REMINISCENCES OF SONEPORE. 



CHAPTER I. 

 EARLY YEARS. 



THE raison d'etre of the yearly European gathering at 

 Sonepore is of course the fair, which the local officials have to 

 attend to keep order, and see to the sanitary arrangements. 

 In the olden days planters visited it to buy horses, and gra- 

 dually it has become one of the most popular and enjoyable 

 social gatherings in the country. Its racing has had its ups 

 and downs ; at one time it held pride of place and in the sixties 

 and seventies was known as the Goodwood of India. Latterly 

 the breaking up of the local stables of Lall Seryah, Jaintpore, 

 and Burhowley, added to the superior attractions of meetings 

 like Lucknovv, and Calcutta, have combined to make it less 

 patronised than of yore. But there is no other meeting 

 throughout the length and breadth of the land, where visitors 

 can enjoy themselves so thoroughly. There is not an idle 

 moment from beginning to end, every camp is free of the 

 others, strangers find such a warm welcome that they feel at 

 home from the very first, and three days racing, and three 

 balls, with cricket, tennis, polo, gymkhanas, and other fun 

 thrown in, satisfy even the most exigeunt epicurean. 



It would be interesting, were it possible, to collect facts 

 showing when the fair began to be held and its origin. There 

 can be no doubt that the particular spot was chosen on account 

 of its sanctity being situated at the confluence of the Gun- 

 duck and the Ganges, such junctions being considered especial- 

 ly holy by the Hindus. The " Salig Ram " or Gunduck 

 is mentioned in the Ramayana, and is the river where the 

 Saligrami is said to be found to this day. The story of the 

 origin of the fair is thus told : Once upon a time in days of 



