INDIAN FAMINES - Institute for Social and Economic Change

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RECElfT FA.lfnrES.
vest. This expectation, however, was not fulfilled.
Consequently they commenced
to return to their homes at that time (May)
with their families and cattle, with the view of
being in readiness for the early kureef sowings .....
They found in Marwar nought but arid and
burnt-up plains, without a blade of grass for
their cattle, and without water in the wells.
The hot winds raged wildly; the dust, whirled
aloft in furious storms, was suffocating; no sign
of a cloud was to be seen. Down-hearted, a
second time they rushed away from the doomed
land. Cholera broke out amongst them; and
whilst enfeebled in body by want of food, and
broken in spirit through misfortune, they fell
an easy prey to the attacks of the fell malady.
At each place where they halted, many lay
down and died. The roadsides and the banks
of rivers and tanks formed generally their last
resting-places; but their skeletons were everywhere
scattered over the country, and for months
afterwards were met with in the most out-ofthe-way
places." Still were these poor wan-
• Kureef sowings are those for the autumn harvest; they
mmence with the rainy season.