1 “( 86)
2 Delhi line, do not-at present enter the Punjab by the upper route, though
3 a proposal for admission of one of these Salts (the Sambhur) has just been
4 sanctioned. In order that the Salt from Rajpootana may not enter the
5 Punjab by the lower and direct route, and thereby evade the Delhi line,
6 a preventive line has been established along the Sutlej near Mooltan.
7 58. Formerly the Sikh Government had a similar monopoly of the
8 Gréat increase of yield Cis-Indus’ Salt Mines; but they farmed their
9 and Revenue. Revenue out and otherwise mismanaged it, The
10 out-turn of the mines was not worth more than 8 lakhs of Rupees or
11 £80,000 of which not more than half or 5 lakhs found its way to
12 the coffers of the State. After Annexation of the Punjab in 1849, the
13 average demand for Salt at the mines was calculated at 6,00,000 maunds
14 per annum, which, at Rupees 2 or 4 shillings per maund, would yield
15 12 lakhs of Rupees or £120,000 per annum. But the demand con-
16 tinued to rise year after year, till in 1854-55 the demand amounted to
17 10,47,028 maunds or 1C} lakhs, and the Revenue to Rupees 20,94,056
18 or 21 lakhs or £210,000. During the past year, 1855-56; there has
19 indeed been a slight falling off, the Salt amounting to maunds 9,65,860
20 or 93 lakhs, and the Revenue to Rupees 19,31,720 or 193 lakhs or
21 £193,000. This slight deficiency may be accounted for, partly by the
22 prevalence of drought during the last season? and partly by the exist-
23 ence .of an impression among the merchants that there would be an
24 alteration of duty, an impression which has now been removed. It is
25 probable that the increase has not yet reached its final limit, and that as
26 population increases, a still larger Revenue may be confidently expected
27 from this source,
28 59. The above increase is indicative of prosperity, at least among
29 But no increase of the lower classes. The consumption of Punjab
30 price to the consumers. § Salt, has nearly doubled since the establishment
31 of British Rule. The increase of population, the pacification of the
32 Province, the great diminution of the Land Tax, the abolition of Import
33 and Export duties, have caused an enhanced consumption of Salt
34 among the agriculturists and lower orders. Considerable quantities
35 are also exported towards the Eastward and to the North as far as
36 Jummoo ,and Cashmere ; but there is no likelihood of -exportation to
37 the West or the South. It is gratifying to reflect that where the Sikh
38 : Government obtained only 5 lakhs of Rupees, the British Government