Rae Bareli District
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.
Contents |
Physical aspects
South-eastern District of the Lucknow Divi-
sion, United Provinces, lying north-east of the Ganges, between 25 49' and 26 36' N. and 80 41' and 81 34' E., with an area of 1,748 square miles. In shape it resembles a segment of a circle with the Ganges as the chord. It is bounded on the north-west by Unao on the north by Lucknow and Bara Banki \ on the east by Sultanpur and Partabgarh ; and on the south-west by the Ganges, which divides it from Fatehpur. The general aspect of Rae Bareli is that of a beautifully wooded, gently undulating Physical plain. It is markedly fertile and well cultivated. The principal rivers are the Ganges and the Sai, the former skirting the District for 54 miles along its south-western boundary, while the latter runs through the centre m a tortuous course from north-west to south-east. Both of these rivers flow in deep beds, but the Ganges is bordered by a fertile valley of varying width before the upland portion is reached. Between the Ganges and the Sai lies a chain of jhlls or swamps more or less connected with one another, and probably forming an old river-bed. North of the Sai are found many other jhlls ^ but these are ordinary shallow depressions and have not the narrow deep beds of the southern swamps. The Loni flows across the south- west corner of the District to join the Ganges , and there are many smaller streams, generally known as Naiya, which carry off water only in the rains, and drain the jhils to some extent.
The District is entirely composed of Gangetic alluvium, and kankar or nodular limestone is the only stone formation.
The flora presents few peculiarities. Up to the time of the Mutiny the stronghold of -every talukdar was surrounded by dense jungle, and
a scrub forest extended for twelve miles on either side of the Sai. Only a few patches of dhdk (Butea frondosa) now remain. The numerous groves are chiefly composed of mango or mahud (Bassia latifolia) and the nlm (Meha Azadirachta). Various kinds of fig, the babul (Acacia arabica), and jdmun (Eugenia Jambolana) are also common.
There are a few wolves, but jackals abound. Nilgai and antelope are scarce. Some cattle still roam wild near the Ganges and Sai. In the cold season water-fowl and snipe are plentiful , other game- birds include quail and a few partridge and sand-grouse. Fish are caught in the jhils, and also in the rivers.
The climate is healthy, and the temperature is not marked by extremes of either heat or cold. Cool nights are experienced well into the hot season.
The annual rainfall averages a little over 37 inches, the east of the District receiving the heaviest fall. As a rule the amount is not less than 24 inches; but in 1877, 1880, and 1896 it was only 13 inches. On the other hand, in 1867 and 1894 the amount was 60 inches.
History
The District has never played a large part in history, and it contains few places of importance. Tradition relates that the Muhammadan saint, Saiyid Salar, raided it in the eleventh century ; ry ' and from similar sources a few details are obtained regarding the three clans of Rajputs the Bais, the Kanhpurias, and the Amethias who still hold the greater part of the land. The first of these occupied a tract m the south and west, which was afterwards known as Baiswara. The earliest historical events of which reliable accounts have been preserved are, however, connected with the in- corporation of the District in the Shark! kingdom of Jaunpur, early in the fifteenth century. At that time the Bhars, who still held part of the country, were completely crushed. The Rajputs, however, were only partially reduced, and warfare was frequent till Akbar estab- lished a more settled government. Under that monarch Rae Bareli was divided between the two Subdhs of Oudh and Allahabad. After Akbar's death the Rajputs appear to have increased greatly in im- portance and power j and when Oudh became a separate state in the eighteenth century, Nawab Saadat Khan entrusted several of the chiefs with the collection of revenue in their own parganas. As disorders increased, attempts to assert independence became more frequent, and the history of the closing years of Oudh rule is one of constant fighting between chief and chief or between the Rajas and the court officials.
At annexation in 1856 a District of Salon was formed, extending from Purwa in Unao to Allahabad. A year had hardly elapsed when the Mutiny broke out. The sepoys abstained from rebellion longer
cent. Eastern Hindi is spoken by almost the entire population, the
dialect in use being Awadhl.
The Hindu castes most largely represented are Ahirs (graziers and cultivators), 129,000; Pasis (toddy-drawers and cultivators), 107,000 , Brahmans, 105,000, Chamars (tanners, labourers, and cultivators), 98,000 ; Rajputs or Chhattris, 67,000 ; Lodhas (cultivators), 64,000 , Muraos (market-gardeners), 48,000 ; and Kurmls (agriculturists), 44,000. Among Musalmans are Gujars, 13,000, Shaikhs, 9,000 , Pathans, 9,000 ; and Rajputs, 8,000. Agriculture supports 76 per cent, of the total population. Rajputs or Chhattris hold two-thirds of the District, the Bais and Kanhpuria clans being the largest landholders. Ahirs, Brahmans, and Rajputs or Chhattris are the most numerous cultivators ; but Lodhas, Kurmls, and Muraos are the most skilful.
There were 97 native Christians in 1901, of whom 68 were Metho- dists and 10 belonged to the Anglican communion. A branch of the American Methodist Mission was opened in 1864 and closed in 1901 ; but native catechists are still employed at a few places.
The low land m the valley of the Ganges, called kachhdr^ varies in width from two miles to a few yards. The lowest portion is flooded during the rains, but generally bears good crops in the spring the higher stretches are very fertile, and occasionally autumn crops can be sown in them. The uplands vary according to the class of soil. In the south it is a rich firm loam, producing wheat and poppy in the spring and millets in the autumn. As the /Mr are approached, the soil becomes heavier, and rice is the prevailing crop, which is followed in spring by gram and linseed. Large patches of barren fisar are common here. The valley of the Sai and its tributaries resembles that of the Ganges, but is inferior in quality. North of the Sai is another large area of rice land, producing also inferior spring crops.
The tenures by which land is held are those common to the Province of OUDH. About two-thirds of the District is included in talukdari estates, and 5 per cent, of the total area is sub-settled. Under- proprietors also hold about 5 per cent. The mam agricultural statistics for 1903-4 are shown below, in square miles : div class=Section1>
|
Tashil |
Total |
Caltivated |
Irrigated |
Caltivable waste |
|
Rae Bateli Dalmau |
371 472 |
216 256 |
94 123 |
70 76 |
|
Mahraganj Salon
Total |
465 440
1,748 |
233 241
1748 |
129 123
469 |
77 58
281 |
is the crop most largely grown, covering 268 square miles, or 28 per cent, of the net cultivated area. Wheat (176), gram (170), barley (139), pulses (gg\jowdr (95), arhar (81), and kodon and small millets (64), are also important food-crops. The District is one of the largest poppy-growing areas in the United Provinces. In 1903-4 the area under poppy was 48 square miles, and the price paid to the cultivators for their opium has sometimes exceeded the land revenue demand on the whole District.
Immediately after the Mutiny there was a great extension of cultiva- tion. The series of bad seasons commencing in 1891 checked the rise which had continued since the first settlement; but after 1897 another increase took place, and the net cultivated area is now about 7 per cent, higher than it was forty years ago, This increase in the area under the plough has also been accompanied by an extension of the system of double-cropping, and by an increase in the area sown on the banks of jhlls with small millet and rice to ripen in the hot season. The most important increase has been in the area under poppy, and the general tendency has been to cultivate the more valuable crops in place of" inferior staples. There has been a little reclamation of land by throw- ing dams across ravines to prevent erosion and to collect silt. Advances are freely taken, especially under the Agriculturists' Loans Act. The total lent by Government during the ten years ending 1900 was 3-8 lakhs, of which 2-4 lakhs was advanced in the famine year 1896-7. In the next four years loans averaged only Rs. 4,000. A few small agricultural banks have been started.
Pasture land is scarce, and the breed of cattle is poor, the best animals being all imported. Ponies are still largely used as pack- animals , but the breed is very inferior. A stallion is now maintained in the District, to introduce a better strain. Sheep and goats are kept in large numbers, to provide wool, meat, milk, and manure.
Famine
Rae Bareli is well provided with means of irrigation. In 1903-4 the irrigated area was 469 square miles, of which 300 were supplied from wells, 164 from tanks or jhlh> and 5 from other sources. The number and importance of wells is increasing, and the safety of the crops is thereby enhanced, z&jtiih fail in dry years, when most needed. The larger wells are worked by bullocks t but where the water-level is higher, the dhenkll or lever and the pot and pulley worked by hand are used. Water is raised from jhils in the swing-basket. "There -are very few artificial tanks, and those which exist are 1 ascribed to the Bhars. The larger streams are little used for irrigation, as their -beds lie deep below the surface of the country.
Kankar or calcareous limestone is found in both block and nodular formations in most parts and is used for making lime and metalling roads. Saline efflorescences called reh are collected for making coarse glass and for other purposes.
Trade and communication
The only manufacture of any importance is that of coarse cotton
cloth, which is made in many parts of the District. Finer materials
are produced at JAIS and RAE BARELI ; but the
and industry is dying out, as there is little demand for
them. Glass bangles and small phials are made in
a few places. Apart from these industries little is produced in the District.
Under native government the transit dues extorted by the land- holders prevented any trade of importance, and as late as 1866 the District consumed most of its own produce and hence imported little. The improvement of communications and the freedom from imposts have caused a great advance in this respect; and the District now exports grain, opium, poppy-seeds, hides, bones, oilseeds, and a little tobacco and raw sugar, and imports piece-goods, metals, salt, sugai, and spices. Rae Barell is the chief trading centre ; but Lalganj, Maharajganj, and Bamtl are rising in importance. Much of the trade of the south is with Kalakankai in Partabgarh District ; and the trade of Dalmau, which was formerly of some consequence, is declining, though it is still the site of a large religious fair.
The main line of the Oudh and Rohilkhand Railway enters the north-west of the District and turns east from Rae Bareli town, thus passing through the centre. Communications by road are fairly good, and have been much improved in recent years. There are 60 1 miles of roads, of which 115 are metalled. The whole of the roads are main- tained at the cost of Local funds, though the metalled roads and some of the unmetalled are in charge of the Public Works department. Avenues of trees are maintained on 69 miles. The chief routes are the roads from Rae Bareli town to Lucknow, Sultanpur, and Fatehpur. An old road from Delhi to Benares, north of the Ganges, passes through the south of the District.
Famine
Rae Bareli has suffered from severe scarcity and famine. The great desolation of 1784 was long remembered, and there was scarcity
again in 1810. The records of events under native
government are, however, meagre. After annexation
distress was experienced in 1864, 1869, and 1873, but does not appear to have been acute. In 1877-8 the deficiency in the rainfall was followed by widespread scarcity, causing acute distress for a con- siderable time, while actual famine prevailed for about two months, Relief works were opened both by Government and by the tafakddrs, and large sums were spent by the charitable, In 1881 drought again resulted in scarcity and the collection of revenue was postponed. Excessive and untimely rain in the period 1893-5 caused distress, which necessitated the opening of small relief works. The resources of the people had thus been seriously affected before the failure of
the rains in 1896, which caused the worst famine the District has experienced. More than a lakh was advanced for the construction of wells, and the revenue demand was suspended to the extent of 3 lakhs. In February, 1897, more than 90,000 persons were on lelief works; but the liberal advances made enabled a large area of spring crops to be sown and food-grains to be imported, and by the end of July, 1897, the famine was over.
Administration
The Deputy-Commissioner usually has a staff of four Deputy- Collectors recruited in India, and a tahsildar resides . . . at the head-quarters of each tahsil Three officers Admimstratlon - of the Opium department and an officer of the Salt department are stationed in the District
There are two District Munsifs, four Honorary Munsifs, and a Sub- ordinate Judge for civil work. Sultanpur and Partabgaih Districts are both included in the Civil Judgeship, and Partabgarh in the Sessions Division of Rae Barell. The most common variety of crime is burglary, for which the Pasls are especially notorious. Apart from this, serious offences are rare, and the people are quiet and law-abiding. Infanticide was formerly practised, but is no longer suspected.
At annexation, in 1856, a summary settlement was made, the records of which have perished. The estates of the talnkdars were largely reduced, villages being settled direct with the village proprietors. At the second summary settlement in 1859 a reversion was made to the actual position in 1856, except where estates had been confiscated for rebellion. The first regular settlement, preceded by a survey, began in 1860 and was earned out in different ways in the three Distncts of which portions now make up Rae Bareli. In Rae Bareli itself the assessment was for the first time based entirely on the corrected rent- rolls, with adjustments for land held at privileged rates. The methods adopted in PARTABGARH and SULTANPUR, which will be found m the accounts of those Districts, were based partly on the use of corrected rent-rolls, and partly on the selection of average rates of rent. The result was an enhancement of the revenue fixed in the summary settle- ment from 9-5 to 12-4 lakhs. This settlement was revised between 1892 and 1896, chiefly by the District officer in addition to his own duties. There was no resurvey, and the corrected rent-rolls as usual formed the basis of the assessment. The result was an increase in the demand to 154 lakhs, representing 47 per cent, of the net corrected 'assets.' The incidence of land revenue is about Rs. 1-3 per acre, and varies very slightly in different parts of the District,
Collections on account of land revenue and revenue from all sources are given in the table on the next page, in thousands of rupees.
The District contains only one municipality, RAE BARELI, and one town administered under Act XX of 1856. Local affairs outside of these places are managed by the District board, which in 1903-4 had an income of 1-2 lakhs, chiefly derived from local rates, and an expenditure of 1-3 lakhs, including Rs. 61,000 spent on roads and buildings.
div class=Section1>
=Quetta-Pishin=
A highland District of Baluchistan, lying be-
tween 29 52' and 31 18' N. and 66 15' and 67 48' E , with an area
of 5,127 square miles. It is bounded on the noith and west by
Afghanistan , on the east by Zhob and Sibi Districts , and on the
south by the Bolan Pass and the Mastung nidbat of the Kalat State.
==Physical aspects==
The District consists of a series of valleys of con-
i=iderable length but medium width, forming the
catchment area of the Pishm Lora, and enclosed
on all sides by the mountains of the TOBA-KAKAR and CENTRAL
BRAHUI ranges The valleys vaiy in elevation from 4,500 to 5,500
feet, and the mountains from about 8,000 to 11,500 feet On the
north he the Toba hills, containing the fine plateau of Loe Toba and
Tablna. This range sends out the Khwaja Amran offshoot south-
ward to form the western boundary of the District under the name
of the Sarlath. On the east a barrier is formed by the mass of
Zarghun (11,738 feet), with the ranges of Takatu (n,375 feet) and
Murdar (10,398 feet). Directly to the south lie the Chiltan and
Mashelakh hills. Besides the PISHIN LORA, \\hich, with its tributaries,
drains the greater part of the District, the only river of impoitance
is the Kadanai on the north, which drains the Toba plateau and
eventually joins the Helmand in Afghanistan. The District is subject
to earthquakes. Severe shocks occurred in Decembei, 1892, and in
March, 1902
Two different systems of hill ranges meet in the neighbourhood
of Quelta, giving rise to a complicated geological structure. The
principal rock formations belong to the Permo-Carbomferous , Upper
Trias; Lia^ Middle Jurassic (masbive limestone), neocomian (belemmte
beds); Upper Cretaceous (Dunghan) , Deccan trap; middle eocene
(Khojak shales, Ghazij, and Splntangi) 3 oligocene (Upper Nan) ,
middle and upper miocene (Lower, Middle, and Upper Siwaliks) , and
a vast accumulation of sub-recent and recent formations.
Except parts of the Toba, Zarghun, and Mashelakh langes, the hills
are almost entirely bare of trees. In the valleys are orchards of
apricot, almond, peach, pear, pomegranate, and apple trees, protected
by belts of poplar, willow, and slnjid (Elaeagnus angustifoha). The
plane (chinar) gives grateful shade in Quetta In spring the hill-sides
become covered for a little while with irises, red and yellow tulips, and
many Astragali. In the undergrsound water-channels maiden-hair
fern is found. The valley basins are covered with a scrub jungle
of Artemisia and Halo\ylon GriffithiL In parts Tamarix gallic a
covers the ground, and salsolaceous plants are frequent. The grasses
are chiefly species of Bromus, Poa, and Hordenm. On the Khwaja
Amran range wild rhubarb (Rheum Euiodi} is found in years of good
rainfall.
The 'reserved' forests in Zarghun foim a welcome breeding ground
for mountain sheep and mdrkhor^ but elsewhere they are decreasing
in numbers The leopard is found occasionally A few hares are
met with in the valleys. Wolves sometimes cause damage to the
flocks in winter, and foxes are fairly abundant. Ducks are plentiful
in the irrigation tanks in Pishm Chikor and MSI abound in years
of good lamfall.
The climate is dry ; dust-storms are common in the spring and
summer months, especially in that part of the Chaman subdivision
which borders on the Registan or sandy desert. The seasons are
well marked, the spring commencing towards the end of March, the
summer in June, the autumn in September, and the winter in December
Only in July and August is the day temperature high ] the nights are
always cool. The mean temperature in summer is 78 and in winter
40. The higher elevations are covered with snow in winter, when
piercing winds blowing off the hills reduce the temperature below
freezing-point. The total annual rain and snowfall vanes from less
than 7 inches in Chaman to io| in Quetta. Most of it is received
between December and March.
==History==
In former times Pishm was known as Fushanj and Pashang. The
ancient name of Quetta was Shal, a term by \\hich it is still known
among the people of the country, and which Rawhn-
son traces back to the tenth century. The District
was held in turns by the Ghazmvids, Ghonds, and Mongols, and
towards the end of the fifteenth century was conferred by the ruler
of Herat on Shah Beg Arghun, who, ho\\ever, had shortly to give
way before the using power of the Mughals. The Aiti-i-Akbarl
mentions both Shal and Pishm as supplying military service and
revenue to Akbar. From the Mughals they passed with Kandahar
to the Safavids. On the rise of the Ghilzai power in Kandahar
at the beginning of the eighteenth century, simultaneously with that
of the Brahms in Kalat, Quetta and Pishm became the battle-ground
between Afghan and Brahui, until Nadir Shah handed Quetta over
to the Biahuis about 1740. The Durranis and their successois
continued to hold possession of Pishm and Shorarud till the final
transfer of these places to the British in 1879 On the advance of
the Army of the Indus m 1839, Captain Bean was appointed the first
Political Agent in Shal, and the country was managed by him on
behalf of Shah Shuja-ul-mulk. In March, 1842, General England
was advancing on Kandahar with treasure for General Nott when he was
worsted in an encounter at Haikalzai m Pishin, but the disgrace was
wiped out at the same place a month later. The country was evacuated
in 1842 and handed over to Kalat. After Sir Robert Sandeman's
mission to Kalat in 1876, the fort at Quetta was occupied by his
escort and the country was managed on behalf of the Khan up to
1883, when it was leased to the British Government for an annual
rent of Rs 25,000 It was formed, with Pishln and Shorarud, into
a single administrative charge in 1883 Up to 1888 Old Chaman was
the most advanced post on the frontier , but, on the extension of the
railroad across the Khwaja Amran, the terminus was fixed at its present
site, 7 miles from that place. The boundary with Afghanistan was
finally demarcated in 1895-6
Many mounds containing pottery are to be found throughout the
District. In the Quetta tahsil the most ancient karez are known to
the people of the country as Gabri^ i. e. Zoroastrian, While the present
arsenal at Quetta was being excavated in 1886, a bronze or copper
statuette of Hercules was unearthed, which was 2\ feet high and held
in its left hand the skin of the Nemcan lion,
The number of towns is three, the largest being QULITA, and of
villages 329 The population was 78,662 in 1891
and 114,087 in 1901, an increase of 45 per cent.
The following table gives statistics of area, &c , by tafalls in 1901 .
|
Tahsil |
Area India square miles |
Numbers Towns, |
Villages |
Population |
Population Per separe mile |
|
Chaman Pishin |
2,236 2717 |
1 1 1 |
4 271 47 7 |
16,437 31,753 1,062 |
13 19 83 2 |
|
Quetta Shorarud |
340 634 |
3 |
329 |
114,087 |
22 |
More than 84 per cent of the people are Muhammadans of the
Sunm sect; Hindus number 10 per cent
and Christians, who are
chiefly Europeans, about 3 per cent. The language most widely spoken
is Pashtu ; Brahui is the tongue of about 6 per cent of the people,
and a little Persian is also used Of the indigenous population 67,600,
or 78 per cent., are Afghans, rather more than half of them being
Kakars and a third Tarins. Of the latter, the most numerous are the
Abdals, repiesented by the Achakzais occupying the Chaman sub-
division and part of Pishln. The Brahuis, who live in the south of
the District, form 8 per cent., and Saiyids, who are numerous in the
Pishln tahsil, about 9 per cent The indigenous population is almost
entirely engaged in cultivation and flock-owning. The Afghans of
Pishln, especially the Huramzai Saiyids, carry on a large trade in
horses. Many of them have made their way as far as Australia, or
are engaged in trade in parts of India.
The missions working in Quetta consist of branches of the Church
Missionaiy Society and of the Church of England Zanana Missionaiy
Society. They maintain two hospitals and four schools, one of which
is aided from Local funds A mission church was opened in 1903.
The efforts of the workers are principally devoted to medical aid and
education, and few converts have so far been made among the people
of the country.
==Agriculture==
The soil in the centre of the valleys consists of fine clay and sandy
beds. Along the skirts of the hills loess is found, and higher up
a fringe of coarse-grained gravel The soil of Shora- .
rud is impregnated with salt. At Barshor, in the gnc
Pishin tahsilt cultivation is carried on in terraced fields, Crops are
assured only on lands which can be permanently irrigated. The ' dry-
crop' area consists chiefly of embanked land to which flood-water is
led Irrigated land is allowed to lie fallow for one to three years,
unless it can be manured ; c dry-crop ' land can be cultivated every
year, but more than one good crop in five years is seldom obtained.
The harvest reaped in spring is sown with the help of the winter rains ;
the autumn harvest, which is small compared with the former, is sown
in June and July.
The cultivable area in the two tahsils of Quetta and Pishin, which
have been cadastially surveyed, is 706 square miles, of which 324 are
cultivated by rotation. Of this latter total, 221 square miles (68 per
cent ) are permanently irrigated (dbi) , and the remainder are either
' flood-crop ' (saildba) or ' dry-crop ' (k/wshkdba). The area under crop
in 1902-3 was 72 square miles, of which 79 per cent, was under wheat,
the staple grain of the District ; 4 per cent, under barley; 10 per cent,
under maize and millets 3 3 per cent, under green vegetables ; and 4 per
cent, under lucerne Owing to the peace and protection which have
followed the British occupation, cultivation has increased very largely
during the past twenty-five years. Potatoes, vegetables, and lucerne are
profitably cultivated ; fruit orchards and vineyards are extending ; and
great attention is bestowed on melon growing. The cultivators eagerly
avail themselves of Government loans, the amount advanced between
1897 and 1904 being 1-3 lakhs.
The short-legged breed of Kachhi cattle is imported for the plough.
Transport is by camel, and these animals are used in the plough in
Chaman and Pishin. The local breed of horses is excellent, and has
been much improved by the introduction of imported stallions, of
which 1 8 are generally stationed in the District in summer. The
branded mares number 256. A horse-fair and cattle-show is held at
Quetta in the autumn, which is largely patronized by local breeders
Sheep impoited from Siahband in Afghanistan are much prized,
Of the total irugated area in the tahslls of Quetta and Pishin, 14 per
cent is supplied from Government irrigation works and 66 per cent,
from 254 karez or underground channels. Water is also obtained
from 1 8 streams and 854 springs Artesian wells number 24. The
Government irrigation works aie the Khushdil Khan reservoir and
the Shebo canal, both situated in Pishin The former, which is fed
by flood-water from two feeder-cuts, is capable of holding about 750
million cubic feet of water It commands about 17,000 acies, but the
average area cultivated by its aid has hitherto been only 3,300 acres
This area will probably be increased by impiovements effected in 1902.
Up to 1903 the capital cost incurred was about 10 lakhs The Shebo
canal takes off from the Quetta Lora and is supplemented by a system
of tanks. It commands 5,340 acres, but less than half of this is nn-
gated annually. The capital cost up to 1903 was about 6| lakhs,
Revenue and water rate aie levied together, on both systems, in the
shape of one-third of the gross produce, the -\\hole amount being
credited to the Irrigation department
In 1903 the District contained four juniper Reserves on the Zarghun
range, with an area of 52 square miles ; two pistachio forests of 13
square miles ; and one mixed forest covering 2 square miles. In the
latter tamansk is the chief tree Experimental plantations, covering
63 acres, are maintained close to Quetta
Coal is found in the Soi lange to the east of Quetta The seam
is narrow, but has been traced foi neaily 20 miles. It is worked in
different places by fi\e contractors The output, which is entirely
consumed in Quetta, was 7,148 tons in 1903. Chiomite has been
discovered in scattered pockets in the serpentines and basic igneous
intrusions near Khanozai, for woikmg some of which a lease has been
given to the Baluchistan Mining Syndicate During 1903 about 284
tons were extracted.
==Trade and communication==
The manufactuie of felts and of rugs formed by the dart stitch is
an indigenous industry. Excellent silk embroidery is prepared, espe-
cially by Brahui women. In Quetta, Kandahans make
Trade and coppei vessels, which are equal m quality to those
communications.
sold in Peshawar. The Murree Brewery Company
has a bianch at Kiram, about 5 miles fiom Quetta, the output of which
was 347,220 gallons of beer in 1903. In 1904 some successful experi-
ments weie made in sericulture.
The great increase in trade is lefeired to in the article on QUETTA
TOWN. The only other marts of importance are Kila Abdullah and
Chaman, from both of which places trade is carried on with Afghanistan.
The total value of this trade in 1903 amounted to about 13^ lakhs,
imports being valued at 6-| and expoits at 7 lakhs. Live animals, ghi,
asafoetida, fresh and dried fruits, and pile carpets are the principal
imports from Afghanistan, and food-giams, piece-goods, and metals
from India Expoits to India aie chiefly wool, gift, and fruits, and
to Afghanistan piece-goods, metals, and dyes.
The Mushkaf-Bolan branch of the North-Westem Railway, on the
standard gauge, enters the District from the south and runs to Quetta,
where it meets a branch of the Smd-Pishin section from Bostan. The
latter line enteis the District near Fullei's Camp and runs across the
Pishm plain to Chaman The District is well provided with roads, the
total length of metalled and partially metalled roads being 405, and
of unmetalled paths 228 miles They are maintained partly from
Provincial revenues and partly from military funds
==Famine==
Owing to its large irngated aiea and excellent communications, the
District is well piotected and actual famine has not been known Some
distress occurred between 1897 and 1902, owing to
deficient rainfall and to damage done by locusts. amme.
Relief was affoided by the suspension and remission of land revenue,
the grant of advances foi the purchase of seed-grain and bullocks, and
the opening of relief works, costing about Rs. 14,000. In years of
deficient pasturage the railway is used by graziers to transport their
flocks to more favoured tracts.
==Administration==
The District is divided into thiee subdivisions and tahsih' CHAMA.N,
PISHIN, and QUETTA. Of these, Chaman, Pibhln, and Shorarud in
Quetta form part of British Baluchistan, and the rest . .
of the Quetta tahsilAgency Terntoiy. The execu-
tive head of the District combines the functions of Deputy-Commis-
sioner for areas included m British Baluchistan, and of Political Agent
for Agency Territories A Native Assistant is in charge of Chaman,
an Extra-Assistant Commissioner of Pishln, and the Assistant Political
Agent of the Quetta subdivision The tahslis of Quetta and Pishin
each have a tahsildar and a naib-taJmldar foi revenue work The
superior staff at head-quarters includes a Superintendent of police,
two Extra-Assistant Commissioners, a Cantonment Magistrate, and
an Assistant Cantonment Magistrate.
Civil work at Quetta is disposed of by a Munsif, and four Honorary
Magistrates assist the ordinary staff m deciding criminal cases. Both
civil and criminal powers are exercised by all the officers mentioned
in the preceding paragraph The Political Agent is the District and
Sessions Judge. In 1903 the total number of cognizable cases reported
was 1,402, conviction being obtained in 1,232. Most of the cases were
of a petty nature. The total number of criminal cases disposed of
by the courts m 1903-4 was 3,102, and of civil cases 4,807. Disputes
were referred to &jirga for award under the Frontier Crimes Regulation
m 203 cases.
The District furnished the emperor Akbar with a force of 2,550
horse and 2,600 foot^ Rs 750 m cash ; 4,340 sheep , 1,280 kharwars
of grain, and 7 maunds of butter. Nadii Shah assessed Pishm to
furnish a fixed number of men-at-aims, a system known as gham-i-
naukar, which was continued by Ahmad Shah Durrani, in whose time
895 naukars were taken. In the time of Timur Shah some of the
tribesmen were recalcitrant, and the land of 151 naukars was con-
fiscated The remaining service giants weie subsequently commuted
for cash payment. When the Distnct came into the hands of the
British this cash payment was still in force in some parts of the Pishm
tahsil) while m others the system had broken down, and batai^ or the
taking of an actual share of the produce, had been substituted The
combined system was continued in Pishm up to 1889, the Government
share of the produce being levied at rates varying from one-third to
one-sixth. In 1899 a fixed cash assessment on irrigated estates was
introduced for twenty years. The incidence per irrigated acre ranged
from a maximum of Rs. 5-0-3 to a minimum of Rs 1-5-3, the average
being Rs. 2-13-10 In the Quetta valley, the land revenue undei
native rule was obtained partly from a fixed assessment in cash or
kind, called zar-i-kalang, partly from appraisement, and partly by
division of the crops. The system continued up to 1890, when batai
at a uniform rate of one-sixth of the produce and a grazing tax were
introduced. A fixed cash assessment was imposed on irrigated lands
for ten years from 1897, and is now about to be revised. The maxi-
mum incidence per acre on irrigated area was Rs. 3-9-4, the minimum
Rs. 1-6-2, and the average Rs. 2-0-4. In Shorarud, revenue was first
levied in 1882-3 at one-sixth of the produce, and from April, 1897,
a fixed cash assessment was imposed on irrigated lands. Large revenue-
free grants are held, especially in Pishm. The estimated annual value
of the land revenue thus alienated is Rs. 42,700. The total land reve-
nue of the District in 1903-4 was 1-5 lakhs, and the revenue from all
sources 3-2 lakhs. The land revenue yielded 47 per cent of the total,
stamps 12 per cent,, and excise 35 per cent.
The Quetta municipality was formally constituted in October, 1896.
Its affairs are managed by a committee, consisting of thirteen nominated
official and non-official members, with the Political Agent as ex-officio
president. The only Local fund is the Pishm Sadr and District bazar
fund, which is controlled by the Political Agent. Its chief source of
income is octroi, and its expenditure is incurred on objects of public
utility, principally at Pishm and Chaman. The income in 1903-4
amounted to Rs, 39,600 and the expenditure to Rs. 34,000.
QUETTA is the head-quarters of the fourth division of the Western
Command and has the usual staff. Besides the garrison of Quetta,
a Native infantry regiment is stationed at Chaman and detachments
are posted at Pishm and, to guard the Khojak tunnel, at Shelabagh
and Spmwana.
In 1904 the total force of police amounted to 519 men, of whom
362 were constables and 53 horsemen. The officers include a Dis-
trict Superintendent, an Assistant Superintendent, 5 inspectors, and
ii deputy-inspectors. The force was distributed in 17 stations. The
Quetta municipality pays for a force of 86 police, the cantonment
committee for 84, and Local funds for 24 watchmen. The local levies
number 487, including 170 mounted men. There is a District jail
at Quetta, and a subsidiary jail at Pishln, with total accommodation
for 139 male and 10 female prisoners. Convicts whose term exceeds
six months are generally sent to the Shikarpur jail in Smd.
In educational, as in other respects, the District is the most advanced
in the Province. In 1904 the number of Government and aided
schools was twelve, with 827 pupils, including 148 Indian girls and
44 European and Eurasian chilaren. The cost amounted to Rs. 23,500,
of which Rs. 7,700 was derived from fees and subscriptions, and
Rs. 7,100 from Provincial revenues, the balance being met by the
North-Western Railway and from Local funds. The three mission
schools had 85 pupils. About 900 pupils were under instruction in
mosque schools
The District possesses one Government-aided hospital, in charge of
a Civil Surgeon, and seven dispensaries, including a female dispensary
maintained from the Lady DufTerin fund. They contain accommoda-
tion for 118 in-patients. The total attendance of patients in 1903
was 63,310; the daily average attendance in Government institutions
being 59 in-patients and 211 out-patients. Two of these institutions
are maintained by the North-Western Railway, at Bostan and Shela-
bagh, and two receive grants from Local funds; the expenditure of
the others is met from Provincial revenues. In 1903 the total expen-
diture from Provincial revenues and Local funds amounted to Rs. 18,109.
The Church of England Medical Mission maintains two hospitals, to
which 592 in-patients were admitted in 1902, while the out-patients
numbered 19,190.
Vaccination is compulsory in the town and cantonment of Quetta,
and there are indications that the people are beginning to prefer this
method to inoculation. The number of successful vaccinations in 1 903
was 2,660, or about 23 per 1,000 of the population.
[Settlement Report of the Pishln Tahsll (1899); J. H. Stocqueler,
Memorials of Afghanistan (Calcutta, 1843), Records, Geological Survey
of India, vol. xxvi, pt. ii of 1893.]
The District Superintendent of police has under him a force of 3 inspectors, 76 subordinate officers, and 304 constables, posted in 13 police stations, besides 41 municipal and town police, and 2,159 rural and road police. The District jail contained a daily average of 448 prisoners in 1903.
The people of Rae Bareli are moderately well educated compared with their neighbours, and 3-2 per cent. (6-2 males and 0-2 females) could read and write in 1901. Public schools increased in number from 126 in 1880-1 to 166 in 1900-1, and the pupils from 5, 170 to 7,4i3, In 1903-4 there were 196 such schools with 8,886 pupils, including 70 girls, and 35 private schools with 464 pupils. Only 1,000 pupils had advanced beyond the primary stage. Three schools are managed by Government and in by the District and municipal boards. The total expenditure on education was Rs. 43,000, of which nearly Rs. 32,000 was provided by Local funds and Rs. 7,000 from fees.
There are eleven hospitals and dispensaries, with accommodation for 70 in-patients, In 1903 the number of cases treated was 61,000, including 878 in-patients, and 2,600 operations were performed. The expenditure in the same year amounted to Rs. 14,000, chiefly met from Local funds.
About 36,000 persons were successfully vaccinated in 1903-4, giving a proportion of 35 per 1,000 of population. Vaccination is compulsory only in the municipality of Rae Bareli.
[W C. Benett, Clans of the Roy Barettty District , S. H, Fremantle, Settlement Report (1898) ; H. R. Nevill, District Gazetteer (1904),]
