317
SIND.
Area
Population in 1891
Density of population
Rainfall
46,725 sq. miles.
2,871,774.
61 46 per sq. mile.
2 inches.
Boundaries.
The Province of Sind forms the extreme north-western portion of the Bombay Presi-
dency, consisting of the lower valley and the delta of the
Indus. It is bounded on the north by Baluchistán, the Punjáb,
and Báháwalpur State ; on the east by the Native States of Jaisalmer and Jodhpur in
Rájputáua; on the south by the Ranu of Cutch and the Arabian Sea; and on the west by the
territories of the Khán of Khelát.
Climate and natural features.
Owing to its prevalent aridity, and the absence of the monsoons, Sind ranks amongst
the hottest and most variable climates in India. The thermo-
meter frequently rises in summer to 110° and occasionally to
120° ; while in winter it falls at night "a few degrees below freezing-point. Although situated
on the very verge of either monsoon, the Province derives no benefit from their rainfall ; for
the north-western monsoon, which deluges the hills of Baluchistán, extends no farther eastward
than Karachi; while the south-western monsoon terminates at LakhpatBandar on the boundary
of Cutch, as regularly as though it intentionally avoided the frontiers of Sind. Sometimes,
indeed, for two or three years in succession, no rain falls in the Province. The climate on the
sea-coast, however, is much more equable in temperature than is Upper Sind. In Northern
Sind, the extremes of temperature are strongly marked.
The thermometer at Shikárpur often sinks below freezing-point in winter, and ice forms
as late as February; yet in summer, for weeks together, the readings at midnight do not
fall below 100° F. This great and prolonged heat, coupled with the exhalations arising from
the stagnant pools left after the annual inundation, produces a fatal fever and ague.
Previous Epidemics.
Although no detailed record of its incidence and spread there is available, yet it is certain
that Southern Sind was involved in the great Gnjerat Plague
Epidemic of 1812-21. Beyond this there does not appear to
be any authentic record of plague in Sind previous to 1896.*
Plague in Sind. December
1896—June 1899.
Kathiawar excepted, Sind has suffered less severely than any other Division or Agency
in the Presidency. With the exception of three bad epidemics
in Karáchi and one of moderate virulence in Hyderabad, plague
has been very slight there.
As the system of Camps for the prevention of either importation or exportation of plague
was an elaborate one, it has been treated with some prominence.
It is worthy of note that, in spite of successive and severe epidemics, Karáchi City did not
very deeply infect the District or very widely disseminate infection. This is in striking con-
trast to Mándvi, Násik, Poona, Hubli, etc.
Observation Camps.
There were three important Observation Camps in Sind. The Malir Camp (established
31st March 1898), the most important of them all, was situated
near the narrow neck in the hills on the north, through
which the North-Western Railway runs. This neck was guarded by a police cordon in touch
with the Camp itself. Lieutenant Niblock, I. M. S., was in charge of it, and made it a most
* Imperial Gazetteer of India, Vol. XII.
so