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rivers and lakes, one-sixth is deemed irreclaimable and barren, and three-eighths are under cultivation. Major Rennell estimates the area of Bengal at 97,244 square miles; but this includes that portion of Tiperah which is independent, as well as the Sunderbunds and other wastes. In length, including Midnapoor, it may be estimated at 350 miles, and its average breadth at 300.* Its ancient name, Abulfazel says, was Bung. The parts liable to annual inundations, we are told by another authority, were called Beng, whence, probably, the name which we give to the whole province. The higher parts were called Barendra." Major Rennell supposes the province to have taken its name from a city called Bangalla, or Bangga, not far from Dacca.§ Its more ancient name is said to have been Gangaridas. ||

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* Hamilton, vol. i. pp. 1-3. Rennell, cxiii.

"It derived the additional al (or aleh) from that being the name given to the mounds of earth which the ancient rajahs caused to be raised in the low lands at the foot of the hills: their breadth was usually twenty cubits, and their height ten cubits."-Ayeen Akbary, vol. ii. p. 4.

Malte Brun, vol. iii. p. 102. During the Adisur dynasty, prior to the Mohammedan conquest, Bengal is said to have been divided into six provinces: viz., Gour, the central division and capital; Barendra, to the N. of the Padma, and E. of the Mahananda; Bangga, eastward from the Kortoya towards the Brahmapootra; Bagri, or the Delta, called also Dwipa, the island; Rarhi, bounded by the Hooghly and the Padma on the N. and E.; and Maithila, bounded by the Bhagarathi on the S., and Gour on the E.-Hamilton, vol. i. p. 114. The last of these, however, is in Bahar.

§ "In some ancient maps and books of travels, we meet with a city named Bengalla; but no traces of such a place now exist. It is described as being near the eastern mouth of the Ganges; and I conceive that the site of it has been carried away by the river, as, in my remembrance, a vast tract of land has disappeared thereabouts. Bengalla appears to have been in existence during the early part of the last century."-Rennell, p. 57.,

See vol. i. p. 107.

Gour, its most ancient capital, is supposed to have taken its name from a word signifying sugar, the indigenous production of Bengal. When scarcely known to the ancient inhabitants of Europe, the precious cane grew luxuriantly throughout Bengal, whence it was introduced into Arabia. From this country also indigo derives its name; the other staple productions are silk, cotton, and tobacco.

Bahar, which takes its name from its former capital, appears to have been anciently divided between two independent sovereignties; that of Magadha in Southern Bahar, and that of Maithila (Tirhoot) north of the Ganges, which for about thirty miles forms the boundary between Tirhoot and Boglipoor. The district of Bahar, which lies to the east of Boglipoor, occupies the central portion of the province: it is about 120 miles in length, and 80 miles at its greatest width, and comprises a territory of 5358 square miles. In 1811, the population of this district, exclusive of the Patna jurisdiction, was estimated by Dr. F. Buchanan at 2,755,150; of whom 724,159 were Mohammedans, being nearly a fourth.*

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The city of Bahar, once the capital of the whole province, has long declined from its former importance. It is described as a large scattered place, surrounding the ditch of an ancient city, now in a great degree deserted." The most compact part is a long, narrow bazar, roughly paved, and of miserable appearance. Intermixed with the hovels are some brick houses, and there are some mosques of tolerable architecture, but in a ruinous condition. In the time of Aliverdi Khan, Bahar was sacked by the Mahrattas; and the famine of 1770, completed the ruin of the place. It * Hamilton, vol. i. pp. 254–258.

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still contains, however, about 5000 families, and a factory, dependent on the opium-agent at Patna, from which it is distant 35 miles S.E.*

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The more modern capital of Bahar, and one of the most interesting places in the province, is Gaya, the chosen residence of Buddha Gaudama, situated 55 miles S. of Patna. The old town stands on a rocky eminence, between a hill and the Phalgu or Fulgo river, the channel of which, where free from islands, is about 500 yards broad. When filled by the rains, the river rushes past the city with tremendous noise and velocity. The “holy part " of it, which extends about half a mile, is said occasionally to flow with milk; probably from being charged with a chalky deposite: the whole stream is noted for its sanctity. The old town is described as a strange-looking place." The architecture of the houses, which are chiefly of brick or stone, is very singular, with corners, turrets, and galleries projecting with the greatest possible irregularity. The streets are narrow, crooked, uneven, and encumbered with large blocks of stone or projecting angles of rock. The reflection of the sun's rays from the rocks with which it is encompassed, and from t parched sands of the Phalgu, render the place extremely hot; and in spring, it is incommoded by perpetual clouds of dust. In the plain below, is the modern suburb of Sahebgunge, which was much enlarged and ornamented by Mr. Law. Here reside the few Europeans settled at this station. The streets are wide, perfectly straight, and planted with a double row of trees. The two towns contain nearly 7000 houses; but, besides the resident population, the

* Hamilton, p. 264. The name is said to be taken from Vihar, "a monastery of Buddhists,"

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London, Published by J. Duncan Paternoster Row, Nov? 1.1828.

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