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30
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DIAMONDS.
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in
the year 1838, through the forests of Orissa. He speaks of the people
as being too apathetic and indolent to search for diamonds. His remarks
on the localities where they occur seem to be derived from Mr. Motte's
account, to which, indeed, he refers.
Although
published in the same number of the Asiatic Society's Journal,* we find
a Paper, dated two years later, or 1840, which was written by Major
Ouseley, on the "Process of Washing for Gold-dust and Diamonds at Heera
Khoond." In this we meet the following statement:—
The
Heera Khoond is that part of the river which runs south of the islands.
The diamonds and gold-dust are said to be washed down the Ebe River,
about four miles above the Heera Khoond ; but as both are procurable as
far as Sonpur, I am inclined to think there may be veins of gold along
the Mahanadi.
The
occurrence of diamonds in the river so far below Sambalpur as Sonpur
must have been very exceptional. No mention is made by Major Ouseley
of the system of throwing an embankment across one of the channels,
which is described below; but from my inquiries I gathered that that
method of washing was in practice for many years before the period of
Major Ouseley's visit. He describes the operations of individual
washers—not the combined efforts of the large number—which made that
washing successful. The diamonds found became the property of the Raja,
while the gold was the perquisite of the washers, who sold it for from
twelve to fifteen rupees a tola.
Captain Newbold says,t that "diamonds of considerable value are also found in the bed and alluvium
* "Journal Asiatic Society, Bengal," vol. viii. p. 1057. 1839. t "Jour. Roy. Asiatic Society," vol. vii.
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