Gazetteer of the Ludhiana district

· 1888 · Public domain (published pre-1930) · archive.org ↗

1CHAP. IlL—THE PEOPLE. 03

2"Tf we are to judge by the standard of other parts-of the Pro-

3vince I should say that the state of the agricultural population was one

4of very considerable comfort. They area simple people, and have few

5wants, Their food is good, and they have enough of it ; and they are,

6according to Indian ideas, well clothed and well housed ; while their

7fine physique plamly shows that they do not suffer much fromdeficiancy

8of nournshment, or from rere to the elements. Amongst the

9lower menials in the villages (CAhamars), and the classes in the towns

10which subsist by labour {notably the colony of weavers in the

11City of Ludhians), there is at times a good deal of privation, The

12Chamdre have fixed allowances of grain which are assured to them ;

13but the other classes mentioned receive a cash wage, which ia very

14low, and are sufficiently fed only pare a is cheap.

15Amongst turists the M adans, ag a rule, ore

16improvident, and live a hand-to-mouth existence; but their

17eonenngery of the moist lowlands is an insurance against complete

18ailure of the food-aupply. The Giijars and Rajputs generally have

19dealings with the money-lender, and pay him in kind ; and this

20mukes it impossible for themto keep stores of grain, Their credit

21iagood, and they can unfortunately raise money whenever they

22require it on the security of the land, so that they never want for

23mari hinge Au ordinary’ house in the Bet is comfortable, but will

24not be found to contain much of value in the way of jewelry or

25dishes, ‘The cattle used for agriculture are very inferior ; but the

26mileh. se antenet spit od, ae there is plenty of prazin wod ; and the

27principal wealth, atall events of the Cuiare ounigtarot their buffalo

28eows. ‘The Aréins and Awing mostly get on without incurring

29debt; ond I believe that the number of Gidjars and Rajpdts whe

30do so is daily increasing, There is also a fair proportion of men of

31all these classes who are able to advance money on the security of

32land. Ibave already referred to the Awans as keeping carts that

33work for hire, and some Rajpdts have followed their example. The

34villages of the Ludhidua Bét derive great profit from the proximity

35of the City, in which there is a ready market for the sale ot ia all sorts

36of miscellaneous produce. Although the money-lenders may seize

37on the grain, the straw is left; and in a year of drought this

38fetches a very high price, the people being able to sell it, and depend

39onthe grasa along the river and Budha Nala for the food of

40their enttleo. At the present time (September 1883) straw is

41very dear and there isa constant demand for it on the part of the

42Jangal people. Many villayes have sold Rs, 400 or 500 worth

43within the last few days.

44The Hindu Jat is by nature provident. His house will generally

45be found to contain valuable property in the way of dishes,

46jewelry and clothes, besides a sum in hard cash. In the exstern

47parts the most valuable crops are the cane and maize; and

48these must be turned into cash soon after the harvest. But

49even here there is Renerally enough grain in store to last form year.

50In the western villages (Jagraon and Pakhowal) the condition of the

51Jats is more than one of mere comfort, Tho houses are superior,

52there is a grent display of jewelry and brass dishes, and the cattle

53are of a very high class, Almost every house containaa supply of

54Chapter EIT, B.

55Social "Life.

56Gieneral state of

57cumfort,

58Agricultural

59prooyiles of Bot

60Aindy Jats,