Súbah of Berár.

Its original name was Wárdátaṭ, from Warda, the river of that name and taṭ, a bank. It is situated in the second climate. Its length from Baṭálah* to Bíragaṛh is 200 kos, its breadth from Bídar to Hindiah 180 kos. On the east lies Bíragaṛh adjoining Bastar; to the north is Hindiah; to the south Telingánah;* on the west Mahkarábád. It is a tract—situated between two hill-ranges having a southerly direction. One of these is called Bandah* upon which are the forts of Gáwílgaṛh, Narnálat and Mélgaṛh. The other is Sahia,* whereon rise the forts of Máhór and Rámgaṛh.

The climate and cultivation of this province are remarkably good. There are many rivers, the principal of which is called Gang Gautami called also the Godaveri.

As the Ganges of Hindustán is chiefly connected with the worship of Mahádeo, so is this river with (the Rishi) Gautama. Wonderful tales are related regarding it and it is held in great sanctity. It rises near Trimbak* in the Sahia range and passing through the country of Aḥmad­nagar, enters Berár and flows into Telingánah. When Jupiter enters the sign Leo, pilgrims flock from all parts to worship.* The Táli* and Tapti are also venerated. Another river the Púrná rises near Déwalgáon, and again the Wardá issues forth ten kos higher up than the source of the Táli. The Napta* (?) also rises near Déwalgáoṇ.

In this country the term for a Chaudhri is Desmukh, for a Kánúngo* Dés Pándiah; the Mukaddam is called Paṭíl and the Patwár, Kalkarni.

Elichpúr is a large city and the capital. A flower violet in colour is found here and is very fragrant. It is called Bhúpan champah,* and grows close to the ground.

At the distance of 7 kos is Gáwíl, a fortress of almost matchless strength. In it is a spring at which they water weapons of steel.

Panár is a strong fort on an eminence which two streams surround on three sides.

Khérlah is a strong fort on a plain. In the middle of it is a small hill which is a place of worship. Four kos from this is a well, into which if the bone of any animal be thrown it petrifies,* like a cowrie-shell only smaller. To the east of this resides a Zamíndár named Chátwá* who is master of 2,000 cavalry, 50,000 foot and more than 100 elephants. Another such Zamíndár is named Dádhi Ráo who possesses 200 cavalry, and 5,000 foot. To the north is Náhar Ráo a chief whose force consists of 200 horse and 5,000 foot. Formerly in this neighbourhood, was a Zamíndár named Hatiá, but now his possessions are under other subjection and the whole race are Gonds. Wild elephants are found in this country. The chiefs were always tributary to the kings of Málwah: the first, to the governor of Gaṛh, and the others to the government of Hindiah. Nar­nálah is a strong fortress on a hill, containing many buildings. Bíja Ráo is a Zamíndár in the neighbourhood who has a force of 200 cavalry and 5,000 foot. Another is Dúngar Khán with 50 horse and 3,000 foot: both of the Gond tribe. Near Bálapúr are two streams, about the borders of which are found various kinds of pretty stones, which are cut and kept as curiosities. Six kos distant was the head-quarters of Prince Sulṭán Murád* which grew into a fine city under the name of Shahpúr.

Near Melgaṛh is a spring which petrifies wood and other substances that are thrown into it.

Kallam,* is an ancient city of considerable importance; it is noted for its buffaloes. In the vicinity is a Zamíndár named Babjeo of the Gond tribe, more generally known as Chándá: a force of 1,000 horse and 40,000 foot is under his command. Bírágaṛh which has a diamond mine and where figured cloths and other stuffs are woven, is under his authority It is but a short time since that, he wrested it from another chief. Wild elephants abound.

About Básim is an indigenous race for the most part proud and refractory called Hatkars: their force consists of 1,000 cavalry and 5,000 infantry. Banjárah is another Zamíndárí, with 100 horse and 1,000 foot. At the present time it is under the authority of a woman. Both tribes are Rájpúts.

Máhor (Mahur, I. G.) is a fort of considerable strength situated on a hill. Adjacent is a temple dedicated to Durgá, known in this country as Jagadathá. Here the buffaloes are of a fine breed and yield half a man and more of milk. The Zamíndár is a Rájpút named Indrajeo and is entitled Ráná. He commands 100 horse and 1,000 foot.

Mánikdrug is a remarkable fort on a hill surrounded by extensive forests. It is near Chandá, but up to the present is independent territory.

Jétanpúr is a village in the Sarkár of Páthri, where there is a thriving trade in jewels and other articles of value.

Telingánah was subject to Kuṭb u'l Mulk* but for some time past has been under the authority of the ruler of Berár.

In Indore and Narmal there exist mines of steel and other metals. Shapely stone utensils are also carven here. The breed of buffaloes is fine and, strangely enough, the domestic cocks are observed to have bones and blood of a black colour. A Zamíndár called Chanánéri,* is Desmukh, a man of most distinguished character and who has a force of 300 horse. Rám­ghaṛ is a strong fort on a hill, enclosed by forests. Wild elephants are numerous. It has not as yet been annexed to the empire.

Lunár is a division of Mahkar, and a place of great sanctity. The Brahmans call it Bishan Gayá. There are three Gayás, where the per­formance of good works can be applied as a means of deliverance to the souls of deceased ancestors; namely, Gayá in Behár which is dedicated to Brahma, Gayá, near Bijápúr dedicated to Rudra,* and this one. Here is also a reservoir, having a spring in it of great depth, and measuring a kos in length and in breadth, and surrounded by lofty hills. The water is brackish, but when taken from the centre or at its sides, it is sweet. It contains the essential materials for the manufacture of glass and soap and saltpetre is here produced and yields a considerable revenue.

On the summit of a hill is a spring at the mouth of which is carved the figure of a bull. The water never flows from this spring to the other, but when the 30th lunar day* falls on a Monday, its stream flows into the large reservoir. In the neighbourhood is a Zamíndár called Wáilah of the Rájpút tribe, commanding 200 horse and 2,000 foot. Another is called Sarkaṭh, also a Rájpút, and possesses 100 horse and 1,000 foot.

Batialah is a fort of considerable strength on a hill, of which Paṭál Nagari is a dependency. In the sides of the hill twenty-four temples have been cut, each containing remarkable idols. The Zamindár is Médní Ráo, a Rájpút, with 200 horse and 1,000 foot. Another is Kámjeo, a Rájpút having under him 100 horse and 1,000 foot.

This Súbah contains 16 sarkárs and 142 perganahs. From an early period the revenues were taken by a valuation of crops, and since the tankah of this country is equal to 8 of Delhi, the gross revenue was 3½ krors of tankahs or 56 krors of dáms* (Rs. 14,000,000). Some of the Deccani princes increased the revenue to 37,525,350 tankahs. In the time of Sulṭán Murád a further addition of 2,637,454 Berári tankahs was made. The total amounted to 40,162,704 Berári tankahs. The original amount and the additional increase were thus tabulated, the whole reaching the amount of 642,603,272 Delhi dáms.

Eight perganahs of the Sarkár of Kallam (Kalamb) were annexed to Chándá, the revenne of which is not included, nor those of 22 parganahs of the Sarkar of Kherlah, held by Chátwá and some few other Zamíndárs.