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34 however, is only the number reported to the police. The real loss of life from this cause was probably much greater.

.—Strictly speaking, with the exception of Calcutta, there are no large river-side cities, with a community living by water traffic. But several of the towns and villages on the banks of the rivers and canals contain large river-marts, where miscellaneous goods are bought and sold. The following is a list of the chief trading towns and villages, showing the principal articles for which each is noted.

On the Húglí.—Calcutta, the chief seat of commerce in India. Kidderpur; principal trade, rice. Budge Budge (properly Bǎj-bǎj, a muddy pool); principal trade, unhusked rice (paddy). Baránagar, Dakhíneswar, Agarpárá, Pánihátí, Sukhchar, Khardah, Barrackpur, Nawábganj, Ichhápur, Sámnagar, Naihátí, and Hálíshahr contain large bázárs for sale of miscellaneous goods.

On Tolly’s Canal.—Bhawánípur; principal trade, firewood. Tollyganj and Gariá; principal trade, rice.

On the Circular Road Canal.—Báliághátá; principal trade, fine rice, imported from Bákarganj and the Eastern Districts, and firewood.

On the Magrá Khál.—Jainagar; principal trade, table rice.

On the Gangá and Súrjyapur Khál.—Súrjyapur; principal trade, unhusked rice (paddy).

On the Bidyádharí.—Málanchá and Básrá; principal trade, firewood. Pratápnagar trades in firewood; boat-building is also carried on.

On the Diamond Harbour Road Canal the only village is Rájáhát, which principally trades in table rice.

On the Bhángar Canal the only village is Bhángar, the trade being principally in paddy and ironware.

On the Kultí Gáng.—Minákhán; principal trade, table rice.

On the Mádárí.—Chaital and Bánsrá; principal trade, paddy.

On the Jamuná.—Kálíganj, situated at the junction of the Kánksiálí and Jamuná, contains a large bázár. Basantpur, at the junction of the Kálindí and Jamuná, trades principally in paddy. Debhátá has a considerable trade in lime, produced from burnt shells. Husainábád carries on a trade in paddy. Táki and Basurhát have both large bázárs, and are boat-halting stations. Báduriá and Gobardángá carry on a trade in jute, molasses, and sugar.