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The Cúkies, in appearance resembling the Tartars, inhabit the more distant and elevated ranges. They are hunters and warriors, divided into many independent tribes; are much given to theft, and live mostly on animal food. The Hindoo distinctions of caste are not known.

5. Hooghly district, situated principally be tween the twenty-second and twenty-third degrees of latitude, and extending along both sides of the river of the same name, is bounded on the north by Burdwan and Kishenagur, south by the sea, on the east by Jessore and the Sunderbunds, and on the west by Midnapoor. The land is low, flat, and fertile, and the part bordering upon the sea, overgrown with jungle, is extremely unhealthy; its inland navigation is excellent, the surface being intersected on all sides with rivers and their branches. Threefourths of this division remain in a state of nature, and are the abode of tigers, alligators, with numerous other species of vermin and reptiles. The town of Hooghly, situated on the west of the river of that name, in lat. 22° 54′ N. and long. 88° 28′ E., was formerly the Bunder, or great sea-port of this part of India, and the place where the Mogul's duties were collected. The French, Portuguese, and Danes, had factories here, and were subsequently permitted to possess each a towr, comprehended however, within ten miles extent along the river. Abul Fazel, in 1582, describes it as follows: There are two emporiums, about a mile distant from each other, one called Statgong, the other Hooghly, and its dependencies, both of which are in the possession of the Europeans.' The name of Hooghly is not mentioned in Faria de Souza's History of Bengal, where it is named Golin.

In 1625 the Dutch, and in 1640 the English, were permitted to build factories here, but the trade was exposed to continual exactions. The first serious quarrel 'between the Moguls and Europeans happened at Hooghly, in 1632, when it belonged to the Portuguese. The Moguls with a strong army besieged it for three months, during which period the Portuguese made many offers of submission. All terms were, however, rejected by the besiegers, who having sprung a mine, carried the place by assault, and commenced a most dreadful slaughter of the Portuguese. For the latter there seemed no escape; many who attempted to reach their boats were drowned, and those few who gained their ships in safety were immediately attacked on all sides. The captain of the largest vessel, having on board no fewer than 2000 men, women, and children, with all their wealth, rather than fall into the hands of the Mahommedans, blew up his ship, and many others followed the example; till, of sixty-four large vessels, fifty-seven grabs, and 200 sloops anchored opposite the town, only one grab and two sloops remained. In 1686 the English were involved in hostilities by the imprudence of three of their soldiers, who quarrelled with some of the nabob's peons. The action that followed was the first ever fought by the English in Bengal, and ended in the defeat of the nabob's troops. A disadvantageous peace was nevertheless shortly made, and the English, thinking themselves insecure in Hooghly, which

was an open town, removed to Chata-natí, or Calcutta. Hijeli, or Hijala, west of the river, in lat. 21° 50 N. and long. 88° 10' E., consists of salt and redeemed marsh land, close to the mouth of the river. It was formerly the capital of a fanjdárí, or military station, in the súbah or province of Orisah, but in the reign of Sháh Jehán was annexed to Bengal.

Culpee, in lat. 22° 6' N., and long. 88° 25′ E., situated on a creek near the east bank of the river, is surrounded by wood, and very unhealthy. Kedgere, or Kijarì, in lat. 20° 55′ N., and long. 88° 16′ E., lies at the mouth of the river, where it is nine miles in width. Ships of war generally anchor here, the air being much more salubrious than Diamond Harbour, where the Company's ships unload, and take in the greater part of their homeward cargoes. Statgong (the seven villages), was anciently a place of considerable note, though now sunk in comparative insignificance. It is situated on a creek, a little to the north-west of Hooghly, and in the middle of the sixteenth century small vessels were not able to approach. Fulta, in lat. 22° 19′ N., and long. 88° 20′ E., on the east bank of the river, is a village near which ships find safe anchorage, and are protected from the swell.

Barrack poor, about sixteen miles above Calcutta, has a park with a small menagerie, and is the station where the native corps, amounting to 4000 men, are in cantonment. An institution is established here for the instruction of cadets in the artillery and engineer corps; and, in the cold season, horse races are practised, under the patronage of the military.

Chander-nagar (in Sanscrit, Chandra-nagara), is a French settlement, advantageously situated west of the river Hooghly, and contained, in 1814, 41,377 inhabitants.

Chinsurah, Chinchura, better known by the name of Hougli, being situated near the suburbs of that anciently renowned city, is the principal Dutch factory in this part of India, and was established in 1656. The Dutch have no other possessions there, except their fort; the territory round it depending on the government of the country. One inconvenience attending this settlement is a sand-bank, that prevents ships from coming up nearer to it than Tulta, about twenty miles below Calcutta; occasioning of course an additional expense to the government. A school established in this place by Mr. May, for the instruction of native children, had on its list, in 1814, upwards of 1080 scholars. Reading, writing, and arithmetic, are taught to all; and English, as a reward to the most deserving.

The Portuguese formerly made Bandel, which is eighty leagues from the mouth of the Ganges, and a quarter of a league above the Hooghly, the principal seat of their commerce. Their flag is still displayed, and there are a few unhappy wretches remaining there, who have forgotten their country after having been forgotten by it. This factory has no other employment than that of supplying the Moors and the Dutch with mistresses.

Serampore, a Danish settlement, is situated on the west side of the Hooghly river, about twelve miles above Calcutta. It extends about a

mile along the river, but is very narrow, and has no fortifications. It is the head quarters of the Baptist missionaries.

6. Jessore (Jasar, the Bridge), situated between the 22nd and 24th degrees of north latitude, is bounded north by the Ganges, south by the sea, east by Kishenagur, and west by Dacca, Backergunge, and Jelalpoor. The southern part of this district, in the Sunderbunds, formed by alluvion, and the successive changes of the channels of the Ganges, is extremely fertile, though at the same time low, flat, and unhealthy. Its productions are numerous and valuable, of which indigo is the most important. A great proportion of the southern tract is covered with jungle, and inhabited by pirates and salt makers. The zemindary of Jessore was originally named Yusefpoor, in the revenue books, and early in the eighteenth century was conferred by Jaffeir Khan on Kishenram, a Khaist from Orissa. The chief towns are Jessore, or Moorly, Mahmud poor, and Culna; and the population, as taken in 1801, amounted to 1,200,000, in the proportion of nine Mahommedans to seven Hindoos.

7. Mymun Singh, situated principally between the 24th and 25th degrees of north latitude, is bounded on the north by the Garrow Mountains and the district of Rungpoor, on the south by Dacca Jelalpoor, on the east by Silhet and Tipperah, and on the west by Raujeshy and Dinagepoor. This district is of more recent formation than the adjacent ones, on which account it underwent no separate mensuration in 1784. It is low, flat, and fertile, and, since the perpetuation of the decennial settlement, is much improved. It is intersected by the great river Brahmapootra, into which flow innumerable tributary streams, and during the height of the rains the whole face of the country is nearly submerged. The chief town, Bygonbary, on the west side of the great river, in lat. 24° 46′ N., and long. 90° E, is the residence of the judge and collector, subordinate to the Dacca court of circuit; and the population, in 1801, amounted to 600,000, in equal proportions of Hindoos and Mahommedans. Siraj-ganj on the J' hinayí, near the confluence of that river and the Cónayi, is perhaps, next to Calcutta, the greatest mart in the whole province, although not to be found in any map.

8. Moorshedabad was formerly included in the Raujeshy, but has lately passed among the moderns as a separate division. Its boundaries are very difficult to define, but it may generally be considered as having the Ganges and Jellingi rivers to the north and east, Nediyà to the south, and Birboom to the west. In 1813 it was considered as the worst regulated of any part of the province; in consequence of which an assistant magistrate was appointed to reside within its capital. It is remarkable, that whereas this part of the province was formerly considered as particularly healthy, it is now extremely the reverse. Moorshedabad, the capital, seated on the most sacred branch of the Ganges, was originally called Muckhsoosabad till 1704, when Moorshed Coolee Khan transferred to this place the seat of government, and conferred the present name. It stretches eight miles in length, cover

ing both sides of the Bhagiratty or Cossimbazar
River, about 120 miles above Calcutta. The
streets and buildings are bad, as is the case in
most Indian towns; but the transit commerce is
very great, and the river, with the exception of
one interval in the year, is covered with boats of
all sizes. From the month of October to May,
when the river is nearly dry, much of the com-
merce is removed to B'hagwán Gólá, a port on
the parent stream of the Ganges. A canal be-
tween the two streams, formed in 1813, has been
of great service; but the unhealthiness of the
place, which, in 1814, almost exceeded belief,
has caused the population visibly to decline.
The Mootyjeel, or Pearl Lake, in this neigh-
bourhood, is one of the windings of a former
channel of the Cossimbazar River, and in the
reign of Ali Verdy Khan, was dignified with a
palace ornamented with columns of black marble
from the ruins of Gour, the ancient capital of
Bengal. A considerable part of the town is pro-
tected froin inundation solely by the Bulabeg
pushtah, or projecting embankment, which every
year occasions great expense to the government.
Gang robbery, or dacoity, is common; and the
charges for the city police, in 1814, were esti-
mated at the annual expense of 36,000 rupees,
(£4500).

When the seat of government was removed from Dacca, by the Nabob Jaffier Khan, Moorshedabad became the metropolis, and continued so till the conquest of the province by the British, in 1757, when it was virtually superseded by Calcutta. It remained, however, from its centrical situation, the seat of the collector-general of the board of revenue till 1771. At present, besides being the residence of the native prince, Moorshedabad is the head quarters of a court of circuit, including the following subordinate districts: viz. 1. Monghir, or Boglipoor; 2. Purneah; 3. Dinagepoor; 4. Rungpoor; 5. Raujeshy; 6. Birboom; and 7. Moorshedabad. The population, in 1801, was estimated at 1,020,572, in the proportion of one Mahommedan to three Hindoos.

9. Nuddea (Nara-dwípa, the new island), situated between the 22nd and 24th degrees of north latitude, is bounded on the north by Raujeshy, on the south by Hooghly and the Sunderbunds, on the east by Jessore, and on the west by the Hooghly river. It was anciently called Oukerah, and more recently Kishenagur, from the zemindar who held it. Its soil is peculiarly fertile in all the dearer productions of Indian growth, but so light as to require a fallow for three successive years. Jasarush (from which a red dye is extracted), and pipal (piper longum), are grown here in great perfection. Cultivation has greatly increased since the decennial settlement. The inland navigation spreads itself through every part of the district; but the necessary embankments are difficult of formation, owing to the extreme lightness of the soil. In 1784, according to the mensuration taken by Major Rennell, this district comprehended 3115 square miles, and in 1801 contained a population of 764,000, in the proportion of two Mahommedans to seven Hindoos. The chief towns are Nuddea, Kishenagur, and Santipoor.

Nuddea, at the confluence of the Jellinghy and Cossimbazar rivers with the Hooghly, in lat. 23° 25′ N., and long. 88° 24′ E, was the capital of a Hindoo principality, previous to the Mogul conquest of Hindostan; but, on the invasion of Mahomet Bukhtyar Khiljee in 1204, was taken and entirely destroyed. It was afterwards distinguished as a school for Hindoo learning, and upon the decline of that Brahminical seminary, during Lord Minto's administration, a sum of 13,000 rupees (£1600), was assigned for its support.

Chogdah, east of the Hooghly river, thirty-four miles north of Calcutta, is celebrated as the place where the Hindoos used formerly to drown themselves in the holy stream: it is said they are now satisfied with the mere ceremony of immersion. Falásí, or Plassey, is the place near which Lord Clive, with an army of 3000 men, of whom 900 only were Europeans, completely routed the Nabob with no fewer than 50,000 troops, by which victory he acquired the possession of Bengal.

Agha-deep, Agá-dip, or Agra-dwipa, is a place of pilgrimage where the Hindoos resort, on account of the supposed image of Crishna, and brings a revenue to its proprietor of £300 per annum. It was seized by the late Raja Nob Kishn (Nava Crishna), for a debt, but was recovered by a law suit.

rung boundary, is floated in the rainy season down to Calcutta. The chief rivers are the Cosah, and Mahanada; the chief towns, Purneah, Tanjepoor, &c. The population, as taken in 1801, amounted to 1,450,000, in the proportion of seven Mahommedans to ten Hindoos.

During the Mahommedan government, this was a frontier military province, under the rule of a foujdar, subordinate to the soubalıdar, or viceroy; possessing, nevertheless, a considerable share of independence Of these provincial governors Syef Khan is the most remarkable, who ruled until his death in 1759, when he was succeeded by Soulet Jung; on whose death the government was usurped by Shouket Jung, or Khadim Hossein Khan. This rebellion was quelled in 1763, by Cossim Ali Khan, the nabob of Bengal. In 1765 Purneah devolved with the rest of the déwani (stewardship) to Lord Clive.

Purneah, or Púrínyá, the capital of the above district, lies in lat. 25° 45′ N., and long. 88° 23′ E. 124 miles north-west by north from Moorshedabad. It is rather a crowd of villages than a town, and is of late extremely unhealthy. The best part of it is east of the Saongri river, and consists of one wide street, opposite to which is Rám-bagh, a dry sandy plain, on which are erected the houses of the Europeans, courts of justice, &c. Nat'h-púr is situated in lat. 26° 17' N., and long. 87° 3′ E., on the bank of the Cósi, in the wet season, but some miles distant after the water has retired.

almost entirely submerged. The tract, peculiarly liable to inundation, was anciently called Varéndra. About Hariyal the country is woody and wild. The shallow lakes, or j'hils, are protected by a guard-boat, under the command of a jemâdar, or corporal; but since the decennial settlement the improvement is considerable. Within the limits of this province are produced four-fifths of all the raw or manufactured silk used or exported from Hindostan. Numerous commercial towns and populous cities, are also contained in it, from which the manufactures are supplied.

10. Purneah (Purinya), situated about the 26th degree of north latitude, is bounded on the north by the Morung hills, in the Nepaul territories, on the south by Monghir and Rajemall, 11. Raujeshy (Rajshahi), situated principally on the east by Dinagepoor, and on the west by between the twenty-fourth and twenty-fifth deTirhoot and Boglipoor. Abul Fazel, in 1582, grees of latitude, is bounded on the north by describes it as follows: 'Sircar Poorneah, con- Dinagepoor and Mymunsingh, on the south by taining nine mahals; revenue, 6,408,793 dams. Birboom and Kishenagur, on the east by Dacca, This Sircar furnishes 100 cavalry, and 5000 in- Jelaldoor, and Mynumsing, and on the west by fantry.' This district, comprehending 5119 Monghir and Birboom. It is traversed by the square miles, is a compact, well-watered flat, Ganges, and its innumerable arms, by the overdiversified with a few hillocks; in the north-flowing of which, from July to November, it is eastern angle, in the region contiguous to the Mahanadà, and near Manihari, not far from the Ganges, is a calcareous stone, the only rock in the whole district. The soil, though in some places light and sandy, is in general fertile, producing opium, fir-masts, and other valuable timber, together with the common productions of India. The northern part is covered with immense woods, and very thinly inhabited. Numerous shallow lakes and morasses are formed in deserted beds of rivers, and almost all the streams have changed their courses since the date of the Bengal atlas drawn up by Major Rennell; the high lands are, nevertheless, most productive. The rains do not last so long, neither are the heats so scorching, in this district, as they are further east and south, by which means the climate is rendered more healthy and salubrious. The prevailing winds are south during the rainy season, but north in the winter, and the frost exceedingly severe. Potatoes were introduced here by Mr. Smith, of Nát'h-púr, and had come into general use among the natives before 1810. The cattle of this district are excellent; butter made from buffaloes' milk is clarified, and exported under the name of G'hí. The Saul timber, with several other species, from the woods on the Mo

The zemindary in 1784, according to Major Rennell's measurement, contained 12,909 square miles, and yielded a revenue of twenty-four lacks of rupees. The population, in 1801, amounted to 1,500,000, in the proportion of three Mahommedans to five Hindoos. chief towns are Commercolly, Nathor, the residence of the judge and magistrate, Bálía, &c.

The

Ráj-mahal (the King's palace), anciently called Acbar-'nagar, and Cánc-jól, though belonging to Bengal, is now attached to Bahár. It lies on the south-west bank of the Ganges, and was formerly the seat of an important military govern ment, established on the confines of the two

provinces, for the purposes of securing the passes, especially that of Telía-gár'hí.

Tellia-gurry, or gully, in lat. 25° 2′ N., long. 87° 43′ E., was originally called Ag-mahal, and exchanged into Ráj-mahal by Man-sing'h, who, in the reign of Acbar, made it the capital of Bengal. Sultán Shujáâ, the brother of Aurangzèb, made it the metropolis of Bengal and Bahar, for which its situation is extremely well adapted. The ruins of his magnificent palace, called Sangí-dálán, are still visible, and the tomb of Mírair, the son of Jâfer Alí, is kept in good repair.

Sicly-gully, or Sáncrí-gálí (the narrow pass), one of the most celebrated defiles in Hindostan, is about eight miles north by west fron Rájmahal, and forms the boundary between Bengal and Bahar. It is not, as was supposed, the only pass by which the former of these provinces is accessible, since the Mahrattas, in 1742, invaded it from another quarter.

Oudanulla, a small town in lat. 24° 56′ N., and long. 87° 52′ E., although 300 miles distant from the sea, is the nearest place where any thing so coarse as gravel can be found in the bed of the Ganges. It is also distinguished by the extensive lines formed in 1764, by Kásim Ali, and forced by major Adams. Few traces of them now remain.

12. Rungpoor (Rungapura), situated in the north-eastern extremity of the province, about the twentieth degree of latitude, is bounded on the north by the Bootan hills, on the south by the Mymunsing, on the east by the Brahmapootra, and on the west by Dinagepoor. Separated from Cooch Bahar by the river Durlah, it is an extremely irregular district, the boundaries of which, being ill defended, are exposed to continual incursions from the neighbouring states. The river Cáratóyà, which divides this district from Dinag-púr, is continually shifting its course, as are most of the other streams by which it is traversed. To the north-east are several lakes, the largest of which lies five miles north of Jugig'-hópa, and on the eastern side is a red soil, called Ranga-nati, covered with stately forests, overgrown with plants of an extraordinary size. East of the Brahmapootra and Choncosh, is a considerable extent of hilly country, surrounded on all sides by low lands. The heat is more moderate than in the western regions of the province; and the cocoa-nut, which has been supposed to require the proximity of the sea, flourishes at Góal-parah, 250 miles from the nearest coast. The face of the country is open, flat, and well-watered; the soil fertile. The chief rivers are the Teesta, Durlah, and Brahmapootra. The chief towns are Rungpoor, Mungulhaut, and Guzgotta.

In this district the inhabitants, having no mills, dress their wheat like rice, and all the gear necessary for carrying on a small farm of one plough may be bought for seven shillings. Rhinoceroses, elephants, and black bears, are found in the forests. The frontiers, bordering on Mórung and Bútáu, are inhabited by wandering tribes of mountaineers, called Kichacs, or Gidarmars, who live by robbing and plundering. The natives, in general, are unhealthy, and numbers

die in their infancy. Prostitution is extremely common, and is carried on by a regularly organised society, which is the less surprising as the country forms a part of Camarúpa, the Paphian empire of the Hindoos. In 295 houses were found 460 women from twelve to twenty-five years of age, besides a number of others more advanced in years, who, together with several men and boys, the offspring of this abandoned community, acted in the capacity of servants. These women, though they affect the manners of the Hindoos, are of Mahommedan origin, and may be adduced, in the face of our modern infidels, as another proof of the superior morality of the Mahommedan code. The Mussulmans of this district, when in distress, frequently address their prayers to the saints and deities of their idolatrous neighbours.

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Rangpoor, or Rungpoor, under the Mogul government, was a military station, on the froutier, towards the Morung and Cooch Bahar, and was first partially wrested from the rajah of the latter district in the reign of Shah Jehan, when it was formed into a circar. It was afterwards completely conquered by the generals of Aurungzebe in 1660-1, when it received the name of Fakercoondy; and, with the pergunnah of Koondy, formed the modern district of Rungpoor, comprehending a territory of 2679 square miles, distributed into several zemindaries. Within the jurisdiction of this district may be included that of Rangamatty, and the adjoining rajahship of Cooch Bahar, comprising in all the dimensions of its financial divisions 6610 square miles. In 1765 it fell, with the rest of the province, into the possession of the English, since which it has been progressively advancing in the scale of improvement. The ruins of Comotápur, and the city of Prit'hi Raj, in the division of Sanyasi-góta, show what the splendor of this country must have been when in the zenith of its glory. The air, it is said, is not extremely salubrious; and glandular swellings in the throat are frequent among the inhabitants.

Rungpoor, in lat. 25° 43′ N., long. 89° 22′ E., is rather an assemblage of four distinct villages than a town. It is frequently named as the capital of Assam, but is in reality only the military station to the real capital Gergonge. A considerable number of towns form a circle round the Rungpoor division, which is twelve miles in length by ten in breadth. There are few public buildings of brick, as temples, mosques, &c., and the Europeans reside at D'hap, near an excellent road, shaded with trees West of Rungpoor is a bridge, built in the reign of Roodra Singh, by workmen from Bengal, which may be deemed the western gate of the military fortress. The protection on the south is an immense causeway, or line of fortification, extending from Namdaugh to the Dhekow.

Chilmarry, or Chilmári, is a place of great resort, particularly on account of a neighbouring sand-bank, called Varum chúr, a place of pilgrimage to the Hindoos. Near Ranga-mati, or Rungamutty, is the great forest of Parbat Joyár.

Goalpara, (Goal-pára), on the south side of the Brahmapootra, in lat. 26° 8' N., and long. 90° 38′ E., is the principal mart for the people

of Assam, who come hither to barter coarse cloths, sticklac, tar, wax, and gold, for salt. There is a considerable fishery at the beautiful lakes called Toborong, north of Jugig'hopa, where 1400 maunds (112,000 pounds), are annually taken and dried; one-half of which quantity goes as tribute to the raja of Bijni. Near the village of Tocor is a very remarkable hill, formed of one vast mass of granite.

13. Silhet (Srihata, a rich market), situated between the twenty-fourth and twenty-fifth degrees of latitude; is bounded on the north and east by a lofty ridge of mountains, inhabited by several wild tribes; on the south by Tipperah and Mymunsingh, and on the west by Mymunsingh. The mountains which form the boundary of this district rise with peculiar abruptness from the plains on the western side, and are probably branches of the great chain of Himalaya, stretching in a south-easterly direction, through Chatigang and Aracan, to the Indian Ocean. The mountainous scenery of this district is very striking and delightful, when contrasted with the flat landscapes of Bengal. Conical hills, rising at intervals, form one broad basis, clothed to their summits with the charms of freshness and verdure; and lofty mountains, in the directions before described, rising like a wall to an extraordinary height, are objects which delightfully break and diversify the prospects in many parts of this interesting region: 350 miles from these mountains, to the east, lies the province of Yun-nan, in the Chinese empire; and the intervening space consists of wild and rugged land, at present imperfectly explored. In 1784 Silhet contained 2861 square miles, of which the revenue was only 233,924 rupees. It forms the most easterly part of the Company's possessions in Hindostan, and, in 1582, was described by Abul Fazel as follows: Sircar Silhet, containing eight mahals, revenue 6,681,621 dams. This sircar furnishes 1100 cavalry, 190 elephants, and 42,920 infantry. Sircar Silhet is very mountainous. It furnishes many eunuch slaves for the seraglio.' During the rains the greater proportion of the land is laid under water by the overflowing of the Soormah and other rivers. When the floods are at their greatest height there is more than ten feet of water, in the midst of which the elevated sites of villages appear like islands. After the waters have drained off, the land is in excellent condition for the cultivation of rice. Food is remarkably cheap, the average price of rice being four or five maunds per rupee. In 1801 grain in the husk sold for fifteen rupees the 100 maunds, or rather less than a quarter of a farthing per pound, and wages were proportionably low. Limes and oranges are cheap, and of superior quality; the latter are grown in plantations, which, from their extent, might be called forests, and are sold on the spot 1000 for a rupee. It is very remarkable that in all our territories in Hindostan, there are only three places where excellent oranges are produced; viz. Sát-gar'h, between Madras and Bangalore; Chaud-púr, near D'haca, where they are delicious; and Silhet where they are little inferior. The hills in these places abound in limestone, which is perhaps the reason why the

soil is so favorable to the growth of the orange. Chunam (i. e. Chunah Lime), wax, ivory, and other articles, are procured from the K'hasias (Cosseahs), natives of the hills eastward. Aguru, (fragrant Aloe-wood, the Agallochum of the ancients, or Excæcaria Agallocha), and wild silk, are also articles of commerce. From the cheapness of the necessaries of life there is little occasion for gold and silver coin; a more minute subdivision of value being required. The rents are paid in cowries, which have become the medium of commercial transactions generally. The chief towns are Silhet, the capital, Azmerigunge, Láúr, &c. The Soorma and Megna are the principal rivers, and the population of this district, in 1801, amounted to 492,495 inhabitants, in the proportion of two Mahommedans to three Hindoos. Slavery, and the sale of children by their parents, appear to have existed amongst the people from time immemorial.

Under the Mogul government, Silhet was formed into a foujedarry, or military station. Its actual dimensions, since the dismemberment of several pergunnahs, are computed at 2861 miles, and divided into 146 small pergunnahs, held by about the same number of zemindars.

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14. Tipperah, situated principally between the 22nd and 24th degrees of north latitude, is bounded on the north by Silhet and Dacca, on the south by Chittagong and the sea, on the east by the hills and deep forests, which separate it from the Birman dominions, and on the west by the great river Megna, and the district of Dacca Jela'poor. It was described by Abul Fazel, in 1582, as follows: Bordering upon Bhatty is a very extensive country, subject to the chief of Tipperah, him they style Yeyah Manick. Whoever is possessed of the rajahship bears the title of Manick, and all the nobility are called Narrain. Their military force consists of 1000 elephants and 200,000 infantry, but they have few or no cavalry.'. This district is also named Roshenabad, and forms the chief eastern boundary of the province. In 1784 it was estimated to comprehend 6618 square miles, since which period various lands have been added. Its eastern limits are not yet accurately defined, being extremely wild, clothed with extensive forests, and abounding with elephants, &c. The gayal (a species of ox), is also found in a wild state. The region about the Megna, from Daoud Caundy to Luckipoor, is rich and fertile. It is celebrated for the production of the betel-nut, which is held in so great estimation among the Birmans and Arracaners, that they come annually and buy it nearly all up for ready money, after which they form contracts for the succeeding year. The cotton goods of this district, baftaes and cossaes, are celebrated all over the world. The elephants are numerous, but inferior to those of Chittagong and Pegu. The height of this animal has been greatly exaggerated In India that of females is commonly from seven to eight feet, and that of males from eight to ten, measured at the shoulder as horses are. largest ever known with certainty, belonged to Asoph ud Dowlah, the nabob of Oude, of which animal the perpendicular height at the shoulder was ten feet six inches One belonging to the

The

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