672 Lieut. Kittoe's Journey through the Forests of Orissa. [August, 



and thickly populated; the chief cultivation appears to be rice, there is 

 however some indigo, also sugar-cane. 



From Chardeh to Ektale (the 5th stage) there is but very little 

 clear and cultivated land, consequently much jungle ; a little cultiva- 

 tion occurs near Bajennah (the 3rd stage) also near Purooliah (the 

 4th). The soil is much the same as that of Mednipur, perhaps a little 

 more sandy. Although there is so much dense jungle, there are 

 evidences of the land having once been cultivated, and were it cleared 

 I should think that the soil would prove rich and well adapted to the 

 growth of cotton. 



Ektale is a large village on the edge of the high iron-stone forma- 

 tion, here bordering what may be termed the valley of the Dolung river, 

 and (like that of the Cossai) fertile and well cultivated. There 

 are several large villages right and left of the road towards Ghooteah, 

 which is on the high land to the opposite side of the valley, distant 

 four miles from Ektale. 



Messrs. MacDonald have an indigo factory near Ghooteah and much 

 plant is grown on the high grounds in its vicinity. 



There appears to be much low jungle to the northward of the road, 

 and a considerable belt to the southward also, beyond this towards 

 the valley of the Subunreeka in the Dholbhoom and Maunbhoom 

 districts (commencing near Ghooteah) the country is open and 

 well cultivated, I remarked some very fine gram and mustard, and 

 should think that superior wheat, barley, and flax might be 

 grown throughout this tract, likewise sugar-cane. The scenery is 

 very beautiful, particularly towards the southern and western horizon, 

 the Semulpal, Kussum, and Baumunghatti hills in Mohurbhunj add 

 greatly to the beauty of the landscape, and when the broad bed of the 

 Subunreeka is full in the rains, it must also contribute no small share 

 of elegance to the picture. 



I halted a couple of days near Gopibullubpur, which is a very large 

 village belonging to a Gosain ; a little to the northward are several 

 other villages close together, the principal of which is Nyabussaun, it 

 gives name to a large purgunnah belonging to Mohurbhunj. The Raja 

 has given it on a long lease to Messrs. Macintosh, indigo planters, who 

 have several factories on the Maunbhoom side of the river, one of 

 which is opposite to Gopibullubpur; their bungalow was burnt 

 down the night previous to my arrival. The Mohurbhunj people 

 appear dissatisfied with the arrangements above alluded to, they seem 

 to be averse to the cultivation of indigo, thinking that it impoverishes 

 the land. 



