10 HUGHES: SOUTHERN COAL-FIELDS OF REWAH G<5nDWANA BASIN. 



Sohagpur district; more plentifully in the border land of Rewah and 

 Korea, and in overflowing' quantity in the latter State and that of 

 Jhilmili. There are no bamboos in proximity to Umaria. 



The abundance of coppice and grass land doubtless modifies the 

 temperature, and renders the climate much more 



Climate pleasant. 



bearable in the warm season than if there were 

 large open spaces of bare or cultivated ground. And certainly the wide- 

 spread verdure of the jungle in May gladdens the sight, and makes one 

 thankful to the destiny that has still preserved parts of this country 

 from the encroachment of the ploughshare and the axe. 



The landholders are principally Brahmans and Baghel Rajputs, but 



the tillers and hewers are the Gonds and Baigas, 

 Inhabitants. ....... 



who were undoubtedly the original inhabitants 



of the country. These two tribes may be looked upon as the source from 

 which colliers must be obtained when the opening of the Rewah coal- 

 field on a large scale is decided upon. From my experience of them 

 during the past five years, I think the Baiga is to be preferred to the 

 Gond, being more hardy by nature and more deft with his hands. 

 In the mines, the Baigas were certainly more fearless, as well as more 

 staunch to their work. Their intelligence is of a low order, and they are 

 slavishly susceptible to the promptings of their village elders. They 

 have not courage enough to exercise their individual independence, and 

 for some time to come they will require delicate handling before they are 

 made to understand that coal mining is an occupation by which their 

 interests will be advanced. 



SECTION III. — PREVIOUS OBSERVERS AND GEOLOGICAL TABLE. 



Of writers and others, as well as officers of our department, who 



come under the heading of previous observers, 

 Previous observers. . . 



there is very little to remark. Ine published 

 literature is meagre, and the manuscript reports refer only to a limited 

 portion of the Rewah Gondwana basin, and do not pretend to be more 

 than introductory traverses, The most useful notes for reference have 

 ( 146 ) 



