18 HUGHES : SOUTHERN COAL-FIELDS OF REWAH GONDWANA BASIN. 



4. Johilla fluids (north and south) . . , . . 14 sq. miles. 



5. Korar field ...... 9 „ 



6. Koreagarh field ........ 6 „ 



7. Uraaria field . . . . . . . 6 „ 



SECTION VII. — THE U MARIA COAL-FIELD. 



This name has been adopted from the village of Umaria, which occu- 

 pies a nearly central position in the field, and is 



Uinaria. 



a place of considerable importance. It is on the 

 high road from Murwara to Sohagpur, and contains nearly 600 inhabit- 

 ants, a permanent bazaar, police station, post office, and a forest out- 

 post. A weekly market is held, and since the establishment of explora- 

 tory coal operations, traders of all descriptions have been attracted to the 

 spot. 



It is situated on the left bank of the Umrar river, a tributary of the 

 Mahanadi, and is distant 36 miles from the station of Katni, on the East 

 Indian Railway. 



The most noted local points of reference are the fort of Baudogarh, 16 

 miles in a north-easterly direction, and the towns of Kauria and Cliandia, 

 situated respectively in latitude fp-ff and longitude E. ^ Q ~, and 

 celebrated formerly for the manufacture of native arms. 



The field occupies moderately level ground, but along its western 

 border is a low range of metamorphic rocks, and to the south and north 

 are other hills composed of different formations. They assist in giving 

 to the neighbourhood of Umaria a very picturesque aspect, and as there 

 is no lack of trees and coppice, the scenery is in striking contrast with 

 the cheerless coal-fields of Bengal. 



The Umrar is the principal river of the district : it rises in the trap- 

 pean plateau to the south, and enters the area of the 



Kiver Uinrar. 



Barakar rocks a little above Kalesar. Where it 

 flows past the village, it is confined between rocky banks, sufficiently 

 high to be noticeable. A somewhat imposing-dwelling-house belonging 

 to the local Baghel chief, Chathar Dhari Sing, has been built on the 

 cliff overlooking the stream; and certainly credit is due to whoever took 

 ( 154 ) 



