J OURNAL 



ASIATIC SOCIETY 



Note on the Navigation of the river Nurbudda. By Mr. A. Shakespear, 

 Assistant Secretary to Government N. W. P. 



The benefit which would result from opening a direct eommunica- 



Importance of the ^ on fr° m tfte sea mt0 tne heart of Central India, by 



subject. means of the Nurbudda river, was acknowledged 



by Major General Sir J. Malcolm as far back as 1820, and steps 



were taken by that officer for collecting the necessary information. 



Since then, although no regular scientific enquiry has been insti- 

 tuted, yet Government has, from time to time, shewn itself alive to 

 the importance of using the stream of the Nurbudda as a medium 

 of communication, and making it an outlet for the produce of the 

 neighbouring country. 



Upon its waters the products of the valley of the Nurbudda, rich 

 Channel for the in mineral and vegetable resources, would be borne 



produce of the valley . 



of the Nurbudda. to a market, and available for adding incalculably 

 to the national wealth. 



But it is only of late years, since extensive coal beds have been 

 Making coal beds discovered to exist within a short distance of its 

 available. banks, and the value of the mineral to be there pro- 



cured has been tested and established, that the still greater importance 

 of this stream has been felt. 



No. 151. No. 67, New Series. 3 y 



