, 8 HUGHES. — KaRANPURA COAL-FIELDS. 



It possesses several local names^ being called^ in addition to HoharU; 

 the Palandu, Barka, and Galgalia nadi. The largest affluent of the 

 Damuda in the western part of the field is the CJiundru. It exposes 

 an excellent section of the various rocks^ and afibrds several striking 

 examples of the cutting power of water. From the south the two 

 largest streams that flow into the Damuda, are the Saphi and the 

 Chatti J both of these rise in the Chota-Nagpur table-land. 



The whole of the Karanpura area is well covered by jungle^ and 

 according to the nature of the soil this differs in character. The more 

 common trees are those which are ordinarily "found throug-hout the 

 whole of the jungle in Birbhum^"^ Manbhum, and Hazaribagh. There 

 are few large trees at present ; the demand for charcoal to supply the 

 wants of the numerous iron-furnaces and refineries leading to a great 

 destruction of timber. The only locality where wasteful cutting is not 

 allowed is on Maudih hill ; and the timber is yearly improving ; the 

 yieldj however, will never be great enough to form a permanent supply 

 for any great smelting works, or for any considerable demand in the 

 way of sleepers. 



The inhabitants of this district do not give promise of a good 

 mining population. The greater number of people 

 belong to castes that cannot be called low. Nu- 

 merically; the Kurmis hold the first place, then come Koiris, G-walas, 

 Khairwas, Bahmans, Brahmans, Kajpiits, Kahars, Miindas, Mussul- 

 mans, Telis, Dhanuks, Ganjus, Bediahs, Saontars, &c. Of all the castes 

 enumerated above, only the Mundas, Telis, Bediahs, Ganjus, and 

 Saontars, will supply workmen for underground operations, and unfor- 

 tunately these castes are weak in numbers. There are only three villages 

 of Saontars in the Karanpura field ; and these are remarkable as being 

 the most advanced westerly settlements of this interesting people. 



* A paper read by Mr. Ball bef jre the Asiatic Society of Bengal, at their November 

 Meeting in 1868, on the flora of Maubhiim applies equally to the Hazaribagh district. 



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