. Our troubles in Poona and the Deccan by Arthur Crawford. With numerous illus. by Horace Van Ruith . visiting the townsor cities on market days to dispose of their surplus pro-duce, to buy or sell a bullock, to pay the Sowkar (ormoney-lender) or to pass another bond. Then the wifebuys perhaps a cheap sarree or petticoat, perhaps afew glass bangles or brass ornaments, may be a scarletjacket for little Bappoo making dirt pies at home. Thereis mirth and contentment that night in the dearly lovedmud hut, unless indeed—as now too often happens—thehusband has taken a little too much phcnee (nativel
. Our troubles in Poona and the Deccan by Arthur Crawford. With numerous illus. by Horace Van Ruith . visiting the townsor cities on market days to dispose of their surplus pro-duce, to buy or sell a bullock, to pay the Sowkar (ormoney-lender) or to pass another bond. Then the wifebuys perhaps a cheap sarree or petticoat, perhaps afew glass bangles or brass ornaments, may be a scarletjacket for little Bappoo making dirt pies at home. Thereis mirth and contentment that night in the dearly lovedmud hut, unless indeed—as now too often happens—thehusband has taken a little too much phcnee (nativeliquor), when the Byes (wifes) shrill voice will be heardin objurgation till the neighbours make peace between thehapless pair. ?•?? Wilsons Iiitiian Caste. Vol. i, p. 344. CULTIVATORS ARE NOT DISCONTENTED. 199 On the whole the Koonbees, if they do not Hve a veryeventful life, if their household property consists only ofa few brass pots and pans, their furniture one charpoyor four-footed cot, a couple of low stools and perhaps aswing in the verandah, pass fairly happy—certainly con-. THE KOONBEE OR RYOT, IN THE RAINS. tented—lives. Their wants are very small in food or raiment,their shelter is their own; they have not the constant dread—as their forefathers had—of being looted by this orthat official, by the ruffians fighting for neighbouring chief-lets, or by other bands of robbers; they live in peace,their chief anxiety being how to stave off the rapacious 200 OUR TROUBLES IN POONA AND THE DECCAN. Sowkar, how to find cash to pay the Sirkars next revenueinstahnent. Though they no longer bury their surplus grainin pits because they cannot sell it—for they now have easilyaccessible markets by good roads—they have wonderfulstaying power in bad seasons, and if the worst comes to
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