294 Report of the Kohistan of the Jullundhur Doab. [April, 



remarks on the present condition of the people. Since the time when 

 this country first became a British Province a new order of society has 

 been gradually springing into existence. Heretofore the bulk of the 

 inhabitants were kept in a state of abject poverty by a few Sikh Sirdars 

 in whose hands all the power and the wealth of the land were concen- 

 trated. By these unprincipled tyrants every species of mental and 

 bodily despotism were practised upon the unfortunate people. But a 

 new order of things has been created ; freedom and prosperity have 

 marked the advent of the British. Life and property have been secur- 

 ed, and feudalism has been for ever abolished. Wealth is being more 

 equally diffused, and a middle class is arising to unite the two extremes 

 of society, which have unhappily too long existed. The foundation of 

 a new order of society has thus been laid which will form in a short 

 time the connecting link between the Government and the nation. The 

 advantages to be derived from such a change are incalculable. To be 

 convinced of its importance we have merely to trace the progress of 

 English society from the Norman conquest to the present time. If we 

 compare the time, when the English people were serfs, and the feudal 

 Barons the very counterparts of the domineering Sirdars, to that of the 

 present day, when the wealth and intelligence of the British nation are 

 concentrated in the middle ranks, we cannot fail to be struck with the 

 beneficial results of the change. On the other hand, the present con- 

 dition of Spain affords us a melancholy illustration of a nation possess- 

 ing only two ranks of society ; where the haughty and indigent Hidalgo 

 may be compared to our proud needy Suwars. It is wonderful how- 

 ever to reflect on what has been already accomplished for the benefit of 

 the people inhabiting these hills since the conquest of the country. 

 Slavery has been abolished ; the rites of Suttee prohibited ; and the 

 prsedial spirit checked : — in fact, all traces of barbarism have been 

 swept away in the short space of two years. It has always been consi- 

 dered an indication of a rising country when the produce of labour, and 

 the rate of wages are simultaneously on the increase ; but here we have 

 an additional proof of the improved condition of the country, viz. in 

 the increase of cultivation. The waste lands are being gradually 

 redeemed ; and the men, who before were satisfied with a bare existence, 

 are now looking after their domestic comforts, and are daily becoming 

 more useful members of society. The people are mild and tractable, 



