The Great Hedge of India

This is interesting. The Great Hedge was forgotten in India as well as in Britain, without any reference in standard histories, until its existence was unearthed by Roy Moxham, a conservator at the University of London Library. Moxham first came across the Hedge by chance in a passing mention in a footnote of an obscure book about India.

They say 'the Hedge' was a customs barrier across India from the 1840s to the 1880s built by the British rulers to facilitate collecting the heavy salt tax. It was also used to control the opium trade, which the East India Company had acquired from the Mughal Empire. The barrier consisted of fences, stone walls, and above all a nearly impenetrable barrier of trees, thorny bushes, and hedges, with periodic guard stations.

It is also believed that 'the Hedge' was used to divide the religious sects and guards marched within the hedge which was hollow inside for large stretches.

I've ordered Moxham's book on-line for 1p (such is its popularity) but really it's one for Don to sort out - he's the revenue collector of this partnership! I'm sure we'll find out a lot more as we travel and keep you informed. Billo