Page:The Imperial Gazetteer of India - Volume 2 (2nd edition).pdf/204

 BASSEIN DISTRICT.

194

numerous quartz pebbles. Soapstone is found in the Arakan Hills, chiefly on their eastern slopes. Most of the lime used in the District is procured from a locality a few miles below Ngaputaw on the Bassein river. The quantity is inexhaustible, the quality good, and access easy. History.

Ptolemy,

—

known of

Little is

in his sketch

the

early history of

the

District.

of the hydrography of India beyond the Ganges,

From the range of Mseandrus flow down all the rivers beyond Ganges, until you come to the river Besynga.’ This Besynga has been

says



‘

the Bassein branch of the Irawadi, and the Mons Maeandrus with Yoma-daung, the range forming the backbone of Arakan. In old Talaing histories the ‘32 cities of Bassein’ are mentioned in 625 a.d. as forming part of the kingdom of Pegu. About 1250 A.D. the Talaing princess, Um-madan-di, ascended the throne; but a few years later Bassein was conquered by the Burmese. In 1289 identified with

A.D.,

When

according to Talaing history, Bassein

again

passed to

Pegu.

monarch of the Talaing dynasty, became king (1383 A.D.), Lauk-bya, Governor of Myaung-mya, proposed to assist the Burmese in conquering Pegu and the acceptance of his Razadhi'rit, the greatest



between the two kingdoms. In 1686 the Governor of Madras determined to establish a settlement in Negrais, then considered a portion of Arakan ; but the first expedition proved •unsuccessful. In 1687, however, Negrais was taken possession of in the name of the East India Company, but no settlement was made there until 1753. At this time the war between the Burmese and Peguans, which ended in the complete subjugation of the latter, was at its climax. Both Burma and Pegu sought British aid, which was offer led to incessant warfare

refused impartially



subsequently,

it

was urged that we should side with

the Burmese, as the Takings had succeeded in obtaining the assistance of our rivals the French,

who

then had a settlement at Syriam below

Rangoon.

The King

sent ambassadors to Negrais, who were by Captain Baker, then in charge of the British factory in that town. Soon after this (1775), ^ mission was despatched to the Burmese King, in order to obtain a formal grant of Negrais and the site of the Bassein factory, as it was considered that the whole country had passed to the Burmese monarchy. Unfortunately, about this time the British ships near Rangoon had been forced to aid the Takings and the Burmese King could not forgive this treacher}', as he considered it. The English authorities insisted on absolute neutrality, but their local agents were in consequence suspected by both sovereigns. In 1757, a cession of Negrais and of ground at Bassein was obtained in perpetuity, as it was thought. In 1759, the Negrais establishment was withdrawn, and only a few persons were left in charge of the island and of the Company’s property.

escorted

from

of

Burma

Bassein