Geographical Collections. 363 
line of the Vindhya mountains, the proper bounds of Hindust*han and Dekhan. 
Though from our elevated stand on ‘ Saint’s Pinnacle” of Aboo, we look down 
upon the Vindhya as a range of diminished importance, it is that our position is 
the least favourable to viewing its grandeur, which would be most apparent from 
the south, though throughout the skirt of descent, irregular elevations attain a 
height of many hundred feet above such points of its abrupt descent. 
The Aravulli itself may be said to connect with the Vindhya, and the point of 
junction to be towards the Champanér, though it might be as correct to say, the 
Aravulli thence rose upon and stretched from the Vindhya. Whilst it is much 
less elevated than more to the north, it presents bold features throughout, south 
by Lunarwarra, Dongurpoor, and Edur, to Amba, Bhawani, and Oodipoor. 
Still looking from Aboo, over the table land of Malva, we observe her plains of 
black loam, furrowed by the numerous streams from the highest points of the 
Vindhya, pursuing their northerly course, some meandering through vallies, or 
falling over precipices ; others bearing down all opposition, and actually forcing 
an exit through the central plateau to join the Chumbul. 
Having thus glanced at the south, let us cast the eye north of this line, and 
pause on the alpine Aravulli.* Let us takea section of it from the capital Oodi- 
poor, the line of our station on Aboo, passing through Oguna, Panurwa, and 
Meerpoor, to the western descent near Sirohi, a space of nearly sixty miles in a 
direct line, ‘‘ where hills o’er hills, and alps on alps arise,’’ from the ascent at 
Oodipoor to the descent to Marwar. All this space to the Sirohi frontier is inha- 
bited by communities of the aboriginal races, living in a state of primeval and 
almost savage independence, owning no paramount power, paying no tribute, but 
with all the simplicity of republics ; their leaders, with the title of Rawut, being 
hereditary. Thus the Rawut of the Oguna commune can assemble five thousand 
bows, and several others can on occasion muster considerable numbers. ‘Their ha- 
bitations are dispersed through the vallies, in small rude hamlets, near their pas- 
tures or places of defence. 
Let us now transport the reader to the citadel pinnacle of Komulmér, thence 
surveying this range running north to Ajmer, when shortly after it loses its tabu- 
lar form, and breaking into lofty ridges, sends numerous branches through the 
Shekhavati federation and Alwa, till in low heights it terminates at Delhi.” 
From Komulmer to Ajmer, which space is termed Mérwarra, and is inhabited 
by the mountain race of Mér-+ or Mair, the habits and history of which singu- 
lar class are narrated in Lieut.-Col. Tod’s work. The range averages from six 
to fifteen miles in breadth, having upwards of 150 villages and hamlets scattered 
over its vallies and rocks, abundantly watered, not deficient in pasture, and with 
cultivation enough for all internal wants, though it is raised with infinite labour 
on terraces, as the vine is cultivated in Switzerland and on the Rhine. 
<< In vain does the eye search for any trace of wheel carriage across the compound 
range from Edur to Ajmer, and it consequently well merits its appellation ara, 
“¢ the barrier ;” for the strongest arm of modern warfare, artillery, would have to 
turn the chain by the north, to avoid the impracticable descent to the west. 
Guiding the eye along the chain, several fortresses are observed on pinnacles 
guarding the passes on either side, while numerous rills descend pouring over 
their acclivities, seeking their devious exit between the projecting ribs of the 
mountain, ‘The Beris, the Bunas, the Kotaseri, the Khari, the Dye, all unite 
with the Bunas to the east, while to the west the still more numerous streams 
* © The refuge of strength,” a title justly merited from its affording protec- 
tion to the most ancient sovereign race which holds dominion, whether in the 
east or west,—the ancient stock of Sooryavians, the Heliade of India, our 
“ children of the sun,” the princes of Mewar. _ 
+ Mer signifies a hill in Sanscrit ; hence Komul, or properly Koombhomer, 
is “the hill or mountain of Koombho,”’ a prince whose exploits are narrated : 
likewise Ajmer is the hill of Ajya, the “invincible hill.” Mer is with the long 
é, like mére in French in classical orthography. 
