Sultanpur District, U.P.
This article has been extracted from THE IMPERIAL GAZETTEER OF INDIA , 1908. OXFORD, AT THE CLARENDON PRESS. |
Note: National, provincial and district boundaries have changed considerably since 1908. Typically, old states, ‘divisions’ and districts have been broken into smaller units, and many tahsils upgraded to districts. Some units have since been renamed. Therefore, this article is being posted mainly for its historical value.
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Sultanpur District
Physical aspects
District in the Fyzabad Division of the United Provinces, lying between 25° 59' and 26° 40' N. and 81° 32' and 82° 41' E., with an area of 1,713 square miles. It is bounded on the north by Bara BankI and Fyzabad ; on the east by Azamgarh and
Jaunpur ; on the south by Jaunpur and Partabgarh ; and on the west by Rae Barell and Bara Banki. with the exception of a gradual and scarcely perceptible slope from north-west to south-east, the surface of the country is generally level, being broken only by ravines in the neighbourhood of the rivers by which its dramage is effected. The scenery is of a varied character. Many spots along the Gumtl are exceedingly pretty ; but for the most part the country on both banks of that river is a dreary, bleak, and ravine-cut tract, occasionally relieved by mango groves. The centre of the District consists of highly cultivated and well-wooded villages ; while in the south, in strong contrast to this fertile tract, are widcspread arid plains and swampy jhils and marshes. The chief river is the Gumti, which enters the District at its north- western corner and, after flowing in an exceedingly tortuous south- easterly course through the centre, passes out at the south-east. Its bed lies below the surface of the country, and is at first badly defined, but high banks are found in the latter part of its course. There are several small streams, the chief being the Majhol, which forms part of the boundary between Fyzabad and Sultanpur. A number of shallow jhils or swamps are found, but none of considerable size or importance.
The geological formation of the District is entirely alluvial, but kankar or calcareous limestone is common.
The flora presents no peculiarities. The only jungle of any size surrounds Ramnagar in the south-west, though a few patches of dhak (Butea frondosa) are found elsewhere. Sultanpur is, however, well wooded, and contains magnificent groves of mango, jamun (Eugenia Jambolana), and mahua (Bassia latifolia).
Wild animals are very few in number ; the chief are wolves, jackals, and in places nilgai and wild hog. Small game, such as partridge and quail, and in the cold season water-fow-1 and snipe, are common ; and fish abound in the rivers, jhils, and large tanks.
The climate is mild and healthy. West winds prevail from October to June, gradually increasing in strength as the hot season approaches. The average monthly temperature ranges from 65° in January to 90 degree or 100° in May. Frosts are uncommon.
Over the whole District the annual rainfall averages 43 inches, the north receiving slightly more than the south. Great variations are not uncommon; in 1877 the fall was only 13 inches, and in 1894 as much as 91 inches.
History
Popular legend, as usual in Oudh, connects several places in the District with episodes in the Ramayana. The old town of Sultanpur bore the name of Kusabhavanpur, after Kusa, son of Rama, who is said to have founded it. At. the period of the Muhammadan conquest the District was held by the Bhars ; but no places of importance were situated within it, and no references to it can be traced in the Persian historians. Local tradition asserts that Kusabhavanpur was conquered by Ala-ud-din ; but the name of the conqueror is probably a mistake. The District formed part of the Jaunpur kingdom in the fifteenth century, and on the downfall of the Lodi dynasty became incorporated with the Delhi empire. Under the redistribution made by Akbar the present area fell partly in the Subah of Oudh and partly in that (A Allahabad, but 250 years later the whole District came under the Nawab of Oudh.
In 1856, when Oudh was annexed, a District of Sultanpur was formed, which included portions of what are now Bara Bank! and Rae Bareli Districts, while additions have been made to it from Fyzabad. The district assumed its present shape in 1869.
The only noteworthy incident in the history of the District since annexation is the revolt of the troops stationed at Sultanpur canton- ment during the Mutiny of 1857. Anticipating an outbreak, the European ladies and children were dispatched on June 7 to Allahabad, which they ultimately succeeded in reaching in safety, after a good deal of rough treatment and plundering at the hands of the villagers. On June 9 the troops, consisting of one regiment of native cavalry and two of infantry, rose in rebellion and fired on their officers, killing Colonel Fisher, the commandant of the station, and Captain Gibbings. Two civilian officers, Mr. A. Block and Mr. S. Stroyan, also lost their lives, one being drowned and the other shot while attempting to cross the Gumti. A few survivors were sheltered by the Raja of Dera, who remained loyal throughout, while other talukddrs espoused the cause of the rebels. Several actions were fought in the District before the close of the year, but it was not till November, 1858, that order was fully restored.
Many ancient mounds are found, which are connected by local tradition with the Bhars. Some of them have yielded Buddhist remains, but no regular excavations have been made. The chief sacred places connected with the story of the Ramayana are Sitakund, a bathing ghat on the Gumti close to Sultanpur ; and Dhopap, lower down the same river. At the latter place are the ruins of a fort built by Sher Shah, which is known as Shahgarh.
Population
The District contains 2,458 villages and only one town, the houses of the people being scattered in small hamlets. The population at the four enumerations was as follows : (1869) 1,040,227 ; (1881)957,9x2 ; (1891) 1,075,851 ; (1901) 1,083,904.
It is probable that the Census of 1869 overstated the actual number; but the District suffered from famine in 1877-8. There are four tahsils
— Sultanpur, Amethi, Musafirkhana, and Kadipur — each named from its head-quarters. Sultanpur, the head-quarters of the District, is the only municipality. The chief statistics of population in 1901 arc shown in the table on the next page.
Hindus form 89 per cent, of the total population and Muhammadans 11 per cent. Population is very dense everywhere, and emigration to the Colonies and to other parts of India is common. Considerable sums are remitted annually to their homes by the emigrants. The Awadhi dialect of Eastern Hindi is spoken almost universally.
Brahmans arc the most numerous caste, numbering 159,000, or 17 per cent, of the total. Other castes numerically important are: Chamars (tanners and cultivators), 140,000 ; Ahirs (graziers and culti- vators), 129,000: Rajputs, 87,000 ; Muraos (market-gardeners), 42,000 ; Kurmis (agriculturists), 38,000 ; Pasis (toddy-drawers), 38,000 ; and Koris (weavers), 35,000. Among Musalmans are found RajputS) 26,000; Julahas (weavers), 11,000; Shaikhs, 10,000; and Pathans, 8,000. Agriculture supports 81 per cent, of the total [)opulation. Rajputs hold about 90 per cent, of the land, the three main clans being the Rajkumars, Bandhalgotis, and Bachgotis. Brahmans, Raj- puts, Ahirs, Kurmis, Muraos, and Chamars are the chief cultivating castes.
In 1901 there were 75 native Christians, of whom 57 were females; 61 persons belonged to the Anglican communion. A branch of the Zanana Bible and Medical Mission was established in 1891.
Agriculture
The Gumti is bordered by a fringe of sandy land much broken by ravines. Farther inland, on both banks, the soil becomes a level fertile loam, which gradually changes both in the north and in the south to stiff clay. The whole of the riparian area is liable to suffer from the effects of floods and from water-logging after years of excessive rain. In the clay tracts the valuable late rice is the staple crop, while elsewhere other cereals, pulses, and millets are largely grown. Great plains of barren usar land are found in the southern clay tract, the largest areas lying in the south-wesl. There is a little alluvial soil in the bed of the Gumti, especially in the western part of the District.
The tenures are those conuiion to Gudh. Talukdari estates include about 60 per cent, of the total area. About 80 per cent, is in the hands of sub-settlement holders or under-proprietors. Complex mahdh, or revenue units extending to more than one village, are found in small numbers. The main agricultural statistics for 1903-4 are given in the table on the next page, in square miles.
Rice is the most important crop, covering 399 square miles, or 40 per cent, of the cultivated area. The other food-crops are gram (207 square miles), wheat (172), barley (156), and peas and masur (109). Sugar-cane was grown on 28 square miles; but some of the Rajput clans have a prejudice against its cultivation. Poppy occupied 13 square miles, and a little indigo is still grown.
Between the first and second regular settlement the cultivated area increased by nearly 8 per cent., and there has since been a further expansion. The rise in the area double cropped is still larger ; and the tendency seems to be to grow more of the inferior food-crops, such as peas and gram, which can be sown after an autumn crop has been reaped, while the area under wheat, which requires a period of fallow, has decreased. Sugar-cane and poppy are increasing in favour. There is a small but steady demand for advances under the Land" Improve- ment and Agriculturists' Loans Act, which amounted to a total of 2.7 lakhs during the ten years ending 1900, the loans in 1896-7 accounting for i-8 lakhs. In the next four years the loans averaged Rs. 3,200 annually.
The cattle bred locally, as in all the Districts of Southern Oudh, are exceptionally poor, and animals of a better class are imported. The ponies are also of inferior equality, but a stallion has recently been supplied by Government to encourage horse-breeding. Sheep and goats are kept in large numbers, chiefly for their manure.
The cultivators depend to a very large extent on natural tanks or jhils for water to irrigate their land. In 1903-4 tanks and jhils supplied 252 square miles, wells 225, and other sources 6. Irrigation from wells is the most reliable form, as the jhils dry up in years when they are chiefly needed. The number of masonry wells is increas- ing, and temporary wells can be constructed in most parts. In the famine year of 1897 advances amounting to Rs. 80,000 were given for this purpose, and more than 600 masonry wells were also made. The usual method of raising water from wells is by means of a leathern bucket drawn by bullocks, or, in the east of the District, by hand labour. where the spring-level is higher, a pot and pulley are employed. In the case of tanks water is raised by the swing- basket.
Kankar, or nodular limestone, is the chief mineral product, and is used for metalling roads and for making lime. Saline efflorescences are collected and used for making glass.
A little coarse cotton cloth is woven in a number of villages to meet the local demand. Metal vessels manufac- tured at Bandhua have a a;ood reputation.
Trade and communications
The chief exports are gram, while the imports in-
clude piece-goods, salt, and metals. The traffic on the Gumti was once considerable, but has declined with the construction of roads and rail- ways. Sultanpur, Gauriganj, Raipur, and Bazar Sukul are the chief markets. An annual fair and agricultural show are held at Sultanpur.
The main line of the Oudh and Rohilkhand Railway crosses the south-west corner of the District, and a branch from Fyzabad to Allahabad passes through the centre from north to south. The loop- line from Benares to Lucknow traverses the extreme east. Road com- munications are fairly good. Out of a total length of 857 miles, 99 miles of road are metalled. The chief routes are from Sultanpur town to Allahabad, Fyzabad, and Raipur, with a branch to Gauriganj. Avenues of trees are maintained on 70 miles.
Famine
The District has escaped fairly well from drought. In unfavourable years the poorer classes suffer from the effects of high prices, but distress has been severe only in 1877-8 and 1896-7. The drought of 1877 caused a failure of the autumn crops. Relief works were opened in 1878, but were not much resorted to. The harvest failed also in 1896, but a liberal system of advances enabled the people to sow a large area for the spring harvest, which turned out well. Revenue to the amount of Rs. 60,000 was remitted.
Administration
The Deputy-Commissioner is usually assisted by five Deputy-Collec- tors recruited in India. An officer of the Opium department is
stationed in the District, and a tahsildar at the head-quarters of each tahsil.
There are two regular District Munsifs and a Subordinate Judge for civil work. A scheme for the appointment of village Munsifs was introduced in 1902. The District is included in the Civil Judgeship of Rae Bareli and in the Sessions division of Fyzabad. Criminal work is generally light, and dacoity and other serious forms of crime are almost unknown. Crimes of violence are fairly common, but there is little combination among the people, so that riots are rare.
The records of the first summary settlement perished in the Mutiny. It involved large reductions in the estates held by talukdars. A second summary settlement was made on the restoration of order, the demand amounting to 9 lakhs. The first regular settlement, preceded by a survey, was completed between 1863 and 1870. In the southern part of the present District the assessment was based on the actual rent-rolls, checked by applying assumed rates selected from rates found to be paid. The northern portion, then included in Fyzabad, was assessed entirely at assumed rates. K revenue of 12.4 lakhs was fixed ;
but bad seasons and inequalities in the assessment made a revision of the demand necessary in the north, which resulted in a reduction of Rs. 36,000. The settlement courts also decided a very large number of disputed claims to land. The second regular settlement was carried out between 1892 and 1898 by the Deputy-Commissioner in addition to his regular work. At this revision the assessment was made on the actual rent-rolls, corrected where necessary. The new revenue amounts to i4'9 lakhs, representing 46 per cent, of the net 'assets.' It falls at an incidence of Rs. 1.5 per acre over the whole District, varying from Rs. 1.4 to Rs. 8 in different parganas.
Collections on account of land revenue and revenue from all sources have been, in thousands of rupees : —
Outside the municipality of Sultanpur, local affairs are managed by the District board, which in 1903-4 had a revenue and expenditure of 1.1 lakhs. Rates are the chief source of income, and the expendi- ture included Rs. 50,000 spent on roads and buildings.
There are 13 police stations ; and the District Superintendent of police has under him a force of 3 inspectors, 79 subordinate officers, and 306 constables, besides 15 municipal police, and 2,383 rural and road police. The District jail contained a daily average of 222 prisoners in 1903.
The District is very backward as regards the literacy of its popu- lation, of whom only 2.1 per cent. (4.1 males and 0.l females) could read and write in 1901. The number of public schools rose from 103 with 3,476 pupils in 1880-1 to 157 with 8,268 pupils in 1900-1. In 1903-4 there were 171 such schools with 8,464 pupils, of whom 71 were girls, besides 53 private schools with 492 boys and 52 girls. Only 887 pupils had advanced beyond the primary stage. Two schools are managed by Government and 117 by the District and municipal boards. The total expenditure on education was Rs. 36,000, of which Rs. 31,000 was provided from Local funds, and Rs. 5,000 by fees.
There are eight hospitals and dispensaries, with accommodation for 62 in-patients. In 1903 the number of cases treated was 30,000, including 670 in-patients, and 1,320 operations were performed. The expenditure amounted to Rs. 9,000, chiefly met from Local funds.
About 35,000 persons were successfully vaccinated in 1903-4, repre- senting a proportion of 32 per 1,000 of population. Vaccination is compulsory only in the municipality of Sultanpur.
[F. W. Brownrigg, Settlement Report (1898) ; H. R. Nevill, District Gazetteer (1903).]
