1841.] Memorandum on Shikarpore, in Upper Sindh. 23 



produce of the Khyrpore, Bhawulpore, and the Punjab countries will 

 form a staple return commodity for merchandize to be transmitted 

 from the other Presidency; silk (raw), drugs, and dyes may also be 

 enumerated as well worthy of attention. The influence of the British 

 Government, and the protection it has already afforded to trade in 

 these countries have had their effect at Shikarpore, evinced in the 

 increasing revenue* and settlement there of influential traders from 

 Loodhiana, Amritsir, Bhawulpore, and other places. 



The revenue of Shikarpore derivable from trade amounted last year 



Revenue from trade to Rs . 54,736 



and lands. 

 Other tax and revenue for lands belonging to the 



town, 16,645 



Making a total of 71,381 



divided between the Khyrpore and Hyderabad chiefs, in the pro- 

 portion of ^ ths to the former, and ^ ths to the latter. The lands and 

 villages forming the Shikarpore Pergunnah, amount to about six 

 talookehs, and about sixty villages, of which four talookehs and 

 twenty-three villages only belong to the Hyderabad government ; the 

 revenue of the whole, deducting jahgirs, may be about two lacs 

 annually. 



The government of the town is vested in two agents, or governors, 

 Government of the furnished by the Hyderabad and Khyrpore Ameers, 

 town. who have also the duty of the Police of the district, 



and collection of the revenue. 



The climate of Shikarpore is sultry, and the heat excessive from the 

 Climate. middle of March until the end of August. There are 



no periodical rains, though storms are generally looked for at the end 

 of June, or middle of July. If rain falls at that time, it continues for a 

 space of two or three days, but severe falls occur at the vernal equi- 

 noxes. The air is remarkably dry and clear. The low situation of the 

 town, coupled with its being surrounded by stagnant pools close to the 

 walls, and a large space of the adjacent country for a considerable period 



* The soucars report that the trade has increased nearly one-third during the current 

 year. 



