38 The Amlahs. 



rule of the munshi is to make the largest possible 

 " pile " in the least possible time. 



Next in position comes the hazri nawis, or lalla, 

 who is in charge of the home ziraths and the ordi- 

 nary humdrum work within the factory precincts 

 such as repairs, including carpenters', blacksmiths', 

 masons' and their coolie helpers and other general 

 work common enough for an indigo factory. This 

 amlah arranges, counts, and keeps a register of all 

 coolies, ploughs, factory ploughmen, carters, chaff- 

 cutters, carpenters, blacksmiths, masons, etc., all 

 people in receipt of daily wage or monthly pay. 

 This daily register must be scrupulously tested by 

 the Assistant in person. I have always found it 

 best to accompany the hazri nawis in his morn- 

 ing and afternoon rounds, counting and dotting 

 down in a pocket-book the attendance of all grades 

 with him twice a day. The object of a second 

 hazri in the afternoon is to see that all those 

 counted in the morning are again present in the 

 afternoon an hour's respite being given to the 

 work-people from twelve to one, for their mid-day 

 meal. The hazri nawis 's pickings are considerably 

 less than those of either jemadar or munshi, and 

 are pretty much confined to " dasturi" an infini- 

 tismal blackmail levied by him upon coolies, which 

 they give voluntarily, or, at any rate, in consideration 



