1849] Kdcch, Bodo and Bhimdl people. 741 



may be stated at 2* rupees in coin. A peasant of the plains, using the 

 plough, will earn twice or even thrice as much as a Bodo or Dhimal, and 

 yet, what with the wretched system of borrowing at 25 to 30 per cent, 

 and the grievous extra frauds incidental to that system, he will not be 

 nearly so well off. The Bodo or Dhimal again, has abundance of domes- 

 tic animals, and is moreover at liberty to eat the flesh of all save the 

 cow, whereas the peasant of the plains has few, and of those only the goat 

 that he can eat. And, lastly, the Bodo's industrious wife not only spins, 

 but weaves and dyes all the clothes of the family, besides supplying it 

 amply with wholesome and agreeable beer, whilst the peasant's wife in the 

 plains does nothing but spin ; and though this may diminish the cost 

 of the family clothing, still it must be bought, nor will there be much 

 thread to dispose it in free sale, apart from the clothier. The high- 

 land peasantry, generally, earn less than the Bodo and Dhimals, and 

 are proportionally worse off, though lightly taxed and exempt from the 

 curse of the borrowing system. The Newar peasants of the great 

 valley of Nepal, — as industrious as the Bodo and Dhimals — nay more 

 so — and more skilful too, — earn more and retain more notwithstand_ 

 ing the heavy rent they pay to their landlord, who pays the light tax 

 or Government demand on the land. 



Houses. — The Bodo and Dhimals build and furnish their own houses 

 without any aid of craftsmen, of whom they have none whatever. 

 They mutually assist each other for the nonce, as well in constructing 

 their houses as in clearing their plots of cultivation, merely providing 

 the helpmates with a plentiful supply of beer. A house is from 1 2 to 

 16 cubits long by 8 to 12 wide ; a smaller house of the same sort is 

 erected opposite for the cattle, and if the family be large, two other 

 domiciles like the first are built on the other sides, so as to enclose an 

 open quadrangle or yard. The houses are made of jungle grass se- 

 cured within and without by a trellice work of strips of bamboo. The 

 roof has a high and somewhat bulging pitch, and a considerable pro- 

 jection beyond the walls. It also is made of wild grass, softer than 

 that which forms the walls. There is only one division of the interior 

 which separates the cooking and the sleeping portions of the house, 

 which has no chimney or window, and but one door. Ten to forty such 



* If the Bodo pay one rupee of direct and two of indirect taxes, he will be near- 

 ly on a level, quoad public burdens, with the peasant of the plains. 



