1862.] An account of Upper and Lower Suivdt. 251 



the ground rises gradually, and thence to Khtfzah Khel still more 

 so ; and that at every hundred paces almost, the difference can be 

 distinguished. 



From Petaey we proceeded onwards about three miles to Pi'a, the 

 ground rising considerably and abruptly until we came to this 

 village, the last held by the Yusufzi Afghans in the northern extre- 

 mity of the Suwat valley, which here terminates. Beyond the 

 country is called the Kohistan, which is, however, the Persian word 

 for Highlands ; generally used throughout most parts of Central 

 Asia to designate all mountainous tracts. Between this and Petaey 

 also, the river foams and boils along with great impetuosity ; and is 

 more considerable than the Arghandab river, near Kandahar, even 

 when at its greatest power and volume. 



About four or five miles further up the valley, beyond the Yusufzi 

 boundary, there are a few hamlets, the two principal of which are 

 called Chur-rra'i, on this bank, and Tirataey on the opposite side. 

 These villages are inhabited by the descendants of the celebrated 

 Akhund Darwezah, the great saint of the Afghans, and successful 

 opponent of Pir Roshan, the founder of the Roshanian sect. It 

 appears that the whole of Suwat, as far north as Pi'a, was conquered 

 in Shaykh Mali's time ; but these few villages just referred to, were 

 acquired from the Kafirs (as all people are termed by the Afghans, 

 who are not of the same faith as themselves) about a hundred and 

 fifty years after, in the time of Akhund Karun Dad, son of Akhiind 

 Darwezah. At the capture of Tirataey Karun Dad lost his life. 



I was informed by the people here, that some years since, a number 

 of dead bodies were discovered, buried in a mound at the side of a 

 hill, near Tirataey. The bodies were quite perfect as if but recently 

 dead ; and had been buried with their arms, consisting of bows and 

 arrows, axes, and swords. They were removed and re-interred along 

 with their weapons, in some consecrated spot. When I heard this, 

 the thought struck me that you would desire to possess specimens of 

 these arms, but I could not obtain any without having one of these 

 burying places opened, which, amongst such bigoted people, was 

 dangerous and impracticable. 



The people of Tirataey also told me, that they possess the body of 

 Akhund Karun Dad ; whilst the people of the village of Kanjuan 

 affirm that when he fell fighting against the Kafirs, he was buried 



