476 Memoir on a Map of PesMwar [Aug* 



intense and scorching heat of their summer. The streets are narrow 

 and irregular, and present every where the most uncleanly aspect. 



A large bazar runs across from east to west, commencing from 

 the Serai Gaur Itatra, and terminating at the fortress of Balasir. A 

 stream which draws its waters from the river of Bahrth, crosses 

 the town from south to north, and would very much facilitate the 

 establishing of fountains, if the Asiatics only knew the use and 

 advantage of them. The population of Peshawar may be rated at 

 80,000 souls, consisting of Afghans, Kashmerians, and Indians. The 

 latter appear to have been its primitive inhabitants ; but although they 

 are still very numerous, they live in dependence on the Mahomedans, 

 and are oppressed by heavy taxation, (taxes d'avanies.) All the com- 

 merce of the country is in their hands. From Cabul, raw silk, worsted, 

 cochenille, jalap, manna, asafcetida, saffron, resin, simples, and 

 both fresh and dried fruits — all which are generally exported to 

 India, from whence they receive in return, cambric, silks, indigo, sugar, 

 and spices. To Cashmir the exports are gold sequins, gold and silver 

 thread and lace, in transit from Bokhara ; and the return, shawls, tea, 

 and Persian manuscripts. They exchange the salt of the Kohdt range 

 with the rock crystal and the iron of Bijdwar : this last district, as 

 also those of Sawdt and Bunir, offer a ready market for the sale of 

 their tissues of cotton ; — the trades and arts of the town are limited to 

 mere necessaries of life, and are principally carried on by the Cash- 

 merians. 



The Hindustani is generally spoken, also the Pashtu ; the use of the 

 Persian language becomes nearly extinct on entering this province. 

 Peshawar musters about 40,000 horse, a thousand foot soldiers, and 

 twelve pieces of cannon. The troops are very irregular, and are 

 badly paid. 



The climate of the province is not very healthy. Fevers are very 

 prevalent from the summer solstice to the end of autumn, at which 

 period they generally prove fatal. They are brought on by excess in 

 the eating of fruits, or by the unwholesome exhalations and vapours, 

 rising from the rivers of the Dudb. The irrigation necessary for 

 the cultivation of the Turkish corn in May, may contribute to en- 

 gender fever, the heat of the air being then very intense. The in- 

 habitants, ignorant of the superior properties of quinine, make use of 

 a very bitter plant which grows on the banks of their streams. In 

 1835 I was encamped in this country with the French brigade, 10,000 

 strong, when we lost by these fevers upwards of a thousand men. 

 Great inconvenience is also here experienced from swarms of flies, 

 which prevent any nourishment being taken during the day ; for if 



