1840.] Memoir of Sylhet, Kachar, ^ adjacent districts. 843 



and that unquestionably was the dread of the devastation which accom- 

 panied the Burmese advance ; but if the existing Government had been 

 unpopular, all would have been at least indifferent at a change of 

 masters, and some certainly would have intrigued with the enemy. 

 But nothing of the kind occurred, and I even succeeded in inducing 

 some who had been released, after falling into the enemy's hands, to 

 return and act as spies on our behalf, at the risk of every thing 

 which a Hindu (and these were Brahmuns) values more than life. 



On the other hand, many of the inhabitants of Kachar disgusted and 

 worn out by the oppressions of their native chiefs, did coalesce with the 

 Burmans, thereby proving that their dread of that sanguinary people 

 could be overcome by their sense of the intolerable character of the 

 Government under which they were groaning, and that they had reached 

 a point in endurance, at which any change appeared for the better. 



Memorandum on the Silk Trade between Shikarpore and Khorassan^ 

 and on the produce of Indigo in Sinde. By Lieut. J. Postans, As- 

 sistant Political Agent, Upper Sinde. 



The importation of raw silk from the north-west to Shikarpore 

 is one of the most important branches of the import trade from 

 that direction ; the article appears to be of a superior description, and 

 as I am not aware of its being known in the Bombay market, I have 

 collected the following particulars to accompany samples. 



The following are the descriptions of the raw silk, with the prices 

 of each in the Shikarpore Bazar, import duty paid (at one rupee six 

 annas per maund). 



No. 1. " Kokanee,' from Bokhara (produced in Toorkistan) price 

 10* Shikarpore rupees per assar. 



No. 2. " Toonee" from Kerat (produced in Toorkistan) 13 Rs. 12 

 annas per assar. 



* Silk raw and in thread, prepared, is weighed at the rate of 90| Shikarpore 

 rupees, or 1 assar, or 88 Company's rupees last coinage. The Shikarpore rupee at 

 present is worth 94| Company's per 100 Shikarpore, or b\ per cent in favour of 

 the former. 



