1851.] Notes on the Dophlds and their Language, 127 



said to have perished, and the task assigned them remained unaccom- 

 plished. 



Others of their tribe, however, nothing daunted, continued their 

 periodical predations, and annually kidnapped large numbers of men 

 and women, whom they consigned to perpetual slavery. The govern- 

 ment, unable to put a stop to these atrocities, was at length compelled 

 tacitly to submit to them, and yield to these marauders the right of 

 imposing a black mail on all the frontier Muhals. But the exactions 

 of the Dophlas, fell so heavily on the inhabitants of these Muhals, 

 especially, during the period that Raja Purander Sing held the upper 

 portion of the valley, as to lead to the entire desertion of almost all the 

 villages on the frontier. 



On the resumption of the Raja's territories by the British Govern- 

 ment, active measures were taken for checking the predatory habits of 

 the Dophlas. It was then ascertained that the chiefs inhabiting the 

 higher ranges, had alone the prescriptive right to the black mail. 

 Their intercourse with the plains however, had long been obstructed 

 by their hostile neighbours of the lower ranges. But the able conduct 

 and perseverance of the British authorities, in re-opening communica- 

 tions with them, and engaging them in active co-operation, compelled 

 the allegiant clans of the petty chiefs on the frontier hills to pay due 

 submission to the paramount authority, and to desist from all further 

 acts of violence on the people of the plains ; while the chiefs who held 

 the prescriptive right to the tribute were glad to enter into an agree- 

 ment to receive an annual sum from the British Government in lieu of 

 all their demands. The sum so paid since 1836-37, amounts to Co.'s 

 Rs. 2543, which is divided among no less than two hundred and thirty- 

 eight different chiefs. 



Of the mountains, inhabited by the Dophlas, we possess no topo- 

 graphical information of any value. The few Asamese slaves, who 

 from time to time contrive to effect their escape from servitude, affirm 

 that the Dophla villages are large and numerous, that the inhabitants 

 keep large flocks of cattle, and are well supplied with grain. The 

 country is thickly covered with forests, and during the winter months, 

 the fall of snow is said to be very heavy. 



The climate, generally speakiDg is highly healthful. The tem- 

 perature, is as various as the several elevations of the ever-varied 



