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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 24 September 2009
The degree of civilization attained by a nation may, in a great measure, be estimated by the progress which it has made in those useful arts, trades, and employments, by means of which the necessaries, conveniencies, and luxuries of life are formed, collected, and distributed. In order to judge of the degree of this advancement, perhaps no better criterion need be sought than observing the divisions and subdivisions found to exist in its trades, manufactures, and other callings. By comparing these with the state of manufactures, trade, and commerce of other nations, a tolerably correct notion may be formed of the point which such people has actually attained in the scale of social refinement.
Apove I have stated the total number of houses and shops in the town to be 13,926. This difference is owing to the former number (13,158) including those shops only which serve also as dwelling-houses: whereas the latter number (13,926) includes all houses and shops whatsoever.
page 471 note * For the most part, manufacturers and retail dealers have their houses and shops separate; but many, it will be observed, fabricate and sell retail in their own houses, instead of shops; others have shops and dwelling-houses united. When, as in the present example, no shops are mentioned, or that the number of shops in proportion to the number of houses enumerated is very small, it must be supposed that the manufacture or trade is chiefly or entirely conducted in the private dwelling; when, on the other hand, there are no houses, or very few houses in proportion to the number of shops mentioned, it roust be inferred that the manufacturers or dealers reside in the back part of their shops, or in the upper story.
The weaving of cotton cloths is carried on in the open air, in the yards adjoining their houses, or in the mangoe groves, or other open spaces in and about the town. This class is generally supposed to have been converted from Hinduism.
page 473 note * Dealers in corn, as well as husbandmen, are almost universally Hindus. Indeed almost all concerned in the productions of the soil are of that religion. Mahomedans are found more numerous amongst the manufacturers of fine goods, as brocade, fine leather, &c.
page 473 note † Gold and silver-smiths are rarely possessed of capital; nor do they often make large fortunes, as in Europe: but there is work enough to occupy even 200 families. The inhabitants of the upper provinces, both Hindu and Mahomedan, lay out the greater part of their savings in ornaments, and this is probably more the case now than in former times. They now wear gold and silver more, and bury less under ground, than under the Native governments: both because there is now much greater security from robbers; and because the possessors of wealth are not so much as formerly exposed to the rapacity of insatiable Native officers. The investment of money in ornaments and jewellery, in proportion to the amount of accumulation, is probably greater in the upper than in the lower provinces of India; and this is owing to the wealthy classes in Bengal preferring to invest their capital in government funds or other securities. The great number of shops (considering the amount of the population and the paucity of wealth in this town) serves to show how vast is the consumption of gold and silver throughout India.
page 476 note * Most English gentlemen have their own private carpenters and turners, hired by the month, to make tables, chairs, &c. for them. Bareilly is famous for the brilliant varnish of its chairs, boxes, &c.
page 477 note * At Lucknow, the court of a Mahomedan prince, women of this description often earn above 1,000 rupees (£100) per mensem. Since the fall of Mahomedan power in these provinces, the gains of this class have greatly diminished.
page 477 note † The smaller number of Hindu in proportion to Mahomedan courtesans, is a proof of the greater libertinism of the latter class, as far as regards the population of this town.
page 477 note ‡ That there are two classes of eunuchs is owing to there being two different modes of emasculation.
page 479 note * Bareilly being formerly the capital of a Mahomedan state, cows and oxen have from time immemorial been slaughtered and sold within the town. The Hindus are now constantly protesting, and petitioning against what they consider a great sacrilege.
page 480 note * The tribe of Banjáras is very numerous, both in Hindustan and in the Deccan. Those in Rohilcund are all converts from Hinduism to the faith of Mahomed; they boast of being originally descended from some of the most noble of the Hindu tribes of Rájputs, as Pawárs, Chandéls, Surya-vansí, &c. In the Bareilly district, there are calculated to be about 14,000 inhabitants of this description. These people pride themselves on the recollection of the warlike exploits of their Rájput ancestors. Many of them repeat from memory long poems recording their deeds of arms, of a period prior to the first Mahomedan invasion, or more than 800 years ago. I have frequently heard them singing these traditionary poems, accompanied by the tambour and guitar. Besides carrying merchandize, the Banjáras find employment in cultivating lands, and in winnowing rice by contract for the neighbouring farmers. Their conversion from Hinduism was probably eiFected some centuries ago.
page 482 note * Actuated by this superstitious notion, the greater part of the Hindus cook their own victuals, make and mend their own clothes, and wash their own linen; and even the higher classes chiefly employ their own private servants in those offices, instead of resorting to shops for the supply of their wants. Hence butchers and bakers are wanting, and tailors and washermen not numerous, in the Hindu part of the community.