96 Report on the Statistics of Banda. [No. 2. 



1 2th. Ascending to the table-land or Patha, we find a very shallow 

 soil resting on sandstone often cropping out in rugged rocks the harder 

 portions standing up in relief, when the softer have been worn away. 

 The unequal hardness of the layers composing the mass of sandstone, 

 has given rise to some very curious and beautiful chasms formed by 

 the streams. That near Gurhrampur, where the limestone abovemen- 

 tioned is found, is not a mile outside the boundary, and of very 

 remarkable appearance, the rocks above actually overhanging the base 

 of the chasm, which must be upwards of 200 feet deep, and which after 

 heavy rain must be a very fine waterfall. Similar, but larger falls are 

 found on the Baghin, in the independent states 16 to 20 miles south 

 of this district. Similar falls occur at Bedhak above Nihee, and 

 Abarkan and Dharkhund above Kalyanpur, Pergannah Kalyangarh, 

 of smaller extent than the Gurhrampur ones but of singular beauty. 

 The falls of the Burdaha are broad but not very deep, there is a long 

 cave or covered gallery running under the fall ; it is situated on 

 the confines of Mauzas Auchadi and Mow, Pergannah Kalyangarh. 

 Those of the Pysuni are double and the rock does not overhang : as 

 in the other instance, they lie a few yards from the high road, near 

 Mauza Bombhua, Pergannah Kalyangarh. 



13^. In Pergannah Kalyangarh iron is found and is worked 

 pretty extensively at several points especially at Gobarhai ; it is consi- 

 dered of very fine quality. The mines are situated high up in the 

 hills. The works at Gobarhai are managed by a company of Lohars 

 (blacksmiths) ; they pay nothing to the Zemindars for the right of 

 digging the raw ore, but a sum of Rs. 4 per kiln per season. Work com- 

 mences as soon after the close of the rains as they can get a sufficient 

 quantity of charcoal ready, but it is not in full vigour till March. The 

 manner of smelting is as follows. The ore, termed Dhdu is broken 

 into small pieces, and put into the first furnace, termed Ndr, which is 

 merely a sort of oven sunk below the surface, mixed with common 

 charcoal, made indiscriminately from any wood ; it is kept in a high 

 state of ignition with a rude pair of bellows (Jor). A buffaloe load of 

 charcoal is expended in one day upon about 1 or 1| mun of the Dhau, 

 and after the whole day's work the first process is considered complete. 

 The large mass of iron termed Chuli is then drawn out with a long 

 pair of tongs termed Karguha or Sansi ; it is cut in two while hot 



