1839.] On the Coal <$* Iron Mines of Tdlcheer % Ungool, $c. 141 



From Kewatbund (at the edge of the plains) boats and rafts are 

 floated down that branch called the Kursooa. 



The furthest point towards the sea to which the coal could be taken is 

 Hunsooagola, where large sloops anchor. It would be preferable to 

 make this place a depot, Auligurh being many miles further up the 

 river. It is to these places that Messrs. Beetson's sloops come for salt. 

 There is a bankshall belonging to them at Aul, where sloops are built 

 and repaired. The timber is cut and purchased in Dhenkennal, where 

 it is very cheap, and may be had of any size and quality, viz. sal, sissoo, 

 bijesal, kunimb, girahu, &c. A native contractor offered to carry 

 the coal from Talcheer to Hunsooagola, at the rate of twenty-five 

 rupees per 100 maunds, or four annas per maund ; the boats making 

 three trips each season. The lading is included in this amount. Mr. 

 Beetson however informs me that it could be done for one anna per 

 maund, or, at the utmost, two annas. 



From Hunsooa Mr. Beetson would contract to carry the coal to 

 Calcutta, or to any port lower down the coast ; and from his experience 

 of the natives of Oorissa, and his industrious habits, I should venture 

 to recommend any contract for the working of the mines, or transport 

 of the mineral, to be offered to him. 



The iron mines are worked by the different traders, who give grain, 

 tobacco, and salt, to the value of one rupee per maund of metal. Should 

 the coal mines be worked eventually, it would be necessary to pay 

 for the labour in like manner, for money is unknown to the lower 

 orders ; cowries alone are current, and there is a great scarcity of them 

 even. Although there are but few inhabitants, many poor people from 

 the surrounding states would flock to earn food, if proper protection be 

 afforded them. Some difficulty would be experienced at the outset, but 

 that would soon subside. 



On the Tdlcheer Coal, 



That which I shall distinguish by the appellation of " Talcheer 

 Coal/' is found near the town and gurh of that name ; the town gives 

 name to the whole district, which is 14 Ooreya coss in circumference, 

 or forty-two English miles, more or less. 



Talcheergurh (the Raja's stockaded palace) and town (called 

 Patna) are situated on the south bank of the river Brahmenec, on 

 a sandstone rock, rising to the height of 20 or 30 feet from the level 

 of the water. The surrounding country is undulating, with a thin 

 stratum of soil resting on shingle, composed of the debris of primitive 



