280 NEPAL tary; but they may nevertheless be forfeited for certain crimes. Another tenure, found chiefly among the Newars, is the payment of a considerable fine when the original titles are renewed on the accession of each prince. Other lands pay a rent to the crown, or to the jágirdár (proprietor), in proportion to their produce. The bulk of the army is paid by the assignment of lands renewed yearly. Military Force. All the martial tribes of Nepál are liable to military service in times of public danger, though all are not regularly trained to arms. There is also a standing irregular force dispersed throughout the country, numbering 13,000 effective men, besides a large body of regulars always stationed in and near the capital, numbering about 17,000 effective men. These troops are regularly trained, disciplined, and officered after the manner of European troops. The material is good, but the drill is indifferently taught, the firearms (Enfield rifles of local manufacture) and accoutrements and dress, which are on the European pattern, are uncared for, and the officers have only an elementary knowledge of their duties. The artillery mainly consists of small home-made field-pieces which would be of no value except at comparatively close quarters. The Nepál Government is fully alive to the shortcomings of its armament, and loses no opportunity for improvement which may present itself. A system of short service has long been in force, and it is calculated that three times the number of men with the colours could at a month's notice be brought into the field. Revenue. The public revenue is derived from land rents, customs, fines of various sorts, timber, monopolies, and mines. Annual presents are made by the subahs or governors, and by every one who approaches the court; and at times, as on the accession of a new sovereign or of a royal marriage, a forced contribution is levied from all ranks, even tlie sacred order, who possess free lands, not being exempted. According to Colonel Kirkpatrick, who visited the country in 1792, and who derived his information from good authority, the revenue actually remitted to Khatmandu never exceeded 30 lakhs of rupees (£300,000), and it sometimes fell to 25 lakhs. At present it probably does not exceed 100 lákhs (£1,000,000) of Indian rupees a year. But in considering these figures, the fact that the army is for the most part paid in land must be borne in mind. This form of payment represents for the regular troops alone at least 40 lákhs (£400,000) annually. Commerce.—The external trade of Nepál falls under two headsthat which is carried on across the Himalayas with Tibet, and that which is conducted along the extensive line of the British frontier. Of the extent of the former trade, very little is positively known. The chief route runs north-east from Khatmandu, and, following up a tributary of the Kosi, passes the trans-frontier station of Kuti or Nilam
