The Dynasties of the Kanarese Districts of the Bombay Presidency from the Earliest Historical Times to the Musalman Conquest c7.s10.46

c7.s10.46

Since 1850 the condition of the Northern Konkan has been entirely changed by the railways that pass through it, and the roads which now render most parts accessible. Sálsette in particular now (1883) presents a very different appearance from that described forty years ago. The hills are still covered with jungle, but are therefore more valuable than if scanty crops were grown on them, and much even of the better land is every year left uncultivated, but only because the grass gives a valuable return without the trouble and expense of tillage. The great numbers of carts which during the whole fine season pass along the roads and the flourishing appearance of the villages prove that Sálsette has now to a great extent at least recovered the prosperity it had 200 years ago. The rest of the Northern Konkan is in various stages of progress, part having improved nearly as rapidly as Sálsette and two or three sub-divisions being still, owing to want of population, not much better than the whole was described as being in 1818. Of the Southern Konkan the two northern sub-divisions, that is those nearest Bombay, are but little behind Sálsette, but the greater part of it is, and by the nature of its position must remain much isolated, while its greater poverty prevents the rapid extension of its communications, so that up to about 1860 it was probably but little different from what it was in 1818. But a cart-road now runs through the whole length of it, and steam navigation has of course been in its favour. The district still manages to attract to itself money earned in other parts of India, while those of the natives who take service elsewhere generally return to end their days in the place where they were born. During the years of the great public works in Bombay thousands of labourers used to go up there for the working season and return home for the rains, and though this practice declined with the decline of speculation in Bombay, greater numbers than ever find their subsistence in the factories of Bombay.