"There is also a government paper currency in circulation, amounting to
L16,000,000 sterling. The smallest copper coin is the _pie_, worth half
a farthing, equal to a quarter of a cent of your money. Three of them
make a _pice_, a farthing and a half, three-quarters of a cent. Four
_pice_ make an _anna_, a penny and a half, three cents. Sixteen _annas_
make a _rupee_. Sixteen _rupees_ make a gold _mohur_."
"Those small pieces are about as insignificant as those of Egypt,"
suggested Mr. Woolridge.
"There are not many millionaires among the natives, and these smaller coins
are mostly used among them. They are convenient also to the stingy
Englishman when the plate is passed around in church," added his lordship
with a chuckle, which pleased Uncle Moses more than the remark. India has a
public debt of about L200,000,000, contracted for railways, canals, war,
and other purposes. The revenue last year was L84,932,100, and the
expenditures were L84,661,700. Not a large margin; but you must multiply
the pounds by five, or nearly that, to reduce them to dollars.
"The poppy is extensively cultivated in India; and the export tax in
Calcutta amounts to six and a quarter millions, in Bombay, to three and a
half millions, on the manufactured opium. The producer sends his crop to
the government factory, whence it is sold to the exporter; all this to
prevent frauds on the revenue.
Pages:
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136