Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan, or the Central and Western Rajput States of India v2.c30.t2.203

v2.c30.t2.203

Geography of Jaisalmer.—The country still dependent on the Rawal extends between 70° 30′ and 72° 30′ E. long., and between the parallels of 26° 20′ and 27° 50′ N. lat., though a small strip protrudes, in the N.-E. angle, as high as 28° 30′. This irregular surface may be roughly estimated to contain fifteen thousand square miles.² The number of towns, villages, and hamlets, scattered over this wide space, does not exceed two hundred and fifty; some estimate it at three hundred, and others depress it to two hundred; the mean cannot be wide of the truth. To enable the reader to arrive at a conclusion as to the population of this region, we subjoin a calculation, from data furnished by the best-informed natives, which was made in the year 1815; but we must add, that from the tyranny of the minister, the population of the capital (which is nearly half of the country), has been greatly diminished.