Indian Antiquary Vol 52

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Stephen Meredyth Edwardes, Krishnaswami Aiyangar
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 259

SEPTEMBER, 1923)
EARLY HISTORY OF INDIAN FAMINES
243
21 Rupees per Maund, Barley 2 Rupees, Rice fine 4 Rupees, Ditto Course 21 Rupees, Beefe 1} Rupees, Goat flesh 2 Rupses, Butter or Gee 71 Rupees, Oyle 7 Rupees per Maund which consists of eighty lb. English Averde poiz.
June the 19th we came to Pattana from Singee. I see upon one peece of sand about the middle way betwixt the City and the River about 32 or 33 Persons ly dead within about 10 yards compas from the middle of them, and so many by the River side that could not come on shore but by very many dead corps, also aboundance upon the sand besides, now Rice fine 4 Rupees per Maund, beeing a little while since 4 rupees 7 annas being somtbing cheaper. Wood for fireing 41 maund per Rupee, Hens 5 and chickens 8 per Rupee ; tis reported that since the begining of October there have died of Famine in Pattana and the Suburbs about 20000 Persons, and there cannot in that time have gone fewer from the City than 150000 persons, the corps in the river generally lie with their backs upward, great number of Slaves to be bought for 4 annas and 8 annas per peece, and good ones for 1 rupee per peece, but they are exceeding leane when bought, and if they eat but very little more than ordinary of rice or eat any flesh, butter or any strong meat, their faces, hands, and feet and codds swell immediately exceedingly, so that tis esteemed enough to give them at first seer of rice, and those very leane seer per day to be eaten at twice. The Famine reachcth from 3 or 4 days jorney beyond Bonarres [Benares] to Rojamaul [Rajmahal], the most of the poore that go hence go to Dacca for viotualls, though there is thought to be great quantities of Rice in these parts, yet through the Nabobs roguery heere is a Famine, and also somthing from the drynes of the last yeere.
The Rains at Pattana came in in 1671 upon the 6th June and rained every day till July 11th.
In Pattana about 23th July there dyed about 260 or 300 Persons Dayly of Famine in and about the City of Pattana, Rice being 5 Rupees per Maund best sort. I have examined some dying of Famine who told me that within their bodies they were hot, but without cold, espically on their Bally and privy parts. They are very thirsty and hungry, and so feeble they can neither go nor stand nor scarce stirr any joint. They have no pain in their head, but & great one in their Navill. Their urin is very red and thick like blood, and excrement like water, which runs often from them, but but little at a time. I examined one woman immediately before shee died.
In June 1671 the Raines continued from 6th June, and not one fare day till August, except 1lth and 30th July.
August 1671. Before the Famine there were 4000 houses inhabited in Hodgipore Hajipur and but now 1800 inhabited, and out of them many have dyed.
In Pattana in 1671 August 8th, nowdy dayly here of Famine two or three hundred persons in City and Suburbs, rioe now 7 seer per Rupee or 5 rupees 11 annas per Maund of best sort and sometimes none to be bought nor bread in the Bazar. In the Gaut by our Factory which was not 4 yards round about (as I conoeive) lay 50 dead corps which I could tell which were driven thether in about 2 dayes time, and Mr. Nurse saith that the day after he counted 152 dead corps in ditto place. Abundance are every day drove to the side of the River, though the most persons of quallity hire Hollolcores to carry them into the middle of a river with a string, and carries them into the middle of the river and then cuts the string, and so lets them drive down with the stream. Notwithstanding there was 50 dead corps in the Gaut by our Factory, yet the Gaut was seldome without a great many women who take up water by the dead corps and drink it, and dress their victualls with it.