3^8 GEOGRAPHY AND 



Sadiya is Sonapiir, formerly a strong frontier post of the Asam Government, 

 beyond which the river ceases to be navigable, except to the canoes of the 

 country. The surface of the Sadiya district consists chiefly of rich allu. 

 vial soil, admirably adapted to the cultivation of rice and other produce 

 requiring moisture : it furnishes two crops annually, but the inhabitants sel- 

 dom till a sufficiency of land, to ensure them against scarcity and famine. 



Returning to the left bank of the LoJilt, opposite the district of Sadiya, 

 and where that o^ Sena Pati ends, lies the country inhabited by some tribes of 

 Shih-plios, accessible principally by two rivers, the Now DeJiing and Theingaf 

 which issue from the eastern and south-eastern hills, and fall into the Brahma- 

 putrQy about ten miles above the Parallel of Sadiya, 



The tract of country on this side of the hills, now occupied by the Sink' 

 pho tribes, was originally part of Asam, and inhabited by the native subjects 

 of that Government. These were dispossessed by the encroachments of their 

 hill neighbours, commencing with a period of about forty years, until the 

 latter eventimlly established themselves on the fertile low lands which they at 

 present hold. As utter havoc and desolation marked their progress, they 

 formed new settlements, bearing the names of their original seats in the high 

 landsj or, more properly speaking, taking the designation of the chiefs, by 

 which it appears their place of residence is always known, as Bisa Gaum, 

 Daffa Gaum, &c. which are the patronymics of the chief, and are also used as 

 the names of their principal towns. The Sinh-phos are nominally divided into 

 twelve GaumSf or clans, and the term " The Twelve Chiefs," is used to ex- 

 press the collected body of the race. Of these, Bisa Gaum, Daffa Gaum, Satu 

 Gaum, and Lattora, are considered the most influential, but have no authori^ 

 ty, by right, over the others : each is governed by its own chief, called Ghai 

 Gaum, and all act separately* in concert, or adversely, as circumstances and 

 inclination may dictate : indeed, they seem to be held together by no bond of 



