Page:Gazetteer of the province of Oudh ... (IA cu31924073057352).pdf/158

 150 PAT villages Birhá, Sátanpur, and RÁlipur, and other villages of this pargana, of Bhagwantnager and Daundia Khera, falls into the river Ganges at a spot in village Duroli Khera in pargana Daundia Khera. The irrigation is, as a rule, effected from wells; the water is found at an average depth of 50 feet. The climate of the pargana is salubrious and suited to the constitutions of the residents who are generally healthy. In the village of Pátan a market is held on Saturdays and Wednesdays. An unmetalled road from Bihár to Cawupore passes through this pargana and through that of Magráyar. The Government revenue is Rs. 16,252; the rate per acre being Rs. 2-5-8. The tenure is as follows: Taluqdari 12 villages Zamindari 00 ada 3 97 15 The population consists of almost all castes, but Brahmans and Bais of the higher, and Kurmis of the lower caste, are the chief proprietary body, and form the most numerous class. Of Muhammadans there are very few. The total population is 5,842, comprising 5,671 Hindus and 171 Musal- mans, composed as follows:- Brahman 2,004 Chhattria Káyatha Baniáns Ahíra Other cartes 2,837 su 1 383 164 39 244 00 1 06 Total P. 5,671 Musalmana 400 171 Grand Total 5,842 Two fairs are held annually; one is held in the month of Pás (Decem- ber-January) and the other in Jeth (May-June) on the first Thursday, of the month in honour of and near the tomb of Muhabbat Shah. This darvesh lived in the time of Shujá-ud-daula, and died in that of Asif-ud- daula. He is said to have come to this place on pilgrimage. It is related that Muhabbat Shah had a disciple or a Muríd" known as Nikmat Shah, whom he was very partial to. Niámat Shah died and was buried in this Muhabbat ordered a fair to be held over his tomb, which is still kept up. The majority of the people, whether Hindus or Muhammadans, have faith in him; and the cause of Niámat's death is related by the neighbours as follows:-One day a Kurmi on his way home from the fields feil accident- ally into a dry well, called out Muhabbat's name for help to take him out. of the well, as he had faith in him and considered him preseut everywhere, but without any result; he then called Niámat, who instantly appeared, took him by the hand, and drew him out of the well. The next day the
 * takia"* (grave-yard), and therefore, in commemoration of his name,
 * The fair is well known in the vicinity, and is generally called "Takin-ka-mela."