GARHWAL, in the Himalaya, has a British portion and a Native State. British Garhwal, in the N.W. Provinces, lies between lat. 29° 26' and 31° b' N., and between long. 78° 17' 15' and 80° 8' E., with an estimated area of 5500 square miles ; pop. (1872), 310,288 persons. The valleys of the Giri, Tons, and Pabar rivers, which flow into the Jumna, adjoin tho district of Garhwal, in which are deodar forests, and some of kail, Pintas excelsa ; while lower down there are forests of chill, Pintas longifolia. The Tons river is under tho Garhwal and Dehra Doon authorities ; the Pabar and the Giri run through Bassahir tuad Sirmur respec tively. The streams are rapid, and the volume of water scanty. It has a mixed population.
The Dom or Dhum :appear to be the descendants of the aboriginal tribes, and now form the menial class throughout the district. The Khasiya evi dently came from the plains of Hindustan. The Brahmans and R.ajputs arrived in the country after the establishment of a settled government. The great Hindu temples of Badrinath and Kedarnath attract large numbers of pilgrims, and have pro duced a deep influence on the history and manners of the geopIe. They lie among the inmost recesses of the bnowy Range.
A totally distinct race inhabits the region lying within the Snowy Range. These aro the Bhutia, a tribe of Indo-Chinese origin, much intermixed with Hindu elements. They talk the Hunia or Tibetan language, as well as the Hindi, and they have also a patois of their own. They number in
all only 3030 souls, but they control the whole carrying trade with Tibet Both men and women are powerfully built, dirty in their habits, and greatly addicted to drink. Among the social customs of Garhaval generally, must be noticed the universal prevalence of polygamy. Wives are looked upon in the light of beasts of burden, so that every man obtains as many as his means will afford. Desertion and suicide are common, in spite of all the efforts of tho British officials in ameliorating the condition of women.
Garhwal or Tehri, the Native State, is in political relationship with tho British Indian Government, lying between bat 30° 2' and 31° 20' N., and between long. 77° 54' and 79° 19' E. The chief town is Tehri. The raja pays no tribute. The area of Garhwal is about 4180 miles ; the popula tion in 1875 was estimated at 150,000, and the revenue at 18000. Tho hills are generally very steep, and a largo portion of the territory as covered with forests, which include valuable deodar tracts. These were leased to the British Govern ment in 1864. Garhwal is to a large extent Bhot ; the language spoken is Ilindi. Tho habitable portion of the Bhot area. in Kamaon and Garhwal us confined to tho passes and their neighbourhood, all the rest being either snow or rock.—Imp. Gas.