05 BALL: GEOLOGY OP THE RAJMEHAL HILLS. 



Besides the derivative iron ore, as it may be called, there is the 

 true laterite occurring' quite independently of the trap. This laterite is 

 sometimes sufficiently rich to be worked as an ore. 



The principal localities at which iron ore was worked formerly 

 were situated in the south-east of the area near the villages of Ganpur, 

 Bhudiakanda, Banskata, &c. Of these the first was the principal and 

 most extensive. The furnaces for the reduction and refining of this ore, 

 which were in use by the natives of this part of the country, were on a 

 much larger scale than those used by the Kols of the hills. As much 

 as from 20 to 25 maunds of iron per week used to be turned out 

 from each of the furnaces in the village of Deocha. The total annual 

 yield from about seventy of these furnaces was estimated by Dr. Oldham 

 in 1852 to amount to 1,700 tons. 



Since that time Mr. Mackey about the year 1855 established iron- 

 works. The employment thus afforded to the indigenous iron-smelters, 

 coupled with the infliction of a heavy royalty, and at one time, I believe, 

 the compulsory stoppage of independent furnaces, have all tended to 

 break up this native industry. In 1870 there was but one of these large 

 furnaces in operation in Deocha. Subsequently, in 1872, when the native 

 landlord, to whom Mr. Mackey's works at Mahomed Bazar lapsed, 

 attempted to re- open them again, this last furnace was closed, and with 

 it the most complete indigenous system of iron manufacture ever prac- 

 tised in Bengal was for the time put a stop to. 



The Mahomed Bazar iron-works of Mr. Mackey were carried on 

 at a loss for several years ; were closed and re-opened, the several attempts 

 to establish the manufacture on a profitable footing proving abortive. 

 Even had we the materials for a history of these various attempts, this 

 would not be a proper place to give an account of them. But as the 

 establishment of iron-works is again proposed, it may be useful to men- 

 tion that want of capital, of skilled knowledge, and injudicious selection 



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