68 Remarks on the Country between [Feb. 



of mango-trees and cultivation. To the S. and at the distance of about 

 a couple of miles, are seen the continuation of the low range of hills, 

 noticed close to Goomgaon. This is the lower range of the Kali-bheet 

 hills. 



The road out of Goomgaon, in the direction of Mukrai, is very good 

 and very wide ; yet there is little or no thoroughfare on it : — a few 

 brinjary bullocks with grain, and the Goands bringing to the plains 

 their lumps of unwrought iron, are the chief, if not only people met 

 with ; moosafirs (travellers) are never seen. 



At the distance of about three miles from Goomgaon, we arrive at the 

 foot of a ghat, the ascent of which is by no means long, nor particular- 

 ly steep. The soil appeared to be of a gravelly nature ; the whole of 

 the distance from the village to the top of the ghat was skirted by a 

 wood jungle, in which not a single village was visible, while the first 

 mile led through large detached blocks and masses of rock; apparently 

 of limestone formation, which were scattered about in great confusion. 

 It had the appearance of having been caused by an earthquake. 



On reaching the top of the ghat, a fine prospect is presented on all 

 sides ; in the first place, we stand on table-land, (at an elevation, I con- 

 jectured, of between 15 and 1800 feet above the sea,) which stretches to 

 the east, to the south, and to the west for a good distance. The southern 

 aspect however was bounded, where the horizon intersected the view, by 

 lofty hills, whose towering peaks rose proudly to the sky. These I sup- 

 posed to be the lofty range, amongst which the fortress of Gawilgurh 

 stands: facing round to the N., a splendid view of the plain below for 

 miles and miles in extent, thickly studded with fine topes of trees, and 

 whose face presented one beautiful sheet of cultivation, gladdened the 

 eye. This magnificent view extends nearly in a half circle from W. 

 to E. The soil on the table-land, I particularly noticed, was of a very 

 black loam. The road was of very great width, very level, and in an 

 excellent state ; the strata thereof consisted of a reddish colored gravel. 

 At the distance of a mile or two further on, a miserable hamlet was 

 reached, consisting of half a dozen huts, called Doomgaon. The people 

 who inhabited them were of the Bhumkar caste; and in all respects, 

 save the name, were the counterpart of Goands. 



From Doomgaon, we left the high road, (if such it can be called, 

 being seldom, if ever, travelled,) and branched off to the left by a nar- 

 row pathway into the jungle depths. The first part of the way was a 

 rapid descent into a small valley, in which we found innumerable streams 

 to cross, and wherein we were closely surrounded by hills and forest. At 

 the expiration of two or three miles' progress, a hill was ascended, half 

 way round the crest of which a narrow and dangerous footpath led : 



