ECONOMIC ASPECT OF SALT REGION. 209 



mixture with the salt was noticed. The taste of the salt is everywhere 

 the same, and no traces of foreign salts could be found. 



The salt is obtained in the form of c tubbis' previously described ; 

 the quarries have accordingly all to be chosen, so that the working sur- 

 face is parallel to the plane of stratification. 



The number of the quarries at work must be at least 30 (60 accord- 

 ding to Mr. Carne : Captain Plowden's Memo.),, and there are a great 

 many more abandoned, most of which are filled with brine from springs 

 which are said to be unusually numerous in this salt. 



The number of quarrymen is said to be about the same as at Jatta 

 and Malgheen (Malgin), namely 100, but there should be more to, 

 produce the same outturn, because the tubbi system requires more labour 

 than blasting, but, on the other hand, much labour is saved by the absence 

 of debris, which is so troublesome at other localities. 



The main road from Bannu to Kohat (following a newer course 

 than the one indicated upon the map) passes through the quarries, and 

 by a capacious tunnel 500 feet in length issues from the valley, pass- 

 ing beneath the ridge which closes in the quarries to the north. Not 

 far from the opening of the tunnel in that direction is the Mundi or 

 depot, with the Serai for the merchants and the salt establishment, about 

 one mile from the quarries. Two miles further are the fort and town of 

 Bahadur Khel. 



17. Excavation fees. — The rates for excavation fees are as follows : — 



At Jatta and Malgheen (Malgin) about 1 Re. for 24 Sikh maunds,* or § anna per maund. 

 „ Narri „ „ 1 „ 32 „ £ 



„ Kurruk and Bahadur Khel „ 1 „ 16 „ 1 „ 



A maund is equal to two tubbis. 



* The Sikh maund is said to be equal to 1 maund 12 seers British. The British maund, 

 for the convenience of non-residents of India, may be stated as equal to 80 lbs., and to con- 

 tain 40 seers. , 



c2 ( 313 ) 



