clxxiv 



demand, large ones obtaining- 2 or 1£, and small ones 1 anna a seer. 

 Bazar mutton of the first sort fetches 2, and second sort 1^ or 1 anna a 

 seer. The proportion of fish-eaters is not clearly defined. The amount of 

 fish in the waters has continued stationary except in the Ganges, where a 

 slight decrease is reported, and considered due to the irrigation canal. 

 During the rains fish are usually considered unwholesome. The smallest 

 mesh of the nets is given at |th of an inch between the knots. Fish are 

 taken in irrigated fields during the rains. One mode of capturing fish 

 is erecting a bund or embankment across a stream or pond, leaving only 

 a single small opening where a net is placed. The fishermen with sticks 

 beat the water ; the frightened fish make for the opening, where they are 

 captured. 



337. In the RoMlcund Division, from Budaon, no replies have been 



received to the questions for the Tehsildars. 

 Answers of Native Officials j th Momdal)a(l Collectorate, 6 Tehsildars 



have sent in replies which have been con- 

 densed. The number of persons who are strictly fishermen by trade are 

 about 5,000 ; these men also work as bearers, &c. Besides these, there are 

 hundreds of other men, women, and children, who in the rains either 

 employ or amuse themselves in catching fish. The fishermen are mostly 

 Hindus, but there are a few Mahomedans. The supply of fish in the 

 markets has fallen off since 1857, but during the last two years has 

 slightly risen a little, due to better rainy seasons. During the rains fish 

 costs about half that of the flesh of sheep and goats, whilst in the cold 

 and hot season the price of the two is much the same. It is estimated 

 that about f of the people eat fish, nearly all the Mahomedans, and all 

 the lower castes of Hindus. Amongst the Brahmins, Kunojias only eat 

 fish generally. Baniahs say they do not, but they do at times. The 

 amount of fish in the waters is said to be much less during the last 

 12 or 14 years than formerly ; very small ones are taken in quantities 

 during the rains. £ of an inch between the knots of the meshes is given 

 as the minimum size employed. Fish are not trapped in the irrigated 

 fields. The local fishermen do not ply their trade in the Ganges, but 

 drag the back streams and pools left by the rain floods. In the BareiUy 

 Collectorate, the Tehsildars compute the fishermen at about 12,109; they 

 have other occupations likewise ; they are Kahars, Buttiaras, Cheereemar, 

 Kulbooteea, Gooreea, and Pasee. About 48,050 maunds of fish are 

 believed to be consumed during the year. The amount in the waters is 

 stated to be stationary ; very small ones are captured during the rains 

 with cane-nets having minute meshes, and by other contrivances. The 

 meshes are not sufficiently large to permit a grain of mucca to pass 

 through. Fish are trapped in the irrigated fields during the rains. 

 Fish in the villages are commonly bartered for grain in certain proportions. 

 In the Shahjehanpur Collectorate, the Tehsildars report that Kahars 

 amongst the Hindus, and Buttiaras amongst the Mahomedans, are the 

 fishing castes, and live a good deal on their fishing. All other classes except 

 Khutrces, Agurwala Banias, Brahmins with the exception of Kunojias, 

 habitually eat fish with other food, the annual consumption of which is 

 set down at between 30 and 40,000 maunds. The largest amount of 

 fish are taken from August to December, in less numbers during 

 April and May, and occasionally during the remainder of the 



