28 
On several places in Sub-Division Banlca. 
[No. 1, 
first Raja of Kharakpur. One clay when the latter was going 
to angle, he asked his astrologer to foretell what sport he was to 
secure. Gautam answered, “ Your majesty will catch a Titur (a 
species of bird) to-day.” The Raja thereupon burst into a laugh, 
and in derision showed him his fishing-rod. Gautam, however, full 
of confidence in the accuracy of his favourite art, persisted in saying, 
he was to catch a Titur and nothing else that day. The Raja went 
to his nearest tank, and threw his hook into it, when behold! the 
prey which his angle dragged to shore was not a fish, as he had 
taken it be, but a Titur. Pleased and astonished the Raja now 
asked Gautam to name a place in his estates, that he might grant 
it him as a reward. Gautam consulted the stars, in order to as¬ 
certain the spot where his family name and glory would never be¬ 
come extinct, but could find no propitious ground for the purpose, 
except some uninhabited jungles. The place, no sooner asked, was 
granted, and was called by him 1 Somokheyo,’ imperishable. The 
hopes and predictions of the astrologer have, however, been 
falsified; for the glory of his family has now departed with their 
possessions. 
On my way from Somokhia to Cozhi, I visited the Jhurna, 
named after the spring at the foot of the hill, where a great mela, 
or fair, is held on the last day of Pus in honour of the goddess 
supposed to preside over the spring. The temple was built by 
Raja Debai, one of the race of Khetauri, on the rocks overhanging 
the spring. It was once situated near the gate of his fort, 
and has entirely disappeared; but the exotic creepers and plants, 
still seen around the ruins, attest the care and attention once be¬ 
stowed upon the temple. A few hundred yards from the spring, I 
was shown the place where once stood the palace of the Raja him¬ 
self. But a few stones and bricks are all that is left to mark the 
spot so memorable in connection with a race which appears to have 
monopolized the sovereignty of the whole of Bihar just before the 
Muhammadan conquest of the country. 
Camp Cozhi , 2 Ath August .—On arriving at Cozhi, I inspected 
the operation of iron smelting. This was carried on only by 
the Kols, neither the Hindus, the Muhammadans, nor the San- 
thals taking any part in it from some prejudice or other. The 
