NADIYA. 137 place, at a rate agreed upon. While the crop is still on the ground, the land is measured and the rent assessed on it. The extent of land remaining in the hands of superior landlords is said to be less than half that sublet to intermediate holders. Natural Calamities.—Blights occur every year in Nadiya, attacking particular crops, but not on any extensive scale. Floods are common; and, after what has been said above of the rivers of the District, it will be readily understood that they cause niuch damage. The most severe flood in recent times occurred in 1871, when the Bhagirathi rose and fell three times, and the other rivers twice. Fortunately the rising of the waters was so slow that there was very little loss of human life ; but the number of cattle which died was estimated at 200,000 head, and from a half to two-thirds of the rice crop was lost. Nadiyá suffered severely in the great famine of 1866. There was a serious drought in the District in 1865; and at the end of October of that year the Collector reported that prospects were very gloomy, the price of áus rice having already risen from 45. id. a cwt. in the previous year to 8s. The harvesting of the iman or winter crop brought a slight temporary relief; but in the spring of 1866 great distress again prevailed, and from April to October of that year Government and private relief were necessary. During that period, twenty-four principal centres of relief were at one time or another in operation, in addition to sixteen minor depôts at which food was distributed. The aggregate number of persons who received gratuitous relief was 601,123, and the aggregate number employed on relief-wor was 337,059. The total cost of relief during the famine, including half the amount spent on relief-works, was £5948, of which Government paid £4850. Manufactures, Trade, etc.—The manufacture of indigo dye under European supervision, to which reference has already been made, still remains the chief industry of the District. The out-turn of indigo in 1882–83 amounted to 2536 maunds. Cotton-weaving is everywhere on the decline, especially at the town of Santipur, where in the beginning of this century the commercial agent of the Company used to purchase muslin to the annual value of £150,000. Sántipur muslin is still exported to a small extent. Sugar-refining by European methods has proved unsuccessful; but several refineries in native hands exist at Sántipur, to which the raw material is brought from the neighbouring District of Jessor. Other special industries are the making of brassware, particularly at Nadiyá town and Mihrpur; and the moulding of clay figures at Krishnagar. The District of Nadiyá is very favourably situated for trade. On the north and west it is bounded by large rivers; while the numerous streams which intersect it all become navigable for a considerable
