XXII. RAIGURH AND HlNGIR.----UDAIPUR
AND KORBA.*
The
above-named places are situated in a wide extent of coal measures and
associated rocks, which cover an area of not less than 1,000 square
miles. The country is very wild and difficult of access, and our
knowledge of the field is as yet imperfect. Especially this is the case
as to the identity of the rocks younger than the Barakar coal measures.
- There appear to be two distinct groups, one containing fossil plants,
which serve to correlate it with the Kamthi-Ranigunj group, the other
being probably of Mahadeva age, but, owing to the great similarity in
lithological characters, separation has been attended with great
difficulty and uncertainty.
The
coal seams are sometimes of enormous size, thicknesses as great as go
feet, and even 168 feet, having been measured; but, although containing
good coal, tliese are often largely made up of carbonaceous shale,
which is incapable of supporting combustion.
In
one locality, the Samarsota river, the coal seams have been greatly
disturbed, being bent into an anticlinal, at the crest of which the
lowest rocks of the area are exposed.
Should
a direct line ever be made, connecting Calcutta with the Central
Provinces, this field will doubtless be opened up, and may, in that
contingency, become of great importance.
* Blanford, " Records G. S. I.," vol. iii. p. 54. Ball, id. v. pp. 101, 107; viii. pp. 102, 121; andx. pp. 170, 173; "Manual," pp. 206, 210.
