On the Occurrence and Distribution of Gold im India. 543 
Tavernier * in his enumeration of the places where gold is pro- 
duced in Asia mentions the kingdom of Tipra (? the modern 
Tipperah). He says, “it is coarse, almost as bad as that of China.” 
Other references to the gold of Burmah are to be found in 
various works descriptive of that country. 
AFGHANISTAN.—There is a gold mine a little to the north of 
Kandahar city. It appears to be in quartz veins, which are 
superficially excavated, gunpowder being employed. The gold is 
sometimes chiselled out in pure granules, the stone is not taken 
out unless it contains visible gold. It is taken into the city for 
treatment. The mine belonged to the Government ; had been 
worked anyhow for some twelve years, and in 1872 was leased to 
a contractor for Rs. 5,000 a year. As much more was spent on 
working the mine, and the yearly out-turn was said to exceed 
Rs. 10,000. 
TurBet.—I include Thibet in this account as there is every reason 
to believe that for very many centuries a regular supply of gold 
has entered India from thence, and continues to do so to the pre- 
sent day. Ina paper by Mr. A. Lawder on the “ Mineral Statis- 
tics of the Kumaon District,’t we find the following passage :— 
“Gold is found in many of the rivers of Thibet, at Silungsakka, We. ; 
it is sold at the same fairs as the salt and borax, either in nuggets or 
grains. About 10 to 12,000 rupee’s worth is brought down annually, 
some of which is disposed of in the hill districts (Kumahon and Gurh- 
wal), probably about one-third, and the remainder most likely finds its 
way to Delhi, Agra, &c. It is sometimes found to contain copper.” 
Tavernier* mentions the occurrence of gold in Thibet, though 
he was not aware apparently of its being worked in his time in 
Southern India. He says :— 
“Toward the Thibet, which is the ancient Caucasus, in the terri- 
tories of a Raja beyond the Kingdom of Cachemir, there are three moun- 
tains close one by another, one of which produces gold, the other granats 
(garnets), and the third lapis lazuli.” 
Of the very highest interest are the accounts of the Thibetan 
gold mines, which are given by the Pundits attached to the 
Indian Survey for the purpose of exploring countries north of 
the Himalayas. Unwittingly these admirable native servants of 
the Government of India have furnished facts which have enabled 
*Travels. + “ Records of the Geological Survey of India,” Vol. IT., p. 90. 
