Buchanan, Francis: A Journey from Madras through the countries of Mysore, Canara and Malabar ... (Band 2) (London, 1807)

MYSORE, CANARA, AND MALABAR. 37

Large Pieces. CHAPTER
To the man who furnishes ore, for himself and cattle - 2

To each of the hellows-men at the smelting-furnace 1 large

piece - - - - - - 3

Large pieces - 5

Small Pieces.

To the head-man at the smelting-furnace - - 3

To each of the 9 charcoal makers 1 small piece - g

To the blacksmith ----- 5

To each of the bellows-men at the forge 1 piece - 2

To each of the hammer-men 2 pieces 6

Small pieces - £5

The labourers do no other work ; and, when the master can make
the necessary advances, are employed the whole* year. Allowing
that they smelt in all 320 days in the year, the lower workmen, at
a medium price of 4 pieces of iron for the Fanam, make only 5 Fa~
nams a month, out of which they must pay ground-rent for their
huts. This is low wages. The blacksmith has high wages; but he
must find the hammers, anvils, forceps, &c.

The annual expenses of the master are :

•" Fanams.
To the renter of mines and woods - . - , - 130

To ground-rent for the forge - - 50

For bellows - - - - - "ISO

For an annual sacrifice to Gudada Umma, the mother r f the

hill ------ io

For two sacrifices to Hombala Devdru, the god of furnaces 30

To a feast given by the labourers at Gauri, in honour of the

anvil, 150 coco-nuts, and one Rupee's worth of legumes 20

A new cloth to the blacksmith at Smardtri - - 10

Fanams - 430