CXXX1V 



The price of fish is not regulated by the price of mutton, which is 

 mostly consumed by Europeans ; some kinds of the former are said to obtain 

 considerably higher prices than the above. Generally about two-thirds 

 of the population are fish-eaters, but occasionally the proportion is lower. 

 As regards the increase or decrease in the numbers of fish, reports differ 

 materially. In Faizabad, a slight increase is given as compared with 

 the preceding year. In Baraich and Gondah generally they are said 

 to have doubled. In some places the increase is reported to be confined 

 to the small fish, the number of large fish remaining stationary. In 

 one Tehsil in Baraich, a decrease is reported ; in another an increase ; 

 both said to be due to heavy rains. One Teshildar in Gondah givet 

 an increase owing to floods during the rains, whilst two Tehsildars repors 

 that from the same cause many fish have been carried off to the larger 

 rivers. 



289. The Tehsildar of Lucknow can give no approximate number 

 of the fishermen, for this occupation is not 



^Opinion oi ? Luck- pursued by man y as their sole business, but 



principally by boatmen, Passis, Mussulmen, 



labourers out of employ, and Kahars in their spare time. The fisher- 

 men castes are Kahars, Mullahs, Koris, Kan jars, Jhabihalias, and Pathans. 

 The supply of fish equals the demand ; large ones realize two annas 

 a seer, and small fish one anna; bazar mutton two annas a seer. 

 The small fish are eaten by all classes, the supply of which by all accounts, 

 has remained stationary. Large numbers of very small fish are taken by 

 children in shallow pools and lesser streams. The smallest nets have 

 about a half-inch mesh. Fish are not trapped in the irrigated fields 

 during the rains. Fishing is carried on by rod and line, casting- nets, 

 drag and hand-nets. The local names are Sukhani, Pailni chinta, Pandi, 

 Khara, Jhunsti, and Halka, the various names referring to the same 

 nets only differing in size one from another. 



290. The TeJisildar of Unas considers the fishing population at 



about 1,000, but they also follow other occu- 

 OpmumofTehsUdarofUna^ ^^ ^ ^.^ Q{ ^^ ^^ 



and Passis. The market is fully supplied with fish, the cost of the larger 

 sorts being from one anna to one and a half annas a seer ; of the smaller, 

 from 9 pie to one anna and a half. The first sort of mutton is two 

 annas a seer, the second one and a half annas. About 85,000 

 people in this Tehsil are reported fish-eaters. The fish are stated 

 to have increased. About 10,000 maunds of very small ones are said to 

 be taken during the rains. The smallest size of mesh of nets used is 

 given at half an inch, and fish are trapped in the irrigated fields during 

 the rains. The native names of the traps and nets used are Pandi, 

 Chhata, Lokari, Chowruhi, Bisari or Ulgi, Kanta (hook), and Tapa made 

 of reeds and rushes, Kurwar and Halka. 



291. The Tehsildar of Suffeepur calculates the fishermen at about 

 300, but they alse pursue other occupations. 

 The y are Kahars > dhas ' ^hanhus, Passis, 

 Chamars, Kurhers. The markets are not fully 

 supplied. The price of large fish is from one-half anna to one anna a 

 seer ; of small fish, from one pie and a half to three pie ; whilst the first 

 sort of mutton is two annas, and the second one anna and a half per seer. 



