^12; ^ ' ■-• . STATISTICAL SKETCH 



; either of hemp or wool. In the males, this is thrown over the shoulders, 

 and descends down behind to the knees, from whence it is doubled, and 

 carried back over the shoulders ; the two ends are fastened on the breast, by 

 wooden or metal pins, the corners being passed over and under the opposite 

 shoulder, the sides are drawn forward, so as to meet over the body, and are 

 secured in that situation, by a kamerband of cotton or hempen cloth. A 

 narrow strip of cloth passed between the legs and fastened by a string 

 round the waist, and a skull cap, complete the suit. The arms and legs are 

 thus left bare and unincumbered; in rigorous weather, hov/ever, blanket 

 trowsers are partially worn. The women fasten the web of cloth, in a some- 

 what different mode, as it reaches to the heels, and hangs full like a petticoat, 

 and in addition, they wear commonly a boddice of dark coloured chintz, and 

 a narrow scarf of white cloth. In other parts of the province, the dress of 

 both sexes resembles that of the corresponding classes in the plains, except- 

 ing, that the turban is little used, and the ^'jaguli," or "jama,'' reaches 

 only to the knees. It may be observed, generally, of the hill people, that they 

 are extremely indifferent in regard to the state of their e very-day apparel, 

 and continue to wear their clothes till reduced to mere shreds and tatters, 

 but on holydays and festivals, individuals of either sex prefer absenting 

 themselves from the festivities, to appearing in a worn out garment. 



The great bulk of the population subsists on the coarse grains, such 

 as Mandua, Jangura, Koni, Chejia, Maiia, &c., and the inferior kinds of 

 pulse, TJi'd, Gahat, Bhai, Raens, &c. The Mandua is either made into 

 bread, or is dressed as porridge, " bdri,'' and seasoned with "jkoli,'' but- 

 termilk and turmeric boiled together — the Chena and Koni, are also made 

 into bread, or boiled whole, and eaten as rice. Vv^hen travelling, the lower 

 classes live chiefly on " Satu," the meal of parched barley, of which every 

 individual carries a supply with him : this article requires only the addition 

 of a little water to prepare it for eating. Rice forms the favorite food of all 



