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Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 21, p. 28.

28 RAE BARELÎ DISTRICT cent. Eastern Hindi is spoken by almost the entire population, the dialect in use being Awadhi. The Hindu castes most largely represented are: Ahirs (graziers and cultivators), 129,000; Pasis (toddy-drawers and cultivators), r07,000; Brahmans, 105,000; Chamars (tanners, labourers, and cultivators), 98,ooo ; Rajputs or Chhattris, 67,000 ; Lodhas (cultivators), 64,000 ; Muraos (market-gardeners), 48,000; and Kurmis (agriculturists), 44,000. Among Musalmans are Gtljars, 13,000; Shaikhs, 9,ooo ; Pathans, 9,ooo; and Rajputs, 8,ooo. Agriculture supports 76 per cent. of the total population. Ràjputs or Chhattris hold two-thirds of the District, the Bais and Kanhpuria clans being the largest landholders. Ahirs, Brahmans, and Rajputs or Chhattris are the most numerous cultivators; but Lodhas, Kurmis, and Muraos are the most skilful. There were 97 native Christians in 19x1, of whom 68 were Metho- dists and io belonged to the Anglican communion. A branch of the American Methodist Mission was opened in 1864 and closed in 1901 ; but native catechists are still employed at a few places. The low land in the valley of the Ganges, called kachhàr, varies in width from two miles to a few yards. The lowest portion is flooded Agriculture. during the rains, but generally bears good crops in the spring; the higher stretches are very fertile, and occasionally autumn crops can be sown in them. The uplands vary according to the class of soil. In the south it is a rich firm loam, producing wheat and poppy in the spring and millets in the autumn, As the jhils are approached, the soil becomes heavier, and rice is the prevailing crop, which is followed in spring by gram and linseed. Large patches of barren zlsar are common here. The valley of the Sai and its tributaries resembles that of the Ganges, but is inferior in quality. North of the Sai is another large area of rice land, producing also inferior spring crops. The tenures by which land is held are those common to the Province of OUDH. About two-thirds of the District is included in talukddri estates, and 5 per cent. of the total area is sub-settled. Under- proprietors also hold about 5 per cent. The main agricultural statistics for 1903-4 are shown below, in square.miles:- Tahsil. Total. Cultivated. Irrigated. Cultivable waste. Rde Barely 37, 216 94 70 Dalmau . 472 256 123 76 Mah5,rajganj . 465 233 129 77 Salon . 440 241 123 58 Total 1,748 946 469 281 Rice is the crop most largely grown, covering 268 square miles,