Notes on the Races, Castes and Trades of Eastern Bengal

Introduction

. The district of Dacca, and the various races now inhabiting it, form the subject of the following pages. This tract, situated between the rives-Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna, is an irregular triangle, with its apex at the junction of the thjfre t rivers, while the base, running nearly east and west, is formed by several insignificant streams. On the north is the Zillah, or p*wirrce, of Mjfmansingh, on the east Tipperah, on the south -~ — Baqirganj, and on the west Farridpiir. Numerous rivers traverse the district of Dacca, the ma jority of which, fordable in the hot season, are navigable during the rains. These rivers, flowing for the most part through alluvial plains, are subject to periodic floods, which undermine the banks and destroy the islands and " Churs." Their beds are gradually being raised by silt, and in a single season the physical aspect of a whole country may be changed.

A fallen tree often diverts the course of a stream, and a sunken boat has been known to block up the channel of an important river. The annual inundations submerge the whole country, and during July and August boats sail from village to village with out difficulty. The level of the land, highest at the riverside, gradually falls away from the banks, consequently it is here the inhabitants build their houses. Included in the Dacca district are two divisions differing from one another in almost every respect, and forming distinct geological tracts.1 The first, embracing the Bhowal and Madhu piir jungles, consists of low ranges of hillocks (Tila), running in parallel lines, with moist valleys (Bai'd) between. The ridges, 1 By Hindi speaking races these two formations are distinguished as Bhaguar and Khadar.

INTRODUCTION.

. of the red laterite formation,1 are rich in iron ore ; the valleys, of a stiff black loam, bear luxuriant crops of rice. The " Sal " (Shorea robusta) and date palm grow indigenously, and in its forests the tiger, bear, wild elephant, and " Sambar "2 still make their home. The greater portion, an unproductive waste with few inhabitants, is not only interesting as a debatable land separating the Hindus of the plains from the hillmen of the eastern frontier, but as a district in one part occupied by races alien to the natives of Bengal, in another by a mongrel and semi-Hinduized people disowned by all. The second division is the alluvial, formed by the great rivers Ganges and Brahmaputra, and conterminous with their deltas. It is one continuous plain, without a knoll or rock to break its uniform flatness, as well as a boundless rice garden baked hard by a fierce sun and scorching winds in March and April, flooded during the rains, and transformed into a swamp by the cold drying breezes of December and January.

The villages are raised above the flood on artificial mounds, and all communication is carried on by boats. In spite of fevers, cholera, and smallpox, the population, though sickly, is steadily increasing. The climate of these two divisions differs little. The annual temperature averages 77"1°. The maximum in the shade seldom rises to 90° in May or September ; and the minimum rarely falls to 50° in January. The hot months are more agreeable than in Calcutta, but the cold are less bracino-. September and October are most relaxing, but February and March are very benign and pleasant. The average annual rain fall is 74'5 inches. Beginning in the first week of June the rains cease in September, although heavy thunder showers occur in October and November. The luxuriant vegetation indicates the prevalence of great humidity and heat The high tenipe- 1 By the people of Dacca Bhowal is usually called the "Tengar Mulk," probably from the Hindi " Tegrii," rising ground. 2 The " Musa Arislotelis." In Dacca it is known as the " Ghaus " a corruption of I he Persian " Gauz," an elk or deer.

INTRODUCTION.

. V rature and moist atmosphere render the use of a vegetable diet necessary, and favour the cultivation of rice. In all parts " Paddy " is grown, but the experience of ages has taught that one soil is suited for the winter, another for the spring or summer crop. Of late years a large area has been planted with jute, which has become, next to rice, the principal article of export. But Dacca also produces cotton, safflower, mustard, chillies, tobacco, sesamum, sugar cane, and various pulses, while indigo was formerly extensively cultivated. The successful cultivation of these products, however, is only secured by a perpetual warfare against the encroachments of weeds and the attacks of insects. A country enjoying so many advantages, and providing such an abundant supply of food, has determined the general occupation of the inhabitants.

There being no pastures, the large majority of the population are agricultural labourers, engaged in cultivating the rich alluvial soil. From the earliest recorded times Bengal has been inhabited by a numerous and prosperous people, who, satisfied with their lot, rarely took part in the civil commotions raging around them. The large tidal rivers, again, abounding in fish and affording every facility for the transport of grain and other commodities, developed a race of hardy boat men, who are still the finest specimens of Bengali manhood. The economic and personal wants of the inhabitants stimulated the growth of manufactures. Cotton cloth was woven from the earliest times, and a rude and brittle earthenware fashioned, but it is extremely doubtful if any other productions, requiring either delicacy of taste, or originality, ever rose above medi ocrity.

BIBLIOGRAPHY OF DACCA. 1. "Risaladar Ahwal-i-Jahangirnagar," or "Essay on the History of Dacca." This is a Persian work, written by an unknown author during the lifetime (1788- 1822) of Nawab Nacrat Jang, of Dacca. The late Mr. Blochmann informed me that the body of the work consisted of a general history incorrectly copied from Muhammadan writers, and that only a few pages near the end treated of Dacca. 2. "Antiquities of Dacca," engraved by J. Landseer from drawings by Sir Charles D'Oyly, Bart. London, 1814-27, sol. The text gives a great deal of information regarding the architectural remains of the city. 3. " A sketch of the Topography and Statistics of Dacca." By James Taylor, Surgeon. Printed by order of Government. Calcutta, 1840, 8vo. 4. " A Descriptive and Historical Account of the Cotton Manufacture of Dacca in Bengal."

By a former resident of Dacca [James Taylor]. London, 1851, 8vo. 6. " Principal Heads of the History and Statistics of the Dacca Division." Calcutta, 1868, 4to.