PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION. 7 



There are a few large tanks, such as those of Warora, Waigaon, 

 Tanks. Khairgaon, Wun, and Chanda. 



The rainfall is very irregularly distributed, and in the monsoon 

 it is a common occurrence to have a most violent 



Rainfall. , „ , „• 



downpour connned to a narrow zone ot country. 

 The irregularity is connected with the configuration of the country, 

 the neighbourhood of the hill ranges and plateau being subject to a 

 comparatively larger annual fall than the open tracts. The village of 

 Pisgaon, situated at the mouth of a small bay in the trappean scarp, is 

 noted for its special falls, and though only 13 miles south-west of Waro- 

 ra, the coming of the monsoon is heralded much earlier, and the rains 

 are sustained with much more violence, and with fewer interruptions, 

 than at the latter place, which is surrounded by a wide open plain. I am 

 able to quote from four administration reports of the Central Provinces 

 the registers of rainfall at four of the principal towns in the Chanda 

 district for the years 1868-69-70 aud 73— 



Warora ... 



Chanda 

 Mfihl 

 , Barhampuri. ... 



Probably these figures are not entirely to be depended upon, but they 

 show that Warora has a scantier rainfall than any of the other towns 

 that are in closer proximity to elevated lands and jungle. 



Three distinct nationalities meet on the banks of the Wardha, the 



Gond, the Maharatta and the Telugu. They 

 Inhabitants. 



seem adverse to taking up the occupation of a 



collier, but I believe that the incentive of high wages might tempt the 



low caste Dhers and Gonds to work underground steadily. It will be 



necessary, however, to treat the first venturers judiciously. The Dhers, 



or Mahars as they call themselves, are very numer- 

 Dh6rs. 



ous and widely spread ; they form the chief thread- 



( 7 ) 



1868. 



1869. 



1870. 



1873. 



36*54 



359 



43-65 



330 



36-69 



46-48 



59*63 



3871 



36-36 



51-99 



52-05 



31-6 



47-02 



41-22 



52-35 



45-41 



