13
The difference between the death-rates of Mussulmans and Hindus may, I
think, be partly ascribed to the fact, that the former eat animal food, whilst Hindus
in Guzerat are almost pure vegetarians, and possess less strength and vital power
than the former, so that they are less able to resist the lowering influences they
are surrounded by. I am also informed by the Secretary, that the Mahomedans
of Ahmedabad keep their houses and poles cleaner than the Hindus, and certainly
a visit to poles occupied by them led me to consider this opinion correct.
37. Ahmedabad is celebrated for its weaving; and there is an old proverb to
the effect that it hangs by three threads; meaning, that it is dependent on the
weaving in cotton, silk, and gold. The hand manufactories are, however, since
the establishment of spinning and weaving mills in the city, not so numerous as
they were. It was also famed for its paper, but this trade, not being able to
compete with the papers imported from France, is also languishing. The Shrawaks
are principally employed in commerce, and the Kolis in agriculture.
38. The accounts of the Municipality for the year 1874 and 1875 are
attached to the Report, and it will be seen that during the year 1874 the net
income, including the balance (Rs. 52,783-11-2) at the beginning of the year, was
Rs. 2,67,034-14-1. Deducting from this the above balance, Rs. 52,783-11-2, and
the deposits of contractors, aggregating Rs. 3,479-5-6, and the Kakria Fund,
amounting to Rs. 4,133-1-9, the net revenue for the year was Rs. 2,06,620-11-8.
The expenditure during the same time amounted to Rs. 1,74,221-12-0, which
shows a balance of annual income over expenditure of Rs. 32,399-10-7; but the
gross balance was Rs. 87,900-11-6, of which Rs. 41,088-11-6 belonged to the Muni
-cipality and the remainder, Rs. 46,812, was credited to the different funds, of which
the Municipality is the trustee. The rate of municipal taxation per head of popu
-lation was, in 1872, Rs. 1-4-5.
39. I think that ample cause has been shown above why the principal city
of Guzerat should no longer be left in its present eminently dangerous state, and
I earnestly trust that Government will insist upon immediate steps being taken
to improve its sanitary condition.
40. The measures that appear to be most necessary are detailed below in
their order of urgency. lst.—The provision of a pure water-supply to the city is,
in my opinion, of paramount importance. The Railway Company draw their
supply from a well dug in one of the bastions near the Shahi Bagh, close to the
railway bridge; but the river is fouled above this point by dhobies washing
clothes, and by the inhabitants of the Sudder Bazar, by regimental sepoys and
others in the military cantonment, as I saw such in the act of preforming the offices
of nature on the sandy bed beyond the steam. The Sudder Bazaar has been
placed in the worst sanitary position as regards camp, as it is to windward of it,
and overhangs the river; and the places reserved as latrines for the inhabitants of
the bazaar are situated at the head of ravines leading immediately down to the
river, whilst the line of the regimental privies is only a few hundred yards from
the bank; and as the trench system is, during the monsoon, adopted in one re
-giment, the filth must find its way by percolation into the river. Animals are
slaughtered—both sheep and oxen—on the bare soil of the bank, immediately above
the river, and the blood and filth soak into the ground, although attemps are
made to remove it. These sources of filth preclude the idea of choosing any spot
below the cantonment limits. Although it does not fall within my province to
indicate the point from which the supply should be taken, yet I should imagine
a site might be chosen above the village of Hunsole, which is about 4½ miles due
north of the city. If it is taken from any such place, the conservancy of the vil
-lages on the banks of the river higher up is a matter which should engage strict
attention. Whatever point is selected, arrangements should be made, not only to
provide a sufficient supply, say, at the lowest estimate not less than 20 gallons
per head of population per diem, but to have it efficiently filtered through regular
sand-beds before distribution, It will be for engineers to say where the filter
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