﻿110 NARRATIVE OF A ROUTE 



Brinjary perfevering through roads, which nothing, 

 but the mod indefatigable fpirit of induftry could in- 

 duce him to attempt, and where the ftraightnefs of the 

 paths and defiles, barely affords a paffage for himfelf 

 and his bullocks. 



The Mahratias keep their peafantry in the moft ab- 

 jeci Hate of dependance, by which means, they al- 

 ledge, the Ryais are lefs liable to be turbulent, or of- 

 fenlive to the government. Coin is but fparingly cir- 

 culated among them; and they derive their habitations, 

 and fubfiftence, from the labour of their own hands. 

 Their troops, who are chieHy compofed of emigrants, 

 from the northern and weftjern parts of Hindoojlan, 

 are quartered upon the tenantry, who, in return for 

 the accommodation and fubfiftence they afford them, 

 require their affiflance, whenever it may be necefTary, 

 for collecting the revenues. Such was the ilate of the 

 country and government of Choteefgur ; the exports 

 of which, in feafons of plenty, are faid to employ 

 100,000 bullocks; and it is accordingly one of the 

 moli productive provinces under the Bcrah Rajah. 



The only road from Cuttack to Nagpoiir pafTes 

 through Ryepour : it is indeed the only track by 

 which a communication is kept open between thofc 

 two places ; but it is frequently obitrucled by the 

 Zemeendars who poffefs the intervening fpace of hilly 

 country. 



April 4th. A journey of feven days, during 

 which the weather proved very pleafant, terminated 

 this day on the fouthern confines of Choteefgur. We 

 were here within view of the hills that extend from 

 near the fea coaft of the Northern Circars to this 

 part of the peninfula; a fpace of about three degrees 

 in latitude. Our march through this fine champaign 

 country had recruited the ftrength of our cattle; 

 and I found my party yet able to endure much fa- 

 tigue, and hard fervice, fhould it- be required. I 



had 



