1848. J Route from Kathmandu to Darjeling. C43 



the jurisdiction of Dhankuta extends over the old Bijaypur principality, 

 and towards the hills, over the country of the Kirants and Limbus. 

 But both the latter tribes are poor at once and impatient of control, so 

 that the Nepal Government is content with a lax general submission 

 and a light revenue levied and paid through the Bais or native heads 

 of those tribes. And this is the reason why only nine lakhs are remit- 

 ted from Dhankuta to Kathmandu. The present Governor of Dhan- 

 kuta is a colonel, and brother to the Premier Jang Bahadur Konwar. 

 There is a cantonment, a powder manufactory, a parade ground at 

 Dhankuta, where the Sri Jang regiment, 500 strong, is now stationed. 

 The place owes its origin to the Gorkali dynasty, and is therefore recent ; 

 but it is growing fast into a town, the pakka houses being already nu- 

 merous, and the tradesmen and craftsmen abundant, active and skilful. 

 Provisions are plentiful and cheap, and the workers in Kansa (mixed 

 metal) are celebrated for the excellence of their commodities, many of 

 which find sale so far off as Kathmandu. The Kirantis and Limbus, 

 who constituted the soldiery or militia of the former Bijoypur state } 

 pay to the Ghorka Government annually in lieu of all other taxes and 

 claims, 7-| rupees per house or family. The houses or families are 

 large, so that each can cultivate a great extent of ground. But how 

 much (or little) soever they may raise, each family is free on payment 

 of the annual fixed assessment, which the Rais above noticed collect 

 and deliver. The Rais also administer Police and Justice among their 

 own people in all ordinary cases. Capital crimes are referred to the 

 governor of Dhankuta, who must have the Durbar' s sanction for every 

 sentence of death or confiscation. Dhankiita overlooks Bijoypur, the 

 old capital of the Eastern Makwani or Bijaypur Principality, which 

 stands on the skirts of the Tarai of Morang, but within the hills ; and 

 no part of the low lands (Madhes) is subject to the Governor of Dhan- 

 kuta. The Madhes is administered by Subahs, of whom there are 

 seven for the whole.* 



18th Stage to Bhainsia tar, south east, 6 cos. 

 A sharp descent of one cos brings you to the banks of the Tamor, 

 which is a large river, though less than the Arun. It is never fordable 

 and is crossed in boats. It is very deep, rapid, but not clear, and about 



* The 7 zillabs of the Nepalese lowlands, which extend from the Arrah to the 

 Mechi, are Moraug, Saptari, Mahotari, Rotahat, Bara, Parsa and Chitwan, 



