"SARTAGE" IN INDIA. fe 



In the extract proceedings of Board of Revenue, under 

 date 16th April 1859, it is stated : 



' The Koomaree in Bekal has been shown to be peculiar. 

 It is chiefly Wargadar Koomaree, and the extent of land 

 for which shut is paid is specified in the pattah, and the 

 Wargadar enjoys twelve times as much, on the supposition 

 that he will go over the whole area in twelve years, though 

 he now cultivates it more quickly ; ' and some other 

 modifications of this is practised in particular districts. 

 Some slight modifications of the regulations were sug- 

 gested, but the restrictions generally were approved. 



It was felt, however, to be a matter involving the 

 interests of a very great number of people, both directly 

 and indirectly, and the Governor in Council, before passing 

 a final order, transmitted a copy of the minute of the 

 Board of Revenue to the Conservator of Forests, for his 

 opinion on several questions raised. 



In the minutes of the Board of Revenue it was 

 stated : 



' In some parts of Bekal, which is the most southerly of 

 the taluks of Canara, Koomaree cultivation forms part of 

 the business of the ordinary ryots, and as many as 25,476, 

 or one-sixth of the population, are supposed to be engaged 

 in it ; but to the north of that taluk it is carried on by 

 the jungle tribes of Malai Kadeos and Mahrattas, to the 

 number of 59,500. 



' 6. In Fasli 1266, the area under Koomaree cultivation 

 throughout the whole district was 17,084 acres, of which 

 8556 acres were Sarkar Koomaree, that is Koomaree that 

 is in forests not claimed by the owners of estates ; and 

 8528 acres, of which 5983 acres were within the limits of 

 the Bekal taluk were attached to wargs, or holdings of 

 proprietors. 



' 7. The question, whether it is expedient to allow this 

 species of cultivation, first came under discussion in 

 reference to the report of Dr Gibson to the Government 

 of Bombay, which was referred to Mr Blane, Collector of 



