1850.] Descriptive notice of the District of Jhilum. 57 



zillah. The town of Hasola is of tolerable size, but the district is 

 barren, being much cut up by ravines. The fort at Hasola was built 

 by Jaya Singh, who fled to Cabul, during the time of Ranjit, having 

 incurred the old lion's displeasure. 



In several parts of the Chakhowal Tehsil, gold is found in the 

 rainy season in the numerous streams which flow from the salt range 

 to the north, the rate at which the * druns,' as they are called are 

 assessed, being 5 Rs. a year. The drun is like a small punt boat 

 < Cdm^ =open at the smaller end. At the upper end twigs of trees and 

 grass are placed, upon which is deposited the dark sand containing the 

 gold particles. Over this streams of water are dashed continually, 

 and while the lighter sand escapes at the small end of the drun, the 

 heavier containing the gold remains at the bottom, whence it is after- 

 wards removed and again sifted in a kind of concave platter called a 

 'patri.' The number of driins on the Chakhowal Tehsil is 53, 

 and the amount levied yearly 225, but the gold is not of such fine 

 quality as that found further west. The occupation is not much in 

 vogue now, in consequence of the light land assessments, but in years 

 of scarcity the driins are worked with great assiduity by the poorer 

 class of people. 



At Mukhad on the Indus, the driins are very numerous, and the 

 sum formerly levied from this source exceeded 500 a year. One man 

 in two days collects enough gold to form a small pill, the Government 

 taking at Mukhad a fee of 3 Rs. per tola, the gold afterwards selling 

 at 15 Rs. or rather more. 



The above districts form the Chakhowal Tehsil of which the fol- 

 lowing is an analysis. 



Districts. No. of villages. Revenue. 



Dhuni, 138 1,40,000 



Syadpur, 44 20,000 



Doman, 27 10,000 



Hasola, 18 16,000 



Gurha, 13 5,500 



240 1,91,500 



Gurha is a small district, a confiscated Jageer of Surat Singh 

 Majitia to the east of the Ghorigalla pass. 



i 



