The Occurrence and Distribution of Diamonds in India. 561 
The sum paid to Government by them for the privilege of mining a 
piece of ground 100 yards long by 50 broad, for four months, is 200 * 
rupees. 
“ Dry weather is selected to carry on operations to avoid the in- 
convenience and expense of draining. In former days all the diamonds 
produced were carried for sale to Golconda. In those times very large 
diamonds were found; but subsequent to British ascendency—which 
according to the superstitious natives is by no means pleasing to the 
tutelary deities of the mines—few of any value have been found, 
probably in consequence of their being less looked after. However, 
lately in 1839, a tine diamond of the Kshatriya or roseate caste was 
dug from the Obalumpally mine, exceeding a gold pagoda in weight, 
which was sold for 1,450 rupees.” 
KARNUL DISTRICT. 
Mr. King’s list of diamond localities in the Karnul District t 
is as follows :-— 
BANAGANPILLY, . 37 miles, 8.S.E. of Karnul. Rock workings worked. 
MoonmuppaGcoo, 16 miles, W. of Banaganpilly. Rock workings. Deserted. 
RAMULKOTA, . 18 miles, W. by S. of Karnul. Alluvial washings. Worked. 
Rock workings deserted. 
TimapooraM, . 6 miles E.S.E. of Ramulkota. Rock workings. Deserted. 
ks \ ; 24 miles, S S.E. of Karnul. Rock workings. Deserted. (Captain 
BYANPULLY 
s y . G. Russell teste. 
Gooramanconna, ) Lake ce) 
Booval, Sf Nundycotkoor talug. Doubtful localities. (Captain J. G. Russell, 
BANNOOR, test 
DEvVANOOR, ¢ ate) 
SHarrancotan, . Right bank of Toongabudra, E.N.E. of Karnul. Deserted. 
DreomurroonH, . Left bank of Toongabudra. Deserted. 
TANDRAPAD, “ “f as Alluvial deserted. 
Busswapoor, . Nullamullays. Rock workings and alluvial washings. Deserted. 
BANAGANPILLY. 
The diamond mines at this locality have been visited and 
described by many writers. Heyne, Newbold, Malcolmson, and 
Voysey, have all left on record accounts of them 
Mr. King’s already mentioned report, containing the latest and 
most authentic account of them, it will be best perhaps to quote 
from it a few passages verbatim at the same time, stating that 
Mr. King refers those who are likely to be specially interested to 
Dr. Heyne, for an account of the mines as they appeared in his 
day. 
* In 1840, the contract rose to about 250 rupees. When a diamond of more than a 
gold pagoda in weight (52°56 grains at Madras) is found, it is sold by public auction, 
and one-third of the proceeds goes to Government, the remainder to the mining con- 
tractor. 
+ Memoirs of the Geological Survey of India, Vol. vii., p. 106. 
