1831.] Mines of Ajmir. 1 13 
their absence, beyond the usual time from home; when on discovery, a party 
of workmen immediately proceed to extricate them, by clearing - the rubbish from 
the branch. 
In accordance with the customs of the natives, the work is chiefly conducted 
by the descendants of those who have followed this occupation from time immemo- 
rial. The expense incurred in the different divisions of the labour, is borne by the 
head miners ; the government taking a share of the metal, as lord of the manor, and 
purchasing the balance at an assigned and rather favourable price. The means 
of the miners being remarkably limited, funds for the prosecution of the work 
were heretofore met by advances from moneylenders. These were only granted 
at a tnost exorbitant interest, which engrossed the greater portion of their profits* 
On the occasion of some of the mines decreasing in productiveness, thereby rendering 
the reimbursement somewhat precarious, it has not been unusual for these men to 
withhold their assistance ; when, as a natural consequence, work in a degree ceased. 
Under this arrangement, the produce of the mines, it is evident, was solely regu- 
lated with reference to the means, or credit of the chief operatives. 
But this system has recently undergone a complete change. Advances are now 
made w ithout interest, by the government ; and as the miners are wholly eman- 
cipated from the rapacious grasp of the moneylendei’S, the whole of their earnings 
are secured to them : independently of this and other boons, the materials requisite 
in the execution of the work are purchased wholesale, and given out to the work- 
men as requisite, at prime cost. The result has fully justified the expedient. 
Work has latterly been considerably augmented, while the indolent habits of the 
miners, contracted under the former disheartening system, are daily wearing off. 
The reason is obvious. Their earnings formerly went to enrich the moneylenders, 
while at present, each increase of labour contributes directly to their personal 
advantage. 
The produce of the mines has hitherto been very limited. The annual quantity 
of metal smelted, averages about 850 cwt. It is probable the results of the present 
year will exhibit double this amount. Indeed it is conjectured, that the supply may 
be very greatly increased ; but the demand for the metal will, of course, materially 
regulate the extent of our operations. 
The process of metallising the ore, may be divided into four distinct opera- 
tions. 
1. The ore having been dug and brought to the surface, as already noticed, it 
is spread out on the hill, levelled fora few square yards at the aperture of the mine, 
and there allowed to remain for a short time, if wet, until it has become perfectly 
dry. It is then beaten with cylindrical bars of wood, from 3 to 4 inches diameter, 
and about 2$ feet long ; one end being thinned and curved, for the convenience of 
receiving the grasp of the hand. Seizing the handle with both hands, the workmen 
continue beating it, until the whole of the metallic particles have been separated 
bom the matrix. The latter is from time to time collected and thrown down the face 
of the hill : atter being completely pulverized, which is effected much sooner than 
Vrouldbe imagined, from the rude manner of execution, and freed from extraneous 
matter, it is transferred into baskets, and removed by the miners to undergo 
pmitication with water. That the workmen may not be subject to the capz*ice of the 
head miners, they have a stated number of baskets of pulverized ore to deliver at 
the washing pits ; so that when industrious, their day’s work is generally com- 
pleted in 4 or 5 hours. 
2. In the absence of running streams, recourse is had to artificial means ; the 
simplest ot which is offered in making pits or reservoirs, which are filled from an 
adjacent well, by bullocks, in the usual manner observed in irrigating lands. 
