Page:Gazetteer of the province of Oudh ... (IA cu31924073057352).pdf/128

 120 PAR population of the province any argument based hereon, in favour of the prevalence of infanticide amongst the Hindu agricultural classes, at once losos force. In fact the census figures are opposed to the idea of the existence of the crime, in the light of even a partially prevailing custom; and from my own enquiries in this, and the adjoining district of Sultanpur, I incline to the belief that tho practice has become all but obsolete. Of the Rajput clans of this district, who were the principal offenders in this respect, the Bachgoti and Sombansi may be prominently mentioned. Unlike his more aristocratic congener of Baiswáia, the lower Bais or Kath Bais, of the Bibár and Salon tahsils, bas never, I believe, been addictod to the habit. Tho Bison and Kanhpuria likewise deny all former participation in infanticide, but with what truth I have been unable to ascertain with any degroe of certainty. Houses.—The ordinary habitation of the peasantry consists of four rooms built in this wise Four outer clay walls are run up in the shape of a parallelogram, the longest sides running north and south, according to the teaching of the Shastras. Within these walls and parallel to them, at a distance of from seven to ten feet, four more walls aro built up to the same height. The two sets of walls are thon covered over with common thatch (khas posh), and thus they form, with the aid of divisions, either four or eight rooms (kothrís), with an inner enclosure or courtyard called "ángan" sangnáí." A ground plan will perhaps convey the best idea of the houses most commonly seen :- 5 N. "Angan" W. 02 E. "Angnai." - Entrance S.