India and the Indian mutiny: comprising the complete history of Hindostan, from the earliest times to the present day; with full particulars of the recent mutiny in India

Front matter

1f|'llii'|^iMl>ill''>^wlil^V^'' I

INDIA

INDIAN MUTINY

Preface

The British. Empire in India lias recently been brouglit to the eve of dissolution by an extensive mutiny of its native troops. This mutiny has been converted into a rebellion ; large bodies of natives not in the British service having joined the mutineers and engaged in active hostilities. For more than fourteen months a civil war has raged in Hindostan ; and scenes of bloodshed and horror have been enacted in that populous, extensive and beautiful country, whicb have scarcely a parallel in history.

These events have attracted attention to India and ex cited the public curiosity in relation to its condition and history. To gratify this curiosity the present volume is published. It comprises a sketch of the Natural History of the country, and a complete CivU and Military History of the various Eaces and Dynasties which have ruled it from the most ancient times to the present day.

On account of the paramount interest of the Great Eebellion initiated last year and not yet entirely quelled,

4 PREFACE.

nearly one third of the volume is devoted to that subject, in relation to which many interesting and thrilling details are given.

It is needless to remark that this is a subject of considerable importance to Americans, on account of the many intimate relations existing between Great Britain and this country.

Contents

Introductory Sketch op the Natural History of British India 9

Chapter II

The Arab and Tartar Invasions, and the Final Settlement of the Mohammedans in India, a. d. 664-1022 58

THCB iwa:oi3:A.3s<a:i^Br)-A^iT FEitior>.

CHAPTER I.

Sultan Mahmoud and his Successors of the Ghaznivide and Ghorian Dynasties, a. d. 1022-1206 70

CHAPTER II.

From the Establishment of the Kingdom of Delhi to its Conquest by the Tartars. A. D. 1206-1526 80

Chapter III

From the Accession of Tippoo Saib as Sultan of Mysore to his Overthrow and Death at the Siege of Seringapatam. A. D. 1782-1799 i 200

CHAPTER lY.

From the Dismemberment of the Mysorean Kingdom, to the Termination of the First Mahratta Campaign, a. d. 1799- 1806 221

CHAPTER Y.

From the Renewal of Hostilities to the Termination of the Second Mahratta War. a. d. 1806-1822 236

CHAPTER YI.

The First Burmese War, and the Cession of Assam and the Tenasserim Provinces to the British Government, a. d. 1822-1827 267

CHAPTER YII.

From the Administration of Lord William Bentinck to the Annexation of Scinde and the Pacification of Gwalior. A. D. 1828-18M , 289

CHAPTER YIII.

The Wars in the Punjab, and the Annexation of the Country of the Five Rivers to the British Dominions, a. d. 1844- 1849 311

CONTENTS. t

CHAPTER IX.

Second Burmese War and Annexation of Pegu and Oude. A. D. 1851-1856 327

CHAPTER X.

Causes of the Great Rebellion in India, a. d. 1856-1857 333

CHAPTER XI.

Mutinous Conduct of the 19th Regiment of Native Infantry. 1857. 345

CHAPTER XII.

The 19th N, I. Regiment Disbanded — Spread of Disaffection — A new Cause of Offense at Lucknow — Decisive Conduct of Sir Henry Lawrence 348

CHAPTER XIII.

Mutiny at Meerut — Revolt of the Troops — Massacre of the European Officers and Inhabitants — Flight of the Mutineers to Delhi 354

CHAPTER XIT.

Fall of Delhi 364

CHAPTER XV.

Appearance of Dissatisfaction at Umballah — Mutinous Demonstrations at Ferozepore and Lahore 370

CHAPTER XVL

Disturbances in Bombay — The Parsees, or Fire-Worshipers at Baroach — The Rajahs of Gwalior, Putteeala, Jhind, and Bhurtpore — The North- Western Provinces 378

CHAPTER XVII The Outbreak at Nusseerabad — Death of Colonel Penny — Infantry Disarmed at Agra — Anticipated Disturbances at Bareilly — Revolt of the Native Regiments, and Flight of the Officers 384

CHAPTER XVIII. ■ )utbreak at Benares Suppressed by Colonel Neill — Mutiny at Juanpore and Sultanpore 399

8. CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XIX.

The Jhansie Mutiny — Seizure of the Star Fort by the 12th Native Infantry — Appeal to the Loyalty of the Regiment — Protestations of Fidelity and Attachment — Murder of Capt. Dunlop — The Europeans Retire to the Town Fort — Death of Captain Cordon — The Fort Surrounded by Mutineers — Unsuccessful Attempts to Escape — Offers of Protection on Surrender — The Europeans Leave the Fort and are Massacred. 410

CHAPTER XX.

Siege of Lucknow — Dreadful Disaster at Cavrnpore — ^Treachery of Nana Sahib — State of Affairs at Delhi — At Calcutta — Proceedings in England' — Successes of General Havelock — He Relieves Cawnpore — Mutiny at Dinapore — Conduct of the Native Chiefs — Disaffection in the Bombay Presidency — Misconduct of the Governor-General — Havelock Relieves Lucknow — Battle of Mungarwar — Assault and Capture of Delhi 418

CHAPTER XXL The Missionaries — Relief of Lucknow — Mutiny at Chittagong — Operations in Oude 435

CAVES OF ELLORA.

BRITISH INDIA.

INTRODUCTORY SKETCH OF THE NATURAL HISTORY OF BRITISH INDIA

The various countries which now form the three Presidencies of India, together with those native states which are independent of, though in close alliance with, the East India Company, have been at various times known under several denominations. They have been comprehensively and indiscriminately spoken of as Hindostan, the East Indies, and the Indian Peninsula; they are now more correctly termed British India, which term, of course, excludes such independent states as have been alluded to.

Extending from Cape Comorin on the south to the Himalayan range on the north, and from the delta of the Berrampootra on the east to the Indus on the west, British India, exclusively of the recently annexed province of Pegu, may be said to include within its limits 1,200,000 square miles of territory. Of these, the Presidency of Bengal contains 306,012 square m'ilesj Madras, 141,920; Bombay, 64,908 ; and Scinde and the Punjab about 160,000 square miles ; the remainder being the extent of the allied states.

The coast-line of British India amounts to about 3200 miles. Of these 1800 miles are washed by the Indian Ocean, and 1400 miles by the Bay of Bengal.

The extreme length of India from north to south may be taken as 1800 miles ; its greatest width, along the parallel of 25° N. latitude, is about 1500 miles.

Intersected by vast ranges of lofty mountains, the Indian peninsula presents a remarkably varied surface of table-land, delta, and valley ; and extending as it does from 8° 4' N. lat, to 34° N. lat., with tracts of country sometimes 2500 feet above the sea-level, it naturally comprises many varieties of olimate and a great range of temperature.

Crossing the peninsula from east to west, between the twenty-third and twenty-fifth parallels of north latitude, we find the Vindya Mountains, a dividing range of a marked character, and the base of those various districts into which Hindostaa has been divided.

These divisions are four in number : the Deccan, south of the Vindya Mountains ; and to the north of the range, the Delta of the Ganges, Central India, and the Delta of the Indus. Some writers add a fifth division, by styling that part of the Deccan which is south of the river Kishna, Southern India.

The distinguishing feature of the Deccan consists of the lofty ranges of mountains which skirt it on every side ; they are named the northern, southern, eastern, and western Ghauts.* The latter skirt the shores of the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal at distances varying from one hundred to ten miles ; those on the eastern coast being the most remote. Their altitude varies from 8000 feet downward. On the southern extremity of the western ghauts are the Neilgherry Mountains stretching eastward, and famed throughout Southern India for their fine climate and fertile tracts of table-land. On this

* Ghaut, or ghS,t, is applied by the natives to the many openings or passes through these ranges ; being derived from the Sanscrit gati, a way or path, but 13 used by Europeans to designate the mountains tbemselves.

range have been established the sanitary stations of Octaeamund and Dimhutty, where Europeans enjoy the bracing temperature of alpine lands within a few days' journey of Madras.

At the northern extremity of the western range, immediately opposite Bombay, are the Mahabalipoora Mountains, rising to a height of 6036 feet, on which the sanitorium of Mahabeleshwur has been established for the benefit of that Presidency. The Aligherry Mountains are an offshoot of the southern ghauts.

In that portion of the Deccan known as Southern India are several independent states. The King of Travancore and the Rajah of Cochin are both allies of the Honorable East India Company, and offer every facility for the prosecution of commercial enterprise in their territories.

Deccan proper comprises all that portion of the peninsula which lies between the valley of the Nerbucida on the north, and the deep pass known as the Gap of Coimbatore, running from east to west at about 11° K lat. The greater part by far of this tract consists of elevated table-land of considerable fertility, skirted by long ranges of mountains or ghauts, which stretch coastward until they terminate in plains. This table-land is called by the natives Bala-ghaut, or the country above the ghauts, and varies in breadth from 150 to 400 miles. Its altitude ranges from 900 to 3000 feet.

A considerable portion of the Deccan proper is still ruled by native princes in alliance with the Company. The kingdom of Mysore on the south comprises an extent of 30,000 square miles. It is ruled by a Hindoo prince, and its capital is Seringapatam.

The territory of the Rajah of Hydrabad comprehends about 110,000 square miles, with a population of 10,000,000. It is situated in the north of the Bala-ghauts, and is chiefly noted for its diamond-mines at Golconda.

The Rajah of Berar rules over 3,000,000 subjects, with an extent of territory of about 65,000 square miles, situated to the eastward of Golconda.

The state of Satara comprises about 9000 square miles, with a population of 500,000. It is ruled by a Hindoo prince, and is situated on the western ghauts. To the south of this principality are the territories of the Rajah of Colapore ; a small state, 3000 square miles in extent, under the sway of a Hindoo prince.

The British territories in the Deccan do not exceed 40,000 square miles, part of which are attached to the Presidency of Bombay, and a portion to that of Madras.

A considerable part of this table-land is highly fertile, and rich in natural productions ; the ghauts, however, are for the most part barren ; and it is only where their spurs form broken valleys that we find extensive forests of lofty timber stretching down to the plains below.

The belt of low country which extends round the Indian peninsula, between the ghauts and the sea-coast, is almost entirely in the possession of the British. It varies not less in its width than in its fertility and its population.

On the western side we find to the north the " Concon" extending from the Nerbudda to 15^ N". lat. Thence southward to 12° 3" is the state of Canara, and from that point to Cape Comorin is the Malabar territory, although the whole extent of this western sea-board is often erroneously termed the Malabar coast. This long range of country is irregular in its surface ; the first few miles from the sea being very flat and sandy, with no vegetation but topes of palms. Further inland the ground is broken into hillocks more or less covered with vegetation ; and gradually elevating themselves, they become at last merged in the spurs of the ghauts, and crowned with dense jungle and heavy forests of teak and satin-wood.

Along this line of coast, in addition to Bombay, are the towns of Mangalore, Canamore, Tellichery, Calicut, Cochin, Aleppe, and Trevandrum, all of them trading ports, and during the north-east monsoon, from November to April, enjoying a considerable traffic with Bombay, Ceylon, the Persian Gulf, and lately with Europe. Groa is a Portuguese settlement in 15° 30' N. lat., but without any trade worthy of mention.

At the southern extremity of the peninsula is Cape Comoriu ;

and to the eastward of this, in the Gulf of Manaarlies, the small island of Remisseram, famed for its stupendous Hindoo temple, to which pilgrims annually flock in great numbers.

On the eastern coast-line we find Madras, the capital of the Presidency of that name, Negapatam, Yizagapatam, and Pondicherry and Tranquebar, the former a French, the latter a Danish settlement. This coast is much exposed to the fury of the south-west monsoon, during which period none of the native craft are able to venture out. The only harbor along the coast is that of Coringa, in which vessels of some size may find a safe refuge.

The Deccan is separated from Central India by the valleys of the Nerbudda and Tapty, according to some writers : others, with more propriety, make the Vindya Mountains the natural boundaries of these two territories. This range extends from T4° to 84° E. long., in a direction nearly due east, following the valley of the Nerbudda at a distance of a few miles. At no part do these mountains reach a greater elevation than 2200 feet above the sea-level, and frequently not more than 100 feet. They are crossed in several places by roads of different character.

Central India assumes pretty nearly the shape of a triangle, having its base formed by the Vindya Mountains, and its apex to the southward of Delhi. It consists for the most part of elevated table-land, freely interspersed with mountain-ridges and extensive plains, some of which latter are extremely fertile. Along the range which on the eastward divides this tract from the delta of the Ganges, are the coal-deposits, which at the present time furnish large supplies to Calcutta.

Nearly the whole of Central India is governed by native princes, amongst whom are the Guicowar and Rajpoot chiefs. A considerable portion of the state of Malwa is under the rule of Maharajah Scindia; while other tracts are governed by numerous petty rajahs, amongst whom may be named the Mahratta princes of Holkar and Nagpore.

On the western side of this portion of India the British possess a considerable tract of the plain of Gujerat, which is 2 annexed to the Bombay Presidency. On the eastern side we find, adjoining, the territories of the Rajpoot princes ; and lying between the rivers Sone and Ganges, a region which has been annexed to the residency of Allahabad.

The next natural division is that of the Delta of the Ganges, which ranges from the mouths of that river to the base of the Himalayas, a distance in a straight line of about 300 miles, and varying in breadth from 150 to 180 miles. On the eastern side it is flanked by the Chittagong district and the valleys of Assam and Silhet, with the Tiperah hills ; on its western side it stretches from Balasore in the Bay of Bengal, through Midnapore and Nagore, to Rajmahal, and thence by the river Coosie to the Himalayas.

A very considerable portion of this division is incapable of cultivation ; on the southern side, between the mouths of the Ganges and the Berrampootra, is a low tract called the Sunderabunds, extending about seventy miles inland and fifty miles in width, covered with swamps and thick jungle, the resort of every variety of reptile and wild beast. The efi"ect of the rising of the tides from the sea is such as to preclude any but the most scanty use of the soil, though recent attempts have been made with partial success to recover some portion of this sterile country. To the north of this tract, as far as 25° N. iat., and chiefly between the branches of the Ganges and the Berrampootra, the land is subject to an annual inundation during the early part of the south-west monsoon, when the country is covered by water to a great depth, some of the rivers rising as much as thirty feet above their ordinary level. This, although causing much inconvenience and loss to the inhabitants, proves a great fertilizer of the soil ; and except in the immediate vicinity of the flooded rivers, the entire surface Of these river valleys yields most abundant crops of grain on the retirement of the waters, which takes place during October.

Beyond the influence of these periodical floods, we find still a large range of rich fertile land, partly watered by many streams, and partly irrigated by artificial means : to the north of this, again, as far as the swamps at the base of the Himalayan range, are found oumerous tracts of waste land covered with low jungle, reeds, and rank grass.

Stretching along the lower chain of the Himalayas, is the Tarai, or the swamp, a rather extensive portion of peaty soil, through which innumerable springs burst, fed by the mountain land above. The vast masses of vegetable matter swept down from the higher lands, and decaying on these swamps throughout the year, render them unfit for human habitation ; and the scattered population suffer severely from fever in their attempts to earn a scanty living by felling timber for the supply of the low country.

The Plain of the Ganges comprehends within it the districts of Bengal, Behar, Tirhoot, Oude, Rohilcund, and Allahabad. It is the most populous and fertile portion of British India, containing about sixty millions of inhabitants, and is entirely under the dominion of the East India Company.

Calcutta is by far the largest and most wealthy city of this or any other part of India, containing at the present date about 600,000 inhabitants. The other principal commercial and political cities are Dacca, Benares, Allahabad, Mirzapore, Goruckpore, Cawnpore, Furruckabad, Agra, Delhi, Meerut, and many others, possessing populations varying from thirty to a hundred and twenty thousand souls.

Between the northern extremities of the Gangetic Plain and the Plain of the Indus is a flat, sterile country termed the Doab, ruled over by a few Seikh chieftains in alliance with the British.

The Plain of the Indus is situated on the eastern flank of that river, and commences from the neighborhood of Attock, extending southward and westward as far as the debouchure of the Indus into the sea. It comprehends the Punjab, Scinde, and other smaller states : a large portion of it south of the Punjab consists of desert, arid plains ; and even in the more favorable positions, where the land is watered by the overflowing of the Indus and its branches, the soil can scarcely be termed fertile, yielding but indifferent crops of grass and grain.

The Punjab, or the country of the five rivers, forming the northern portion of the Plain of the Indus, extends from the base of the Himalayan range to the confluence of the Chenab with the Indus. It is the most populous part of this division of India, and contains several very extensive and densely peopled cities : its entire population is believed to be three millions. Its ancient capital, Umrister, contains 100,000 inhabitants, and has long possessed a valuable trade with many parts of India. It is situated between the rivers Beas and Bavee. Lahore, the modern capital, possesses a population of 80,000. Mooltan, on the Chenab, contains 60,000 inhabitants, and possesses some valuable manufactures in silk and cotton.

This country contains some very fertile tracts, especially in its more northern part, where the supply of water is most abundant. Toward the south the land is generally less favored, although there are still some rich valleys between the Ravee and the Beas, as also in the immediate vicinity of all the five rivers. These streams are, according to modern nomenclature, the Sutlej, the Beas, the Ravee, the Chenab, and the Jhelum, taking them from east to west : the names by which they were known to the early writers of the west were the Zaradus, the Hyphasis, the Hydrastes, the Acesines, and the Hydaspes. These rivers flow from the Himalayas in a south-westerly direction for about six hundred miles, when, after merging into the Chenab, their waters finally unite with those of the Indus at the northern point of the Desert of Scinde.

The Seikhs form the principal inhabitants of this country, and their chieftains proved themselves formidable enemies to the British during one of the most severely contested struggles that have occurred with any eastern power. The Punjab is now a province of the British empire in India, under a residentwhose seat is at Lahore.

To the southward of the Punjab is Scinde, until recently a powerful state governed by Ameers, whose descent was from chiefs of Beloochistan, but now annexed to the Bombay Presidency. It is bounded on the north by Afighanistan, and Mooltan, on the east by the state of Rajpootna, on the west by

Beloochistan, and on the south by Cutch and the sea. By far the greater portion of Scinde consists of sandy desert known as the Thurr, and which extends over nearly the whole of the country east of the Indus. The desert is covered with long ridges of low undulating sand-hills, occasionally topped with a little jungle or rank grass. There are, however, scattered throughout this Thurr, many oases of considerable fertility, producing crops of grain and vegetables. Within twenty and thirty miles of the Indus the fertilizing effects of its periodical floodings are felt ; and there, as well as far on the western extremity of this province, the soil proves of a more generous nature. The total population of the country does not exceed a million souls. Its chief towns are Shikarpore, Sikkur, Hydrabad, Tatta, and Kurrachee. None of these cities possess more than 20,000 inhabitants : the last mentioned is situated on the west mouth of the Indus, has a good harbor, and carries on a considerable trade, which has much increased since being in British possession.

The Thurr or Desert is still ruled by petty chiefs, Rajpoot princes in alliance with the East India Company : these are the Kajahs of Jessulmere, Marwar, Bikanir, &c. In this part of Scinde there are several cities, having populations varying from 20,000 to 60,000 souls, and some of them carrying on a considerable traffic with the adjoining States.

"We have still to notice a portion of the continental territories of the East India Company comprised within the limits of the Bengal Presidency. Of these the first is the district of Arracan, stretching from the north-eastern extremity of the Bay of Bengal to the limits of the late Burmese province of Pegu. The features of the country, the habits of the people, and the natural productions, so nearly assimilate to those of the other fractions of the Burmese territories, that one general description may well serve for the entire tract.

The provinces of Tenasserim and Pegu, formerly sections of the Burmese empire, were annexed to the British-Indian empire, the former in 1826, the latter in 1853, and are now governed 2* by a commissioner and the usual staff of European and native

officials.

The Tenasserim provinces, as ceded to the East India Company, comprise an extent of country five hundred miles in length, and from forty to eighty in breadth, and reaching from the junction of the Salween and Thoongeen rivers on the north to the Pak Chan river on the south ; on the west the sea forms the boundary ; and on the east a chain of lofty mountains divides this tract of country from the kingdom of Siam. The seat of government here is Moulmein, situated at the confluence of these rivers, and no less admirably adapted for the purposes of trade than as a healthy position for troops.

The country is divided into three provinces, those of Mergni, Tavoy, and Amherst, in which latter the capital is situated. The population, although still small compared with the extent of country, has greatly increased by emigration from the Burman and Peguan territories since the annexation of these provinces, and amounts at the present moment to about 160,000 souls. These numbers are composed indifferently of Burmese, Arracanese, Peguers, Talamis, Karens, and Toungthoos, with an admixture of Siamese blood amongst them ; whilst in the towns of Moulmein and Tavoy are to be found a sprinkling of Chinese, Jews, Moguls, Moors, Bengalese, &c., more or less occupied in trade.

Amongst the many grades of foreigners, both from Europe , and other parts of Asia, who have at various periods helped to people Hindostan, we find the British race pre-eminent in intelligence and power, though not so in numbers. The total of the residents in India from the British Isles, including the military, is computed at 15,000 souls.

The Portuguese descendants are far more numerous, amounting to about 1,000,000. They are chiefly to be found along the western coasts and in the chief cities of India.

On the Malabar and Canara coasts we find Arabs in considerable numbers, together with Syrian Christians, or Parawas, and Jews, although not to any great extent.

Parsees, or Ghebirs, are to be met with chiefly at Bombay and other trading ports on that coast.

Throughout various parts of India the descendants of Affghan races are clearly to be traced to the extent of several millions ; whilst in Scinde we find a strong blending of the blood of the Beloochees, the conquerors of that country, with the native races, as well as undoubtedly pure descendants of the Ameer tribes.

Extending through 23 degrees of latitude, we may expect to find in British India, a great variety of climate, influenced, moreover, by the great irregularities of the surface of the country. We may thus meet a temperature of 28° on the Himalayan range or the Neilgherries ; or if we turn to the Cutch country, find the thermometer, during the dry months, ranging as high as 106°.

The Indian seasons are, strictly speaking, two in number, and are called the monsoons, viz., the south-west and the north-east ; and these are felt more or less throughout the entire length and breadth of Hindostan. But inasmuch as the

BKITISH INDIA.

north-east monsoon is again divided into the temperate and hot months, we may in truth say that there are three distinct seasons.

The south-west monsoon usually commences about the middle of May along the west coast, but later to the north and east. It is ushered in by violent gales of wind, thunder and lightning, and heavy falls of rain, which continue for six or eight weelcs, at the end of which time the weather moderates and becomes close and oppressive, with heavy clouds and a dull calm atmosphere. The thermometer will now range at about 88° or 90°, until further heavy falls of rain take place, ushering in the north-east monsoon some time in October. The weather is now more pleasant, the long-continued rains having thoroughly cooled the land, and the thermometer will stand at about 80°. The cool portion of this monsoon extends from November to January ; though to the north of Calcutta it lasts into February, and even March. The mornings and evenings are now remarkably pleasant and cool, not exceeding a temperature of 75°, and woolen clothing may at this season be worn with much comfort by Europeans.

During March, April, and the early part of May, the hot season prevails throughout India, though of course considerably modified by position and local circumstances. At this period the wind, especially upon the Coromandel or east coast, blows along shore, and being extremely dry and hot, gives rise to much sickness, more particularly amongst European residents.

BELOOCHEE.

BRITISH INDIA.

HUBEICANE AT THE CHANGE OF THE MONSOOKS.

The winds, however, not less than the temperature, are greatly modified by localities ; and thus we find that the south-west monsoon in some places really comes from the south-east ; in like manner we meet with north-westerly breezes during the prevalence of the north-east monsoon. To the south of Bengal the winds are more strictly north and south ; whilst in Assam and Behar they will be found nearly east and west.

The long and lofty ranges of mountains, the elevated table-lands, the gigantic rivers, the deep valleys of Hindostan, all exert a most sensible influence upon the direction and force of the prevailing winds.

Thus the south-west monsoon, which along the coasts of Malabar and Canara commences early in May, does not reach Delhi before the end of June, and the Punjab until early in July ; where, as well as in the elevated lands of Cashmere, it makes its appearance with light fleecy clouds and gentle showers.

The seasons of Bengal are alternately hot, cold and rainy. The pleasantest and coolest months are the latter part of February, March, and April ; though April may sometimes be ineluded with May and June as intensely hot, rendered still more oppressive by a scorching westerly wind, accompanied by small and almost invisible grains of sand. People are glad to remain under the shelter of their houses ; the vegetable world seems at a stand-still, and nothing remains but barren tracts of soil, though the air of the distant mountains is fresh and delightful.

The rainy season commences in the upper provinces in April and May ; in the plains not until June ; it continues incessantly till the end of July. The rain tends greatly to cool the sultry atmosphere, although during the months of August and September the heat is still intense. The monsoon changes at this period. In October the cold begins to be felt, and increases throughout the three following months ; it is frequently extreme in Bengal and Behar, where the atmosphere is moist and unhealthy, whilst on the mountains ice and snow are often to be met with.

Perhaps there is no part of Hindostan in which the oppressiveness of the climate, at certain periods, is so sensibly felt as at Calcutta and in its vicinity. Here, during the rainy season, when the monsoon comes across the Suuderabunds, and wafts with it a dense heated atmosphere deeply impregnated with vegeto-animal effluvia, the human frame suffers far more than with a much higher temperature and a pure dry air. The body feels hot and damp, as though immersed in a vapor-bath ; a languor and listlessness creep over the frame ; and so far from night bringing with it any relief, it appears but to aggravate the feeling of oppressiveness, and the restless sleeper rises in the morning wearied and unrefreshed, happy to resort to a chattie-bath of tepid water to relieve his overloaded skin of some portion of the heavy coating of perspiration which clogs its pores.