Indian Antiquary Vol 02

SR No.: 032494
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jas Burgess
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 428
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 20 MB

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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[BPTE, 1873.
west side of the plateau of the hill, in a natural Uriya, to the north-east of the station, where basin surrounded on all sides by lofty peaks. It also the only really large cultivated space of partly overlooks the lake called the N akhi. ground is met with; but beyond one or two tal & o, which by the natives is said to be un- small jhils, which run dry in the hot weather, fathomable. It is clear, however, that it is form- and a few small streams, there is no other water ed by the closing up of a gorge on the west to speak of on the hill; and in hot reasons fears side, where the overflow runs off, and a band are entertained as to the lasting powers of the has lately been built to increase the depth of wells-indeed those in the station do run dry now water, fears having been entertained that it and then. The villages on the summit strike > might run dry or nearly so, should an excep- new-comer : the houses are built in the shape of tionally dry or hot season occur. There are wigwams, low, round, with pointed roofs, and several small islands with trees on them scat- are quite different from any seen in the plains tered about the middle of the taldo, but they below. The people are a wild-looking race, are almost submerged, and the trees are fast with long grizzly hair and beards, and scantidecaying. A path has been made all round the ly clothed; they always carry a bamboo bow lake, the straight lines of which sadly mar the and arrows; many of them wear & peculiar picturesqueness of the spot.
charm round their necks, representing Vishnu The best view of the lake and station, embrac- riding a horse, generally embossed in silver and ing also a glimpse of the plain, is obtained from gilt. On inquiry I found that when a man loses Bailey's Walk, so called from the officer (the his father he puts on one of these amulets, but present Magistrate) who made it: it extends for what parpose they conld not tell me. The from the station to “Sunset Point" (the fa winter months in Abu are charming, the air is vourite evening rendezvous of the residents and fresh and bracing, and the ground frequently visitors), and crosses over one of the higher peaks white with hoar-frost. The sun, however, is hot of the mountain overhanging the lake. The in the day. Fires are necessary after sunset scenery from these heights and from the sides of from December to the end of February. In the the hill is of wonderful beauty and great extent. hot season punkas are seldom required, and at Early morning and evening are the most favour- night the breeze is always pleasant. In the rains able times to enjoy it, as in the heat of the day a good deal of fog hangs about the hill; but the the distant mountain ranges are often lost sightfall is not so heavy as in the other sanitariums. of in the haze. One misses here, however, the To the sportsman Abu offers many attractions. lovely tropical foliage seen to such advantage Seldom a day passes but news is brought into at many of the other hill stations, the trees on the station of a kill by a tiger or panther, Abu being small and sparsely scattered about. but the game, though plentiful, is difficult to get Date palms and corinda bushes are to be met at, owing to the facilities of escape afforded by with everywhere, as well as several kinds of the numerous rocks and caves all over the hill. fig, and a few large banyan trees. But though Sambur abound and do great damage to the the trees are small, their variety is great, and crops of the villagers, who can ill afford to have there is an ample field for the botanist on Abu their tiny khets cleared by deer; this, however, and its surroundings. Owing to the rocky nature often happens, and many are the entreaties of the of the surface, there is very little alluvial deposit, spoiled husbandman that the sáheb will come and consequently scarcely any cultivation. Still and kill the enemy. Bears abound at the foot every available patch of ground is made the of the hill, and are often killed by the native most of, and wells sunk adjoining them for pur. shikáris, who sit up for them at night over water. poses of irrigation. The plots of land (they There are also said to be a few lions in the cannot be called fields) are watered by the Per. vicinity. At the base of the hill there is prosian water-wheel, and one may often see and bably as much small game of every description hear six or eight wheels in full work within a to be met with as in any part of India-peaquarter of a mile's radius. Besides the Nakhi. fowl, haren, partridges, quail, small deer, do. talko, there is a large tank at the village of The peafowl is very sacred, as well as the
• The hill wus overran with Sambur until the youz 1868, great numbers, and, though yearly increasing, are nothing famous for the famine aad drought They died them in libero plentiful as they were before that date,