Volume 1

A journey from Madras through the countries of Mysore, Canara, and Malabar. Performed under the orders of the most noble the Marquis Wellesley, governor general of India, for the express purpose of investigating the state of agriculture, arts, and commerce; the religion, manners, and customs; the history natural and civil, and antiquities, in the dominions of the rajah of Mysore, and the countries acquired by the Honourable East India company / by Francis Buchanan. Pub. under the authority ... of the Honourable the directors of the East India company.

Francis Buchanan-Hamilton

Date:: 1807

Credit: A journey from Madras through the countries of Mysore, Canara, and Malabar. Performed under the orders of the most noble the Marquis Wellesley, governor general of India, for the express purpose of investigating the state of agriculture, arts, and commerce; the religion, manners, and customs; the history natural and civil, and antiquities, in the dominions of the rajah of Mysore, and the countries acquired by the Honourable East India company / by Francis Buchanan. Pub. under the authority ... of the Honourable the directors of the East India company. Source: Wellcome Collection.

407/482 page 355

they purchase coco-nuts. From Chintamony, north from Colar, CHAPTER merchants bring coloured cotton cloths with silk borders, muslins, turbans, and coarse cloths made by the Togotas and Whalliaru ; and July ]<?, 20. they take back cash. The manufacturers of the place carry their cloths to Seringapatam. All the cotton wool is imported by mer¬ chants from Balahari and Naragunda, who take back Jagory and cash. The commerce of the place is inconsiderable; the traders seem to want enterprise, and never venture from home ; but they complain of the want of capital. The Sultan, after having as usual distressed them, by forcing upon them a quantity of goods at an extravagant rate, removed them to a new town, which he was building at Nandi-durga; and they had thrown most of their valu¬ able effects into that fortress when it was stormed by the army of Lord Cornwallis. By these misfortunes they are reduced to great poverty. Five years ago, the Sultan having then given up the ca¬ price of a new town, they were allowed to return home. There are here many kitchen gardens, which pay a higher rent Gardens, than the ground employed for the cultivation of grain. This soil is rather poor, but the water is near the surface. They do not cul¬ tivate Ragy, wheat, nor turmeric; and the most valuable produc¬ tions that they have are onions, garlic, and capsicum. The maize thrives better than at Silagutta, growing seven or eight feet high, and producing four or five heads. The gardeners, however, remove all except one; and allege, that the plant is notable to bring more to perfection. The same prejudice against the grain prevails here, as elsewhere in this country. When I asked if they ever made it into flour, my question was considered as a joke, or perhaps as an absurdity, at which the people could not help laughing. As a se¬ cond crop, radishes follow maize. The Amildar is endeavouring to introduce the manufacture of Sugar, sugar. He has made advances to the Brahmans who understand the art; and, to begin the experiment, has planted 50,000 holes. He thinks to be able to undersell the sugar-candy of China at

Licence and re-use

Contents

Volumes