82 
A JOURNEY FROM MADRAS THROUGH 
CHAPTER Each Taluc is managed by an Amildar , who is an officer of justice, 
police, and revenue ; but his authority is very limited ; the power of 
Maso, &c. severe punishment, and of revising all civil causes, being reserved 
to the Dewan. The Amildars have under them a sufficient number 
of Sheristadars , or accomptants, who in the Karnataca language are 
called Parputties ; and the villages under them are managed by 
Gaudas , and Shanabogas, called by the Mussulmans Potails, and 
Curnums. These two offices are properly hereditary. The Gauda is 
the representative of the Amildar , and the Shanaboga is the village 
accomptant. The Amildars, Parputties, and Shanabogas , are almost 
universally Brahmans. The Gaudas are all Sudras. 
Taluc of Pa - The Taluc or district on the north bank of the Cdvery, at Seringa - 
Gram^ ta putam, is called the Patana ashta Gram ; while that on the south 
side of the river is called the Mahdsura a&hta Gram. These Talucs 
derive their names from each of them having formerly contained 
eight Grams , Gramams, or villages, granted to Brahmans in Enaum , 
or charity. The country rises gradually on both sides of the river, 
is naturally fertile, and for some distance from the town is finely 
watered by noble canals ; which, having been taken from the river, 
follow the windings of the hills, and as they advance horizontally 
to the eastward, send off branches to water the intermediate space. 
The water is forced into the sources of these canals by Anacuts, or 
dams, which have been thrown across the river, and formed of 
large blocks of granite of a prodigious strength, and at a great 
expense. Desolation, however, is to be seen every where near 
Seringapatam, and has been occasioned partly by invading armies, 
partly by the precautions of the defenders, and partly by the wan- 
ton caprice of Tippoo; but still more by the natural effects of his 
bad system of government. The temples, villages, and dams have 
been broken down, the canals choked, and every plantation of 
trees totally ruined, while a great extent has been laid waste for 
hunting ground. But now every thing wears an aspect of beginning 
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