The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-06-07
Boston stock Market
lNDIA's HOARDED WEALTH.
Millions of Gold Bricked Up in Se-
crct Vaults.

During the first decade OF my residence
In India. relates II correspondent of the
Springfield Republican, I was for some
years associated with a wealthy banker
named Lalla Muttra Pershaud, the Lahore
agent OF the great banking house known
as The Seths of Muttra." and from him
/ learned great deal about the system of
boarding practiced In all ages by the
wealthy classes in India. He died at Balm
daoun about 1867. IL may be explained
that the title "Lalla" used by native bank
ers has no exact equivalent in English.
1t might with equal proPriety be trans
lated master. professor or banker.
Both in ancient and modern times one
of the stock objections of European ma
tons against trade with India mas been
that that country absoros large amount
of the precious metals, which il never dis
gorges. 1t has naturally been asked what
becomes OF these treasures for we do not
find in India that abundance of either gold
or silver which might naturally be expect
ed. and the reply has always been that
they are withdrawn from circulation as
currency by being boarded. For ages it
has been a prevalent opinion IN all East
ern countries that there Is vast amouu.
OF treasure hidden in the earth, which.
unless found by accident is lost 10 man.
When UP country last year | heard that
Chowringhee Lalla. manager 10 Lalla
Muttra Pershaud. already mentioned. was
in Gwalior on some temporary business,
and | called on him. an old friend. at a
place in the Lashkar where he was re-
siding. Among other subjects We discuss
ed the action Of the government In closing
the minis and | asked his opinion about
the possibility of a gold standard for In
d.a. and mentioned the fact that certain
members of the Currency Association con-
sldered that G50eo.ee of gold would 30
sufficient 10 provide indis with a cur
rency The lalla laughed the Idea 30 seorn
and assured me that So. 900 would not
suffice TO replace the silver boards Of even
one state. You know ha said. how
anxious the late Msharajah Scindia was
10 ge; back the fortress Of Gwalior. but
very few know the real cause prompting
him That was concealed hoard OF sixty
orores tEs0.e00.0oO Of rupees in certain
vaults within the fortress, over which the
British ssntlnels had been walking for
about thirty years, never suspectins the
wealth concealed beneath their feet. Long
before the British government gave back
the fortress every one wbo knew the en-
trance into the concealed hoard vas dead.
except ore man. WHO vas extremely OLD,
and although in good health. ne might
have died any day. II thai had happened
the treasure might have been los, 10 the
owner forever and the world for ages.
because there was only one entrance 10
the hoard. which was mast cunn.ngiy oUn-
ceaIsd and except that entrance, every
other part was surrounded by solid rock.
'.So the ma harajah was In such fix that
he must either get hack his fortress or
divulge the secre. 20 the government ana
nm the risk OF losing the treasure forever.
When the fortress WAS given back 10 the
n1aharalaa. and before the Brush troops
had left Ciwsiiar territory. fnasons were
brought from Benares. sworn to secrecy
IN the temple % the Holy Cow. before
leaving: and when hey reached the Gwal-
ior railway station they weFe put into
carriages. blindfolded and driven 20 the
pace where they had - work Thee
fhe,- were kept TIL they had opened out
the entrance into the secret vault. AMI,
when the concealed hoard rad been verb
fed. ard the ho3e built Up again, they
were once mere blindfo.ded. par into ear
~isxes and taken back - th~ railway sta
ION and rebooked for Bgn2res under
proper escort
('howringnee Lara went oO 20 EEL me-
shat Tor generations before tne rise os
tho British power ms ancestors had he'd
sh, most o. treasurer tn ne sswsliHr state.
and that. after the british had annexed
territories aruGri Ds}hi one Of as great
sraaa unclos had retired from the post
q. treasurer 81 Gwalior with = fortune -
twenty crcres q rupees e. s>2 ESQ., by
great good fortune. an this Nancy Nas
quietly g0t into British territory he Do
clsrsd. ard Hfieea cFores Of &c are A. this
day hrtcked mp r = secret yaui; under a
Hirtu tempe dedicated 10 the goddess e
wealth in the SoiT city % Br.~1ahun
''NcN said ta@ isl3s zig TIE tres surer
could accumulate - E1ucS. ahat we're
fbs asN3maistisns 90 ne s1s'e key 20
be- Tee treasures - C7wa}or form hut
a very small amount compared wtsh The
totsl q the known concealed Usatth ~
saafs- Al. The silver woa.s rs brought a1t
ara Te9-Rees! ~ ge'a directly tss govern
rHect 2ecre@A god currency t0r Indls
ye hundred ulE,.aus of go.d woa1 be
seSoshes! and concealed before gosts ear