4 OLDHAM: THE CACIIAR EARTHQUAKE OF 1 OTH JANUARY 1869. 



meeting- some straggling- band, I determined not to make the attempt, 

 tlie more so as there was great reason to fear that there might have been 

 serious delay in my getting back again. 



After a few days, therefore, at Silchar, I returned to Sylhet, where 

 I examined the buildings which had been injured ; and then dropping 

 down the river to Chattuck, turned northwards from thence, intending 

 to cross the Khasi Hills by Cherra Poonji and Shillong- to Gowhatty. 



CHArTER I. 

 GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF EFFECTS OF EARTHQUAKE. 



Before proceeding to discuss in any detail such special facts as have 

 been observed tending to elucidate the history of this great earth-shock, 

 I will briefly relate the observations made by others and recorded either 

 in official returns or in the public newspapers of the day. By this 

 means, a general idea of the impression left upon others will be obtained, 

 and it will also be seen how far any precise conception of the results, or 

 of the force which produced them, can be expected from such notices. 



Taking the observations somewhat in the order of the geographical 

 position of the localities at which these were noted, we begin with Silchar 

 and proceeding east thence round by north, west, and south, return again 

 to the same vicinity. 



Silchar. — The Assistant Engineer reported on the 13th January, 

 three days after the earthquake :< — " All the pucka buildings belonging to 

 the department of Public Works have been injured beyond the possibility 

 of repair; besides, most of the kutcha buildings have been entirely 

 thrown down. The store-shed has been thrown down, and several articles 

 injured or destroyed. All the works are stopped, and I do not see any 

 possibility of recommencing them, without further orders. My own life., 

 and those of my family, together with my property, were on the verge of 

 destruction. For this reason, I am unable to submit a full report of the 

 state of the buildings. I shall be able to forward the report by to- 

 morrow. The whole of the Cachar bazaar, buildings, boats, merchandize, 

 ( 4 ) 



