382 Account of Pergunnah MaJiola, Zillah Humeerpore. [No. 4. 



The numerous ruins of temples and dwellings, built of curi- 

 ously cut granite, attest the greatness and wealth of its kings in 

 former days ; but long after their decay, it was made a place of 

 importance by a large colony of " Brinjarees" or grain merchants 

 settling here. They created as it were a new village to the East of 

 the old town, erecting substantial stone houses, many of which are 

 still in such good order as to show how recent their occupation was. 

 There is nothing wonderful in their choosing this spot, situated as 

 it is on one of the great roads to Central India, as the centre of 

 their operations ; but their sudden disappearance from the scene 

 cannot fail to create surprise. Mr. Balfour, however, writing of these 

 people in the Asiatic Society's Journal for January, 1844, gives a 

 reason, which may in this matter be accepted as the true explan- 

 ation. He states that they originally came from Rajpootana, carry- 

 ing on traffic as grain merchants by laden bullocks, welcome every 

 where in seasons of scarcity, supplying armies in war, and respected 

 by both parties, each being equally interested in their safety. A 

 time of hostility or dearth was a period of activity to them, and 

 they rejoiced in the troublous times that enabled them, and them 

 alone, to accumulate wealth in safety ; but our success restored 

 peace to India; the troops remain quiet in cantonments, cultivation 

 is uninterrupted, and the occupation of the Brinjarees gone. When 

 disease swept away their bullocks, the community being too impo- 

 verished to purchase others, broke up and dispersed. 



Sreenuggur is chiefly known as the Mint from which issued the 

 Sreenuggur Eupees, the general, and until the last settlement, the 

 exclusive currency throughout this part of Bundelcund. Previously 

 the Government Revenue was paid in the local coin, but since this 

 has been forbidden, the circulation of the Company's Rupees has 

 gradually increased, and in many villages they have become the 

 medium of account. The town itself contains 5/447 inhabitants, is 

 overlooked by the remains of a Fort now in ruins, and is the resid- 

 ence of several of the few monied men in the Pergunnah. 



Kubrai has nothing remarkable about it, save as possessing a large 

 market. The village in itself is not very large but Bughwa, Gou- 

 haree and Morheepoora, which with it form one town, raise its popu- 

 lation to 4,032 souls. 



