15g ACCOUNT OF BHUTAN. 



also favored in like manner by the courts. In all ways the ryots are har- 

 rassed ; whatever rice they grow, is taken almost entirely for revenue by the 

 Government, and they are also obliged to deliver the grass and straw. Of 

 wheat they retain a larger portion, and they do not give to Government any 

 part of their dhemsi. All the colts that are produced from their mares, and 

 all the blankets they make/lire also taken by the Officers of Government at a 

 low price. They are also bound to furnish fire-wood, spirits, and grain for 

 the Government Officers, and the husks and straw for the cattle, and are far- 

 ther obliged to carry all the bales of goods in which the Ofljcers of Govern- 

 ment trade gratis. For exemption from the last grievance, those who can 

 afford it, pay something to the Deb Raja, which of course renders it still 

 more burdensome on those who cannot do the same. 



' f 

 Sal, Saral, Sisu, GamboHr and Sida trees are produced in the low- 

 laud, and small hills, for two^ clays journey. On the interior hills, nothing 

 but fir trees are to be seen : the wood is used for fuel and all other domestic 

 purposes, and as it is full of resin it also serves for lamps. 



There was formerly no mint in Bhutan, but when the Bhuteas carried 

 away the late Raja.qfXooch Behar, they got hold of the dies, with which they 

 still stamp Narainy rupees. Every new Deb Raja puts a mark upon the 

 rupees of his coinage, and alters the weight. The Dherma Raja also coins 

 rupees, and besides them, no one else is permitted to put their mark upon the 

 rupees, but there are mints at Paro, Tangso, and Tagna. 



Route from Bijni to Andipur in Bhutan, 



TO the north of Gowal-para lies Bijni, the residence of Ballit Narain. 

 To the west of Bijni, nine coss, is Bisjora or Birjorra, situated on the con^ 

 fines of the Company's territories, in the purgunnah of Khuntaghat. Half 

 a coss north of this place the Bhutan territories commence with the Ze- 

 jiiindari of SidiL Three coss west from Bijni, we crossed the Avj 



