1836.] on the extreme N. E. Frontier of Bengal. 199 



The Suddia Cowa Gohaing is believed to be a firm friend of Chan- 

 dra Kant's, the ex-rajah of Assam ; when formerly driven from the 

 kingdom, the Suddia Cowa had influence enough at the court of Ava 

 to obtain the assistance of the Burmese to restore him to his throne ; 

 and now that Chandra Kant is again deposed, he is thought to be 

 constantly intriguing to have him again placed on the throne. 



Bor-Kangtis. 

 The Bor-Kangtis are a numerous and powerful race, situated amongs^ 

 the mountains whence the Irawadi takes it origin. They are under 

 the government of Ava, and supply a contingency to the Burmese 

 army. Experienced Burmese officers are constantly traversing their 

 country, for the purpose of drilling them, and inspecting their arms and 

 ammunition. The capital of the Bor-Kangtis is Manchi, on a remote 

 branch of the Irawadi. This place was visited by Lieuts. Wilcox 

 and Burlton in 1827, by an overland route, cut across the mountains 

 from Suddia. The journey occupied about 12 days : they were kindly 

 received by the Bor-Kangti chief, who gave them every information 

 about the sources of the Irawadi, and convinced them that from the 

 smallness of the streams, it was impossible for any of them to afford a 

 channel for the waters of the Sampu. The main stream of the Ira- 

 wadi is there fordable, and not more than 80 yards broad. 



There is a silver mine in the Bor-Kangti country ; but it has never 

 produced more than 8000 rupees a year. It might be turned to much 

 more advantage ; but the possessors are afraid of increasing its revenue, 

 lest by doing so, they should excite the avarice of their neighbours. 

 There are also mines of lead and iron in this country. 



Munglung Kangtis. 

 We have lately come into intimate contact with another tribe of 

 Kangtis called Munglung: these from dissension amongst themselves, 

 and from the oppression of the Burmese, have lately dispatched about 

 200 of their tribe to stipulate for settlements in the British dominions, 

 and report on the prospect of the country around Suddia. Should 

 their report prove favourable, about 5000 more have expressed their 

 desire to emigrate. 



Singphos. 

 By far the most powerful and the most formidable of these hill 

 tribes are the Singphos ; they are also the most numerous, and are 

 scattered over the greatest extent of country. They are bounded on 

 the north by the Lohit river ; on the east by the Langtan mountains, 

 which separate them from the Bor-Kangtis ; on the south by the 

 Patkoi range, which divides them from the Burmese Singphos, from 

 whom they are descended ; and on the west, by a line drawn south 

 from Suddia, till it meets the last mentioned mountains. 



