694 Notes on Northern Cachar. [No. 7. 



country had been annexed, it became no longer a central spot, 

 and Apaloo, another Naga village, situated on some table ground, 

 on one of the ridges of the Burrail, about twelve miles east of 

 Goomai-Goojoo, was chosen as the sudder station of the district. 



Apaloo lies about 2000 feet above the level of the sea, and is 

 situated on a fine grassy ridge, having abundance of water close at 

 hand. A gorge in the Burrail range to the south, however, opens 

 directly upon it, and accordingly it is subject to the most constant 

 and violent winds. Apaloo is on the southern border of the late 

 Toolaram's country, being situated within a mile of the sources of 

 the Mahour on its right bank. 



About five miles to the south of Apaloo, rises one of the highest 

 peaks of the Burrail. There is something very grand about this 

 mountain when contemplated from the ridge on which Apaloo is 

 situated. Besting on a very broad base, it rises at a small angle, 

 and terminates in a point at the top, the whole expanse from 

 summit to base almost being covered with luxuriant and varie- 

 gated forest. The ascent on the northern side is gradual, but on 

 the southern the declivity is almost perpendicular. This mountain 

 is called " Maha Deo," from which it may be imagined that brah- 

 manical superstition had something to say to its christening. I 

 believe the ruins of a temple are still to be seen near the top, clearly 

 indicating that at one time it must have been a place of religious 

 resort to Hindus, although not now held s_aered by them. 



About twelve or sixteen miles north-west of Apaloo the valley 

 of the Mahour river widens, and forms a basin, surrounded by hills, 

 and densely overgrown with jungle. 



During the reign of Gobind Chunder, the late Rajah of Cachar, 

 Tumroo Dhur, an uncle of his, was sent to North Cachar, for the 

 purpose of building a city for the occasional habitation of the king. 

 This spot called Maibung was the site chosen for the intended 

 city, the building of which was duly commenced, but owing to the 

 death of Tumroo Dhur was eventually abandoned. The place must 

 be very unhealthy, being a low dell redolent of the malaria gene- 

 rated from rank and decaying vegetation. The remains of the un- 

 finished city can now only be traced from some brick foundations 

 evidently intended for a walled fortification, and one solitary temple 



