63
RAJPOOTANA.
V. Lines, barracks or huts .—Erinpoorah was founded in 1836 by Captain, afterwards
General, Downing, and was called Erinpoorah with reference to his native country. The can
-tonment lies on both sides of the main road, the direction of which through the station is north
- e a s t t o s o u t h - w e s t ; o n t h e n o r t h - e a s t i s a n u l l a w h i c h j o i n s t h e L u n i i n t h e r a i n s , a n d o n
the south-east is the village of Shosgunge. The main road is intersected at right angles by
cross road which divides the officers' bungalows, &c. from the lines and bazaar.The latter is
on the north-west, and divided from the Infantry lines by the main road. The Cavalry are
situated 200 paces from the Infantry, towards the south. The Infantry lines consist of sixteen
rows of detached mud huts with tiled roofs. The space between two rows which accommodate a
company is 14 yards, but the huts of different companies are almost in apposition at the back.
The huts are disposed side by side, varying in distance from each Other from 2 to 12 feet, each is
divided into two or three compartments by cross walls; one door opens on the end between the
lines, the others open between the contiguous huts. The ventilation and light is froth the door
or under the tiles at the cave. The floor is excavated to a considerable extent. The amount of
cubic space varies greatly. The average of a number of measurements is 11' x10' 10
x 7' 9". As the huts are very old, and were unoccupied for some time after the mutiny, when
they fell into a state of complete dilapidation, it is impossible to keep them in repair. It
follows froth the above description that the lines leave much to be desired in a sanitary point
of view. The site is unsatisfactory, the buildings are crowded on each other, the lines are not
disposed to catch the usual breeze which is from the west, the plan is faulty, and the construc
- t i o n i n d i f f e r e n t , w h i l e t h e c u b i c s p a c e i s e n t i r e l y t o o s m a l l , e s p e c i a l l y w h e n i t i s t a k e n i n t o
c o n s i d e r a t i o n t h a t m o s t o f t h e s e p o y s a r e m a r r i e d , a n d t h e i r w i v e s a n d c h i l d r e n h a v e t o l i v e i n
the above-mentioned compartments.
The Cavalry lines consist of four rows of huts, 26 yards asunder, with the horses picketed
between; they are somewhat better than the Infantry, but still not at all desirable.
Lines, barracks
or huts.
VI. Drainage, &c.—The drainage is described as being indifferent, as a
result of the position of the lines; but the porosity of the soil in a measure
partially obviates this defect, and it is only after unusually heavy rains that
the surface water lies.
The sepoys and the bazaar residents have to resort to a nullah and the
fields for necessary purposes, and the medical officer states that this system is
objectionable, but that it is difficult to carry out any other.
Wells in the lines supply a sufficient quantity of water at all seasons, which
is said to be of singularly good quality. All bathing, washing of clothes and
animals is done at the nullah, and the well water has probably but few sources
of contamination, as the natives are very particular regarding it.
The bazaar was well supplied with the various articles of food which were
procurable at a very moderate price, and were of fair quality: vegetables are not
scarce except in the hot weather. The system of dieting is that which usually
obtains in native regiments, and the men, as a rule, are well nourished, and
Mr. Brereton states that very few cases of under-feeding had come under his
n o t i c e .
Under the head of clothing, it is reported that the uniform of the men
is well suited for the seasons and for the ditties the men have to perform;
but the undress clothes are not of sufficient warmth for the cold season.
In this regiment the sepoys wear shoes of an English regulation pattern, and
even though they do not fit well, the number of admissions for blistered feet
is small, when, as the medical officer remarks, the amount of marching done and
the sandy nature of the soil is taken into account. No injurious result, the
effect of the duty which is said to have been considerable, had occured; the
men had an average of four nights in bed.
There are no games or amusements in the regiment; several of the native
officers are very fond of shooting, and those of the sepoys who like this sport
frequently accompany the officers on shooting excursions.
Drainage, &c.
No latrines.
Water-supply.
Bazaar.
Clothing.
Shoes,
Exercise, &c.
No marches were made during the year 1875.
Marches.
XIV. Hospital.—The hospital having been described in former reports, nothing further
is here necessary. It is in a good state of repair, and affords sufficient accommodation.
The want of cook-houses is much felt, especially in the rains, and at all times the practice of
making fireplaces in the compound is objectionable. The men supply their own food and
bedding while in hospital.
Hospital.
Sickness, mortality and invaliding.—Strength of the regiment—
Present . . .
7 1 6 . 9
Absent . . .
1 5 8
T o t a l . . .
8 7 5
Sickness,
mortality and
invaliding.