634 Notes on Northern CacJiar. [No. 7. 



own family, and all continuing to pay revenue to, and working for 

 the Rajah as before. But this splitting of communities generally 

 leads to a division of interests, and should the Thushoi be a popular 

 and ambitious man he sometimes succeeds in throwing off the autho- 

 rity of the Rajab, and establishing a dynasty of his own. This has 

 been done more than once since the arrival of the Kookies in 

 Cachar ; and in their own country when thus separated, villages at 

 a distance from head-quarters were often annexed by other Rajahs 

 of the same clan ; the greatest trouble is, therefore, taken to keep 

 the whole together as much as possible. 



When it is found that the land in the neighbourhood of a 

 village is exhausted, early in the cold season a party headed 

 generally by the Rajah himself, proceeds in search of another spot 

 possessing the necessary capabilities for the support of the po- 

 pulation. This being discovered, a road is cleared from the old 

 site to the new one, and temporary huts erected at every five or 

 six miles along it. About the beginning of January the whole 

 population commence conveying their own household property and 

 that of the Rajah together with provisions, towards their new place 

 of abode ; each march occupies about three or four days, the villagers 

 returning two or three times a day to bring on fresh loads to the 

 first halting-place, and thus continuing the journey. When they 

 reach the new site, all the property being deposited in temporary 

 huts, the first thing done is to build a house for the Rajah. In this 

 occupation all the men of the village are engaged, and it is a matter 

 of no small labour, the palace being sometimes as large as 120 feet by 

 50, and composed with the exception of the posts, which are of 

 timber, entirely of bamboos and bamboo-matting, the roof being 

 thatched with bamboo leaves. This huge barn-like edifice is raised 

 upon a platform some six or seven feet above the ground, and is 

 divided longitudinally into three halls, the centre of which is left 

 open, the two others being partitioned off into separate chambers 

 for the occupation of the Rajah's wives, concubines, slaves, &c. 



While the men are occupied in this erection, the women are 

 engaged in collecting material for building their own houses, and 

 upon the completion of the Rajah's abode, the private dwellings are 

 commenced upon, each man building his own. Sick or helpless 



