1843.] in Kumaon and Ghurwai 471 



4 annas per diem, as none of the hill men appear to have any objection 

 to working in the mines as labourers. The mining, or Aguree caste 

 is, it is true, one of the lowest, but Brahmins, Rajpoots and Khasyas do 

 not object to work as labourers in the mines. I have seen all of the 

 above castes working under Mr. Wilkin at Pokree of their own free 

 will, and have myself often employed them when in the district (also 

 of their own free will) in duties which in the plains, are usually per- 

 formed by coolees ; such as digging, cutting wood, fetching materials 

 for building, &c. 2ndly. With regard to habit and disposition of the 

 people, the natives of Pokree, and generally speaking, of Ghurwai, 

 are docile, good humoured and willing, inferior in point of physical 

 strength to the European ; but still capable of performing a very fair 

 amount of work, if well looked after. In common with most Hindoos, 

 they possess the great virtue of sobriety, and for honesty, are remark- 

 able. Nor are they long in acquiring the use of European tools, even 

 of the pit-saw, the manner of working which is so repugnant to native 

 ideas of ease and convenience. With regard to crime, I may state, that 

 robbery, murder, and, generally speaking, all heinous offences, are 

 rare in Ghurwai. I know not how it is, whether it be owing to the 

 nature of the country, the scantiness of the population, to amiability of 

 temper, or want of energy* and spirit; but this fact is certain, that 

 violence and a recourse to bloodshed seem to be almost unknown. If two 

 Ghurwalees quarrel, they seldom proceed to blows, or should a fight 

 actually take place, it is not of that sanguinary and reckless kind which 

 occurs so frequently in England and elsewhere: such are the bright 

 traits of the Ghurwalee character. On the other hand, they are 

 credulous, ignorant, and superstitious to a degree; believing in ghosts, 

 the evil-eye and witchcraft, and by no means remarkable for a love or 

 practice of truth, where they consider it their interest to speak falsely. 

 Still on the whole, weighing the good against the bad, I have often 

 been struck by the many excellencies of their character, and strange 

 though the statement may appear to be, I have at times felt inclined 

 to believe, that compared with similar classes of our own country, 



* I do not think the Ghurwalees are wanting in courage, and believe they have 

 proved themselves efficient as Sipahees in Cabool, where many of them are serving in 

 H. M. Shah Sujah's Force. 



