'Lord Curzon's Notes on Persia' [‎540r] (1081/1386)

19
in the last two years in iron. Of steel the imports were 14 per cent less than
in the preceding year;
Iron. Steel.
Cwt. Cwt.
3,493,179 278,788
3,280,389 349-3 1 7
4,321,587 420,927
4,002,793 542,388
3,608,405 468,396
The continued development of manufacturing industry in India is attested Machinery and
by the large and rapid increase in the imports of Machinery and Millwork. Rallway material '
The imports of 1888-89 were at an exceptionally high figure (R23,169,000)
but were exceeded by those of last year (R24,354,000). The importation of
Railway material on the other hand was a good deal smaller than in either of the
two previous years.
IV.—Chemicals, drugs, medicines, narcotics, and dyeing and tanning
materials :
Value in Rs.
(000's omitted).
8,155
9,428
10,063
11,958
12,803
The increase in this head is largely due to the ever extending use of aniline Aniline dyes.
and alizarine dyes by native dyers. The imports of these dyes during the year
amounted to about 57,682,000 ounces, being nearly five million ounces in excess
of the imports of the preceding year. The employment of these dyes has caused
the imports of madder (or manjit) from Persia and Kabul to fall to such a low
level that the trade would seem to be on the point of extinction. In 1886-87,
19,125 cwt. of madder were imported chiefly from Persia: last year only 2,646
cwt. Cochineal remains stationary, but this material is used more in the colouring
of confectionery than of textile fabrics. Saffron also increases slowly, but this
article is used almost exclusively in food and Hindu religious ceremonies.
The bulk of the aniline and alizarine dyes (over 53 million ounces) is
imported into Bombay and Sindh.
V.— Oils :
Value in Rs.
(000’s omitted).
9,61 1
14,084
14,868
20,728
26,452
The very great increase under this head results from the rapidly extending Mineral oil.
consumption of mineral oil as an illuminant in India. The importations of
mineral oil have been during the last five years :
Gallons
Rs.
(ooo’f omitted).
(000’t omitted).
21,312
8,518
31,950
12,600
31,422
12,745
39,952
18,613
53)39°
24)788