74 



COL. T. HOLBEIN HENDLEY,, C.T.E., ON THE 



are occasional cyclonic storms, and here I may mention, in 

 passing, that this is the time at which the warlike races began 

 their military expeditions. The north-east monsoon Sir J. 

 Eliot divides into a cold weather season from December to 

 February, and a hot season from March to May or June, when 

 the rains begin. The diurnal range of temperature in the 

 former is very large, and there are usually storms which pass 

 from the north-east towards the Gangetic plain, and are 

 followed by a remarkably bright and clear state of the 

 atmosphere. . They are sometimes accompanied by hail. In 

 the hot season, hot winds blow over the greater part of 

 Rajputana, and the relative humidity is very low, being 

 sometimes as little as 2 or 3 per cent. Excessive dryness of 

 the air, high temperature, with large diurnal ranges, and hot, 

 dry, westerly winds are the chief normal features of this 

 period. The total yearly rainfall for the north-west is 15*26 

 inches, and for the south-east 27*19 inches. The daily range of 

 temperature is sometimes between 25° to 32°, and very high 

 temperatures are noted, in the end of May for example being 

 as much as 123° F. On the other hand, the thermometer 

 falls in the cold weather as low as 30°. 



The climate is a very prominent factor in the making of 

 the Rajput, and in preserving his health. The cold months 

 are usually very delightful, and the bracing air is most 

 invigorating ; the hot season, on account of the dryness of the 

 atmosphere and .the frequent winds, can generally be well 

 borne, and the monsoon period affords a welcome relief to both 

 man and beast. On the whole the public health is good. 

 Dust and glare account for a great prevalence of eye affections, 

 and there is much malarial fever, strangely to say in the dry 

 city of Bikanir being more prevalent than in the more moist 

 districts of the east of the province, and so much so is this 

 the case in certain years that in the west it has been 

 sometimes difficult to gather in the autumnal harvest, and 

 military operations would under such circumstances be long 

 delayed. On the other hand, although smallpox and cholera 

 are common enough, they do not spread so widely as in other 

 parts of the empire, on account of the free movement of air, its 

 dryness, and the fine open country round the hills. The 

 climate, especially of the north-western tracts, is indeed very 

 favourable to the growth of a hardy, manly population, and 

 the comparatively long cold season recuperates the forces of all 

 but the most feeble, thus, notwithstanding many untoward 

 conditions, the Eajputs, and even the peasantry of other tribes, 



