FA HI NE 07
water-proof. Blocks of red and yellow laterite and black basalt are
generally used for building purposes. The latter is largely utilized for
tombstones and takes a very good polish.
The District is celebrated for its bidri ware, to which it has given its
name. This consists of an alloy of copper, lead, tin, and zinc, inlaid
with silver and occasionally gold. Hukkas, pdnddns
(betel-boxes), tumblers and goblets, washing basins Trade and
communications.
and ewers, and other vessels are made of this ware.
Unfortunately the industry is dying out, owing to want of support. Some
fine specimens of this work were made for presentation to His Royal
Highness the Prince of Wales (His present Majesty) in 1875, and
others have been sent to various exhibitions from time to time. Some
embroidery and needlework is also prepared. Ordinary coarse cotton
cloth and saris, &c., formerly manufactured to a considerable extent, are
being gradually displaced by the importation of cheaper mill-made
cloths. Black blankets made by the Dhangars (shepherds) fetch from
Rs. 1-8-o to Rs. 6 apiece. Formerly several sugar refineries existed in
the District, but the importation of cheap refined sugar has ruined the
local manufacture.
The principal exports are jowdr and other food-grains, cotton, oil,
chillies, oilseeds, sheep, jaggery, tobacco, and horns. The chief imports
consist of hardware, salt, salted fish, opium, silver, gold, copper, brass
and copper vessels, refined sugar, iron, mineral oil, sulphur, raw
silk, and all kinds of woollen, silk, and cotton fabrics. The centre of
trade is the town of BIDAR. HOMNABAD, which was once the chief
market, has lost its importance since the opening of the Nizam's
State Railway. The principal trading castes are the Vanis, Komatis,
and Baljawars, who are also money-lenders. Weekly markets are held
in different parts of the District. A great horse and cattle fair used to
be held annually at MALEGAON, in November and December, which
lasted for a whole month. Upwards of 4,ooo horses and ponies were
sold at the last fair in 1897, but it has not been held since the
outbreak of plague.
There is no line of railway in Bidar. The metalled road from
Osmanabad to Hyderabad passes through the District and is lined
on both sides with avenues of acacia.
The famine of 1876-8 affected Bidar only slightly, but the District
suffered severely from that of 1899-igoo. The rainfall in 1899 was
only 15 inches, while prior, to that year there had
also been droughts. Six relief works were opened in Famine.
the tdluks oŁ Varval Rajura, Udgir, and Nilanga, which suffered the
most, the highest daily attendance being 29,262. The out-turn of the
hharif and rabi crops was about 28 per cent., while the early rice crop
yielded 37 per cent., and the late or tdbi crop was a total failure. The
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