Comprising The Districts of Behar, Shahabad, Bhagulpoor, Goruckpoor, Dinajepoor, Puraniya, Rungpoor, & Assam, In Relation to Their Geology, Mineralogy, Botany, Agriculture, Commerce, Manufactures, Fine Arts, Population, Religion, Education, Statistics, Etc.
About the Book
The History, Antiquities, Topography, and Statistics of Eastern India by Robert Montgomery Martin is a comprehensive three-volume work. The first volume includes two books. Book I focuses on Behar and Patna, covering the topography, soil, and water bodies, offering a historical overview, and examining population patterns, social classifications, and living conditions. It also details the natural productions, agriculture, and commerce of the region. Book II focuses on Shahabad, covering its geography, demographics, agriculture, and trade. Extensive statistical data in the appendices provide valuable insights into the region's population, housing, education, and economic activities.
About the Author
Robert Montgomery Martin (1801-1868) was an Anglo-Irish author and civil servant, notable for serving as Colonial Treasurer of Hong Kong from 1844 to 1845. He was instrumental in founding the Statistical Society of London, the Colonial Society, and the East India Association. Martin authored numerous works, including "The History of the British Colonies," which extensively documented British colonial history. His writings offered valuable insights into the governance, economic policies, and social conditions of British colonies, significantly enhancing contemporary and historical understanding of the British Empire's global impact. His work remains a crucial resource for colonial studies.
Preface
The survey of the districts of Behar and Patna, of Shahabad, Bhagulpoor, Dinajipoor, Goruckpoor, Puraniah, Rung-poor, and Assam, forming the Eastern territories of British India, and containing upwards of 60,000 square miles and nearly 15,000,000 of British subjects, was executed by the Supreme Government of Bengal, under orders from the Court of Directors of the Honourable East India Company, dated the 7th of January, 1807, wherein the honourable Court observe, "We are of opinion that a statistical survey of the country, under the immediate authority of your Presidency, would be attended with much utility; we therefore recommend proper steps to be taken for carrying the same into execution." The Court further added, that Dr. Francis Buchanan, who had been employed by the Marquess Wellesley in the survey of Mysore, and to whom his Lordship had confided the management of the establishment which the noble Marquess formed at Barrackpore for investigating the natural history of India,†should be appointed to undertake the survey.
The Governor-General in Council, in conformity with these orders, nominated Dr. F. Buchanan for this important duty, with an allowance of 1500 sicca rupees monthly, exclusive of the pay and batta of his rank, and efficient learned assistants, draftsmen, &c. were appointed to execute his instructions.
The extent of the investigation will be seen from the directions issued for the guidance of the survey by the Supreme Government under date 11th Sept. 1807. which were as follows:- "Your inquiries are to extend throughout the whole of the territories subject to the immediate authority of the Presidency of Fort William.
"The Governor General in Council is of opinion that these inquiries should commence in the district of Rungpur, and that from thence you should proceed to the westward through each district on the north side of the Ganges, until you reach the western boundary of the Honourable Company's provinces. You will then proceed towards the south and east, until you have examined all the districts on the south side of the great river, and afterwards proceed to Dacca, and the other districts towards the eastern frontier.
"It is also desirable, that you should extend your inquiries to the ad-jacent countries, and to those petty states with which the British Govern-ment has no regular intercourse. In performing this duty, however, you are prohibited from quitting the Company's territories, and are directed to confine your inquiries to consulting such of the natives of those countries as you may meet with, or natives of the British territories who have visited the countries in question.
"Your inquiries should be particularly directed to the following sub-jects, which you are to examine with as much accuracy as local circum-stances will admit.
"1. A Topographical account of each district, including the extent, soil, plains, mountains, rivers, harbours, towns, and subdivisions; together with an account of the air and weather, and whatever you may discover worthy of remark concerning the history and antiquities of the country.
"II. The Condition of the Inhabitants; their number, the state of their food, clothing, and habitations; the peculiar diseases to which they are liable; together with the means that have been taken or may be proposed to remove them the education of youth; and the provision or resources for the indigent.
"III. Religion; the number, progress, and most remarkable customs of each different sect or tribe of which the population consists; together with the emoluments and power which their priests and chiefs enjoy; and what circumstances exist or may probably arise that might attach them to Government, or render them disaffected.
"IV. The Natural Productions of the Country, animal, vegetable, and mineral; especially such as are made use of in diet, in medicine, in commerce, or in arts and manufactures. The following works deserve your particular attention:
"Ist. The fisheries, their extent, the manner in which they are con-ducted, and the obstacles that appear to exist against their improvement and extension.
"2nd. The forests, of which you will endeavour to ascertain the extent and situation, with respect to water conveyance.
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