258 On Tabular Returns of £No. 111. 



Mooltan, Bahawalpore, and Soorutgurh, and Bhutneer, (in the Beka- 

 neer states,) mark the route followed by the Kafilas before they enter 

 the British possessions. From Bhutneer they come to Sirsa, in the 

 Bhutty territory ; whence travelling by Ranea, Hansie, and Rhotuck, 

 they enter Delhi, and then diverge to the several marts of the 

 provinces. 



The reason assigned for the Kafilas congregating at Delhi is, that 

 by doing so, they avoid the heavy duties imposed at every customs' 

 chowkey, which they would have to pass in their progress through 

 Bekaneer, Lohanee, Kanounie, and other foreign states. 



The nature of these duties will be judged from the subjoined me- 

 morandum. 



At Soorutghur, per camel load of fruit, pays a tax of . . 12 annas. 

 At Bhutneer, the same, . . . . . . . . J 2 annas. 



Total, Rs. 1 8 



This amount of duty is paid by the Cabool merchants to the Beka- 

 neer state, and it is computed that in good average years a revenue 

 of rupees 12,000 J s derived from this source; which, at 12 annas per 

 camel load, would shew the average number of camel loads of fruit im- 

 ported every season into our territories to be 16,000. This tax is levied 

 without distinction as to the quality of the fruit, all paying alike, and 

 when two camels are lightly laden, from their being young or weak, 

 they pay the tax of one proper camel load. 



At Naheir, in the Bhekaneer states, an additional duty 



is levied of, per camel load, Rs. 1 5 



And at Buhadera, also in the Bekaneer states, a further 

 duty of, per camel load, . . . . . . . . 2 10 



Making a Total of Rs. 3 15 

 which, added to the duties levied at Lohanee, Kanounie, &c. aver- 

 aging 1-8 per camel load, shew an aggregate of rupees 5-7 per camel 

 load, which the merchants would have to pay in addition to the tax 

 paid at Soorutgurh and Bhutneer, were they to enter our territories 

 by any other route than Sirsa and Delhi. Of course, no reference 

 is made to the route running through the Khyber Pass, the Punjab, 

 Ferozepore and Loodianah, as the Cabool merchants would at all 

 risks avoid it. 



