214  EDGEWORTH'S ACCOUNT OF THE SIKH STATES. 
“The best Grasses in this region are, after the dhub grass, 
which is abundant, the dhaman (Cenchri and Penniseti sp.) the 
_ palwán ( Andropogon pertusum, Bladhii and scandens) from the 
jangals, and from the fields in the rains the annual species 
called jangli chini and sawank, Panicum Colonum, brizoides, | 
hirsutum, &c. are cut in quantities for the cattle. ‘The large - 
birs, or preserves for hay kept by the Sikh chiefs, consist chiefly 
of the spear-grass (Andropogon contortum) with the palwdn — 
and dhaman, and the coarser kinds, Poa cristata, Andropogon 2 
muricatum (dhabri and senth) with the coarser Sacchara, cover 
considerable tracts in the dhak region and are useful for 
thatching. The small Perotis latifolia and Imperata- cylin- - 
drica form the first coating to those sandy channels of torrents 
deserted by the stream which are not unfrequent here, but they 
are of little value and only used when no other grass is pe 
curable. The bavi, a species of Andropogon, is considered 
poisonous. d 
** The population of these two tracts is mostly Hindu, but 
among the the zemindars and lower castes tliere is a consider- 
able sprinkling of Musalmáns, Rajpáts, both Hindu and Mus- 
almán, but principally the latter, and Jats who are the com- 
monest classes among the zemindars; but Rors, a caste Í be-- 
lieve peculiar to this part of India, are not unfrequent among P 
the cultivators. Musalmán málís are the best. ‘The Sikh pes 2 ; 
suasion is not common among the Jat zemindars, but confined , : 
to the invading chiefs from the other side of the Sul 3 
through it is not unusual for sweepers and chamars to adopt E 
that faith. under the name of Rangrethas and Ramdasias. 
_ About one-third of the kahars are Musalmans, which iets 
portion becomes larger as we advance westward towards Lodi- 
hana and the Panjáb. A Musalman tribe, Gagra, replaces 
the sweeper caste in the charge of leeches. 
. “IIM The Phalahi tract. This, extending westward from 
. my second division, is bounded on the north by the Sutlej low 
.. laud or Bhet; to the south by Bhatiana; while towards the 
. west Tam not acquainted with its limits or the nature of the 
