MANUFACTURING IRON. 151 



There is also another class of people resi- 

 ding; in the hills,, who manufacture iron,, 

 known by the name of Lohars, * not so res- 

 pectable as the LokariaSj nor so indigent as 

 the Augur eeas. They smelt the iron from 

 the stones, and manufacture it into pegs, but 

 not of so pure a quality as that made by the 

 Loharias. The Lohars have fixed habita- 

 tions, cultivate some ground, and sell and 

 barter their iron to Biparies. In some parts 

 of the country towards Monghier, they smelt 

 the iron from sand, collected from the rivers 

 after heavy floods; which is considered of 

 the best quality. 



It is extremely curious to observe with 

 what simplicity most of their manufactories 

 are carried on. The Shepherd as he looks 

 after his flock,, may be seen having a small 



May, which is another strange coincidence in the cus- 

 toms of the two countries. With the Hindoos these 

 are very ancient festivals. 



* Lohah is the Hindoostanee word for iron. 

 L4 



