re-consider certain parts of the Bill, and their report was sub- mitted to Government on the 24th October 1859. In the meantime a petition from one hundred and forty four of the chief house-holders of Kurrachee, who prayed that the Billbe not passed was presented to the Government of India. Their peti- tion was referred to the Collector of Kurrachee, who reported that the opposition to the Bill arose from obections entertained to the imposition of a house-tax as_ thereijn proposed. This report was forwarded by the Government of Bombay to the Government of India, with a recommendation th it the porposed enactment be for the present abandoned. 7+ In their reply, No. 249, dated 7th February 1860, the Government of India considered it quite reasonable and proper that measures should be taken for improving the supply of water to Kurrachee, and that the expense of such measures should be defrayed by special and local taxation. At the same time, it was desired that, in carrying out such necessary measures, the wishes of the community should be consulted, and the Commissioner was instructed to report further after communication with the people.8. The sentiments of the Government of India were com municated to the Municipality and the inhabitants of the town and suburbs of Kurrachee, through the Collector, and the survey of the country and the preparation of a scheme for providing the requisite water-supply was entrusted to Mr. John Brunton, C. E. 9. His report, a printed copy of which is annexed, with plans, sections, and drawing, was submitted to a General Meeting of the inhabitants of Kurrachee held on the gth No- vember, last, the proceedings of which meeting, as given ina local paper, are appended. 10. Mr. Brunton proposes, by means of an impounding dam, 800 feet in length, and of an adequate height, to create a reservoir at Dumlote on the Mulleer River, capable of containing upwards of 1,666 millions of gallons of water, This reservoir would give a head of water 241 feet above the top step of Trinity Church, Kurrachee, and 197 feet above the bed of the distributing reservoir, proposed to be constructed in rear of the Cantonment. The distance of this distributing reservoir from Dumlote is 23 miles, and the fall would, therefore, be about 83 feet per mile. 11. It is proposed to have iron piping from England, and the estimated cost of the main conduit pipe is entered at Rs. 10,39,310 and that of the distributing pipes at Rs, 1,20,000. This, as Mr. Brunton truly observes, is the most serious item, and most serious will it doubtless be found to be, when, from heat and from the saltness of the soil, corrosion of the metal renders the pipe useless. The Commissioner has seen an estimate for a masonry aqueduct from Dumlote to the distri- buting reservoir, in which the probable cost is put down at 7,00,000 Rupees. The cost of the reservoir at Dumlote is put down at Rs. 3,38,632, and that of the distributing reservoir is entered at Rs. 15,500. The total of these sums gives a cost of Rs. 15,13,442, and an additional 5 per cent. for contingencies and management, (Rs. 75,672), being the aggregate cost of the proposed work, up to 15,89,114 Rupees. 12. Mr. Brunton’s plan is stated to be equal to supply- ing 20 gallons a day per head to_1,00,000 . of people, and an additional 50,000 gallons a day for the Railway and Shipping. a eng ae nad prensa nS Sa, il is ue alg : e h s ; roy i as, | ae ae Rae = Fe Psy ae pti , 2 ae * oar. cea aS Ap oeare , a 2 by ‘at. * ot ee - Po ee ar eae tooo oe eo ee eR Sa al oe a oe rs ; ie DL Shy Cae A a a “ iY Ae ENOL NST RT EL TET PNR uaa oe a hl PRT aS mors RPG ce gee ey I Ce eae a ee Toe RN ak eee aie ee Pa SN i Ae i ® soe poe oh ve eo he = ™ os ual i = — oe os We tts x DPR, 1: reSe 624 13. As seen from the printed report of the public meeting held on the gth November, last, and from the Collec- tor’s Reports, No 2218, dated 8th December, following, and No. 5, dated 6th ultimo, Mr Brunton’s plan and report were adopted, and the Municipality were requested to consider the best means of raising funds for the execution of the project. 14. The Municipality, through their President, the Col- lector, having undertaken the project as a local measure, now ask of Government a loan of 16,00,000 Rupees, repayable at the rate of one lac of Rupees per annum, together with interest re-payment to commence from the date water is distributed in Kurrachee. Should Government decline to advance the loan sought for, the Municipality then desire to know whether Government would guarantee 5 per cent. on the capital of 16,00,000 Rupees, if. “borrowed elsewhere. 15. The Commissioner cannot recommend that Govern- ment should, at the present time, entertain either proposition. Were the Municipality to exercise a little self-reliance, and to make generally known their desire to borrow on certain terms, the Commissioner has but little doubt that capitalists would be willing to provide the necessary funds on the proffer of sufficient security. The Commissioner has received a letter from Mr. Neville Warren, dated 29th November, 1860, hereto appended, in which this gentleman expresses his belief that he can procure the required capital of £ 1,60,000 in England, provided the sum of £ 18,000 per annum, required to secure * 5 per cent. interest per annum, and an amortization fund to pay off the capitalin 15 years, can be guaranteed or secured m any way. (Sd.) J. DZ INVERARI Commissioner in Sind COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE, Camp Hyderabad, 8th March 1861.No. 327 OF 1862. GENERAL DEPARTMENT, Bombay Castle, 25th February 1862. To THE COMMISSIONER IN SIND. SIR, With reference to the previous correspondence regarding the supply of water to Kurrachee, ending with your report No. 57) dated the 8th March i861, I am directed to state that it has been brought to the notice of the Governor in Council that along the Lyaree which passes Kurrachee there is a particular formation in which it is supposed there is always an abundance of water and that His Excellency in Council considers that before finally sanctioning any scheme for supplying Kurrachee with water, this locality should be carefully examined. I am accordingly instructed to request you will adopt measures to have this done and report the result. I have, etc., ROBERTSON, Acting Chief Secretary to Government, No. 227 OF 1862. GENERAL DEPARTMENT, True copy forwarded to the Chief Engineer in Sind with a request that he will adopt measures for carefully examining the banks of the Lyaree in the immediate neighbourhood of Kurrachee with a view of recording the formation, and the extent of supply of water contained in that formation. j. D_ INVERSE Commissioner in Sind. Kurrachee, 3rd March 1862. L @v) 355—79 lee ian a ect ea a aay aie TERS ger Noa FORMATE ee we eyfi ¢ ‘ ra pron o 626 NOt 2191 OF“1862. PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT. CHIEF I-NGINEER’S OFFICE, Camp Kazikigoth, 29th November 1862. To SAMUEL MANSFIELD, ESQUIRE, COMMISSIONER IN SIND. SIR: In obedience to theinstructions conveyed in Mr. Inverarity’s endorsement on Government letter No. 327 of 25th February, I have the honour to submit the accompanying plan of the ground on the banks of the Lyaree in the vicinity of the Town and Cantonment of Kurrachee showing the position of the several wells from which a supply of water is derived, either for irrigation or for general consumption. 2. A list specifying the depth of each well from surface, the depth of water when measured in the months of May, June and September, the quality of the water, and other information is likewise appended. It appears that of 87 wells, 78 contain water of a good or middling quality. In addition to the supply derivable from these wells, excellent water is everywhere procurable at a short distance below the sandy bed of the Lyaree, and fresh wells might be dug with almost a certainty of obtaining drinkable water in any part of the land included in the survey. 3° The Lyaree has a course of about 26 miles, and drains a considerable area. The longitudinal section given on the plan A BE H shows a fall in the bank at the rate of 11 feet a mile. The sections of the trial pits which have been dug show the nature of the alternating strata of sand and clay. The pomts O and D being respectively 6870 and 51°72 above datum, and the water in each pit 29 and 11 feet below the surface, gives the water level at 40 and 41 feet above datum, and at this level I believe water would be found throughout nearly the whole area. ‘4. At the points G (which is 74°52) and K (89°83) the water being at the depth of 313 oe pa 1S z A ee level, and ascending the valley, the water level would no doubt be found to rise, and being distributed in beds of gravel and coarse sand, must find its way down to supply the drain upon the well in the lower portion of the valley. _ There is but little information as to the quantity of water which the existing wells are capable of furnishing. The three wells Nos. 24, 73 and 79 worked by the Commissariat are alone estimated to supply thirty-three thousand gallons daily: of this No. 24 supplies twenty-two thousand gallons, and has never been known to run dry. The well used by the Railway though occasionally failing furnishes after the Monsoon upwards of thirty thousand gallons daily, and Captain Maunsell states that from the appearance of the ground in which the pipe to the workshops is laid, he believes there is considerable leakage ; in addition I have little doubt that a number of these large wells each capable of yielding a supply of twenty thousand gallons daily, might be constructed whenever a larger supply than is now available may be required. 6. With regard to the quality of the water, Captain Maunsell writes— “2. From information afforded by the Chemical Analyser to Government to whom specimens of various wells in the neighbourhood of the Lyaree River and Bander Road were sometime ago sent, it appears that most of the wells afford water remarkably free from organic matter ; but they vary considerably in saline matter. No. 24 or the Commissariat well which supplies the greater portion of the community in Cantonment with drinking water, is reported as equal in purity to the ordinary river water of Europe. I have drawn a thick indicate the level at which water would throughout the area surveyed. blue line on the sections to probably be found I have, etc., (Sd.)_ C, W. TREMENHERE, Chief Engineer in Sind. eae ID ANDES SB Pe LF eg - po RS eS Ce i earn ss eienaiiaiieiien Ree a ee cee rete oe SMa niger eeweencige: Makai’Pe: = ee 628 264 Not known eee Unknown Very bad, --| Evidently belongs to Government, Register of wells, 200 yards on each side of the Lyaree. eee P35 | ap Depth of water, 0 -- 6-4 Sea ee Hoo | oe » = | For what purpose To whom it Remarks, ae | & - 122.4; used at present, belongs oO mS 8 a a Ss | é | 8 2 E | ge ieee Baad 3 a = Y ee a Ree es : 9 i i] 3 | 4 3 32] 104 | Irrigation .«-| A Fukeer .| Small good water. 2 | 19 | 2 13 Ze | 99 Do. 7 Municipality Sector Shape. | | | 3 2350 ae 2 1 AID ree used . A Fukeer Had been used for aaa | Irrigation. “ 14 Hg EE ees ie | Do. / Do. Dirty, . “de: | 5 64 Sue Ba a | Do. FS uo, Do. do. | : z | | No. 6; omitt ed sin'ce dil apidatled and ee 721g 5 | g 23 275 | ieee tion o Buduana Middling water, 8 26 fee Oe 3 80 | Do. Do. Good. | « 9 | 201. 43] Z 14 84 | Do. 4 Kurgeer | Very good, | 10 | C4 eke A 4 | 200 | Do, .| Good, ] | 3 11 23 | 3 | 1 13 155 Do. Do, Good, not used. 12 15 Ze} 2 13 230 | Distillery Kundada Not good. | 13 16 | 23 2 | 3 | 1,100 | Not known Not known It appears bad, | 14 12 | 3 A 22 | 900 | Irrigation Bow Very good, = 15 14] 23 | 2 13 | 1,090 /Bathing and drinking] Not known Do, | = : | | | . . . ~ 17 15 | 2 1 | 14 1,140 Irrigation and drink-| Pestonjee | Good | abg. | 18 14 2 ] | 1 | 1,180 | Treacher's use | Treachers reypecn bye t 19 14 eg a 13 | 1,340 | Not used ..| Executive Engineer} Bad. AOS) Bk 4 14 2 1,240 | Irrigation and) Major Marston | Good. | | drinking. 21 15 4 13 2 | 1,080 | Drinking Not known ..| Good—Situated _ be- | | hind the Executive | Engineer stores, BA ee 2 i 24 | 1,270 | Do. Ferret | Good, ay a hake 0 0 A+ 4,870.) = Da, Da, «in Do, at ar a9 13 3 3 | 1.365 | This well supplying) Municipality Do. | | | the Bander. ae ° | | 4) 24 2 | 1 34 970 | Balochi... Do, Do, 26 24 | 2 + |) 9 950 Do. oe Do. ...| Not used, water good. | | a7 | 20 | 2 ] 2 440 Beg Sarees who live. Ram Suame Good. | in the khata. | a a | 28 | 17 13 1 13 400 Not used ..| Paymaster Las. oe 110 Irrigation SS Merwanjee .«-| Not very good,629 No. of well. Depth in feet. Depth May. of water, }9 0.8 | a ae | |g (PRs SATEEN | TSR" | Rema St eS Wao | = Jp ae | Tee ) 1 2 | 90 | Irrigation ...| Damodur a | Good, % Se | 270 Do. ..-| Chander =) ona, ka 1 | 34 | 415 Do .| Tolo Bunia ...| Middling. Pe tie 2 | 297 | Do. | Isram Khuja __ ...| Half pakka. ¢ x | 2 | 105 | Drinking and| Esa Memon ...| Good. : irrigation. Fe 1; 3 | 105 Do, «| Datoo Shet ole Os ri 2 | 96 Do, ...| Gool Futta Seah - LOCe mois | 94 Do. ...| Isram Kanji at Do: 13 | 2 | 109 Do. aac} LakOO" >; si) Do. 1 ‘| 107 Do. ...| Parsram wasl 02 13 24 | 540 |Notused | =; | AGSHet -.. bad. a) gh| 500 pb De. ‘Eten, i Dai 0 | 1 | 572 svigation sti Das. ...| Middling. leg | 466 | o.De: ule Dea st al Se i 3 | 34 | 550 7 Do. __| Hormusji Sorabjee.| Good. . 4 | 6 | 910 Do. _..| Morad Khan ...| Middling. | | 3} 890 Do. oe (ee Do. i 23 | 3 | 880 Do. _..| Municipal ,..| Good water. 3 | 3 | 825 Do. - Do, es Do. By 1| 2h | 1010 Do. BP Gs | Do. ¥ : 1 | 34 | 825 Do. wi ie: 4 Do. ) gq) 2) os Do. Jl Bee ...| Half kucha. 2 | 3 | 649 Do. uA Do. . Half pakka 4 | 3 | 600 Da: Do | Do. 4 | 5 | 572 Do. ...| Adam .. | Good 4 | 3 | 235 Do, «| Mindall ..: i DO. 14 | 2 | 100 | Irrigation pis LeaDIO ne 4 Do. m ef 0 | 2 230 | House-hold purpose Hazar Khan | Do. HI 0 2 90 | Irrigation _..| Dhoorvir Do. . Es 6 93 105 Do. ...| Kulan Kustura fe eonas ea Z| 25 70 Do, 2 Do. - Do. f 7 64 125 Do. .. | Koolaram aa Do; 4 44 77 Do, ...| Dunas ShetBamand Do. 4 a Do. a Half pakka. el | | | | oe ee a630 (Sd.) | | | ; = iso.g | ce oS : oe | ip - 3 Depth of water. 2 og | | | | | D 8 qo oe é | For what purpose To whom it | Rermare. 3 . | , « 5 oa used at present. belongs. | | | 65 | 42 | 2 1 6 473 | Irrigation .| Sagriam Soortee ...| Half pakka, 66 | 44 | 4 23 5 | 600 Do. .| Hassanie Do. 67 | 40 | 6 3 | 53 | 583 | Do. Do. .| Pakka. 68 | 48 | 4 14 | 5 620 | Do. -| Salgee ... Do, 4 69 | 38 | 4 1 | 34 610 | Do. ...| Hazarkhan Do. . 7O%e| 525 ie 8 | et ae 8] oe 80 | Do. Do. Ho; % 4 71 35 2 4 | 43 | 1,030 Do Oonda Do. 4 72 -4.2730 4 0) | 2| 1,230 | Not used (1) DAZARL: .4 | Bad. ‘ 73 | 37 5 ao 3 | 1,496 | Drinking saat “UG: _ Good. 74 41 13 4 | 33 | 1,485 | Commisariat | Government a Very good. 75 47 4 6 3 | 1,38) | Soldier Bazaar 7 Do. ‘ | Good. 76 42 23 ] 24 | 1,340 | Irrigation + Not known ~ Do. 77 36 23 1 | 2 | 1,220 | Dooly bearer | Dooly bearers ..| Do. 78 27 6 ] | 4 | 1,480 | Drinking is] Chetoobux _ Do, 79 25 4 2 13 | 1,500 | Commissariat z Government a Do, 80 29 | 5 1 23 | 90 | Irrigation | Jodashur | Not good, = 81 25 6 3 4 | 364 | Pottery... .| Novand 3 Good. ‘< 82 26 6 4 4 90 | Irrigation -| Chandlal --| Middling. ; 83 24 2 3 4 | 95 Do, a Do, | Do, 7 84 25 2 4, a4 90 Do. | Gooroo Bhatia « Good, 85 30 4 1 34 90 | Do, .| Tundier | Do. 86 35 2 tt 23)).. 660 Do. .| Mookam ..| Middling. a 36 4 2¢ | 5 146 Do. | Ghoolam | Good J. R. MAUNSELL, Captain, Executive Engineer,631 No. 10/B OF 1866. PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT. TO - THE COMMISSIONER IN SIND. SER. Adverting to the subject of the Kurrachee water-supply I have the honour to forward a paper with sketch by Mr. I. W. Barns on the obtaining of water by means of boring. 2. Lieutenant Merewether who at my request visited the spot selected by Mr. Barns, has informed me that there is something very remarkable in the formation and that he found water oozing at near twenty different places, ‘This water is all brakish but the level of the ground is high and the crr- cumstance is so singular in a part of the country where the rainfall is light and where there is so little surface material to absorb water excess in the beds of channels such as the Mulleer River, that I think it would be well worth while to have some deeper borings than those made up to the present time by Mr. Barns, and for this purpose I would recommend the employment of Mr. Barns who can be furnished with a proper boring apparatus which we now have at Kurrachee. 3. Mr. Barns’ theory that the fresh water springs found at various places among the hills between Kurrachee and Sehwan, are fed from some distant source and that the stratum of limestone near or in which they are said to be found may be right. But even if wrong and what seems easier to understand, the fresh water is fed from some nearer source such as the bed of the Mulleer in the present instance, and that instead of find- ing its way along the stratum of lime stone rock it really finds its way along a stratum of sand or gravel immediately beneath, it would not deprive the scheme he advocates of its merit, and if really sweet water is obtained even in a small quantity it would atleast repay the cost of boring operations, ~ EI pen eT ee oad a ey * ane. ~ eat aoe, z.5 ras a pe a3 ° ied a oe ee ; na eo te ee ee 4 i kee d : .. Vee Seg ab eee ot eee ee ee ae tL ee ee . . . ‘als , » Sag oe Pat Be Teor Seto g So et ay Se.) ; LR TT TSF "orn - nenaineiain ny one PRS RR gr Uae are Tees rat >. eee 6. — er hs Nea” ae Bie comet tee ; : PRM he ae Pee ee632 i 4. I would recommend Mr Barns employment on this special duty on a salary of Rs. 500 per month. The duty will occupy two or three months and the cost of the boring will probably not exceed rupees two thousand. Without the measure now recommende‘d I do not think Mr. Barns will succeed as the operation of boring to a great depth requires more time and better instruments than he can give without aid from Govern- ment. a I have the honour to be, if, : Your most obedient servant, FIFE, LIEUT.-COLONEL, Acting Chief Engineer in Sind. Kurrachee, 9th January 1886. 2 Pa te Ree No. 11 OF 1866. Pa a ee wg wt o8 of a ae ; ot ain. : Oe Z ne ood De tag ae 2a Pape. bi, Bal yi, a? cae 3 : ig a es * Pa es PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT. The Commissioner in Sind has the honour to submit the | foregoing true copy of letter for the favourable consideration i of Government. 2. The Commissioner fully concurs with Colonel Fife that if really sweet water is obtained in carrying out the operations proposed the expenditure which will not exceed Rs. 3,500 will at have been usefully employed. ». MANSFIELD, Commissioner in Sind. Camp Larkana, 17th January 1866.Result of operations as far as they have béeeti extetidéd. Acting on the opinion formed in the latter part of my general observations, | commenced two such borings in a spot between 8 and so miles distant from Kurrachee as per accom- panying map where water already. appears on the surface here and there over an area of about 3 square miles. After pene- trating the blue clay referred to, to a depth of 25 to 30 feet the first water bearing stratum of very fine light coloured silt is reached. _ This established the fact that water could be obtained and would flow over the surface over this area at least. [ then commenced the work I have now in hand at a point where a small spring of brackish water was already flowing. I opened the spring head to a depth of 20 feet below the surface of the ground and at a depth of 10 feet led off the water by an open cutting to a point where it could flow over the surface of the ground. Within the well at the spring head I made 3 two inch borings—two being 20 feet and a third 35 feet below the top surface of the ground. The discharge from these is 5 cubic feet a minute and iemperature of water 85° constant— the water as before observed is brackish being strongly impre- gnated which carbonic acid gas, and containing besides a large proportion of salts of soda, lime and iron. The strati- fication is here nearly horizontal, Four hundred feet north- west of this another boring of thirty feet from the top of the clay brought water to run out sixteen feet above the level of the water in the well at spring head just referred to—on opening a trench through the ground the strata here were shaped as follovys :— Natural ground. s —s Rat Aree ° on pa pP S os Fe 7 we ae a ot f 4 .e Oe a ae 4 fo uo Pe 5 | f oO / A ae / } fp o Y De ee ee Ck a "Sn 4 x os 7 ee a 7 ‘ae j & heh A lau - v fff . # J a ae shed 4 See 7 bay ee Ee Te sae aa ee Me” Cones eee et Teta eee ee ent tk ae hag ee Pe ee ao a = SENET STA GY ER ETT SERENE PE A S 2) AR Ce ee Bela oS ; Say ad x: ea rida ne RR Pa. S ei: ad ier . 7 ee ERD Semone” Larne ta wn See tle eee ea, Tnebl er oe a eee a a ee fie Ser GPE sre : 636 second and a great number of others, in some places here the salt springs overlying those in the limestone may be traced as far as I recollect for some miles. At Muggur Peer the salt springs may be observed just after crossing the pass, but here as elsewhere the salt clay over-lying the lmestone with the fresh water spring. The salt and fresh water springs again cross out in the Borunganee Valley about half way between Kurrachee and Mugegur Peer. At Mackee which is about 16 miles north-east of Kurra- chee fresh and brackish water flow within a short distance of each other. Between Landni and Wagodha many springs appear, some fresh, some brackish, As the brackish strata over- lie the limestone formation it seems to me as a matter of course that where the strata are horizontal whatever water finds its way naturally through such impervious material as the clay forma- tion must naturally be brackish and I look on the small springs which every here and there come to the surface rather as indices of the extent the water is diffused than as any criterion from which to judge of the quality at its parent source. As regards the quantity likely to be obtained by artificial borings itis a point that can duly be determined by experiment. In undertaking this however, it appears certain that wherever water already appears on the surface there will generally be found some fault which has caused it, and in such places it is therefore most advisable to search—at the point where I propose commencing boring the water running from an experimental boring is 16 feet above the level of its intended discharge, to start with such a known head is evidently a great advantage. My levels are not tied on to any line connected with Kurrachee, but Mr. Donaldson and myself estimate the level of the water now running from my experimental boring to be some 140 feet above mean sea level.I.-M. W. Cantonments. Supplying the Town of Kurrachee with water. ot a am Xeee", a No. 49-M.W./240 OF 1866. PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT. Bombay Castle, 7th February 1866. TN & f Letfer from the Commissioner in Sind, No. 11, dated the i7th January 1866. Submits a project for supplying Kurrachee with water by means of boring, and recommends an expendi- ture of Rs. 3,500 in carrying out the operation proposed. i = ores ? arian BUT BRT ey: qe a RESOLUTION.—Government have no objection to the Commissioner's proposal ; the expenditure should however be sanctioned from the Reserve Fund which will be placed at i Mr. Mansfield’s disposal for the ensuing official year. DOWDEN, Lieutenant, R.E., Under Secretary to Government. To THE COMMISSIONER IN SIND. No. 314 OF 1866. ‘ PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT. Forwarded to the Collector of Kurrachee and President of the Kurrachee Municipality. By order, J. MOORE, Assistant Commissioner. Camp Kumber, 20th February 1866.aie . ee - anne . ere Ht as ~ aoe : ec eee - 638 To L. MANSFIELD, EsouireE, I.C.5., COMMISSIONER IN SIND. SIR, Having had under consideration for a long period the question of the supplying of water to Kurrachee from the Hubb River, and having on the occasion of your last visit to that place explained to you the feasibility of the project I beg res- pectfully to solicit your permission to prepare and submit for your consideration plans and estimates in detail of the under- taking. The preparation of these documents will occupy about three months as not less than three lines may have to be surveyed to ascertain whether the water can best be brought in by a masonry aqueduct, or by pipes or by both. 2. I purpose to assume a daily supply of 20 lacs of gallons as the minimum delivery from the works. Consequent upon the introduction of such a supply of water will arise the question of drainage for the Camp and the Town, and should these plans and estimates merit your approval I wall then be prepared to submit for consideration similiar documents for drainage, sanitary improvement, utiliza- tion of sewage. I have, ete., MOORADKHAN, KHAN BAHADUR, Kurrachee, 17th December 1866.No. 2414 OF 1866. Dated 9th December 1866. KHAN BAHADUR MOORADKHAN. SIR, In reply to your letter of the 17th instant I beg to inform you I shall have great pleasure in receving from you plans and estimates of any scheme likely to secure to the inhabitants of Kurrachee the inestimable benefit of asupply of good fresh water. 2. Colonel Fife, I believe, has under consideration a plan of procuring a supply of water from the Mulleer which is seven or eight miles nearer Kurrachee than the Hubb River. The scheme that ensures the best supply of water at the cheapest rate will of course be selected. 3. With reference to your 3rd paragraph. I would sug- gest that your attention be confined for the present solely to the supply of water. The other objects such as drainage, utiliza- tion of sewage, &c., may be left for future consideration. [ have, etc,, J. MOORE, Jor Commissioner in Sind. a eee ay od Re SECO, tee CR ae WY Ta a eySe, 640 NO. 1391 OF 1867. GENERAL DEPARTMENT, Dated, Kurrachee the 12th July 1867. To W. H. HAVELOCK, Esquire, Acting Commissioner in Sind, SiR, & I have the honour to forward copies of two letters from Khan Bahadur Mooradkhan containing a proposition, with his estimate of cost, for supplying Kurrachee with water by means of an aqueduct from his dam across the Hubb River to one l'ree Tank, and an iron pipe from thence to the vicinity of the Runchore Lines. 2. The following table shows at one view all the schemes for supplying Kurrachee with water up to the present time which have been brought forward :— Quantity of : ee ai “ Estimated Quantity of | water per head | Designer. Source. Distance, cost, water per day. of 80,000 in- {iat habitants. He eer Ok et YRS ee eee a ee * | Miles. | Rs, Gallons. | Gallons. i 1, Baker eee | Mulleer eile 13 | 1,86,760 32,170 . | 4 itt : | | a.) eee te ney? D0; oe DF 1,10,803 400,000 | 5 3. Cantonment water | Lyaree and | at Pieeublhee no details, a small | supply. Company, wells, | 4, Delisle .-e| Mulleer by 16 3, 27,000 1,215,000 15°18 3, Delisle ,with iron Sse Sig | 10,00,000 pipes. | 6. Brunton See = 23 20,00,000 2,050,000 | 25°62 | %. Newnham «| Indus baa 100 90,00,000 12,000,000 | 150 So Giles... --| Mulleer -e 103 | 3,24,000 600,000 | 75 9, Mooradkhan-...| Hubb a 19 10,31,000 2,300,000 | 28°75 10 Mooradkhan _re- 16,00,000 vised by price.O41 3. From this table it will be apparent to you that the only schemes which offer a prospect of a sufficient supply of water, at a cost within the means of the inhabitants of Kurrachee, are those of Mr, Brunton and Mooradkhan. Those of Colonels Delisle and Fife may do so if enlarged, but at present we have much reason to doubt whether the Mulleer can give the quantity required, and the existence of this doubt has pre- vented Mr. Brunton’s ‘scheme from being passed forward. Enquiries are now about to be made which will set the question at rest ; but whatever be the result, it is evident that the choice hes between the Mulleer and the Hubb. The quality of the water is much the same in both; but the latter, for the present at least, seems to offer the certainty of a larger supply inas- much as it drains a much greater extent of country and even now gives Mooradkhan 10,000 gallons an hour without any perceptible diminution in its volume. 4. I may here mention that no detailed scheme for bringing water from the Hubb has until now been drawn up. Mr. Barnes, C.E., took a line of levels to it under the direction of the Water Supply Committee but considered the hills between it and Kurrachee to be an obstacle too great to be got over, and the Committee on his report gave up the idea of getting water from that direction altogether. Mooradkhan and his Manager, Mr. Mathieson, have since discovered the lines by which they propose to bring in the water, lines which Mr. Barnes’ survey did not approach. 5. I am sorry that the difficulty I have felt in dealing with Mooradkhan’s proposition and n making some specific recommendation regarding it has caused delay in its submission to the Municipality and to Government. In my difficulty I sought the advice of Mr. Price, C.E., the Superintendent of Harbour Works, and Captain Merewether his assistant, who are admitted to be amongst the best and most careful Engineers in the service of Government, both of whom have favoured me with most valuable memoranda on the subject. Captain Merewether’s opinions, so far as he has given them coincide with Mr. Price’s ; and as the latter gentleman’s memo- randum is the more complete and treats of matters not touched L:(Iv) 355-8! a ee ag ea ay ad sore Sa i oS Be oye BRET RET OTT IS OG FRI. Se642 on by Captain Merewether. I here with submit a copy prit;, °] must here express my thanks to both the gentlemen named for their valuable aid. 6. Since receiving the memoranda above mentioned I have again seen and consulted with both Mooradkhan and Mr. Price. These interviews led to my making certain pro- positions to the Managing Committee at last Tuesday’s meet- ing and to the passing of the following Resolution by that body, VIE :— ti “That the question of the construction of the aqueduct from the Hubb to Kurrachee be reserved for later consideration but that in the meantime the Commissioner be asked to request Government to appoint an Engineer whose duty it shall be to draw up a plan for the Hubb Dam for Mooradkhan, to carry out under his superin- tendence to make full investigation of the quantity of water obtainable and to go over the levels of the lines pro- posed for the aqueduct, and of any other lines that may seem to offer preferential advantages and generally to revise the estimate, the Municipality undertaking to pay such remuneration to the person employed as Government may consider necessary.”’ 7. I will here state as briefly as | can the reasons which led the Managing Committee to pass this Resolution. You will observe that Mr. Price strongly recommends that the Municipality should itself undertake the whole of the works required for water-supply, and points out certain advantages which may without doubt be thereby secured. Against these advantages must be set the risk of failure of the works, or in the supply of water-risks which however will be reduced to a minimum if the investigation which he proposes be made before hand by a competent Engineer. 8. Mr. Price’s suggestion regarding the aqueduct is most worthy of consideration but it would, in my opinion and in that of the members of the Managing Committee, be impossible to take the dam out of Mooradkhan’s hands. The control of643 the Hubb water is all that makes his Hubb estates valuable, and everything short of conveying to him the fee simple or the lease of the river bed has been done to secure him such con- trol. An arrangement has even been made for him, settling how much shall be paid to him for such water as may be used by the cultivators of Bela, a foreign territory beyond the river. Interference with him now, after he has spent lacs of rupees on his land and engines and in endeavours to build a dam and in plant to enable him to restore the latter or build another, would be in the highest degree unjust. Practically it would amount t@ confiscation of his property. 9. These circumstances being considered, our first idea was to allow him to, complete his dam and if it held the supply of water upon which he calculated, to then consider whether we should close with his offer to bring the latter to Xurrachee, or should buy it from him at the dam, and bring it in ourselves ; and this is all that need have been done had the plan for the dam been drawn up by a competent professional Engineer. The designer, however, was Mr. Mathieson, Mooradkhan’s Superintendent, a very intelligent man but with only a slight knowledge of Engineering Science. I am acquainted generally with his plans and I have had great doubts as to whether the openings which he meant to leave in the dam would sufhce to prevent the silting of the reservoir above it, a point On which Mr. Price lays considerable stress. Indeed it would seem from Mooradkhan’s first letter as if Mr. Mathieson reckoned on the reservoir silting up but did not consider that much of an evil. 10. On mentioning my doubts to Mooradkhan, he said that he himself wished for nothing so much as the assistance of a competent Engineer to superintend his works and put him in the way of doing it properly. He thought a visit two or three times a month by some Government Engineer from Kurrachee would suffice, for whose transport, he, having plenty of carriages and horses, would provide and he said he would be too glad to follow all his directions. Mr. Mathieson who 1s perfectly competent would superintend the work and see it properly carried out. Mooradkhan’s idea was evidenly to work without a regular plan and estimate, but to carry out such directions as he might receive from time to time from the Engineer. ey. ce 5, mp % ee ig fe eS Six c t oo , Pe ia ok oy ee a oN ee Ee eee Aas c we ee . 3 5 Me de en pte at Ce ae ee - Aa ante bbtiee i aa a ae ge ey he ed Ch ee 2 ets kee . ; a. ree me i eae ae * 3 we eats ys ety Ng cee UK (EARS ey644 rf. On again consulting Mr. Price however, it became clear to me that the plan for ‘the dam required to be entirely redesigned | in order to render it successful, as unless numerous openings be left in it the reservoir will certainly silt up. There are almost insuperable difficulties in the way of Mooradkhan, himself getting a person fully qualified for such work, whilst any one “employed on it will have ample time to revise the aqueduct plans, to make out plans and estimates for the distribution mains and will be able to ascertain the quantity of water that may be expected long before the completion of the dam. As it is all but certain that this quantity will extteed the minimum supply of 23 lacs of gallons proposed by Moorad- khan; it seems to ee that it is well worth while for the Municipality to spend 5 to 7,000 rupees out of its funds in an effort to prevent the failure of such a very promising scheme, even if those efforts should ultimately fal. THe sum [ have mentioned is what Mr. Price roughly esti mates as the cost of designing the dam, giving a little ae rintendence during its construction, revising plans and estimates of the aqueduct and making plans and estimates of cisterns mains; and | consider that the risk of losmg such a small amount to be nothing compared to the advantages which we may hope to secure by expending it. 12. Such are the reasons which induced me to recom- * That a copy of the foregoing Resolution mend the Managing Com- : . es os ; be communicated to Khan Bahad ur Murad mittee of tne Municipality to Khan and that he be requested to state if he : AM nHIoOV i H rineer 1S prepared to enter into an agreement with Sass ploy an tt NS 5 ine CT, and the Karachi Municipality to construct his nga Cee that - y to adopt dam at the Hubb according to the design and = D : Resolution quoted i in my under the supervision of the Engineer who une ony be appointed by Government to that second para OTe iph in the pro- aes | priety of which 1 hope you will concur. ‘The Managing Committee have passed a second Resolution which I give in the “margin asking Mooradkhan to bind himself to Eola i the Engineer’s plans. Ihave no doubt that he will agree to this, but it will be necessary to word the agreement so that he will clearly understand that the Munici- 7 pality is in no way bound to him by the assistance which it otters. I will see to this when informing | him of the Resolution. ¢O45 13. It may be here asked why, if the Municipality were ready to pay all the expenses of the investigation proposed, should it not at once engage an Engineer to make them, instead of applying to Government to appoint one ? and this brings me to the subject of the doubts expressed by Mr. Price as to Mooradkhan’s ability to carry out his scheme without some assistance m money from the Municipality. I have made particular enquiries from him on this point, and he has been most frank and open in his replies. He expresses his fixed determination to complete his dam under any. circumstances, and wanés no assistance towards it. He has a Locomotive just out trom England, now being put together at the Railway Workshops ; he has for some time had two or three engines tor working pumps and has several miles of rail ready to lay down to carry the stone for the dam. He intends to com- mence work immeditaley after the August rains and hopes to complete the dam by next February. I have no doubt he will do as he says. 14. But as regards the aqueduct he says that if his offer is accepted he will require an advance of six lacs of rupees during the progress of the work, (the latter to be always in advance of the former), to be repaid by instalments out of such annual rental as the Municipality may agree to pay him for the water. The Municipality will certainly require the aid of Government to raise either the six lacs wanted by Moorad- khan, or the entire amount required to carry out the works on its own account, and it will also look to Government to pay a portion either of the latter or of Mooradkhan’s rental, as the case may be. It would therefore be utterly useless for it to enter upon the investigation of this or any other scheme unless assured of the co-operation and aid of Government in case the result of those investigations should prove favourable. 15. It remains for me to say a few words on another important branch of the subject, vzz., the ability of the inhabi- tants of Kurrachee, even with the assistance of Government to meet the taxation necessary to secure a sufficient supply of water. On this point I beg to quote the following extract from the Municipal Budget Report for 1865-66, having reference to ee ane ke a ae RUE LAE EBT Pe 7 FOSEines ss NN ot. 646 a scheme submitted by Messrs. Grimes and Newnham for Me bringing water to Kurrachee from the Indus :— “a guarantee of two lacs per annum 1s asked for i from the Municipality. We are not yet clear as to how such a sum can be raised at present, but beg to lay the follow- ing figures before you. We have no trustworthy returns of houses, but if we take the population at 60,000 which is the lowest estimate, or at 1,00,000 which the highest, and take the usual estimate of four persons to each house, He we would have 15,000 and 25,000 as the number of houses respectively and the former is the numbet given by Mr. Naomull our most experienced member. Taking the houses at 15,000 the annual charge would be rupees 13°333 per house, and taking them at 25,000 the charge would be only rupees 8. As however Government would most probably contribute 50,000 rupees of the two lacs required, the charge per house would be reduced to rupees Io or rupees © according to the number. We are inclined to think that the Municipality might safely give the guarantee asked for, and impose a house rate to meet it. ** 16. These words are now equally applicable. We can | see pretty clearly that a tax may be raised. The impost per i house may be even less than that stated in the foregoing extract, for we can sell large quantities of water profitably | at Keamari ; but nevertheless I look upon the raising of even one q lac of rupees per annum, in addition to our present Municipal i taxation, as an impossibility, until the Municipal body is recon- stituted and strengthened by the introduction into it of a few H independent European merchants and other men of some edu- | cation and enlightenment, having influence in the town. It is true that I could even now carry a resolution at a Municipal meeting for the imposition of a tax, but the native Sindhi members would vote unanimously against it; they are dead against any house tax, and are insensible of the want of good water; and then opposition out of doors would be so strong that I could not venture unsupported to act in opposition to it. The Act, a draft of which was long since submitted to Govern- ment, supplies all that is necessary and its introduction isso much wanted on other grounds that I trust the passing of it or of some modification of it, will not be much longer delayed.vantages of Mooradkhan’s scheme:— 17. I will now just sum up the chief features and ad- 1st—The distance the water has to be carried is 100,712 feet equal to 19 miles. and—of this 47,269 feet are in cutting. 17,060 feet on raised duct. 14,611 feet in tunnel. 21,172 feet in iron pipe. *rd—Mooradkhan’s estimate is Rs. 10,31,400. 4th—Raised by Mr. Price to Rs. 16,00,000. sth—For which the minimum supply of water is to be 23 lacs of gallons per diem, being 20 gallons per head for 100,000 inhabitants, or 30 gallons for 60,000 with three lacs to spare for roads, gardens, etc. 6th—-Mooradkhan adding to his estimate Rs. 1,20,000. 7th—Proposes to make the works capable of supplying 60 lacs of gallons. 8th—lIt is nearly certain that 23 lacs can be supplied, but there is no certainty that much more would be forthcoming. g9th—Mooradkhan asks 2,00,000 rupees per annum, for 23 lacs of gallons per day. toth—Reduced by Mr. Price if the Municipality under- take the whole work to Rs. 1,50,000. 11th—Two lacs per annum for 23 lacs of gallons per day = 3 annas 9°7 pies per 1,000 gallons, 12th—For all over 23 lacs, Mooradkhan proposes to charge 2 annas per 1,000 gallons. 13th—Mr. Price calculates that an addition of 1 anna to the former rate will pay for all the distributing mains, stopcocks, stand pipes, ete., thus bringing REF LMT EO EY 7 Sa ST EI CT OS eH a Pas ohioSmee 648 water along every main street for say 5 annas per 1,000 gallons. If to this we add 11 annas it will cover or more than cover the charge per house service making it up to one rupee per 1,000 gallons. 14th—The Municipality now charges the Harbour works 5 annas per 100 gallons = Rs. 3-2-0 per 1,000 gallons for water delivered at their work- shop through pipes from Rambagh tank. 15th—My own water delivered by Bheesty e«osts me Rs, 2-15-2 per 1,000 gallons and costs many very much more. 16th—The ordinary charge in the Saddar Bazaar is Rs. 2 per month for one pakhal per day, which equals a rate of Rs. 2-7-0 per 1,000 gallons. 17th—-The cost therefore of fairly good water from the Hubb delivered in every house will be a good deal less than half what we at present pay for bad Kurrachee water. 18th—In conclusion I must apologise for the length of this letter caused by my fear of omitting any- thing material to a subject of such vast import- ance to the town of Kurrachee I have, etc., W. R. LAMBERT, Magistrate and President, Kurrachee Municipality.To THE COMMISSIONER IN SIND, Kurrachee. Sin’ I have the honour to submit for your consideration the result of the surveys I have undertaken in accordance with your letter No. 2414, dated 19th December last, with the view of providing a supply of good fresh water for Kurrachee. 2, The plans accompanying this report are as follows :— No. 1.—Sketch map of the country between the Hubb River and Kurrachee, showing the surveys made and the course|of the proposed aqueduct from the dam on the river to a central point at Kurrachee. No. 2.—Section of the course of the proposed aqueduct. No. 3.—Plan of the basin which will be formed by the construction of the dam across the Hubb River, with sections of basin. No. 4.—Plan and section of filtering well, plan and section of distributing reservoir, sections of measuring tanks, aqueduct, tunnels, etc. The River Hubb is stated to have its source in the range of hills adjoining Khelat, it flows through an uncultivated and thinly inhabited country, the water appears pure and sweet. I have used it with.an engine for pumping water for irrigation for about two years and the incrustration in the boiler does not indicate the presence of salt. In December last | forwarded to Bombay for chemical analysis two bottles of the Hubb water, but the result of the analysis shows a considerable proportion of salt. On enquiry I find that the water sent was taken not from the pool at the foot of the pumps but from a hole in the sandy bed where it is possible some saline impuri- ties may have been deposited. At that time the river was very low, only a small stream from pool to pool. I am now L (tv) 355—82 a ~~ ps — hd at oS 2 Pmt _ ~. = = 3 — = * ad i aN a sit oe ‘ ial , ae ; 2 ae ea eee . ee eee : s Se I 6 TS SEES TT TE SI EG AGA STIR NTS NE a RR REY RE : ‘ x Rs : 7 = ; POPES SE TERT. ae OR Ma Se: Fs Ameer a uel a 5 Ne eS I AR EG OT PEM oe OOS Bal oo Le EE RG gh! oat ie ‘ ats he we iE ® ie ae i ; Sorel ea es eee ee SC me ER Be Fa cnc aa leet a cc - “ cRCrRE -_ aaa nil Bl ani a ed ee ea eet aCe ic Seah oe a ea ON NT es oF yr ee:oo SAaaegpes S S 650 preparing to send to Bombay for further test other samples taken from.different portions rf the river both at and above the dam, and from pools as well as from the stream itself with the view of ascertaining the source of the saline impurities. The result of this investigation shall be duly communicated to you. 4. The freshets in this river are independent of any rain- fall in the neighbourhood of Kurrachee and occur usually about the months a January, March.and July from rain in the Baluchistan hills. The depth of these floods is from eight to twenty-five feet but they rapidly subside owing to the - great slope of the river bed nearly six and half feet per mile. On the dam being completed the water will stand back nearly three miles and a half giving an area of 281 acres and contents of 12,90,17,272 cubic feet or 80,63,57,950 gallons. The water will be taken from the river at seven feet below the crest of the dam, this awe of the entire basin gives 7,63,83,772 cubic feet or gallons 47,73,98,575 equal to nearly seven months comsumption, irrespective of the current which as the lacs of gallons daily are pumped from the river bed at present without any dam or without any sensible diminution of the current below the engine house may be expected to keep the water nearly up to the crest of the dam during the hot months or until the occurrence of the next freshet. It may be urged that the portion immediately above the dam will shortly silt up, but this deposit being sand will contain a large proportion of water and to provide against any deficiency arising from silting of the basin, the dam will be fitted with top sluices to retain an additional four feet of water by closing them after each freshet ; this arrangement : 1D pears preferable to erecting on each occasion a temporary wall as is done at Poona and elsewhere after the monsoon. ol 5. During the freshets and for some days afterwards the water 1s ch 1arged with’ suspended matters. The Basin will however operate as a settling reservoir, leaving only a filter to be provided. A modified arrangement of the ' system in use at the Veter” a) ke will probably best meet. the requirements of this SUD t consists of a filtering well or tower 30 feet interior di lh ae built at the inner foot of the dam, its height ‘to be over the highest flood level or about 30 feet from the plinth of the dam, to have double walls four feet afiatt, tree feet thick at bottom and two at top and built of accurately fitted blocks of a permeable. sand stone or littoral concrete having courses of hard stone at every ten feet. The space between the walls to be filled with fine sand or erounded roek, thus securing a filtering medium of eight feet. The water will pass from this well to the aqueduct through a masonry channel in which will be inserted a gauge to admit the exact quantity agreed upon, the excess caused by pressure from the rising of the river Will be adjusted by measuring tanks placed at intervals beyond the influence of the highest floods. These tanks to be fitted with self acting gauges and waste weirs to convey surplus water back to the river in the event of the sluices becoming deranged. 6. By careful survey the bench mark at the sluices was ascertained to be 89°66 feet above the Railway Datum at Trinity Church; I therefore sought for a line which at a minimum cost and of the shortest length would have a uniform fall of two feet per mile and a head from the distributing reservoir of about sixty feet above the top step of Trinity Church. The line selected fulfils these conditions and I will now describe it. 4. From the dam the aqueduct will be in cutting for nearly three miles, and to cross the low land at the base of the range of hills bounding my estate it will be elevated on a basement well footed into the soil. The spoil from this found- ation will revet the basement and on the aqueduct being crested I will be prepared to embank this portion so as to form a bund with suitable sluices for irrigation. A short tunnel of about 600 feet will clear this range of hills, the rock here is firm and compact and only masonry flooring appears to be requisite. The aqueduct will then cross some low land in the ‘Mahie garee’ plain, again supported on a basement and frora thence in cutting to the second tunnel through the range of hills beyond the Moach plain near the Dharamsala. ‘This tunnel will be about 14,000 feet long and from the soft nature of the rock will be the most expensive portion of the line, the tunnel requiring to be lined with masonry throughout ; from the mouth of this tunnel to the distributing reservow the aqueduct will be within soil. rea ee) ona ae eo te al My: oa ‘ 1 %, 2 nie652 8. I have designed the distributing reservoir to contain nearly three days supply to be covered over and to be twenty feet in depth, from the silt of the aqueduct which latter. will be 59°53 feet above the top step of Trintiy Church. From this reservoir toa point near Ranchore Lines the water will be conveyed by a 24-inch pipe thus securing a head of sixty feet while the distributing reservoir is full. The area of the aqueduct is a question deserving the most serious attention, as were it constructed simply to meet present wants its adaptation to the wants of a more ¢xtensive population would be impracticable except at a very heavy out- lay; I have therefore designed it to have a breadth of two feet and a height of four feet interior measurement, with a flat top of covering slabs excepting places where the weight of the earth above appears to require an arched top, This aqueduct when running about one foot and a half in depth will give a velocity of nearly 85 feet per minute and a discharge of 254 cubic feet per minute equal to 23,00,000 gallons per day a quantity probably sufficient for present requirements and for future wants, if running at about three feet in depth will have a velocity of nearly 95 feet per minute and a discharge of 570 cubic feet per minute or per day 50,00,000 gallons, I consider that to reduce the above dimensions either in depth or height would most materially affect its utility and even the saving thereby would be trifling when compared to the advantage of being at all times able to clean and inspect it. On. the other hand looking to the prospective wants it might be. desirable to increase the width from two to two and a half feet. 10. The distributing reservoir is situated on rocky soil and couldreadily be extended as circumstances may require. A waste weir should be added to it at the height of the mean level of the water in the aqueduct with a trench to the One-tree tank into which all water surplus from the gauge at the en- trance should pass so as to prevent the water in the aqueduct from being dammed up. 11. The diameter of the pipe to convey the water from the distributing reservoir to Kurrachee, I have fixed at. 24 inches, ‘as giving a discharge with only one foot water in.the. reservoir of 50,00,000 gallons per day and with the reservoir full of 60,00,000 per day. I consider it absolutely necessary that ample provision should be made at the outset as hitherto the supply of water having been limited the actual quantity which will be required can only be really ascertained when the water-supply is impracticable operation. 12. Figures 1 to 10 show the proposed proportions of the filtering well, aqueduct, tunnel, shafts, air shafts, etc. Air shafts aye provided for the purposes of ventilation and cleaning at distances of 1,000 feet, and tunnel shafts at every two hundred feet to facilitate the works of excavation and construc- tion ; under each air shaft is placed a silt well to intercept all solid matter that may enter the aqueduct. The rates for masonry and excavation are such as | am prepared to perform the works for the cost of the pipe portion. I have inserted according to Mr. Brunton’s estimate. 13. I beg to append a detailed estimate of the entire cost of the project Rs. 10,31442-13-6 amounting to rupees ten lakhs thirty-one thousand four hundred and forty-two, annas thirteen, pies six, which is irrespective of the cost of the dam or the distribution over Kurrachee. Ihave confined myself to this limit as the works to this extent can without difficulty be constructed and maintained by private enterprise, the water to be paid for by the Municipal administration at a certain rate, but the distribution of the water over Kurrachee both as regards cost and maintenance of the works and the collection of rates will no doubt be undertaken and carried out by the Municipal Administration. 14. Respecting the quantity of water to be supplied per day, I have assumed the minimum to be 23,00,000 believing as stated in para. 11 and as found in analogous cases that on the works being opened the very facility of the supply will increase the demand and consumption. And as a drainage scheme will doubtless follow the introduction of a water-supply it may be expected that the minimum daily supply will then reach about 50 lakhs gallons. The pipe from the distributing reservoir as now estimated for will give from fifty to sixty lakhs a ty = - s he oe aae aa ae a ee a oP TSE RE PF fe jad PORES EG a Be, ale eee Tr, ey i We his; aS Be ee ee Sa isa wo eae eee we ft ¥ oS STE ee” RS Lg PST FT I or EVE Ge he eT EE 4 RNS aa ge Oe OE is, Se TAS “Ste "i ps ~ ‘ sarees ae aN att a nies of654 of gallons daily, and the width of the aqueduct might in the | first instance be increased from two to two and a half feet to | give a corresponding discharge, while the reservoir at the Hubb ia would admit of this quantity being drawn off by simply increas- moa oe ing the height of the dam about four feet. I therefore beg to , submit this scheme for your favourable consideration trusting that it will be found to afford an adequate supply of good fresh water at a minimum cost. I have, etc., at ot . (Sd:)" MOORADKHAN, Khan Bahadoor. Kurrachee, 27th April 1867.Estima te of the probabl e expense of bringing a supply of water from the Hubb River to a central point in Kurrachee. —— 1,800 | 2,400 | 2,400 | 2,400 | 2,400 | 2,400 | 16,500 | 10,060 169 | 611 | 1,600 7,600 | Dis- tances, Do, Do. Do, Do. Do. Do. Se do. do. do. Excavating foundation for basement of| aqueduct over low ground. Excavation at mouth o! first tunnel Excavating first tunnel Excavation at end of tunnel Excavation foundation for basement of| aqueduct over low ground, No, Length, Breadth, | Depth, | Cubic feet. | t | 500 5 | 7 17,500 rec 600 ah 1525 46,500 | | tt 400 5) 13°5 36,500 | 600 5 | 19°5 58,500 1 600 5 | 18 54,000 1 1,800 ako Ty 1,26,000 1 2,400 5 12 1,44,000 1 2,400 5 11 1,32,000 ces 2,400 5 7 84,000 ae 2 400 5 4 48,000 1 2,400 5 3 36,000 Total ay 7 ,83,000 Morum 78,300 Earth ae 7,04,700 l 10,060 5 4 2,01,200 Earth 2,01,200 1 169 5 16 13,520 Rock 13;520 1 611 22°28 16 13,613 Rock I e 13,613 | Fi oe | ) ‘| 1 1,000 5 18 ®0,000 Earth i, 30,000 Rock 60,000 1 7,600 5 4 1,52,000 Earth pS EI GEE TELETYPE ee alain aaa ibaa it a aS iS See Ta SOs Pear er ea iyExcavation to mouth of second) tunnel. Do, do. Do. do, ot Do. do. , Do, do. a Do. do. _ Do, do, x | Total a | Earth a Morum | Rock Excavating second tunnel Rock Excavating 69 shafts in length of tunnel running feet Morum Rock ae Excavation on to Distributing * eservoir, Do. do, Do, do. Do. do, Do. do, | Do, do, € Do, do. | Do, do, 4 | Earth | Morum Rock Length, 1,800 2,400 1,200 1,200 2,400 2,400 1,800 4,000 4,966 1,800 600 2,400 2,600 3,200 4,000 200 1,600 On on on Cubic feet. 63,000 168,000 42,000 90,000 3,00,000 3,48,000 3,42,000 | 13,53,000 4,51,000 | 4,51,000 4,51,000 7,09,949 2,49,591 62,398 1,87,193 3,60,0C0 99,000 3,60,000 2,60,000 2,72,000 3,60,000 | 13,000 | 56,000 | 4,45,000 | 6,67.500 6,67,500Panes TtPs Liebe) alpha ith dae hea or et Pps Pen iieteiac, Lars Dis- | Does a | share: escription, | No, Length, , Breadth. | Depth. | Qubic feet. | ie | | | 200 | Excavating Distributing Reservoir an 1 | 206 | 106 | 25 5,45,.900 boo ai | | Be | Morum al ie ne 1,36,475 f | = | Roek alee ee eck” ee See eae cae 4,09,425 | oe yee ¢ 3,200 | Excavating Trench for Pipes wat tI 8 200 Ae) 19 243,200 e Q72 ) | | | a F : 972 Do. do, aes | re 972 4 | 13 50,544 ro ee * 1,400 Do, do, ve ] 1,400 4 13 72,800 do, 4,600 1,47,200 aw OS © ie . OO aa Do. do, . 1,600 | ae oe 44,800 5,600 Do, do, vs Bi | 5,600 | 4 | 6 1.34,400 ' i z 1,200 Do, do, | l 1,200 | 4 8 38,400 | | 6 Vo: do. oe 200 | 4 & i . Gao 5 | ) 800 Do, do, aos 1 800 | 4 Zz | 22,409 1,600 Do do. 1 1,600 | 4 8 | 51,200 3 21,172 | 811,344 . ae | |——— Earth ee a OO ee eas Morum on A a ay 1 25,000 Rock ‘ e a aa. to 25008 eg Masonry commencing from dam, fil- 1 573'78 4 1,736 e tering wellinside dam, Interior dia- meter 30 ft.,double walls with four © feet of sand or pounded rock (amygd :-| | loiol) between them, Foundation i ks 1: feet wide. | na Inner wall 30 feet high a x 1 12g 30 3,681 s ‘| Outer do. do. | 1 148°19 30°71} 4,445 Sand, ete. a qi A be 216°7 30 6,503 ae Coursed rubble in foundation 15736 Annimar best in walls es el fat | e sae ee 8,126 | Sand, etc, | | | 6,503 | Measuring tank fitted with self acting,| | | sluices, water gauges, etc, | | | Bottoms roel 2 20 20 Be 1,600 | } Sides 3 4 19. 10:* | gai 760 | | | | Ends ow 15 | ig} Sa 600 | | Sluices, &c, ...| | i Annimar best in two tanks .., 2,960 | Sluices water gauges, ete. ... as ss ove | . ft (iv) 355—°3 NR es ee el 2 ak | ae» ai 2 ee “ ey Dis- Deseription, No. tances. Co) ; Gh at ee | 26,560 | Aqueduct according to figure 7 from 1 | measuring tanks to 169 feet from} | mouth of first tunnel. | | Air shafts 1,000 feet apart figuring No, 9} running feet. Salt walls at bottoms of eaeh airshaft 25 figure No, 8. q Coursed rubble ae a cakes wea Basement of aqueduct over low greund,| 1 Do, do, - ] Do. do. } Do, &O ] Do, do, ] Do, do ] Do, do ] Do, do. ] Do do. 1 Do, do 1 10,000 | Rough rubble 169 | To mouth of tunnel, Arched section ] | figure No, 6, Air shaft at mouth, running feet 1 eel coursed rubble lp | Coursed rubble 611 | Tunnel, flooring only estimated for, l the rock appearing to be solid. | | Coursed rubble | | a ms . i 608 | From mcuth of tunnel arched section, l | figure 6. | . : r Air shaft at mouth, running feet ] Arched section, coursed rubble Coursed rubble Length. 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 16) | Breadth, Ph on Depth. | Qubic feet, 5. 30,020 | 3,984 | 4,017 5.59121 i pete pester q 5,29,121 4°50 22,500 3,90 27,509 6°50 32,500 7 00 35,000 7°00 35,000 7°30 37,500 8°50 42,500 10°00 50,000 11°00 55,000 10°00 50,000 3,87,500 3,87, 500 4,225 720 4,925 720 1D 3,666 3,666 15,000 720 15,000Mites ist iad Pra atte " , Sea Ue Gee eee Pe es | Dis | ae | | tances. | Deseription, | No. | Length. | Breadth. | Depth. |-Cubie feet. pe | an 4 bag eg | oe oy San oh ee |e a | ee PP sein Seda 7 or to 6.6e fe feom| 1 | een | A ea | Basement of aqueduct over low ground | 1 | 1,000 5 | 4 20.000 | es 1,000 | 3 8 40,000 | 1 1,000 2 9 45,000 | 1 1,000 5 Zt 35,000 1 1,000 5 5 | 45,000 ° Pied 1,000 | 5 5 | _ 28,000 1 1,000 | 5 3 | 15,000 | | 1 | 600 5 2 | 6,000 | | Lo win 6,606 | Arched section figure 6 to mouth of ee 6,660 a5 2 | 1,65,000 | second tunnel. | | | | Air shafts, running feet ‘ve | Lt 271 | a4 | an | 6,504 | Silt wells = ie SAR gat das | 23 | 154'50 | | 3,558 | Flat section coursed rubble?... a ans fy “ie ae | 3,13,007 | Arehed section coursed rubble | 1,65,000 | Basement, rough rubble | 2,11,080 14,000 | Tunnel section figure 4 bes nes 1 14,000 28°12 | 2 3,93,680 Shafts, running feet i ‘as IE 4,966 30°63 | 1,52,108 Arched Section in tunnel eoussed - sue A | ies 3,938,680 rubble. | Arched section shafts, coursed rubble... | 1,532,108 5,600 | Aqueduct arched section va. oa 1 5,600 25 | 2 1,40,000 ; Air Shafts. running feet uae | 1 192 24 | 2 4,608 Silt wells 524 sas ial os 6 154°5® | oe 927 Arched seotion, coursed rubble oe oe e a | «| 4.40,000 | Fiat seetion, coursed rubble aca 5,935 10,800 | Flat section on to Distributing Resetvoir 1 10,890 | 20°75 | 9g | 2,24,100 | Air shafts, running feet a fas | | 141 | 24. | 2 | 0 3,884 | Silt wells ie “ | 10 iar | asso) |) a ae | Flat section, coursed rubble ri pe | 2,49,089) | Distributary Reservoir— | | Bottoms aa] 1 206 | 106 | 2°5 54,840 | Sixes i 2 | 206 | 24 | a5 24,720 Ends si si fe a | 100 24 | a5 12,000 Pillasys to support roof | | rae es i a a- } | | f | | 1 Dis- Description. | No. | Length. | Breadth. | Depth, |Cubic feet. tancés. : | | » F | ; | Roofing square feet + 1 406 120. | ars | 24,720 ; | | macs en pee eae aa { Emission pipe and valves... Sasi i a .. i 97.260 . Coursed rubble ...| sa yb i Ae 97,260 a Roofing square feet ...| ed ‘és at rs 24.720 a Emission Pipes and Valves ... a ae . al j | | | joe! 3 ' | 3 Conduct pipe 24 inches diameter| ane ps Lay a if a thickness of metal 1 inch average. Hit | Feet | Tons be 21.172 | Weight of 1 foot im length 245'2 lbs. -..| ] 21,172 120 25 | 2,318 Cost as delivered at Keamari ...| | Cost of delivering along side tench sl Cast of layingQuantity, | 2.01,200 15,015 30,000 60,000 1, 52,000 4,51,000 4,51,000 4,51,000 7,09,940 2,49,591 4,45,000 | 6,67,500 NI wn oO 6,6 1,25,000 1,25,000 Excavating portion xX portion— Rock Excavating foundation fc portion Earth Excavating tunnel Earth for lirst arched tré Morum ... Rock T i YOrtlo l— r basement sec ich for aqueduct up to sec Exeavating second tunnel— Rock Excavating shafts for tunnels— Morum and rock ating Excav trench tor Reservoir— Earth Morum Rock aqueduct on Excavating Distributing Reservoir— Morum Rock Excavating treach for pipe— Earth Morum ... Rock UxcCavating foundations ior basement Hrst Ww us ABSTRACT. Per Rag: Deol} Git 0 100 0 100 0 100 0 100 U 100 0 100 0 LOO O 100 O 100 0 100 0 | 100 | | OG} 100 0 | 100 0 | 100 0 | 100 0 | 100 0 | 190 | 0 | 100 | | 0| 100 0 | 100 | 0 | 100 | Awmaount, 300 2,100 9,983 2,047 14,329 0 ‘) WwW oO Total. | OF 2,012 | a 473 7\ 1,089 0 | | | 2,400 0 | 1,520 | 0 | 0 | | 0 | 27,060 2| 56,795 | | 2| 9,983 0 | 0 | 0 |’ 37,825 | 0 | 0 | 16,377 | 0 0 } 0 | 11,863 Te a ee Ee ok? ee oes aay od uA 0 nS be)Fi] fe Quantity 3,87,506 3.666 15,000 “I SS So 3,02,950 : | 3,11,000 1,65,000 mt) ie 10,057 ia 3.93,680 1,40,000 e C. feet | tr 1,736 | 8,126 | 6.503 a y . i | 2,960 oo ~ , ' ‘i 5,59,121 Description. Masonry in filtering wells— Coursed rubble Annimar best Sand, etc. Conveyance of filtering stone from Bombay. Connecting well with dam measurmg tanks Annimar best Sluidses, gauges, etc. Aqueduct as per section figure 7— Coursed rubble Basement of aqueduct first portion— Rough rubble ees Aqueduct as per section figure 6— Arched coursed rubble Do, Tunnel flooring only— Coursed rubble Adqueduct as per section figure 6— Coursed rubble Do, 9 | Aqueduct as per section figure 7 — Flat top coursed rubble Basement rough rubble Arched section as per figure 6— Coursed rubble Do. Tunuel section as per figure 4— Coursed rubble .., Aqueduct arched section as per figure 6— Coursed rubble Rate, Rs; a: 60 O 85 0 20 15. Q 20 O 15:0 a5 0 20 0 20 0 25.20 20:0 20.0 152-4) fo 0 20 OD 25° 0 2 -0 LOU 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 | Rs. | | | 1,041 | 6 907 | 1,300 2,000 2,664 1,11,824 | 58,125 1,056 144 3,750 144 | 41,250 2,011 38 ,O%7 35,0060 | Amount. a, D. | 9 +7 Live 9 0°90 ll 4 0 0 0 0 5 2 0 0 70 04.0 et 2 DD 0° 0 0 0 0 0 O°. 0 4 6 4 070 0. Rs. 1,11 834 98,125 1,200 3,894 92,240 43,261 1,36.447 a. DP. 5 3 0 bo 36,107 6 0Ohake bi) bd, peaerens oh. leceigienein. ok cere ore ae) Description, Quantity. : = ; ) | | oS C. foet | Rs..a pi Gifee | RS a. Dp: | RSe ay ps Aqueduct flat section— | | | 2;29.029 Coursed rubble... sal> 20 <9 | P| 4580512 9] 45,895 12 9 Distributing Reservoir— | | : | | | | 97,260 Coursed rubble... “4 35 0 0| 100 | 34,041 0 0 | - i ‘ Ss 2 Roofing per 100 Sa, ft. eae =| 00 O Ox soe | 19-776, 0° 0} i Emission pipe, valve, etc, oe pe S00 0 @-). S467 0 6 ee i | Pe | | | ie 2,313 Conduct pipe oes “ icf) 80 0 Ot Ytonm }1,85,040,.0° 0) E : ¢ : i } | rn 7Q i Delivery along side trench .., = @ 8: Oh on per! 23597 0: 6 mile. ai 122 Laying pipe ‘ “at |) 013 4} Boot, 147,643 4 0 (055747010 Total | e | 9,82,295 1 6 SS ares rr ae ee Se tat Recapitulation. | Cost of filtering well .. he oa rn : oot f°? 13,914" 04-0 Cost of first tunnel 1.894725 9 Cost of second tunnel... | 2.03;245 13! 4 | i Cost of remaining part of masonry aqueduct tee ser ore | 4,/4,901° 9 3 | Cost ef Distributing Reservoir .., es sh oe “2 | ~70;994" 707 0 Cost of conduit pipe portion es rl 217 43577, 0 | | le } = — | : Total | 982,295 1 6 } i atolls Keegan Peco: ne ee | | | | Contingencies at 5 per cent, R a i see aut 49,147 12 0 | Ct | | Grand total Rs. ... BS eo ‘ }10,31,442 13 6 (Signed) MOORADKHAN, Khan Bahadur. K urrachee,a8 ame ee Rey Ot ege oe <2 i at Se rag easel oe Sayan st tal di ’ oem 4 ; BT gg Si ye , . ee ES, a au Dis 5 ane ces Be eels Ry thie _ - ag wg PRO: Ae 664 Major W. R. LAMBERT, Collector of Kurrachee. SIR, In continuation of my letter,dated 27th instant, to the address of the Commissioner in Sind and in accordance with your wishes that | should explain the terms upon which I would undertake to carry out the scheme of supplying Kurrachee with water from the Hubb River, I beg respectfully to submit for your favourable consideration my views on this subject. end. I will assume that the minimum daily supply shall be fixed at 22 lakhs of gallons, and that the works shall be cap- able of supplying upto sixty lakhs of gallons daily, as suggested in the concluding para. of my letter above quoted. This arrangement will increase my estimate to eleven and a half lakhs of rupees. ard. The cost of maintenance of the works, both as respect to repairs and efficient supervision, will be considerable, the pipe portion will demand much care and attention to prevent deterioration from the saline soil in which it will be laid | and spare pipes must be kept in stock. 4th. Looking to the outlay to .be incurred in keeping the works at all times in the most perfect order also to the cost of raising the dam an additional four feet with four feet sluices and to a moderate income from the amount expended, I beg to submit for your consideration the following terms. 5th. That I shall enter into an engagement to keep up , RS ‘ at oe Re ? ge rien & bil ica EO Manora, 23rd June 1867. I now return the plans and papers of Mooradkhan's Hubb Water-supply Project, and in answer to the two chief questions :— First.—I am of opinion that the project is not in a shape Re rea. tor submission to Government, or to any be done before submit- Ee for a definite opinion ; and that it HBE Tig OR a hould be carefully revised or rather framed anew by a Sou beisht Engineer—by such a course much time and trouble will, in the end, be saved. ‘ At the same time that the papers contain quite enough to show that the project is well w orth attention, Second.—The se cond question is not so easy to answer in the present state of the | Project, but Second what would b A ig 1 Age a fair remuneration to while assured that Mooradkhan oreatly Mooradkhan for his wyndertakes the cost of carrying out the expenditure and risk. . ioe / crc scheme my impression 1s that the Munici- pality ought to obtain the advant tages which he promases at a less cost than the rate of yearly payment named by Moorad- khan. At the same time if the scheme could not be carried out— as I think it might—without Mooradkhan’s intervention, it would be well for the Municipality to close with his offer. The arrangement would no doubt be a profitable one for Mooradkhan (if he could find the means for carrying through the work) but of course he might fairly expect to make | a good thing of his spirited venture. i i pio. in explan: ation of the first answer I may Say heen the h 8) project as drawn te even assuming the survey to correct as far as it goes, gives rather vague information as to the quantity of water obtainable, even at the minimum of 23 lacs of gallons da ly sti ill the presumption is in favour of that quantity at least Bding available and what a boon it would be to Kurrachee giving each of its 60,000 inhabitants 30 gallons daily and leaving 5 lacs of gallons over for watering roads and manufacturing purposes.3. But when it comes to increasing the supply to 60 lacs of gallons, or upwards of twice and a half the above, there is | may say no data to go on. Mooradkhan talks of getting this by raising the dam another four feet, but so far as his ey show, the probability seems all against this being suffici ] ng tl S a ies 4. lhen the question of siltnmg up of the reservoir requires to be studied ; and provision to be made against it in the construction of the dam, regarding which no “details are given. » 5. The dam should of course be most carefully design- ed and should in my opinion form a portion of the project to be submitted. 6. The levels of the country as shown are favourable, and I have no reason to doubt their correctness. This should however be carefully tested. 7. The estimate requires much correction; without going into details, 1 may mention a few matters which are apparent on a very cursory examination. je 8 The “distributing reservoir”, which Mooradkhan says (para. 8) is to contain nearly three days’ supply, 1.6.; Ga lacs of gallons, would hold only about 25 lacs, or a little over one day’s supply— Three days aEbe is decidedly the very least the eservoir ought ie be capable of contain- Yr > The dimensions area : Saat fee 3d 20 = 4,00;000 ine and on this account an addition of gallons 4,00,000 x 6 = about 12 lacs of rupees should be made 25,00,000. to the estimate. 9. Onthe other hand the iron piping is designed un- necessarily thick. 5/8ths yap Pe sufficient. At the same time the price per ton might well be increased from f 8 to £ to leaving about 40,000 to be deducted from the estimate, on this account. eis | . big" Ss : ; eA ees RC AR Py - oe 5 abe . ae a a sy : EPS E Sey ame er Tepe ares Se ; : a be see ~ ae as ar & gre eae 3 ~ : a wg Fi ar ee ; a - . Sa r Sang ong 39 or erage © eS 4 aa Tee es os : ae " 1S, ae ; Se a ee ed ee ee ee ea LT EET we YOST AREY a SRST ae ee cae ae “668 10. The cost of the masonry of the aqueduct through- out should be increased by at least one-fourth. 11. The cost of the tunnel work is also greatly under- rated. The excavation rates should be doubled, and the masonry rate (beside the general addition noticed in last para.) should be increased by 50 per cent. For instance Moorad- khan estimates about 200 yards of tunnelling through hard rock, at about Rs. 1,000 or Rs. 5 per yard, ‘This (the short tunnel) or a portion of it might be tried under careful supervision, and thus an opinion might be formed of his rates for the remainder. He estimates the arched work of the tunnels at the same rate as in the open. I need hardly say that this would never do. 12. The alterations necessary on the above account are roughly of course— Extra for masonry of aqueduct (us Risk o@ Grae Extra for masonry of tunnels vee. bee Extra for excavation of tunnels sof Shy) GHIBGR Extra for distribution reservoir ,, 1,25,006 Rs. 4,11,013 Deducting for piping a 1) 40,000 AS, Sy'1\e13 Add. 5 per cent. for contingencies __..._,, 18,550 Volal 1... Rs. sages FE RE OT Rum eee eee or say 4 lacs of rupees to be added to the first estimate, making it rupees 14,31,442; or about 4% lacs of rupees to the second estimate making it Rs. 16 lacs.Pe 009 13. tis possible that errors may exist in the estimate which I have not detected as I have not examined it in detail. The details also of filtermg and measuring arrangements would require to be carefully worked out. I have however pointed out enough | think to show that the project requires careful revision. The information as to strata specially at the tunnels, is very deficient. No borings or trial shafts appear to have been taken as far as the papers show—and this should of course be attended to before attempting to frame a reliable estimate. ® 14. As regards the second question I may say that if the project cannot be carried out except through Moorad- khan’s Agency, I believe the Municipality would do well to close with his terms, if no better can be obtained from him. C1 I Two lacs of rupees a year for 23 lacs of gallons daily is only 4 annas per 1,0oco gallons—the cost of distributing mains ought not to be more than say one anna extra making a total of 5 annas for 1,000 gallons, the merest fraction of the present cost of water. In illustration I may mention that it costs the Harbour works at least 5 annas for roo gallons delivered in our workshops tank, and we think ourselves very fortunate to get the water at such cost through the inter- vention of the Municipal piping from the Rambagh Tank— which has paid for itself over and over agai. 16. But even supposing the water could not be obtained for a lower rate than that at which Mooradkhan offers, I think that the Municipality would do well to keep the provision of water-supply in their own hands, The arrangement 1s one of a kind very open to dispute, and even though it might work well with Mooradkhan—the chances are that with his ‘assigns or successors difficulties would arise. 17. AndI believe that the Municipality could do the work much cheaper for themselves, if they could arrange either to make the dam, or to pay Mooradkhan a fair rate for the use of it—and construct the rest of the works them- selves, rs S . \ ae a re. ‘ oe ea a ae a a = ? wa © ” ef - i. ny » a i We fete a * 5 eee yc ae *y oh a ie ORT TST TE EY a eR AP Saeer ee mpeg srs Tey 670 18. lestimate the cost of the work, under such circum- stances roughly as follows :— * Estimated by Moorad-{ *Aqueduct etc. Rs. 16,00,000 khan at 114 lacs. ( Dam oo) ee Rs. 20,00,000 6 per cent. perannum on 20 lacs of .... Rs. 1,20,000 of rupees. Maintenance, etc. ne ey 3 40,000 Total: ...)° Wiss? “Tee Ome that is 14 lacs of rupees per annum for the minimum supply of 23 lacs of gallons daily for which Mooradkhan proposes to charge 2 lacs. 19. And then it comes to increasing the supply to 60 lacs of gallons—the saving by the Municipality keeping the works in their own hands becomes still more apparent. For this Mooradkhan would charge 2 annas for 1,000 extra gallons or Rs. 1,68,812 per annum on 37 lacs of gallons daily to bring up the supply to 60 lacs. 20. I roughly estimate the extra work in raising the dam and addition to distributing reservoir, with other expenses connected with the extra supply at a yearly charge of 1 lac of rupees. Thus we have— Charge by ' Cost if done by Mooradkhan. Municipality. For 23 lacs ae SSI 00,0 e Rs. 1,50,000 Extra tor 97 fats... ,, 1os®ie 3 OC uO — RS.»3,68,812 ... Rs. 2,50,000 rr ered ye Bae ety difference in favour of the Municipality doing the work Rs, 1,18,812 or say at the least a lac of rupees per annum.21. I may perhaps be over sanguine in assuming that the Municipality could get the money at 6 per cent. though | should think this might be managed, as it is a matter in which Government would no doubt be glad to lend a helping hand. 22. But at any rate it is certain the Municipality can get money on as favourable terms at least as Mooradkhan can. The latter may have peculiar facilities in command of labour for this particular work and if so he would be in a position to underbid any contracts for carrying it out—in this way no doubt hjs agency might very well be employed. 23. I cannot help thinking that if Mooradkhan under- took the work even on the terms he proposes he would after a year or so want an advance of coin—and that the Munici- pality would in the end have to pull him through with the job. A company might carry it out, but not I think any one man of Mooradkhan’s means ; and then if he gets into difficulties, will he not have a kind of claim upon Government, after having been invited by the Commissioner in Sind to enter on the project—or at least having had some inducement held out to him. 24. As regards your remark about the surveys of the eround where the pipe is to terminate, this would make no difference as to the distribution of the water—as no stand pipe would be required. At the same time it would no doubt be well if it could be managed to have the distributing reservoir nearer to the town so as to have less piping between to go wrong—this may perhaps be altered somewhat, but is not, I think an essential point. as. I fear you will say | have written too much about this, but the subject is one in which I would gladly help if in my power knowing as of course we all must, what a boon a good water supply would be—both for the health and appearance of the place—besides bringing in a handsome addition to the Munici- pal revenues. W:; HH. PRICE, roe m Re EN NE ET ME ™ rz ree ROR pcre > = — s . ; i : a RDG, ee go Ne NE RL a ae Td ee et cy % ” = Re rear A CERES: or Tea Gree were ao gine 3 Ds or he } esti < y ae] ae oe Se brs 2 : ORE Ne S055 Cet eo ee eee ae Ce ee: . ‘ sateen ok hed simi oe ik ment Engineer. Your Excellency in Council will however ' RR Tan ae ay ae SAO Y gE Ra eee ' en te” Wake tat ecg aLae “Couutlacae SR co ot we i ees 678 perceive from the more recent, letter dated 23rd ultimo, from Moorad Khan, that though soliciting the advice of a Govern- ment Engineer, he declines to commit himself to the adoption of any particular plan, and reserves the right to act upon his own discretion. 8. This materially alters the aspect of the case,~ but renders it simpler, because if Mooradkhan preferred a different plan from that approved by the professional advisers of Government, the negotiation would thereby terminate as far as Government interest in the work is concerned. ‘ g. Reterring however to the proposed advance of money from time to time by the Municipality, with the assistance of Government, towards to expenditure on the aqueduct, there would be thus created a triple interest between (1) Mooradkhan as entire owner of the dam with its irrigational adjuncts and joint owner of the aqueduct. (2) The Municipality. (3) Government. These are conditions which, even if they worked smoothly at the commencement with Mooradkhan himself, would inevit- ably lead to confusion in relation to his heirs and assigns, and this difficulty though not insuperable, would require cautious treatment. 10. Returning to the subject of the proposal of the Municipality mentioned above in para. 3, I think there can be no objection to their using their discretion in the expenditure on plans and supervision at the desire of Mooradkhan, to the extent of a few thousand rupees. I would also submit for the favourable consideration of Your Excellency in Council the recommendation of the President that a Government Engineer be allowed to undertake the duty. Lieutenant Merewether, now engaged on the Harbour Works is, I understand, willing, if requested, to do what is necessary and has the consent of of Mr. Price. Mooradkhan, whose confidence in the matter it is desireable to secure, would be satisfied with the selection of this able and indefatigable Officer, ’11. It appears fair that the Officer selected should receive some remuneration for the extra labour and responsibility imposed, and this the Municipal body have expressed their willingness to defray. I therefore solicit the early instructions of Your Excellency in Council—firstly, as to the proposal of the Managing Committee of the Kurrachee Municipality, and secondly, if that be approved, as to the nomination of an Ofhcer and the amount of remuneration he should receive... The plan involves Government in no responsibility and commends itself as promising to place one of the plans for Kurrachee water-supply before ¢he Superintending Engineer and Government in a position for definite adoption or rejection. 12. An analysis has been received from Bombay of the water sent from the Hubb River, and though this is not al- together favourable, I believe [ may state that local testimony is so strongly in favour of the practical use of the water for drinking purposes, that the discovery of chemical deposits ought not to prevent the purely tentative step now recom- mended. | have the honor to be, Right Honorable Sir, Your most obedient servant, W. H. HAVELOCK, Acting Commissioner in Sind. eer gen a ee ey oe eh ok $,. Serer 9 hate ts “ ak LAIR URS ES INT HS Psi a aS680 ho xc: ao cy t An analysis of water from the Hubb River. SINS a 1. Hubb River No. 1 from site of dam, centre of stream Bi Sth May 1867. Pe | 2. Hubb River No. 2 from river opposite Hn gime-house Sth May 1867. 9 River No. 3 from river at one mile, 8th May LAD , > Hubb River No. 4 from river at two miles, Sci May C1 Hubb River No. 5 from pool at site of dam, 8th May 1867, Hubb r Or Db iniver No. 6 from pool at EKnegine-house, 8th May 1867. } oy oe. < i. a om Ps ‘a fe a a. a ae oe ] : : All the Sample; nad a taintly Saline taste, and were clear, 1 BENS ae pee 2S All A aoe colourless, and GEStILULE Of OGOuTr. fall CEPOSHEG OF standing Maly Rena) Winantite AP wallaceteh Joa ‘pres an extremely small quantity of yellowish sediment. consisting chiefly of vegetable (S. O.) Summary . nalysis of six sambles of water taken fron . Y . NALYSIS OF Six Samples of water taken from 17 a ] Fe . ar 7 the [1ubb River near Kurrachee. i 2 3 4 eee 6 J f 4 No. of sample. anaes : Grains per gallon ‘ Organic matter 62 55 2 . | g 12 55 53 49 48 | ‘49 | | eer € ) SD > a | Chlorine : Sif 4B%o 18°39 1839 | 18°39 | 17°26 | 16'90 , | Sulphuric acid 12°98 1298 12°98 12:86 11-90 | II*go i Lime ie re 6:86 6'86 5°98 6°08 5°29 | 6°34 a Magnesj | | ae 479). 454) 505] 200) Boel ee Be | ; : : | Total solid 03°42 04°54 63°56 66°08 58°52 58:24 | Specific gravity -'T,000°8g )1,000°94 1,000°63 |1,000°S1 1,000°81 |£,000°82 wf f | Clark’s d egrees of hardness68 1 NO. 324. OF 1867. The undersigned presents compliments to Khan Baha- door Mooradkhan, and begs to inform him that an analysis of the specimens of water from the Hubb River, drawn on the 8th May last and forwarded to the Chemical Analyser, Bombay, has shewn that the water is highly impregnated with salts and consequently not wholesome for drinking. A copy of the analysis is annexed. ]; ;,GORDON, soils hts, Secretary, Sanitary Commission. Poona, 27th June 1867. LITE LE a Zasemap wee eC Le (in) 955-- 86 er a cee aa ee ay eaere oe 682 Now LC. W.-t.0F- [aec: PUBLIC ‘WORKS DEPAK TMEN® Bombay Castle, 3rd January 1868. SuBject.—Water-supply. Supplying Kurrachee with water from the flubb River. Letter from the Commissioner in Sind No. 1792, dated “th August 1867. Forwards with observations, correspondence on _ the subject of supplying Kurrachee with water by means of an aqueduct to be carried from a dam now under construction on the Hubb River, at a distance of about 16 miles from Kurrachee. RESOLUTION.—Government are of opinion that further examination should be made b2fore the arrangement sug- gested is adopted; and that it is not advisable to derive the water-supply of Kurrachee from any private source, if any other arrangement is feasible at no great increase of outlay. 2. Mr. Price inhis capacity as Superintendent, Kurrachee Harbour Works, has now but little to do; he should therefore be deputed to examine the banks of the Hubb River in the neighbourhood of Mooradkhan’s Bund, with a view of submitting to Government a project independent of Moorad- khan, while at the same time he should test that of Moorad- khan as an alternative scheme. 3. The Municipality should supply Mr. Price with all assistance he may require in the way of surveyors, draftsmen and establishment, and should defray his travelling expenses; at the rate of 10 rupees per diem, when actually employed on the duty away from Kurrachee, but Government will not require them to grant Mr. Price any further remuneration. 4. ‘Mooradkhan should be informed that Government decline to take into consideration his proposal to supply Kurrachee with water until his bund is completed. BAKER, Acting Secretary to Government. To THE COMMISSIONER IN SIND.o23 G.R., P. WwW. BD: Ng. 1-6 Wr of 3rd January supplying Kurrachee with water from the Hubb River. 1868 re No. 84 OF 1868 POLITICAL DEPARTMENT. f Dated isth January 1868, Forwarded to the Collector and Magistrate of Kurrachee and President, Kurrachee Municipality, for information and guidance in reference to his letter No. 1301, dated rath July last. Mr. Price may be supplied with a copy of the printed correspondence, The instructions conveyed in para. 4 of the Government Resolution should be intim ated to Mooradkhan. a 4 Tey Ee mee oan ap FE aS page PEERS SH See ae a ee ae W. H. 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