MANUFACTURING IRON. 149 



places, they are sent to all parts of India; a 

 great number to Ramghur to exchange for 

 iron and other merchandise, from thence, 

 most of them are again transported into the 

 Marhatta country where they are much va- 

 lued. The iron is sold at the places where 

 it is thus made, at the rate of about a penny 

 per pound. The principal place to which it 

 is carried is the city of Patna ; It is convey- 

 ed there by Biparics, on the backs of bul- 

 locks, each bullock carrying about three 

 hundred pounds weight, a distance from 

 where it is manufactured of a hundred and six- 

 ty, to a hundred and eighty miles. From 

 thence it is transported to most parts of India 

 by water. 



The head residence of the Loharias is cal- 

 led Belleah, and is about forty miles from 

 Chittrah, in the direct road to Ramghur. 

 At that place the Sardar or chief of the Lo- 

 harias always resides, who regulates the 

 price of iron throughout the country, and 

 decides all disputes relating to the manufac- 

 L3 



