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Along these two rivers are strips of rich alluvial land, composed of sand and loam, over which the waters
spread when in flood. Between the town of Dasuah and the Biás there extends a long tract of marsh
land, known by the name of " Chhamb," and which is the most unhealthy part of the district. The
flooding of the Chhamb commences in June or July and the land remains under water until September,
after which it gradually dries up.
The plain portion of the district is of alluvial formation throughout, and was formed from the
deposit of silt carried by the hill torrents or chohs, which pour down into the plain in the rainy season
at almost every mile.
There are a few small canals in the north of the district, taking their rise in the Biás, some of
which are liable to flooding the surrounding country in the rains.
The average rainfall of each tahsil is Hoshiarpur 36", Garshankar 32", Dasuah 35", and Una 37".
The climate of the district is generally healthy, the soil is sandy, and the water has no tendency to
collect or stagnate, except in the Chhamb District in Dasuah, where the health of the population is not
so good.
The commonest forms of illness are fevers of different kinds, and bowel complaints. Goitre is com-
monly met with in the hilly tracts, and in the northern plain of Dasuah, where there is much canal
irrigation.
Cattle, sheep and goats are kept by the villagers, but few horses, camels, or donkeys.
Dasuah Tahsil.—In 1894 -95 Surra was reported to have been very severe and widespread in this
tahsil, causing a great loss. It is said, however, that the disease appeared in nearly every village in the
tahsil. Twenty villages are specified as having lost the majority of their animals, and in one, Sosgán, 36
horses succumbed to " Surra."
This year the same tahsil is reported to have lost seven horses and five asses out of thirteen horses
and seven asses owned by the villagers.
By the natives it is named " Táp," " Sokra", " Zaharbad" and " Táp-dik."
Garshankar Tahsil.—Surra, vernacular name " Wabai-ki-bokhar," is reported to have occurred in
three villages during 1894-95. The position of the affected villages is described as low-lying and subject
to flooding. Out of 74 horses and 50 asses, 61 and 32 animals equal to 82 per cent. and 64 per cent.
succumbed to the disease.
Kangra District.
This vast tract comprising an area of 9,000 square miles, with a population of 730,845 souls,
stretched eastwards from the plain country of the Bári and Jalandhar Doábs over the Himalayan ranges
and far in Tibet. It is divided into four tahsils, viz., Kángra, Nurpur, Hamirpur and Dera, of which
the latter three lie along the south-western border of the district where it adjoins the plains and the
Siwaliks, coming in that order from east to west, and lying together with the Kángra Valley among or
below the outer Himalayas. The Kángra Tahsil occupies the centre of the district, and connects by a
narrow neck known as Bangáhal the three tahsils above mentioned with the 'outlying tract that forms
the Kulu Tahsil or Sub-division.
The district forms two almost separate blocks, which lie one to the west, the other to the east of
the outer Himalayan range, which in this direction bounds the horizon of view from the Punjab plains,
and are almost separated from each other by the Chamba and Mandi States. The western block, which
constitutes Kangra proper, is an irregular triangle, having its base towards Hoshiarpur, and tapering to an
angle between the Native States of Mandi on the east and Chamba on the north
The three parallel lines of mountain in the district with the transverse ranges form four basins in
which four great rivers take their rise—Biás, the Spiti, the Chenab and the Ravi. The Biás enters
Kangra proper and receives the drainage of Kangra valley.
The rainfall varies remarkably in different parts of the district. The average annual fall exceeds
70 inches ; along the side of the Dhaola Dhár it amounts to over 100" ; while ten miles off it falls to about
70", and in the southern parts to about 50".
The endemic diseases of this district are fevers (intermittent and remittent).
There are few horses in the district, and not very many mules. The Government system of mule-
breeding has been in operation in this district for the last ten years.
During February 1896 one village is reported to have suffered from " Surra ; " the loss recorded was
only one horse out of seven owned by the villagers.
Ferozepore District.
The Ferozepore District, embracing an area of 4,076 square miles and a population of 746,176 souls,
is divided into five tahsils, of which Mukatsar and Fazilka lie below the Faridkot State, and Zira,