﻿30S AN ACCOUNT OF 



There are three principal cities in the plain, each 

 of which was the capital of an independent kingdom , 

 the principal city of the three is situated to the north- 

 ward of the plain, and is called Cafhmandu: it con- 

 tains about 18,000 houses; and this kingdom from 

 south to north extends to the distance of twelve or 

 thirteen days journey as far as the borders of Tibet* 

 and is almost as extensive from east to west. The 

 king of Gafhmanda has always about fifty thousand 

 soldiers in his service. The second city to the south- 

 west of Cafhmandu is called Lel'it Pattan> where I 

 resided about four years ; it contains near 24,000 

 houses ; the southern boundary of this kingdom is at 

 the distance of four days journey, bordering on the 

 kingdom of Macwanfur. The third principal city 

 to the east of Lelit Pal tan is called B'hatgan ; it 

 contains about 12,000 families, extends towards the 

 east to the distance of five or six days journey, and 

 borders upon another nation, also independent, called 

 Ciratas, who profess no religion. Besides these three 

 principal cities, there are many other large and less 

 considerable towns or fortresses, one of which is Timi> 

 and another Cipoli, each of which contains about 

 3,ooo houses, and is very populous. All those towns,, 

 both great and small, are well built ; the houses are 

 constructed of brick, and are three or four stories 

 high ; their apartments are not lofty ; they have doors 

 and windows of wood, well worked and arranged with 

 great regularity. The streets of all their towns are 

 paved with brick or stone, with a regular declivity 

 to carry off the water. In almost every street of the 

 capital towns there are also good wells made of stone, 

 from which the water passes through several stone- 

 canals for the public benefit. In every town there are 

 large square varandas, well built, for the accommoda- 

 tion of travellers and the public; These varandas are 

 called Pall ; and there are also many of them, as well 

 as wells, in different parts of the country for public 



