120 The Ancient Canals in the Dethi Territory. [Marcn, 
lands*. The abstracts show that on the Delhi canal, an immedi- 
ate and satisfactory commencement was made by the cultivators, in 
availing themselves of the benefits put within their reach; on the other 
canals this is apparently much less the case, the explanation of which 
appears to me to be simply, that, on the Delhi canal and upper parts 
of Frroz’s canal, irrigation from its waters was merely the resumption of 
an old practice, of which the memory still remained, and the country 
being intersected by old water-courses, the villagers had merely to fol- 
low up their traces to the canal banks, and clear them out with a tole» 
rable assurance that when opened they would be serviceable, and that 
their money expended on the clearance would not be thrown awayt. On 
Frroz’s canal, below Sufzdon, and the Doab canal, the case was totally 
different ; no remains of ancient water-courses existed to point out to 
the inhabitants the mode of drawing the water to their lands; they had 
not the recollections of such a system of irrigation having existed, and 
had to buy all their experience of the disadvantages of adopting what 
was the cheapest mode, a direct cut from the nearest point of the canal to 
their lands without reference to level; and it was not until they had 
bought this experience, and failed, that, they would listen to the advice 
given them, and lead their water-courses so as to answer the purposes. 
On Frroz’s canal, the system too led to a perfectly new mode of life: 
instead of continuing a pastoral people, who depended on the periodical 
rains raising them grain sufficient for their food with little trouble, 
they early made the discovery, that, with plenty of good water for their 
cattle, if they used it for irrigation, they must give up a life of idleness 
for one of comparative labour, and it was only by very slow degrees 
they acquired the knowledge, that, the advantages derivable from 
it would compensate them for the labour, and it is only now that 
the advances are beginning to be rapid, and advice sought as to the 
best means of availing themselves of the water. It cannot however be 
expected, that the benefits of the canals in Haridna will be developed 
until the rising generation brought up on the line of canals to labour, 
forms the majority of the-inhabitants; and will not be fully so, until 
time and good government does away with the recollections of the life 
of general inactivity, added to the predatory habits, of their forefathers 
* This epidemic was not confined to the canals, but extended from Lédianah 
to Jaipur, as also east of the Jamna, when the Doab canal was not opened. The 
abstracts will show its effects, from which many places have not yet recovered. 
t The expence of clearing out the water-courses, from 100 to 200 rupees per 
mile, is always incurred by the cultivators, sometimes aided by a loan from 
government free of interest. 
