It is worked by bullock-power acting on a rude
cog-wheel.
2. December, 1835.
3. A.D. 1833 corresponds to the year 1890 of the _Vikrama Samvat_, or
era, current in Bundelkhand. About 1880 the editor found this great
famine still remembered as that of the year '90.
4. Half a crown seems to be used in this passage as a synonym for the
rupee, now (1914) worth a shilling and four pence.
5. Bundelkhand seems to be the meeting-place of the east and west
monsoons, and the moist current is, in consequence, often feeble and
variable. The country suffered again from famine in 1861 and 1877,
although not so severely as in 1833. In northern Bundelkhand a canal
from the Betwa river has been constructed, but is of only very
limited use. The peculiarities of the soil and climate forbid the
wide extension of irrigation. For the prevention of acute famine in
this region the chief reliance must be on improved communications.
The country has been opened up by the Indian Midland and other
railways. In 1899-1900, notwithstanding improved communications,
Malwa suffered severely from famine. Aurangzeb considered Gujarat to
be 'the ornament and jewel of India' (Bilimoria, _Letters of
Aurungzebie_, 1908, no.
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