 Reference Base  The history, antiquities, topography, and statistics of E... |
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Martin, R.M., 1838. The history, antiquities, topography, and statistics of Eastern India, vol. 3: Puraniya, Ronggopoor, and Assam. London, W.H. Allen and Co.
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| Location: |
Asia - South Asia - India - Assam |
| Subject: |
Distribution |
| Species: |
Indian Rhino |
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District of Puramiya
Area just south of English Bazar on Bengal/W Bangladesh border
Martin, R.M., 1838. The history, antiquities, topography, and statistics of Eastern India, vol. 3: Puraniya, Ronggopoor, and Assam. London, W.H. Allen and Co.
[184] A rhinoceros lately made his appearance in the marshy woods of the south ; but fortunately he thrust himself into the premises of an indigo planter, and was shot.
Area in Assam east of Dubri, and west of Goalpara, north of the Brahmaputra
Martin, R.M., 1838. The history, antiquities, topography, and statistics of Eastern India, vol. 3: Puraniya, Ronggopoor, and Assam. London, W.H. Allen and Co.
Everywhere that there are forests and elttensive thickets of reeds, the rhinoceros is not uncommon; and in the two eastern divisions several persons make a profession of hunting this animal, which is quite harmless, and neither injures the persons nor crops of the inhabitants. It is a solitary animal, nor at any season does the male live in the society of the female. The rhinoceros is killed on account of his horn and skin. The horn is in grpat request, being considered as possessed of great medical virtues, and it is employed for making bracelets and cups, that are used in the religious ceremonies of the Hindus. A good horn is worth 6 rs. on the spot. The skin is used for making targets. Each skin gives five or silt cuts, of which the two best are on the hips. Each skin according to its size is worth on the spot from 2 to 8 rs. The proprietor of the land usually gets the horn, and the hunter (Pahulwan) is allowed the skin; but the landlord is generally cheated.
In• the two eastern divisions, the hunters that kill the rhinoceros and elephant, may be about 60 or 70 in number, and are employed chiefly by four merchants residing at Dhubri, of whom one is a Bengalese and three are Siks. All the hunters are farmers, and employ only a part of their time in the pursuit of game. Each man usually receives 6 rs. at the beginning of the season, and may kill one or two rhinoceroses and one elephant; but he also occasionally kills buffaloes for their skins and horns; at least these are the only saleable parts. The hunters of course eat the meat, as they do also that of the rhinoceros. The hunters use a large piece called Kamchunggi, which requires a rest to enable the hunter to take an aim. Poisoned arrows are also employed both for killing the buffalo and elephant, but it is only fire-arms that are sufficient for killing the rhinoceros.
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