CHAPTER V 



A SHOOT IN AN INDIAN STATE IN 1921 

 " In regions where the burnished sun has sway." 



For the last fourteen years I had wanted to shoot 

 in this State, but, apart from the necessary 

 permission, the difficulties of transport and the 

 inaccessibility of the country were considerable. 

 However, in 1921 I obtained leave, and I would 

 thank the Maharajah and his state officials for 

 their courteous help. 



The country was one that was seldom shot. 

 My ground was of unlimited extent, and began 

 five marches from the nearest railway. It con- 

 sisted of rocky hills and some open plains inter- 

 spersed with big sal and light tree jungles through 

 which ran two main rivers, reduced at this season 

 to a trickle of water in sandy beds. The plains 

 had been cultivated, but owing to years of 

 drought and the great heat then prevailing, they 

 were at this time very desolate in appearance. 



In spite of the efforts made by the State, the 

 scanty population had to sustain life largely on 

 the mohwa fruit. Famine conditions were not 

 actually present, but the fine-drawn bodies and 

 the prevalence of non-healing sores showed how 



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