The middle part of the principality of Lohangga has also been divided into two districts under Subahs. The first comprehends the southern portion called Saptari, but the low land between the Rato and Kamal, named Mahatari, which formerly belonged to the western division of the principality, has lately been placed under the authority of this Subah. His jurisdiction, therefore, on the plain extends about 100 miles from east to west, and its width there is nearly the same as that of Morang; so that it possesses more level land. Very little of the hilly country belongs to it, as Khatang and Makwanpur come far down and meet at the Kamal.
The most remarkable places in this district are Naragarhi, a
small fort on the plain, where the Subah usually resides; Bhemagarhi, another similar place, where he occasionally resides; and Janakpur, a place of pilgrimage noted in Hindu fable, and already mentioned as the seat of a very ancient dynasty. I am told that there are no remains of former power or greatness.
There are ten market-places.
The Golas, or custom-houses, are placed in the map.
The land-rent is collected by two Fouzdars, one for Saptari, the other for Mahatari; but these also collect some trifling dues which have not been let with the sayer or duties on markets; for there is no regular system of finance. These dues are those on marriages, (Bihadani,) on contracts of concubinage, (Sagora,) and a fine on adulterers of rupees 2-10/16, levied by the collector, besides the fine that goes to the Raja; for the man who has farmed the duties on the markets takes a part of the fine, amounting to rupees 2-10/16. The following will show the sums collected on these heads in the year Sambat 1867, (A.D. 1809.)
zila. | saptari. | Land-rent. | Marriages. | Concubines. | Adulterers. |
Pergunah | Khalisa | 10,015 | 75½ | 50 | 25 |
| Jagadal | 2,485 | 25 | 12½ | - |
| Pakri | 13,345½ | 55½ | 25 | 30 |
| Maljhumna | 754½ | 15 | 5 | - |
| Rayjhumna | 941½ | 25 | 7½ | 10 |
| Pakuya | 855½ | 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Gudagari | 501½ | 25 | 7½ | 20 |
| Rampurbehara | 481 | - | 5 | - |
| Mahishan | 501½ | 20 | 5½ | - |
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| Khonjvaghni ) | Totally waste | |||
| Majhoya ) |
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| Dhanchhoyar ) |
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| Vihar ) |
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| ------- | ------- | ------- | ------- |
| Total | 29,881 | 251 | 123 | 90 |
The establishment is nearly similar to what is maintained in Vijaypur. A great part of the rents are farmed. The rent is paid by so much a biga for each kind of crop. The biga is of the same size as in Morang. The following is the rate:
| According to Country measure. | According to Calcutta measure. | ||
| Rupees. | Anas. | Anas. | Pies. |
Rice (Sali) | 4 | 10 | 14 | 7¼ |
Mustard (Turi) ) Corocanus (Maruya) ) | 3 | 10 | 11 | 6¾ |
Cotton | 3 | 12 | 11 | 10 |
Tobacco and Kitchen Gardens | 5 | 0 | 15 | 9½ |