'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from January 1847 to May 1849. Edited by the Secretary. Volume VIII.' [‎138] (247/496)

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that boats have ever ventured : beyond this the navigation is said to be impracti-
cable. Sometimes these boats in returning from Tulluckwara are interrupted in
their progress at the Ghauts, which are seven in number, viz. Tatreedra, Bawa-
peara, Umraulee, Kundaulee, Chaundode, Kenoraulee, Norendda, and Thoomdee
owing to the fall of the freshes, or by an interval of no rain for ten days or a
fortnight. The boatmen are then under the necessity of lightening the boat by
emptying a part of the cargo into a smallei one alongside, and filling it again after
passing these Ghauts ; this is done by getting a villager from the nearest place,
who understands the channel. He proceeds forward on a small raft or canoe, with
a long bamboo, sounding, and the boat after him.
“ All boats tliat leave this for Tulluckwara have a sloping roof built on them
with bamboos and mats, to preserve the goods from the rain ; the larger ones are
also built up at the sides with the same materials, to prevent the water washing in
when deeply laden. These boats are built like all others that are used on this
side, having no decks, with one mast, and a triangular sail.
“ Boats from sixty to seventy kulsies burden can go to Tulluckwara after Sept,
lightly, but cannot return heavily laden.
“ The tide is felt only as far as lleenuapoor, about twenty-five or thirty miles
above Baroche, where it does not exceed a span in height.
“ It is impossible to fix dates when the navigation of the river opens and ceases :
all depends on the monsoon, and the quantity of rain that falls inland in the coun
tries through which the Nurbudda takes its course : if it begins early, the boats of
course leave this early, and the navigation continues as long as there is sufficient
water for them to float up and down ; the time stated above is generally the month
fixed for it. Last year being a season of unusual heavy rain, the navigation was
open until January 1820.
“ The commodities carried from hence are salt, cocoanut, sugar, beetle-nuts,
dates, both dry and fresh, brooms, cocoanut shell, hooka bottoms, earthenware,
pepper, spices of all sorts, and curry stuff; and sometimes, when there is a scarcity,
wheat, rice, and paddy. The returns are mowda, honey, timber, rafters, bam
boos, bamboo mats, and sometimes till, ghee, and hemp.
“ The above information is from some of the most intelligent merchants who
have traded for thirty-five, twenty-five, and twenty, years up and down from this
to Tulluckwara and Deygaum Peeplia: these men go themselves every year in
their boats, and always assist the boatmen in navigating their vessels. ”
Further information is contained in the Journal forwarded by Lieutenant Ma
thias in 1820.
“ Here* I once more embarked on the 2d May, but in a larger description of
Cri r tot f AT fT • » k oat > being nearly thirty feet in length, three and a half m
Journey in 1820? S 'width, with a flat bottom ; the other that 1 had for my p e0 P 0
was in every respect like an English boat, with a keel, ^ c ' &c ’
and it drew two and a half feet water. The only interruption I received 10111
this to Baroche, even at this advanced time of the year, was at the Bawap 60 ^
and Tantee Dag Ghauts, where the large boat was detained a few minutes y 1
shallowness ol the water, so that there is an uninterrupted navigation 01
largest description ot boats that sail in the river as far as Peeplia, thiiteenm
above i ulluckwara, during the rains, and for two months after it; but fromt 10 11
and broken nature ot the country, Tulluckwara is the highest situation up t ° 11 ^
tnat could be fixed upon as a depot, particularly as there is a good cart ion f
tiat to Chiculdah by Barsnee, Odeypoor, Rajpoor, and Cooksee, or by a ! oS l
> aul Mali aid, Pansoaur, Rajpoor, and Cooksee, by that making the g rea ^Z en
sib e distance for the land carriage to Chiculdah or Dhair one hundred and n
miles. But several miles would be saved by going to Loossaree, leaving 0 r
cn t le left hand; and again by not using the more frequented road by
ut that ot Paul Mahaul and Pansoaur, from which I have no doubt tha
* At Tulluckwara.