ON 'THE STATISTICS OF DUKHUN. 307 
land under cultivation, which far exceeds that in the other 
collectorate, (i. e. 61°11 decls. per cent. of the whole lands, 
leaving only 38°89 decls. per cent. of waste,) but to the lowness 
of its land assessments, amounting only to 2 qr. 94 reas per 
beegah, including all extras falling on the land. The process 
by which this average assessment was struck is as follows. In 
1827, agreeably to the population returns, the land in occupa- 
tion of a cultivator averaged 32°74 decls. acres, or 43°65 decls. 
beegahs ; in 1828, in the Jummabundy settlement, there were 
60,701 cultivators, which, multiplied by 43°65 decls. gives 
2,649,598. 65 decls. beegahs of land under cultivation. These 
divided into the land revenue, 1,945,323 rupees, 2 qr. 8 reas, 
give 294 reas per beegah, a low rate, which neither the exami- 
nation of village accounts, nor a similar process, will give in 
Poona, Ahmednuggur, nor Khandesh.” This light assess- 
ment, equal only to 1s.113d. per acre, is certainly advantageous 
_ in insuring the realization of the revenue; but when put into 
comparison with the rent of land in England, shows the unpro- 
ductive and limited character of Indian agricultural resources. 
The Sahyer branch of the revenue is highly favourable, 
amounting to nearly 14 per cent. of the whole, and, though so 
productive, falls as a tax lighter on individuals than in Khan- 
desh. The customs, being 2 per cent. lower than in Khandesh 
and Ahmednuggur, is at variance with the tolerably efficient 
character of the general resources of the Dharwar. 
From the examination of village papers I find that remissions 
were very rare under native governments, and the facility with 
which they are granted under the British government, and their 
magnitude, testify strongly to its paternal character. Great 
caution, however, is requisite in granting them, not less on ac- 
_ count of the government than on account of the cultivator him- 
self. If obtained with facility, and without rigid and sharp 
_ examinations, and some personal inconvenience to the applicant, 
_ (from the habitual indolence of the native character,) his ordinary 
_ industry, which always requires stimulating, would be paralyzed, 
_ applications multiplied, labour diminished, and the farmer would 
_ trust to the forbearance of government rather than to his own 
exertions. There is another reason for caution in the strong 
_ motives that the native agents have for urging remissions, with 
a view to intercept them in the transit of accounts through 
_ their hands. 
_ The collector cannot possibly personally ascertain the truth of 
. 
ee Pe ee Ce) is 
_# 2,808,064 acres in 1827. 
| __» Ahmednuggur 1 rupee, 95.reas; Nuggur and Poona, partial average, 3 qr. 
| 58reas; Khandesh 1 rupee, 2 qr. 80 reas per beegah, 
4 x 2 
