1850.] Report on the Valley of Spiti. 439 



Chinese government, but in ancient times there were Tartar hordes 

 upon the border, and the Spiti people appear to have paid this grain 

 to be protected from plunder. 



Revenue how hitherto collected.— -The revenue of Spiti has hitherto 

 been collected by a Vazir (hereditary) ; whatever revenue is required 

 has been levied equally from the five Kotis : in the collection, he is 

 assisted by five " Gatpos" or Mukiahs. The Vazir has hitherto 

 been allowed to pay himself at the rate of one rupee in four, and he 

 holds the village of " Kiuling" in Jaghir. 



Amount of grain produced, and probable home consumption. — The 

 whole five Kotis contain 2,554 lacs of ground. The probable pro- 

 duce of this land will be 20,667 lacs of grain, and the probable annual 

 home consumption 15,000 lacs; which, deducting 800 lacs for the 

 produce of the Jaghir lands, will leave them 4,867 lacs to pay their 

 revenne with ; which, roughly calculated, would be about 1,600 rupees, 

 besides the sale of Ghoonts, say 400 rupees, and any tax upon their 

 industry. 



Commerce. — The Spiti people are not essentially traders, their coun- 

 try affords but little pasturage, and they have seldom more sheep than 

 to supply their own wants. 



Exports. — The exports are confined to grain and a few Ghoonts, 

 together with a few manufactured blankets, and pieces of Barmiir 

 cloth. The return for their grain is salt, and wool. For grain they 

 receive equal weight of salt, and for three lacs of barley they receive 

 eight " kiris" of wool ; the kiri is a Chinese weight, and differs from 

 12 to 16 seers. 



Trade with Chinese. — The Chinese are their own carriers: they 

 come to Spiti in November, and take about 1,000 lacs of grain, and a 

 few Ghoonts. The Spiti people say that this trade might be increased. 

 The Chinese do not barter " pashm" or Shawl wool, but take rupees 

 for it. 



From the Chinese, the Spiti people buy their sheep, (a very fine 

 description) giving five lacs of grain for one sheep. 



Trade with Busdhir and Ladak. — They export to Busahir about 

 250 lacs of grain, chiefly to Siingnam, and receive in exchange rupees : 

 the Busahir people are their own carriers : a few Ghoonts are also sold. 

 To the Busahir people they also exchange part of the salt they 



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