1837.] Lodiana to Mithankot by the Satlaj river. 207 



last twelve miles, before its junction with the Chindb, jt ran in a toler- 

 ably straight course, forming a fine body of water. There was one 

 considerable winding near Shirna Buchri. The Chindb joins the 

 Ghdra a little above Makhanbeld, and these streams run together for 

 a considerable distance without appearing to mix their waters. The 

 line marked by the opposite color of the two streams is very distinct. 

 The red-colored water of the Chindb and Ravi is prized by the people 

 here much above that of the Ghdra. The Nawab when residing at 

 Ahmadpur or Dildwar sends to this ghat for a weekly supply for his 

 household, which is conveyed on hackeries in large brass vessels. 



The breadth of the Panjnad at Makhanbeld in the present season 

 is perhaps under 900 yards, but during the rains it is sometimes six 

 miles across from Uch to the opposite side. 



The country on the left continued well cultivated and open. On 

 the right we had the dry bed of Beah and several creeks of the Chindb, 

 forming islands covered with heavy jhau jungle and apparently pas- 

 ture land. Numerous herds of buffaloes were grazing near the bank. 



In the afternoon we went to visit Uch, from which we were distant 

 about three miles ; the road was through a good deal of jhau jungle 

 and over the beds of inlets of the river which scarcely supported our 

 horses. The Uch Bokhdrian is situated on the banks of the river, 

 and was formerly the seat of a Hindu principality, which extended to 

 near Mult an. The town itself was then called Walhaur. Towards 

 the latter end of the reign of Ibra'hi'm 1st of the Gaznavi dynasty 

 in 1105, a number of wandering Musalman devotees took up their 

 abode there, and were tolerated by the ruling prince, Raja Sham 

 Shad, from the apparently harmless austerity of their lives. Among 

 the number of these devotees was Shekh Syed Jal&l, who was gifted 

 with the power of performing miracles, by which many were convin^ 

 ced of the truth of his doctrines. 



Raja Sham Shad was one of the first of his converts, and giving 

 up all worldly affairs, he made over his territorial possessions to the 

 Pir for the support of his followers. One or two others also deserve 

 to be mentioned, as they gave their name to the towns now compre- 

 hended under the general name of Uch Bokhdrian. Among these was 

 a chief of the tribe of zemindars called Ldlds, who inhabited the coun- 

 try in the neighborhood. On the conversion of their chief the Ldlds 

 followed his example, and on his death built a sepulchre to his 

 memory, round which they formed habitations ; hence the Uch of 

 Ldlds, the Uch of the Moghuls, and the Uch of the Jumals, were also 

 named by the Pir after two of his favorite disciples, who died of the 

 austerities which they practised, and were buried there. 



