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[edit] Partabgarh District, 1908

Note: National, provincial and district boundaries have changed considerably since 1908. Typically, old states, ‘divisions’ and districts have been broken into smaller units, and many tahsils upgraded to districts. Some units have since been renamed. Therefore, this article is being posted mainly for its historical value.

[edit] physical aspects

Southern District of the Fyzabad Division, United Provinces, lying between 25° 34' and 26° 21' N. and 81° 19' and 82° 27' E., with an area of 1,443- square miles. It is bounded on the north by Rae Bareli and Sultanpur ; on the east and south-east by Jaunpur ; on the south by Ahahabad ; and on the west by Allahabad and Rae Bareli. Portions of the District are enclosed in Jaunpur and Allahabad, and some villages of Allahabad form enclaves within Partabgarh. The general aspect is that of a richly wooded and fertile plaln, here and there relieved by gentle undulations, and broken into ravines in the vicinity of the rivers and streams. The southern portion is perhaps more densely wooded than other parts. Barren tracts of uncultivable land imoregnated with saline efflorescence (reh) are met with in places, but do not extend over any considerable area. For the most part, Partabgarh is under rich and varied crops, dotted with many villages and hamlets, which are surrounded by fine groves of mango, mahua, or other trees.

The Ganges forms part of the southern boundary, and the Gumtl touches the north-east corner of the District. The chief river is, however, the Sai, which enters Partabgarh from Rae Bareli, and after an exceedingly tortuous south-easterly course falls into the Gumti in Jaunpur. This river runs chiefly between high banks, broken by deep ravines, at a considerable depth below the level of the surrounding country. It is navigable during the rains, when it swells into a con- siderable stream ; but in the kot season it runs nearly dry. It receives a number of tributary rivulets, but none of importance. The District contains many tanks and swamps, some of which in the rains measure several miles in circumference.

Partabgarh is entirely composed of alluvium, and kankar or nodular limestone is the only rocky formation. Small patches of jungle land occur in many parts, chiefly covered with dhak (Butea frondosa). The babul (Acacia arabicd) grows in the ravines, and the usual varieties of fig and other trees are scattered about the District. Groves of mango and mahud (Bassia latifolia) are exceptionally numerous and large, one of them covering an area of 80 acres.

Wild animals are not numerous, owing to the closeness of cultiva- tion. Wolves are fairly common in the ravines and broken land, and wild hog and a few nilgai are found in the tamarisk jungle along the (ranges. Jackals and foxes occur in all parts. Wild-fowl are un- usually scaree, though in the cold season geese and duck visit the large sheets of water. Both rivers and tanks abound in fish.

The climate is dry and healthy. The mean monthly temperature ranges from about 60° in December and January to 92° in May. Over the whole District the annual rainfall averages 38 inches, evenly distributed. Considerable fluctuations occur from year to year, and the fall has varied from 19 inches in 1877 to 75 in 1894.

[edit] History

Tradition connects most of the ancient sites in the District with the Bhars ; but some of them certainly date from the Buddhist period. Legend ascribes the foundation of Manikpur on the Ganges to one Manadeva, son of a mythical Baldeva of Kanauj, and its change of name to Manik Chand, brother of the great Jai ("hand. The Bhars were displaced by the Somavansis from JHUSI, and other Rajput clans spread over the District. In the eleventh century the warrior saint of Islam, Saiyid Salar, defeated the Hindu princes of Manikpur and Kara, but Muhammadan rule was not established till the defeat of Jai Chand by Muhammad Ghorl.

Manikpur and Kara on the opposite bank of the Ganges were im- portant seats of government in the early Muhammadan period. Ala-ud-din Khilji was governor here, before he gained the throne of Delhi by murdering his uncle on the sands of the river between these two places. In the fifteenth century the District came under the rule of the Shark! kings of Jaunpur, and after its restoration to Delhi the Rajput chiefs and the Muhammadan governors were frequently in revolt. The Afghans long retained their hold on the District, and early in the reign of Akbar the governor of Manikpur rebelled. Manikpur lost its importance when Allahabad became the capital of a Province, and from that time it was merely the chief town of a sarkdr. The Rajputs again rose during the anarehy which marked the disruption of the empire after the death of Aurangzeb. They were, however, gradually reduced by the Nawabs of Oudh, and in 1759 Manikpur was removed from the Sufrah of Allahabad and added to Oudh. The later history of the District is a record of constant fighting between the officials of Oudh and the Rajput chiefs.

At annexation in 1856 the eastern part of the District was included in Sultanpur, while the west formed part of Salon (see RAE BARELI DISTRICT). A new District was in process of formation when the Mutiny broke out. Raja Hanwant Singh of Kcalakankar escorted the fugitives from Salon to Allahabad, and then turned rebel. With few exceptions all the large landholders joined the mutineers, and the District relapsed into a state of anarehy. Troops advanced in July, 1858, but the campaign was checked by the rains, and it was not till November that British rule was re-established. On November r, 1858, the proclamation of the Queen, assuming the government of the country, was read to the army by Lord Clyde at Partabgarh town. The area of the District then formed was altered in 1869 by the transfer of territory to Rae Bareli.

Only one or two of the ancient sites which are found in many parts have been excavated 1 . The chief memorials of Muhammadan rule are at Manikpur, where the vast mound of the ancient fort still rises high above the Ganges, and a number of ruined mosques and palaces dating from the reigns of Akbar, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan attest the former importance of what is now a mere village.

[edit] Population

Partabgarh contains 4 towns and 2,167 villages. The population has increased considerably during the last thirty years. The numbers 1 Cunningham, Arehaeological Survey Reports, vol. xi, pp. 63 and 70. at the four enumerations were as follows: (1869) 782,681, (1881) 847,047, (1891) 910,895, and (1901) 912,848. There are three tahsil PARTABGARH, KUNDA, and PATTI the head-quarters of each being at a place of the same name, except in the case of Partabgarh, the tahsildar of which is stationed at BELA. This is the only town of importance, and is also a municipality and the head-quarters of the District. The following table gives the chief statistics of population in 1901 :

Hindus form nearly 90 per cent, of the total, and Musalmans 10 per cent. The whole District is thickly populated, and supplies considerable numbers of emigrants to other parts of India and to the Colonies. The AwadhI dialect of Eastern Hindi is spoken by almost the whole population.

The most numerous Hindu castes are Kurmis (agriculturists), 112,000 ; Brahmans, 111,000 ; Ahlrs (graziers and cultivators), 102,000 ; Chamars (tanners and labourers), 98,000 ; Rajputs, 70,000 ; Pasls (toddy-dsaners and labourers), 51,000; and Banias, 33,000. Musal- mans include Shaikhs, 27,000; PATTIans, 12,000; and Julahas (weavers), 7,000. Agriculture supports 77 per cent, of the total population, a high proportion. The District supplies a considerable number of recruits for the Indian army. Rajputs hold nine-tenths of the land, Sombansis, Bachgotls, Kanhpuri t as, Bilkharias, and Bisens being the chief clans. Brahmans, Kurmis, Rajputs, and Ahlrs occupy the largest areas as cultivators.

Only 43 native Christians were enumerated in 1901, of whom 36 belonged to the Anglican communion. A branch of the Zanana Bible and Medical Mission was founded here in 1890, and a branch of a Canadian mission in 1903.

[edit] Agriculture

In the south-west near the Ganges lies a strip of low alluvial land, which is generally sandy and unproductive. Beyond the high bank is a tract of rich loam, which gradually stiffens to clay. the valley of the Sai is Mainly composed of a light fertile loam, deteriorating to sand near the river and its tributary streams. North of the Sai lies another clay tract. Both of these areas of stiff soil are studded with lakes and swamps, and are liable to waterlogging in wet seasons owing to defective drainage, but in ordinary years they produce excellent rice. The cultivation of sugar-cane is chiefly confined to the PattI tahsil.

The usual tenures of OUDH are found. About two-thirds of the total area is included in talukdari estates, while nearly 10 per cent, is held by sub-settlement holders and under-proprietors. The Main agricultural statistics for 1903-4 are given below, in square miles :

Rice covered 207 square miles, or 26 per cent, of the total, barley 192 square miles, gram 138, wheat 111, arhar 88, peas and masur 62, jowar 54, and bajra 52. The chief non-food crops are poppy (19), san-hemp (16), and sugar-cane (19). A little indigo is also grown, and there are many small pan gardens.

A marked increase occurred in the area under cultivation between the first and second regular settlements, chiefly due to the reclamation of waste. A large area near the Ganges, once occupied by a swamp, was reclalmed by a European, who constructed a large dam and erected pumps. The drainage of the PattI tahsil has recently been improved. The area bearing two crops in a year has also risen, and the principal changes in the methods of cultivation have been directed towards increasing this area. The larger areas under rice, sugar-cane, and poppy are also noticeable. Advances are taken with some regularity under the Land Improvement and Agriculturists' Loans Acts. During the ten years ending 1900 the total loans amounted to 1.6 lakhs, of which 1.1 lakhs was advanced in 1896-7. In the next four years the advances averaged Rs. 3,500 annually.

The cattle bred locally are small and inferior. The ponies of the District are also poor, but a stallion is now Maintained by Govern- ment. Sheep and goats are largely kept, and a fine breed of sheep is found in the Kunda tahsil. The Gadarias, or shepherds, who own the latter keep them chiefly for their wool.

Wells are the chief source of irrigation, supplying 257 square miles in 1903-4. Tanks or swamps served 153 square miles, but the area supplied from them is liable to considerable fluctuations. Thus in the dry year 1897 more than 84 per cent, of the irrigated area was supplied from wells. Other sources are negligible. The number of wells is increasing rapidly, and masonry wells have replaced unprotected ones to a considerable extent. Water is almost invariably raised from wells in leathern buckets dsann by bullocks, and from tanks and jhils by the swing-basket. Some of the tanks used for irrigation are artificial but these are of small size.

Kankar or nodular limestone is the chief mineral product, and is used for metalling roads and for making lime. A little saltperre is extracted from saline efflorescences, and glass is also manufactured.

[edit] Trade and communications

There are very few industries besides agriculture. Indigo is still made on a small scale, and sugar-refining is of considerable importance in the east of the District. An interesting experi- ment in the rearing of silkworms and manufacture of silk is being conducted by the talnkdar of Kala- kankar. Coarse cotton cloth and woollen blankets are made at a few places.

The District exports grain, oilseeds, opium, .san-hemp, and hides, and imports piece-goods, metals, hardware, and sugar, the local pro- duction of common sugar being insufficient. Bela is the chief malt, and small markets have sprung up at several places along the railway.

The Main line of the Oudh and Rohilkhand Railway passes from south-east to north-west across the District, and at Bela meets the Allahabad-Fyzabad branch running from north to south. There are 615 miles of road, of which 64 are metalled. The latter are in charge of the Public Works department ; but the cost of all but 24 miles is charged to Local funds. The chief routes are from Partabgarh town to Allahabad and Fyzabad, and towards Rae Bareli and Akbarpur. Avenues of trees are Maintained on 97 miles.

[edit] Famine

The District is so well protected by means of irrigation that it has suffered little from famine. Deficiency of rain caused some damage to the crops in 1864, 1868, and 1873. In 1878 the effects of drought in the previous year were more marked, and relief works were opened, but never attracted more than 4,600 persons on one day. The early cessation of the rains in 1896 was felt, because it followed a series of years in which excessive rain had done much damage. Relief works were opened in December, but were not largely resorted to, and distress was less severe than in the adjoining Districts.

The Deputy-Commissioner is usually assisted by four Deputy- Collectors recruited in India, and a tahsildar is stationed at the head-quarters of each tahsil The cultivation of poppy is supervised by an officer of the Opium department.

Two Munsifs and a Subordinate Judge have civil jurisdiction in the District, which is included in the Civil and Sessions Judgeship of Rae Bareli. Crime is light and not of a serious type, the more heinous forms being rare. Thefts and burglaries are the chief offences. Female infanticide was once very prevalent, but has not been suspected for many years.

A summary settlement was made in 1856, and on the restoration of order in 1858 a second summary settlement was carried out, by which the revenue was fixed at 7.3 lakhs. A survey was then made, and a regular settlement followed between 1860 and 1871. The assessment was largely based on the actual rent-rolls, and average rates were derived from these to value land cultivated by proprietors or held on grain rents. It resulted in an enhancement of the revenue to 9.9 lakhs. A large number of clalms to rights in land were decided by the settlement courts. The second regular settlement was made between 1892 and 1896 by the Deputy-Commissioner in addition to his regular duties. It was based, as usual, on the actual rent-rolls, and allowance was made in valuing land which did not pay cash rents for the difference in rents paid by high-caste and low-caste cultivators. The new revenue amounts to 13.4 lakhs, and the incidence is Rs. 1.6 per acre, with very slight variations in different parganas. Collections on account of land revenue and revenue from all sources have been, in thousands of rupees :-

There is one municipality, BELA, and three towns are adininistered under Act XX of 1856. Beyond the limits of these, local affairs are managed by the District board, which in 1903-4 had an income of Rs. 90,000, chiefly derived from local rates, and an expenditure of Rs. 97,000, including Rs. 49,000 spent on roads and buildings.

The District Superintendent of police has under him a force of 2 inspectors, 65 subordinate officers, and 237 constables distributed in 12 police stations, besides 32 municipal and town police, and 1,719 rural and road police. The District jail contained a daily average of 125 prisoners in 1903.

In regard to education, Partabgarh does not hold a high place. In 1901, 3i per cent, of the population (6i males and oi females) could read and write. The number of public schools increased from 88 with 3,i2r pupils in 1880-1 to 126 with 7,037 pupils in 1900-1. In 1903-4 there were 161 such schools with 7,493 pupils, of whom 65 were girls, besides 48 private schools with ,1,036 pupils, including 2 girls. Only 916 pupils had advanced beyond the primary stage. Two schools are managed by Government and 100 by the District board. The total expenditure on education was Rs. 40,000, of which Rs. 24,000 was provided from Local funds, and Rs. 6,000 by fees.

There are ten hospitals and dispensaries, with accommodation for 95 in-patients. In 1903 the number of cases treated was 49,000, including 674 in-patients, and 1,489 operations were per- formed. The expenditure amounted to Rs. 11,000, chiefly met from Local funds.

About 24,000 persons were successfully vaccinated in 1903-4, representing the low proportion of 26 per 1,000 of population. Vacci- nation is compulsory only in the municipality of Bela. [H. R. Nevill, District Gazetteer, 1904.]