510 SURVEY OF THE GANGES. 



this country by the Gurc'hdlis. It had a very neat appearance ; but ft 

 would seem not so well calculated as those of a more yielding nature, 

 for these rapid streams ; as, either from the force of the current, or the 

 badness of it's construction, some of the timbers had given way, and the 

 upper planks had fallen in ; although the materials appeared perfe^lly 

 ^ound and new. 



A LITTLE beyond this, we entered a line extensive plain, about one mile 

 and a half iri diameter, encircled by an amphitheatre of hillSo A large 

 space of it was covered with rich grass, on v/hich great numbers of cattle 

 were grazing. In the centre was a large Fipel* tree with a Chabutra. 

 This part of the valley is called Gaoichar, and appropriated solely far 

 pasturage ; to which the inhabitants of all the neighbouring villages have 

 a common righto The following is the reason assigned for this- ground be- 

 ing uncultivated. Several years ago, a Zemindar, belonging to this place, 

 happened, by chance, to kill a cow, which had intruded upon his pre- 

 mises ; and being distressed, not only on account, of the impiety of the 

 a6l, but of the penalty to which he was subject, by the Hindu law ; went 

 to represent his misfortunes to a rich Sdhucar, or merchant, from the 

 Dekhin, who happened to be near the spot, on a journey of pilgrimage. 

 The merchant was an eye witness of the accident; and being touched 

 with compassion, purchased the ground for three thousand rupees, and 

 offered it up to Bhadri J^dtli^ in the name of the guilty person, as an 

 atonement for the offence ; on the express condition, that it should be ap- 

 plied to no other purpose, than that of pasturage. 



Farther on, we passed Panha, a large neat village, containing forty or 

 fifty huts, situated about one hundred feet above the base of the momi- 



* Ficus relip-iosa. 



