Page:Gazetteer of the province of Oudh ... (IA cu31924073057352).pdf/370

 362 SIT of them. The other castes-Ahírs, Kurmis, Lodh, Chamár, Pási --are taxed equally; in some villages the second gaon kharcha is remitted from Abírs and Kurmis and exacted from Chamárs, in others all are treated alike. The entire heap before anything is taken out is called pánchomál, the five shares, a remnant probably of the ancient idea formulated in Manu that the state should take one-fifth. In all proportional statements of village cesses or allowances it must first be noted whether the incidence is upon the panchomál or upon the tenant's share. It will be observed that the patwari is paid by both parties, but as the landlord can, according to Oudh law, discharge him at his pleasure, and can pay him as he pleases, he must be considered as the landlord's servant. The following remarks are by Mr. Williamas:-- cvery maund 3 sers are first given to the zamindars as wages of patwári and village expenses; then 7 sers to the cultivator as kúr; and the remaining 291 is shared betwcen the cultivator and the zamindar. Even low-caste cultivators get kúr: for if not allowed it they find it more profitable to accept work on the roads or the barracks, a striking proof, if proof were wanted, of the levelling effects of British rule on the caste system. " Thirty kachcha bíghas are cultivated by one plough. Of these wheat is sown in ten bíghas, and some other rabi crop, but which does not require irrigation, such as gram or urd, is sown in five bighas. In these five bighas kharif crops are also grown—ice in the field which afterwards grows gram, kodo in the field which afterwards bears urd. There are fifteen bighas left, and in these kharif crops of all sorts are grown. Thus one-half of the cultivated area is under rabi and one-half under kbaríf; two-thirds of the former being under wheat. As a general rule, about two-thirds of the wheat area is irrigated. In other words, only two-ninths of the entire rabi area under crops is irrigated." Average outturn of the principal crops.. By enquiries in some thirty villages the average outturn of the principal crops was found to be as follows: First-rate wheat irrigated and manured, 9 kachcha mlands per kacha bígha. Second class Third 17 Best urd Second class Third The three qualities of rice and kodo 5, 4, and 2 maunds. The three qualities of gram 5, 3, and 2 mannds. The three qualities of bájra 3, 2), and 14 maunds. Wages, --Wages differ but little throughout the district, but owing to the thinness of population are higher than in Bara Banki. For instance, the agricultural labourer in Mahmudabad engaged by the month receives 9. 7 ditto. G ditto. 6 ditto. 3 ditto. PLA . 1} ditto,
 * The division of the crops," writes Mr. Williams," is made thus" :- "In