1840.] Memoir of Sylhet, KachaVy ^ adjacent Districts, 817 



huddled together in a manner that gives to them the appearance rather 

 of the temporary abode of fugitives, than the settled residence of a 

 people. This tract is called Bhatta, apparently from its lowness, and 

 seems to have been conquered by the Mussulmans before the rest of 

 Sylhet. 



The eastern division is on a higher level, and rises gradually towards 

 the mountains on either side ; notwithstanding this, the marshes which 

 occasionally occur, might lead to a different belief; but these are very 

 limited in extent, and occupy distinct hollows, and the fact of general 

 rise is proved by the course of the rivers, which without it could never 

 exhibit those strong currents for which they are remarkable. 



The irregularities of the surface are referable to three distinct causes : 

 1st. Several ranges of the alluvial formation crossing it run up into 

 ridges, from one to three hundred feet in height. 



2nd. The vallies formed by these ranges rise from the centre towards 

 either side, where the land being above the level of ordinary inundations, 

 is peculiarly adapted for agricultural purposes, and is called Do-fusilya, 

 or that of two harvests. 



3d. The banks of the Surma and all the hill streams are occupied 

 by land cultivable for two yearly crops, which however here owes its 

 origin to a different cause, having been thrown up by the rivers in 

 working their channels through the plain. 



I have here much satisfaction in bringing to notice one of those rare 

 instances in which the interests of a portion, however small, of the 

 Indian community have been manifestly benefited by the adoption 

 of conclusions emanating solely from European foresight and observa- 

 tion. A causeway constructed by the Mogul Government along the 

 left bank of the Surma, and intended to restrain its inundations, was 

 kept up at a considerable expence by the British Government, until the 

 mischievous consequences which have followed the maintenance of 

 similar erections on the Po and Adige, in Italy, having been brought to 

 notice, it was, about twenty years ago, abandoned, and the river allowed 

 to take its natural course. Contrary to the expectations of many, no harm 

 followed ; the river occasionally rose for a short time above its banks, 

 but the inundation ran off rapidly, and it seldom happened that any 

 injury was done. It was soon, however, observed, that wherever the 

 river overflowed its banks, a sediment was left, which both raised and 



