As to the late Khond Agent's views regarding the Ungool Rajah all now are constrained to admit that they were right in the main. The chieftain, there is no doubt whatever, aided in opposing the Government measures,-and he probably intrigued with the Goomsur Chiefs. Let us now proceed to the other estates, and to the subject of the Tributary Mehals generally.-Mohurbunge and Keonghur are the two largest of the Tributary Mehals :their combined area is nearly equal to that of the whole tributary territory. Mohurbunge (or Mohurbunj) is bounded on the north by the zemindaris of the South West frontier; on the east and south by Nilgiri and the Balasore and Midnapore districts; and on the west, by Keonghur. The northern part of this country is said to be inhabited by a wild race, styled the Coles,* of whom comparatively little is known. The Rajah himself is described as "not an oppressive or cruel ruler; an obedient and loyal subject-but jealous of any interference with his people." Mohurbunge is a mountainous country, diversified with numerous fertile vallies, producing an abundance of rice." It is watered by numerous small streams; near which indigo, sugar, cotton, and other valuable necessaries are produced. The estimated rent-roll of this Mehal is Rs. 50,000;—the tribute paid to Government is about Rs. 1,000; and the supposed area of the country is 15,000 square miles.

Wild elephants are said to be numerous in Mohurbunge; but they are of a very inferior description. Iron abounds in this estate; and it is asserted that, in the three Mehals of Keonjir, Nilgiri, and Mohurbunge, there are a variety of minerals worthy of geological investigation. Stirling alludes to a report that golden sands were found in the rivers of Keonghur. Keonghur is bounded on the north by the Cole country; on the south

* The country of this wild and savage race has been frequently the scene of bloodshed and plundering. In 1835, serious disturbances took place in Mohurbunge. The Rajah quarrelled with a feudatory chief on his Estate, and with the assistance of the "Lurka Coles," proceeded against him, and dispossessed him of his country; but the lawless allies broke from the Rajah's control, and commenced to pillage the villages, murder the inhabitants, and stop the Government Dâk. These outrages were terminated by the appearance of a military force, under Capt. Walkinson-and the whole of the Cole country was taken out of the hands of the Rajah, and placed under the protection of Government. We know not to what race we can liken the Coles. Perhaps as near as any other, they approach the wild Kaffirs of the Cape. They are divided into 13 tribes-and in person they are hardy and athletic. They have a language of their own, a religion of their own-and are quite distinct from the Hindus of the plains. Their arms are the bow and arrow, and a small iron battle-axe, in the use of which they display much skill. They are prone to plunder, and possess considerable herds of cattle. Stirling describes a curious way they have of striking a bargain or concluding a pacification. This is brought about by their breaking a straw (stipula) between the disputants," which will not fail to remind the classical reader of the origin of the word stipulation." They are governed by petty chiefs; and eat all kinds of flesh and grain. The flesh of the hog is highly prized by them.

by Lera Pal and Talchír; on the west by Bumrah and various eatates in the south western Agency; and on the east, by Nilgiri, the Mogulbundí, and Súkindah. Parts of Keonghur are described as rocky and hilly. It however contains large tracts of cultivated country" interrupted by ridges of hills and patches of jungle." The rent roll of this killah is estimated at Rs. 30,000; the tribute paid is about 2,790; and the supposed area. of the country is 22,000 square miles. The Rajah of this Mehal is a minor; and has been brought up in a deplorable state of ignorance. Regarding these young chiefs in the Mehals, we may inform the reader, that the orders of Government, prohibiting an interference with the Tributary Estates, were so far modified, as to permit the Superintendent to take under his temporary care and management the persons and estates of minor Rajahs. The Khindiparra Rajah, a minor, was brought to Cuttack, during the superintendency of Mr. Mills; "but the young chief," says he, " is surrounded by unprincipled servants, interested in encouraging indolence ;" so there is little hope of his turning out either a wise or a just ruler. This estate, Khundiparra, is one of considerable importance. It is bounded on the north by the Mahanuddi; on the south by Nyaghur; on the east by Banki; and on the west by Duspullah. Kuntillo, on the bank of the Mahanuddi, is a populous place. It contains a large bazar and carries on a considerable trade in cotton, sugar, various cloths, and grain.”

The country is extensively cultivated; and is said to be able to muster a force of 2,000 paiks. The rent roll of Khundiparra is estimated at Rs. 20,000; the tribute is Rs. 3,950; and the supposed area in square miles, is 300.

The remaining tributary Mehals are Runpore, Nyaghur, Nursinghpore, Burumbah, Tigeriah, Atmullik, Talchír, Lera, and Nilgiri. Regarding these we can give no particular information in this article; nor have we made any allusions to them except, in some cases, as boundaries. We have only room for brief descriptions of two of them, Nyaghur and Talchír, which seem to us to be the only estates of the above nine of any importance.

The first of these has Runpúr on the east, Khúrda on the north, T. Goomsur on the south, and Duspullah on the west. The Rajah's ghur or residence, it would appear, is more difficult of approach than any other in the Tributary Mehals. Twelve years ago, Mr. Ricketts wrote regarding it in the most alarming strain; and Mr. Mills, in his minute, quotes his description. Alluding to some ruined breast works, he met on approach

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ing the residence of the Rajah of Nyaghur, and the difficulty of an attack up the place, Mr. Ricketts says:

"These breast works are now mere heaps of mud; but there is abundance of stone, if it should be considered desirable to strengthen them. An attack upon the place should never be attempted without Pioneers and Artillery.. ....The Ghur itself is commanded by hills on both sides, covered with jungle. On no account should force ever be employed against this Rajah, without it is absolutely unavoidable.”

It is not improbable that this Rajah may yet give a little trouble. Although he is now described as a peacable and tractable subject, yet he formerly violated his engagements with the government, by sheltering rebels in his estate. Mr. Mills states that, from the despotic measures which he pursues, "there is little doubt that oppression and violence are carried on to an appalling extent." "He is a powerful chieftain; and can muster from 6 to 7,000 paiks." But, judging from Ungool, we should reckon them at about 2,500, at the most.

And these Military retainers will, we think, whenever their masters come under the displeasure of the British Government, leave their feudal lords to fight out their battles by themselves; for we are assured, that, barbarous as they are, they seek for a better administration. The rent-roll of the Rajah of Nyaghur is estimated at Rs. 35,000; the tribute is Rs. 5,179; and the area in square miles, is supposed to be 1,900.

We now turn to Talchír; whose Rajah is brother-in-law to the deposed chieftain of Ungool. The Zemindar of this Mehal is said to be "superior in intelligence and deportment to the general run of the Tributary chiefs." This estate is situated on the north bank of the Brahmini river; and is bounded on the north by Lera Pal and Keonghur; on the south by Dhenkanal; on the west by Killah Sobindah (under the Regulations); and on the east, by Bamrah. The following information in these railway times may be interesting to many. It is regarding the coal beds of Talchír:

"Coal beds have been discovered in this Killah: these have been described as about thirty miles in extent, covered with stunted jungle, and composed of various kinds of sandstone and slate. The coal may be transmitted down the Brahmini river to Hunsúrah, the export Salt Depot; and from thence it can be easily shipped to Calcutta. But the expense of carriage is against the opening of these beds."

To the west, this country is hilly and jungly. But, in many parts, it is very fertile. The lands near the Brahmini river produce sugar, tobacco, and cotton. Saal timber abounds in the forests.

and the

The rent roll of Talchír is estimated at Rs. 12,000 tribute paid to Government is Rs. 974. The country is of small dimensions, its area not exceeding 200 square miles.

Salt is supplied to the Rajahs of the tributary Mehals, by the Government, at a fixed monopoly price.

Each chieftain indents for his annual supply, according to the size of his estate. The Rajah of Mohurbunge is not allowed to take salt in excess of the 15,000 maunds prescribed for consumption in his territory, rupees 2-5 per maund, except at an increased rate, or rupees 3-12 per maund. A golah, or store-house, is established at Banki, for the supply of salt to the independent states adjacent to the Mahannuddi.

The magistrates of Púrí and Balasore are ex-officio" Assistants to the Superintendent of Mehals, the former in the Mehals of Nyaghur and Runpúr, the latter in Mohurbunge, Keonghur, and Nilgiri. The following concise paragraph, by Stirling, written upwards of twenty years ago, will give the reader a general idea of the appearance of the whole country :

"The hill estates vary much in the proportion of arable land which they contain, but, in most, a considerable quantity of rice is grown. In patches of jungle which have been cleared, and on the slopes of some of the minor hills, the Jowar and Bajera and the Mandia or Raggi (Eleusine Corocana) thrive with great luxuriance, Mohurbunge, Beramba, Dhenkanal, and Keonghur grow a small quantity of Indigo, and on the latter estate, the Poppy is cultivated. Generally speaking, however, the land fit for tillage bears a very trifling proportion to the vast extent of rocks, hills, beds of torrents, and forests, which occupy this region."

We have now carried our readers over an interesting tract of country. We say interesting, because we believe the subject to be a novel one to most readers, who may wonder that they have so long remained in ignorance regarding such a vast extent of territory, only three hundred miles from the seat of the Supreme Government, abounding in so many peculiarities. Nature has made_the_country eminently interesting in itself; and it is our bounden duty, as the paramount lords of British India, to do our utmost for the improvement of its Government, and the promotion of happiness among the people. This can never be effected while the present" feudal system" remains. As the Revolution swept away much of the infamy and licentiousness of France; so must we look to the dissolution of this system, as what will be alone fully sufficient for putting down injustice and oppression in the Tributary Mehals. The work, we have every reason to believe,

has already commenced. The recent operations against Ungool, and the grand results of these operations are highly creditable to the Government. And from the unquestionable benefit which Ungool will derive from British interference, it must be highly gratifying to the new Commissioner and Superintendent, Mr. Gouldsbury, to think that, at the conclusion of his first year's administration in the Cuttack province, he will receive the thanks of thousands, for bringing them under the British sway. We would recommend the process of dissolution to be promoted slowly but surely. The opening of roads in the Tributary Mehals, for purposes of traffic, and in order that strict enquiry may with ease be made regarding the Government of each chief, and the condition of the people, would be one speedy cause of reform. And reform being the object, any opposition to the Government measures should be promptly and summarily dealt with. When any chief, from sheer stupidity, ignorance, or obstinate wilfulness, is unable to comprehend the wishes of Government, would it not be to the interests of humanity to pension him, and bring his neglected subjects within the pale of civilization? Would it not be to the interests of humanity to bring forth the benighted creature from his native forests and jungles-the creature who is styled shy, sullen, inhospitable, and uncivilized,”—and let him have a fair chance with his brethren on the plains? The chiefs, generally speaking, are known to be barbarous, debauched, and superstitious; what, save active and decisive measures, can prevail with these ? On such persons, mere gentleness, persuasion, and diplomacy will be very much thrown away. Much has already been done for large portions of British India, and from good men thousands have received the " elements of their moral renovation." Let some attention be now drawn to this other portion of our Indian territory, to reclaim it from the wastes of "dark and fallen humanity.'

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