198 Account of the Mountain Tribes [April, 



Their own language, though written in a character a good deal re- 

 sembling the Burmese, is quite different, and closely resembles the 

 original Ahom. Every boy is taught to read and write it, by the 

 priests. Suddia is the capital of the Kangti country, and the chief- 

 tain is known by the name of the Suddia Cowa Gohaing, and claims 

 descent from the royal family of Assam. 



Suddia is situated on the right bank of the Kunil or Kundil 

 nallah, and about six miles above its junction with the Lohit. It is a 

 place of some importance, and has a population of about 4000 men, 

 exclusive of women and children. Its trade is rapidly increasing ; all 

 the necessaries of life are procurable : its exports are gold and silver ; 

 amber, musk, and ivory ; Kampti daus, Chinese and Burmese trinkets ; 

 Bisa. poison, and dye-stuffs, called Mishmi-tita and man) it. The 

 Mishmf-tita, manjit, and lime, triturated with water, and allowed to 

 digest in an earthen pot for a month, makes a beautiful permanent red 

 dye. The daus are of a high order, and are so much prized as to bring 

 12 Rs. a piece. They are manufactured by a rude wild race, called 

 Kunungs, (slaves to the Kangtis,) who are situated on the extreme 

 branches of the Irawadi, who can neither read nor write, and are 

 little removed above the brutes. 



Suddia station. — The country around Suddia is composed of the 

 richest alluvial soil, well adapted for cultivation ; but is generally fiat 

 and liable to inundation. A large portion of it is waste, and over- 

 grown with jungle : it is closely surrounded by the snowy mountains, 

 which are only about thirty miles distant ; and the water of the river 

 is so cold, that of itself it serves to cool wine for table. 



Force. — Suddia is the most advanced post we possess on the N. E. 

 Frontier. Three companies of the Assam Light Infantry are sta- 

 tioned there, under the command of a European officer, invested with 

 political authority. Two gun-boats are also stationed there, also under 

 the command of a European : each boat has one 1 2-pr. mounted on 

 slides, and is well manned and equipped for service : one of the boats 

 is manned by Kangtis, who give much satisfaction. There is also a 

 small stockade erected, with a few guns mounted. Suddia has hitherto 

 preserved a healthy character, It is likely soon to become the head- 

 quarters of the Assam Infantry. The Suddia Cowa Gohaing, though 

 he pays Government no tribute, acknowledges the Company's supre- 

 macy, and is bound to furnish a contingent of 200 men. That con- 

 tingent is supplied by arms and ammunition at the expense of Govern- 

 ment ; they are drilled by the Subadar of the Assam Light Infantry, 

 four months in the year, and the arms, when in want of repair, are 

 forwarded to head-quarters at Bishnath. 



