BEYKANEER, a province in the north-east of Hindostan, bounded on the south by Joudpore ; on the south-west by Jesselmere ; on the west by the Desert ; on the north by the country of the Batnians ; on the east by Hurrianah ; and on the south-east by Jypore. Its width from east to west is about SO coss, and its length, from north to south, 120 coss. The soil of this province is very unproductive, ex cepting near some of the villages at its eastern boun dary; but even there the labour of the husbandman is .scarcely repaid. Hence the inhabitants are obliged to import from their neighbours rice, corn, sugar, •salt, opium, &c. In consequence of the rapid ab sorption of the rain in the sandy soil, the inhabitants •are obliged to dig pits for the preservation of the water, which are generally 100 and 200 feet deep, and sometimes even 300. Every family has a cis tern of this kind ; and sometimes the drought is so great, that whole families are compelled to emigrate Soorut-Sing, the rajah of Beykaneer, has absolute power over the lives and properties of his subjects.
By dissipatin the treasures of his ancestors, lie has oppressed his subjects with the most cruel exactions ; and is obliged to maintain his power by an army of 4800 infantry, 3200 cavalry, and SO pieces of artil lery. Though he has several Europeans in his ser vice, his invasions of the Batnians and of Churoo have generally been unsuccessful. The revenues of this province are about three lacs of rupees, though this sum has been sometimes doubled by imposts upon the merchandise which pass through the coun try. This rapacity, however, has forced the merchants to carry their goods by a different route. (II)