1838.J 



Descriplion of the Valley of Sondiir. 



143 



Rama, the revenue of RamaJiully estimated at 100 rupees— while the re- 

 \Qm\esoiRam'pur,Narsapur, Hulku^hndi Yemmahulty, 300 rupees, are 

 set apart to maintain in episcopal dignity the three principal Swamis 

 of the Brahmins. The revenues of the remaining villages, with the 

 exception of Dhumharlmlly, 100 rupees, which supports a band of dancers 

 and jugglers called Dhumbars, are appropriated by the jaghiredar. 



Revenue of the Chief . — The revenue of the jaghiredar is estimated 

 by some at 20,000, and by others at 30,000, rupees per annum. 



Population, — The total population of the valley of Sondur amounts 

 fo about 14 or 15,000 souls : it contains about 2,770 houses— giving on 

 an average a little more than five inmates to each house. The larger 

 proportion consists of Hindus, principally Lingayets, comprising the 

 merchants and shopkeepers, Beders, Mahrattas, Kunhis, Dhungars, 

 and a few Rajputs, Brahmins abound, particularly those of the 

 Vaishnavam and Smarta sects. 



Z)e/e?ice*.— The fort of Sondur, built by Hyder and Tippoo, stands 

 in (he plain and is seen at a short distance on the right after emerging 

 from the eastern pass. It is quadrangular, of circumscribed extent, 

 with stone curtains about 18 or 20 feet high, surmounted by a parapet 

 of brick-work pierced by embrasures— and protected by bastions at 

 frequent intervals. A terre-pleine in bad repair passes along the ram- 

 parts. The gate is constructed with an approach and inner choultries 

 in the usual Indian style. I observed a few iron guns in bad order 

 lying on the bastions. Within the walls are a few magazines, huts 

 still inhabited, and two large wells. A dry ditch and tolerable glacis 

 runs round the whole. The place, except part of the parapet on the 

 S. face, could easily be put into defensible condition against any native 

 force, although partially commanded by a low hill a short distance from 

 its W. face. The gorges of the eastern and western passes are de- 

 fended by stone barricades with narrow gateways and commanded by 

 rude works on the prominent points of the hills, the ridges of which 

 are in many places crested by a low wall. Two of the works on 

 the right of the inner side of the eastern pass are named Martanghur 

 and Timanghur. The town itself is at some distance from the fort and 

 entirely defenceless. The strength of the place depends on the pos- 

 session of the passes. 



