5D4 Notes relative to Iskdrdoh, [Nov. 



district of Duvan, there is another hot spring, the water of which is 

 so warm that if a drop of it fall on any tender part of the body, it 

 will produce a blister. It rises to a height of 2| feet. 



Mountains. — The territory of Iskdrdoh lies in the midst of a region 

 of mountains, exceeding in grandeur any in the known world ; but 

 depending for a description of the country on the oral evidence of a 

 native, whose limited range of observation renders it difficult for him 

 to convey his knowledge in a manner easily intelligible to an European 

 inquirer ; it would be vain to attempt a particular account of the 

 mountainous features of the country* ; much of the information that 

 is now given must partake of the vagueness of the source from which 

 it is derived. Where there is nothing, however, but a complete 

 blank in the latest maps regarding a country which is likely to be 

 interesting to the antiquarian, it seems better to throw even these 

 faint rays of light on its history and geography, than to withhold 

 them altogether, because they may not happen to possess the best 

 claims to accuracy. 



Rivers. — There are two great rivers, besides several small streams 

 and innumerable springs ; one of the rivers has its source in the 

 direction of Child, and another comes from Laddkh. They unite near 

 the fort of Karkes, and then taking their course by Iskdrdoh, where the 

 united stream, which forms a large river, is called Gcemsu. On its 

 passage towards the plains, the same river is known by the name of 

 Atak, or Indus. When the river rises, it overflows its banks, and spreads 

 below the city to a breadth of 300 paces. Its ordinary width is about 

 100 paces. There are two boats in use here on the river, the first 

 that are to be seen on the Indus in its course through Tibet. The 

 other river rises near Shakar, and after being joined by the Saghar 

 stream, falls into the Indus below the fort of Iskdrdoh. The people 

 from Child and Iskdrdoh travel in the winter season by the river 

 Indus on ice, and drag their baggage over the frozen surface by ropes. 



Roads. — A high road leads from Iskdrdoh to Ydrqand, merchants 

 travel by it in qafilas, but travellers and servants of the Government 

 who go on business, proceed singly, or not, as may suit their conveni- 

 ence. It is crossed by a very lofty range of mountains, which is 

 only passable with safety at a particular season of the year. There 

 is a considerable road also by Gilget to Kunduz, Balkh, and Bokhara. 

 The Usbeks came to Gilget with horses, which they exchange for 



* From the magnitude and variety of streams which flow west and east of the 

 Belat T&k, and Mustek ranges, it is probable that the mass of mountains which 

 spring from their basis reach their greatest height iu the vicinity of Sirakot, 

 which is on the north-west frontier of Iskdrdoh. 



