1847.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 1253 



From Mr. Piddington, forwarding letters from Major Jenkins and 

 Capt. S. Reynolds, with a description and drawing of the sculptured 

 brass vessels used as a medium of exchange among the Garrow 

 tribes. 



My dear Piddington, — I am not Archaeologist enough to know if 

 this account of the Garrow Korahs is of any interest, but the name itself may 

 be new to you. A Korah or Corah is a brass basin, of which the enclosed 

 paper gives you the depth and circumference. 



It is rather a curious thing that these Corahs are the current coin of the 

 Garrows, and here is paid fines and tributes in Corahs. We sell them at auction, 

 and the Bengalis take them back again in the way of trade and so I suppose, 

 they hover over these hills for ages. I did not know what Capt. Reynolds 

 says that they were in demand on account of the value of the Brass, but this 

 value perhaps attaches only to the Corahs of the days of old. At present 

 new ones are I believe made in the Mymensing and Rungpore zillahs, and I 

 suppose the brass is as bad as it can be. 



The old Corahs must also be of Bengali manufacture, for the Garrows do 

 not work in brass and not even in iron. 



I enclose another bead in great demand amongst the Nagas. Is it Cornelian 

 or glass ? Can you tell me if such are procurable in Calcutta, and at what 

 cost per 100. 



Your's sincerely, 

 October 16^, 1847. J. Jenkins. 



Goalpara, August 22nd, 1847. 



My dear Sir, — I enclose a sketch made by Mr. Leslie, of the emboss- 

 ed figures and ornaments on a Garrow Korah or dish, which was brought in 

 in a case of theft the other day, and as it appeared to me curious how these 

 people have got hold of such things, I got Mr. Leslie to sketch it in order 

 to send it you in hopes you would be able to procure information on this 

 head. 



The Garrows themselves do not know how their ancestors became possessed 

 of these dishes, and state that they are heirlooms in their families, and 

 are only used on grand occasions. The Omlahs and others who I have spoken 

 to say that they are of Bengalee manufacture, and that the Garrows in the 

 first instance obtained these from them. If so what is the reason of the 

 Bengalees anxiety to purchase these Garrow Korahs, as they can obtain, it 

 may be supposed, as good in Bengal, but they are willing to give any price 

 here for the Korahs to sell in Bengal. 



