JASHAR, BOOK OF. See HEBREW LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE, vol. xi. p. 598.

JASHPUlt, a tributary state of Chutia Nagpur, Bengal, between 22° 17' 5" and 23° 15' 30" N. lat., and between 83° 32' 50" and 84° 26' 15" E. long., with an area of 1947 square miles, is bounded on the N. and W. by the tributary state of Sargiija, on the S. by Gangpur and Uclaipur, and on the E. by Lohardagd district. The state of Jashpur consists in almost equal proportions of highland and lowland areas. On its eastern side the tableland of the Uparghat (2200 feet above the sea) forms an integral part of the plateau of Chutia Nagpur ; towards the west it springs abruptly from the Hetghat, with a wall buttressed at places by projecting masses of rock. The lowlands of Hetghat and of Jashpur proper lie to the south in successive steppes, broken by low hills. The plateau of Khuria (3000-3700 feet) occupies the north-west corner of the state. The principal peaks in Jashpur are Ranijula (3527 feet), Kohiar (3393 feet), Bharamurio (3390 feet). The chief river is the lb, which flows through the state from north to south ; but numerous rapids render it unnavigable. The small rivers to the north are feeders of the Kanhar. Iron and gold are found ; sul, siszi, ebony, and other valuable timber trees abound. Lac, tasar-silk, and beeswax, with cereals, oil-seeds, fibres, and cotton are produced. Jashpur, with the rest of the Sargtija group of states, was ceded to the British by the provisional engagement concluded with Madhuji Bhonsla (AO. Sahib) in 1818. Although noticed as a separate state, it was at first treated as a fief of Sargiija. It is, however, dealt with as a distinct territory.

The chief of Jashpur's annual income is £2000 ; the tribute to Government is £77, 10s. The total population in 1872 was 66,926, comprising 34,648 males and 32,278 females, - the Dravidian aborigines numbering 40,935 ; Kolarian aborigines, 14,070 ; semiHinduized aborigines, 6374 ; Hindus, 5124 ; Mahometans, 423. The residence of the raja is at Jagdispur or Jashpurnagar.