British Garhwal (A Gazetter)

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District Gazetteers are a unique contribution of British rule to the administrative system of India. Beginning in 1881 district gazetteers were compiled by officers posted in the districts. These contained comprehensive information about the district including details of history, geography, geology, economy, society, polity, and culture etc. They were intended as an introduction to, and reference manual for, officers posted in the district. The comprehensiveness and richness of the information contained in the gazetteers compiled in the early years have continued to serve as a source of information for researchers down the years. At the same time questions have been raised about the authenticity of information contained in them, since in many cases the source of information is either not mentioned, or it is of doubtful authenticity. While some information, especially that related to land systems, land ownership and records, cropping pattern, area and production of principal crops, economy and manufacturing, weather and rainfall etc., is based upon official records like land settlements, season and crop reports etc., the reliability of which is beyond question, the same cannot be said about the authenticity and reliability of information on history, social and caste systems and cultural life. These are not free from bias and misreporting relying as they did either on personal observation and interpretation or on the testimony and opinion of some local informants.