1844.] the Kumaon and Rohilcund Turaee. 905 



to the Nuggur Kotias and others were paid, and Rs. 40,000 are (I be- 

 lieve with complete truth,) mentioned as forming the highest amount 

 remitted to Deep Chund's treasury at Almorah* In the earlier times 

 of the Terrai, the Rajah dealt more directly with the cultivators of the 

 soil, and the intervening tenures, religious, mafee, military, and the 

 like, did not exist; hence, the large amounts recorded as revenue. 

 In regard to the cultivators, the Rajah's share was considered to be a 

 sixth of the produce ; but, this fact would militate greatly against 

 the stories handed down of the Nowluckia Mai. Fifty-four lacs worth of 

 produce in the narrow slip of the Chowrassie Mai, would indeed have 

 entitled it to a high rank among the many so-called gardens of India. 



The remaining portion of the rental enumerated in the state- 

 ment was collected for the benefit of some few Brahmin Mafeedars and 

 some hill temples ; but principally at that period by the headmen 

 among the hereditary Chokedars of the Terrai, who had been gradual- 

 ly introduced into the territory from the time of Baz Bahadoor Chund's 

 visit to Delhi. In the south-eastern extremity of the Bhabur, 

 the race of Burwaicks, and in the same direction nearer the 

 hills, the Jooteals, and in the Western Pergunnahs the Mewattees and 

 Heirees (Mussulmans,) were the guardians, but in fact, the possessors of 

 the soil ; and a system of " black mail" was thus introduced, the evil effects 

 of which remain to this day, and which during its continuance, rendered 

 the sub-montane tract the general safe resort of the banditti, at the 

 same time that it gave protection to a portion of the community ; that 

 is, those who could afford to pay the insurance fees thereof; and saved 

 others from outrage and plunder only by making them connivers, 

 through shelter and concealment, with the worst of criminals. Bur- 

 rukdeb* Joshee and Jyekishen Joshee succeeded their father as Minis- 

 ters, and soon after both Casheepoor and Roodurpoor were plundered 

 by predatory bands of Pathdns, who are stated to have found a large 

 quantity of booty at those places, owing to the temporary inhabitancy 

 thereat, of the earlier emigrants of whom I have spoken. 



* The direct lineal descendant of this personage, called by Mr. Fraser " the 

 Earl Warwick, or king-maker of Kumaon," is, I am sorry to say, living in very 

 reduced circumstances, and without a pension at Almorah, while others, with smaller 

 claims are provided for. 



