HO MONUMENTS IN SINGHBHUM.

Oct. 4, 1872.]

291

STONE MONUMENTS IN THE DISTRICT OF SINGHBHUM–CHOTA NAGPUR. By W. BALL, B. A., GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA.

N Mr. Fergusson's Rude Stone Monuments there is no allusion to the practice of certain of the Chota Nãgpur Kols to erect monu ments to their deceased friends. It would appear that the brief accounts of the custom hitherto

published have escaped notice. Referring to the geographical distribution of

which, according to Col. Dalton, cannot have been inhabited by the Hos for centuries. There are few parts of the Kolehan, where an extensive view of several villages can be

obtained, which do not include several groups of upright monumental stones. These groups may include any number, from a single stone

Dolmens, Mr. Fergusson has written—“They do not exist in the valley of the Ganges or any of its tributaries.” This is not strictly accurate, as

upwards, and there is no restriction to odd num bers, as is said to be the case in the Khasia Hills.

the tributaries of the Ganges which drain Chota

more or less rectangular or cylindrical in form,

Nagpur" pass through a country in parts of

but sometimes they are of very fantastic shapes. These latter, however, it is important to observe, are not due to either freak or design upon the part of the people. They are the natural forms of the flags which they assume in their exposed positions in the rivers. Beyond being prized from the beds by means of crowbars, they are not, as a rule, touched with any tools. I have

which

both ancient and modern Dolmens

or

tables, and Menhirs abound.

The following notes and accompanying sketches were made a few years ago in the district of

Singhbhum. The facts described will, I trust, prove sufficient to draw attention to the rude stone monuments of that district.

The stones selected for erection are generally

The Chota Nagpur division, as is well known

often come across the spots in the river sections

to those interested in Indian Ethnology, is the present home of numerous aboriginal races, nearly, if not quite all of which have been assigned by Col. Dalton to positions under the two great family groups of Kols, known as

whence stones for this purpose and also larger ones intended for dolmens or tables had been

raised. The geological formation in the Kolehan consists partly of slates and schists, which sup ply an abundance of flags suited to the purpose.

Mundās and Orāons.

When these rocks contain an appretiable quan

Various customs with regard to the final dis posal of the dead are practised by these different

tity of carbonate of lime, the chemical action of the water produces honey-combed surfaces and more or less irregular outlines. In portions of the country not now occupied by the Hos, where the rocks are granitic, and

races; but it is with Mündās, and among them

a particular race only—the Hos, that we have to do at present. The Hos with a few exceptions are now to be found only in a portion of Singhbhum known as the Kolehan, or Hodesum as it was called by Col. Tickell. There they live shut out from all Aryan influences, observing a most rigid conservatism with regard to the traditional customs of their race. Notable among these customs, as being

flag-like masses of rock can seldom be obtained, the ancient monuments are more massive in

shape and of smaller size. I cannot help think ing that the geological formation may have had something to do in determining the selection of the Kolehan as the final resting place of the race.

The rivers, where the stones are raised, are not

one that must force itself on the attention of any traveller in the district, is the erection of stone

unfrequently several miles distant from the villages near which the Menhirs and Dolmens

tablets and slabs (Menhirs and Dolmens) over the graves and to the memory of the deceased. Although it is only in the Kolehan that these

are erected. The transport of the stones is effected in the following manner. Partly accord

monuments are erected at the present day, they

are to be found scattered throughout Chota Nag pur and to some extent in the Orissa tributary

ing to the estimation in which the deceased was held, partly according to the amount of refreshments—chiefly rice-beer—which the sur

mehals; in some cases in localities upwards of

viving members of the deceased's family are pre pared to stand, a greater or less number of men

one hundred miles distant from the Kolehan, and

assemble and proceed to the spot where the stone

• The Damādá and Kosái, &c. which join the Hugli. The Subanrika pursues an independent course to the sea.