1834.] Hoskungabad and Mukrai. 69 



at our feet, and washing the base of the hill, flowed a respectable moun- 

 tain stream, filled with fragments and detached masses of rock, and 

 having but little water. There was a gradual descent on the other face 

 of the hill, where this stream was crossed again. At the distance of a 

 couple of hundred yards from the ford stood a Goand hamlet, a mere 

 collection of five or six wretched-looking huts : at the distance of a mile 

 further, we crossed a small open plain, in which the jungle was cleared 

 away, and the soil cultivated. This patch, however, extended but a 

 short distance, for it was bounded on the left hand by a range of well - 

 wooded hills, and on the right by high grass and praus jungle, with 

 hills close at hand. Another stream, a little deeper than those previ- 

 ously passed, was reached, and a short and easy ascent out of its gravel 

 bed brought us to the Goand village of Basigurh, which is situated on 

 the crest of a small hill, covered with wood ; it was a small place, and of 

 no note whatever, save being the supposed haunt of the Pindary free- 

 booter Shekh Dulla. To the S. S. E., in a hollow, stood, some short 

 distance off, another Goand hamlet called Kali-kho. 



Returning the same road, I remained a few minutes at Doomgaon to 

 take a look at the fort of Mukrai, which appeared to be about three or 

 four miles distant, nearly south. Its walls appeared very high, and were 

 built of light red-colored sandstone. The front presented a beautiful ap- 

 pearance, situated as it was on the table-land, or plateau, while the rays 

 of the morning sun, shining right on it, increased the effect. 



Mukrai is the residence of a Goand Raja. The Sianee nuddee flows 

 under its walls. On making inquiries for Kali-bheet, I was informed 

 that it was only 25 miles distant from Mukrai, but I conceive its site 

 further to the westward. 



The natives of this part of India appeared quiet and inoffensive, but 

 sadly poverty-stricken, while the population was excessively scanty. The 

 climate is fatal to the European constitution, between the months of June 

 and December. Malaria rages greatly during the intervening months, 

 and the water both of the running streams and wells is unfit to drink, 

 without being previously boiled. Fogs and mists are of frequent occur- 

 ence just after the rains. Two or three different kinds of fish are pro- 

 curable in the Machuk nuddee, but chelwas (a kind of sprat) and eels 

 predominate, and green pigeons are abuudant. 



If I recollect rightly, there was in Mugurduh one bunya's (or chandler) 

 shop ; one blacksmith's ; one carpenter's : these two obtained a liveli- 

 hood by forging and making and repairing the rude implements of hus- 

 bandry, beyond the knowledge of which their skill did not extend ; and 

 two or may be three korees, (Hindo weavers,) for the weaving of dhotees 

 and chudurs. 



