86 THE HIGHLANDS OF CENTRAL INDIA 



harvest of the plains in the month of March, much after 

 the fashion of the gangs of Irishmen who cross the Channel 

 about harvest time. But the genuine hill-man of the far 

 interior cannot yet bring himself to this, and is often put 

 to severe straits by the failure of his scanty crop. 



Such was now the case with the Gonds and Korkils in 

 and about the Puchmurree hills ; and I soon saw that to 

 make anything of them I must appeal to their bellies. I 

 accordingly sent down to the nearest large market in the 

 plains, and purchased a mighty store of wheat and millet 

 — about twenty-five bullock loads, I think— and had it 

 sent up by the agency of some of the Banjara ^ carriers, 

 who are in the habit of penetrating the remotest tracts 

 of these hills with loads of salt, and taking back forest 

 produce in return. 



In the meantime I got up the remainder of my camp, 

 pitched the large tent, and erected a hut of wattle and 

 daub as a storehouse for the grain and tools, and made 

 myself comfortable. At the same time I arranged for a 

 few artificers, carpenters, and masons, being sent up from 

 the plains ; but it was long before any of them could be 

 induced to venture into the dreaded region. Though the 

 geological surveyor of the Narbada valley had given no 

 hope of limestone being found in these hills, I discovered 



^ These Banjaras are a curious race of nomads who are found 

 everywhere in Central India, acting as carriers with herds of pack 

 bullocks. Their name means " Forest Wanderer," and they appear 

 to be perfectly distinct both from Hindus and from the known ab- 

 original tribes. It has been conjectured with some probability that 

 they are gipsies. They are a fine, stalwart, light-coloured people, 

 ready for any adventure, and of dauntless courage. With the aid of 

 their splendid dogs they do not scruple to attack and spear the wild 

 boar, the bear, and even the tiger; and they are at all times ardent 

 and indefatigable sportsmen. Each tanda, as their camps are called, 

 is commanded by a chief called the naik, whom all obey, and who, in 

 coimcil with the elders, disposes of intertribal oSenders, even to the 

 extent of capital punishment, it is believed. The old men and many 

 of the women and children remain encamped at some favourite 

 grazing spot during the expeditions, where all return to pass the 

 rainy season and recruit their cattle. Though eminent in the art and 

 practice of highway robbery, the Banjaras are scrupulously faithful in 

 the execution of trusts, and are constantly employed in the interchange 

 of commodities between the open country and the forest tracts. 



