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DIAMONDS.
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in
removing the substances of less specific gravity than diamonds, while
the rocks and deep holes in it afford admirable means for the retention
of the latter. Owing to the greater body of water to be dealt with, it
would be found to be more difficult to divert than that which flows in
the northern channel; but the result in a greater harvest of diamonds
would probably far more than compensate for the greater expenditure
incurred.
In
the country to the south of Sambalpur, in Karial and Nowagarh, where
rocks of similar age occur to those of the Barapahar hills, I have
failed to" find any traditional record of diamonds having ever been
found or searched for. It is just possible, however, that the names of
several villages in which the word Hira (diamond) occurs, may have reference to some long-forgotten discovery.
In
addition to diamonds—pebbles of beryl, topaz, carbuncle, amethyst,
cornelian, and clear quartz used to be collected in the Mahanadi; but I
have not seen either sapphires or rubies. It is probable that the
matrix of these, or most of them, exists in the meta-morphic rocks, and
is, therefore, distinct from that of the diamonds.
Method of Working.—From
personal inquiry from the oldest of the Jharas, or, washers, at the
village of Jhunan, and from various other sources, I have gathered the
following details as to the manner in which the operations were carried
on in the Raja's time :—In the centre of the Mahanadi, near Jhunan,
there is an island, called Hira Khund,* which is about four miles long,
and for that distance separates the waters of the river into two
channels. In each year, about the beginning of March or even later,
when other work * Lit., diamond mine.
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