XXV 



by hand-nets, the minimum size of the meshes being \ of an inch 

 between the knots. Fish are also trapped in the irrigated fields during 

 periods of inundation. The modes of fishing are, by large and small nets, 

 baskets, traps, spears and rods. ' MahajaP or drag-nets are worked by 

 several persons, who drag it as much as a mile to where another net has 

 been previously kept stretched across the river which is weighted below, 

 and floated above by bundles of grass. ' Goodur jaP is fastened at the 

 mouth of a pool or stream as a purse net. 'Veerajal/ or hand-net, is 

 like a 'gughra' having iron rings all round the lower end, it is thrown 

 by hand, and then gently pulled out of the water. ' Kooncha' or 

 ' koorlee' is made of reed or bamboo in the shape of a cone with the two 

 ends open, this is jammed down in shallow water, and the fish removed 

 by the hand from the upper end. Spearing is pursued during the winter 

 months when the fish are less active and the water still, the fisherman 

 rows about in a small boat from which he uses his spear. ' Chip' is made 

 in the shape of a chick, it is placed over the mouth of an outlet of a 

 pool, the fish finding an obstruction there, fall back into a hole which 

 had been previously dug on the side of the outlet, and are there taken 

 by the hand. The Tehsildar of Shakergarh reports, that there are 

 1 04 fishermen who pursue other callings as well ; the supply of fish in 

 the towns is scanty, but they are generally sold in the villages to a large 

 extent or rather exchanged for grain, when the latter article is cheap it 

 obtains double weight, when dear equal proportions. Half the population 

 eat fish, the supply of which has increased during the past year. Small 

 ones are taken during the rains by nets and sheets : the minimum size of 

 the mesh of the former is given at 1 inch between each knot. Fish are 

 also trapped during the rains in the irrigated fields. The Tehsildar of 

 Batala replies, that 23 licenses have been granted to fishermen (Jhee- 

 wurs) during the year ; besides these there are several persons who take 

 fish as well as follow other occupations. The supply in the 

 market is sufficient ; one-third of the population eat it, but its amount 

 has lately decreased owing to deficiency of rain, whilst the mini- 

 mum size of the mesh of the nets is \ of an inch between each knot. 

 The Tehsildar of Pathankot reports, that there are 130 fishermen in his 

 range, they also work as laborers. The supply in the bazars is equal to 

 the demand ; three- fourths of the people eat fish, the amount of which has 

 remained stationary during the past few years. Small ones are taken to a 

 great extent during the rains, but none are trapped in the irrigated fields. 

 40. In the Ambala Division the six Tehsildars report as follows : that 



there are 357 fishermen divided thus : Ambala 



Ambala Division.— Answers 30, Jagadri Irrigation Canal 75, Raossur 



of the Tehsildars of Ambala, 30 Kharar a8 Narayangarh 94, Pipli 100, all 



Jagadri, Kaossur, Kharar, ' _ ' i /• t j_i 



Narayangarh, Pipli. of whom follow other occupations. In the 



first five tehsils the markets are not fully sup- 

 plied ; in the last they are said to be so. The following are the propor- 

 tions of the population who eat fish : Ambala one-fifth; Jagadri two-thirds; 

 Raossur one-fourth ; Kharar two-thirds ; Narayangarh only the Maho- 

 medans, and the Kutrees and Kyuts amongst the Hindus; whilst in Pipli 

 very few do so. They have decreased in tehsils Nos. 1, 3, 4, increased in 

 Nos. 2 and 6, but remained stationary in No. 5. Small fish and those in 

 irrigated fields are not destroyed during the rains in Ambala and Raossur, 



