Circular N. 4142 of the Territorial Department Revenue from the Officiating Secretary to the Government at Bombay Castle, Charles Edward Fraser Tytler, to the Resident in the Persian Gulf [‎19v] (28/44)

[ 18 ]
extent in the Kaira zillali.* The Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. himself attributes the decrease, coupled
«i,h a f.,11 of price, to increased activity in the illicit trade, though he has no proof of such
trade either to a large extent, or on any organized system But Malwa op.um * douh ^
smnooled in small quantities by Gosaees. Byragees, and Charnns from Ru lam and, alter
having passed the line of chokees to the east, there is no obstacle to a contraband trade from
hence westward to the coast. . .
Barriah, Chota Oodeepore, and Although, as already shown, the restrictive
system exists, it does not appear to be very rigidly enforced within the limits o these pe .% ^
States, except perhaps at Oodeepore. The Karkoon at Barriah reports (letter ^ Re
sident at Baroda, dated the 24th October 1846) that no measures are adopted to seue op,u
and only two seizures have been made. He adds, however, that there are cliokees es a . i, led
on this line, where opium illiciily imported is searched tor and seizoi. ie ai ooo a
Kandodef states that no vigilance is used to seize smuggled opium ; the Karkoon at Jngeera
that opium is imported from Sinnore, and is also brought by Bhats trom Malwa, annei
of cloms levvim. a duty thereon. No measures are adopted to seize opium illicitly
imported, but in case of seizure double duties are levied. The Karkoon stationed in the
Rajpeempla hills reports very much to the same effect, but adds that the opium consumed
within his charge is chiefly brought troni Nandode.
31. The preceding history of the past and present condition of the opium trade tinder
this Presidency The name given to each of the three divisions of the territory of the East India Company, and later the British Raj, on the Indian subcontinent. , however tedious, may perhaps facilitate a decision on what is the best
pvstem to be pursued in regulating the trade for the future, and it is with this object in view
tliat 1 have taken the trouble to compile it. In placing restrictions on the internal con
sumption of the country, the Government chiefly desired to effect these "hjects.- ' •
repress a vicious habit; 2nd, to createa new source of revenue; and 3rd to protec ' "-"V
monopoly, by preventing Malwa opium coming into competition with 'he opium of Bengal,
in the China market. (Vide Mr. Pringle's report on the opium trade, dated the 9th December
1843.) Through an oversight, or the carelessness of our local Officers, our restrictive system
has in the Guicowar territory and in the Mahee Kannta become a dead letter and in other
foreign territory it is now only very partially enforced. It is, however, very donbtfu whe
ther "under the greatest care and vigilance, our restrictions on the opium trade could have
been enforced in the full and complete manner orignClly C0,, | R 7
justly remarked by Mr. Pringle, (letter dated the 9th December 1843,) suirom y
ioreion States, and not only surrounded, but having their territories projecting into and
interspersed through ours in all directions, and without a preventive establishment to m.m-
tain a monopoly price materially exceeding the natural and ordinary puce prevai ing m
h e territories", especially in an article so valuable in proportion to its bulk as opium, the
maintenance of a Monopoly is impracticable." In illustration the Reveime
instances the Guicowar village of Vinow, distant only four miles from the city ot buiat,
where a depot might be formed to supply that town, not only by illicit importation, but bj
small quantities within the legal limits.
3-2 Under the system above described, the different Collectorates in Guzera have some-
time's'been supplied by indents on the Opium Agent in Malwa. and sometimes by purchases
ZZby the Opium Vent in Bombay. In the latter ease the expense of the drug was
r Ju I .V - -V-» fro™ M.I.. » Bombay. -
sit "
were cultivated with the poppy .-Letter dated 9th December 1840.
. t Nandode is the capital of llajpeempla, and the Karkoons whose reports are here alluded to are in the service
of the British Goyeniment.