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Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 18, p. 392.

392 NARSINGHPUR DISTRICT the most important trade-routes. Previous to the opening of the railway to Saugor, Kareli was a place of considerable importance, as it was the station for Saugor, with which it is connected by a metalled road crossing the Narbada at Barmhan. It now only retains the trade of the southern part of the Rehli tahsil and the centre of Narsinghpur. A metalled road is projected from Narsinghpur town to Lakhnadon in Seoni District, and has been constructed for 17 miles; but it passes through poor country and there is not much traffic on it. The old road from Jubbulpore to Bombay runs through the District, but as it adjoins and is parallel to the railway, it is no longer of any impor tance. The length of metalled roads in the District is 79 miles, and of unmetalled roads 135 miles. The expenditure on maintenance in 1903-4 was Rs. 33,ooo. The Public Works department maintains 94 miles of the more important roads and the District council the remainder. There are avenues of trees on 117 miles. The earliest scarcities of which accounts are available resulted rather from political disturbances than climatic causes. War and its effects caused distress in the upper Narbada Valley during Famine. the years 1771, 1783, and 18o9. It is recorded that in 1771 wheat sold in Narsinghpur at 5 seers to the rupee. In 1832-3 severe distress occurred, owing to a poor harvest caused by excessive, followed by deficient, rain. The failure of 1868-9 was not severe in Narsinghpur. In 1894 and 1895 the spring crops were spoilt by excessive winter rain. A little relief was given by opening works in 1895, and the forests were thrown open. In 1895 the rains stopped prematurely and the harvest was only 6o per cent. of normal. This was followed by a total failure of the crops in 1896-7. Famine prevailed throughout the year 1897, when 59,ooo persons, or 16 per cent. of the population, were on relief in June. The total expenditure was 1o lakhs, the principal form of relief consisting of road works. In 1899-igoo two-fifths of a normal crop were obtained, and the District was not severely distressed. The expenditure was 1-5 lakhs, and some useful work was done in the eradication of kdns grass (Saceharum spontaneum) and the construction of field embankments. The Deputy-Commissioner is aided by three Assistant or Extra- Assistant Commissioners. For administrative purposes the District Administration. divided into two tahsils, each of which has a . tahsilddr and a nail-tahsilddr. The Forest officer usually belongs to the Provincial Service. The civil judicial staff consists of a District and a Subordinate Judge, and a Munsif at each tahsil. The Divisional and Sessions Judge of the Nerbudda Division has jurisdiction in Narsinghpur. The crime of the District, which was serious a few years ago, is now petty. Civil work is very heavy, and the people are noted for their fondness