1835.] the capital of little Tibet. 596 



gold. Other roads go to Laddkh, Kashmir, and the territory of the 

 Yusafzais. Between Iskdrdoh and Kashmir there is an extensive 

 Dasht, or wilderness, called Beyarsa, but by the Kashmirians, it is 

 named Deosu ; towards the southern end of which is a small lake, 

 where travellers alight. The plain is covered with a coarse kind of 

 grass and bushes. There is not a tree to be seen on it. It abounds 

 with bears, and tabarghan, an animal which resembles and equals a 

 monkey in size and appearance. A traveller from Iskdrdoh to Kashmir 

 enters the valley of Kashmir by the Khoyameh pass, which is subject 

 to the authority of the Government of Kashmir. Dila'war Kha'n, the 

 late proprietor of Khoyameh, is at present in confinement with the 

 Governor of Kashmir, and Suraj Bhan, one of the Pandits of Kashmir, 

 has been placed in charge of the district*. The road to Laddkh, 

 passed by Child, opposite to Jhoriet, which lies on the frontier of the 

 Child district, is the Tedra province, which forms the western frontier 

 of Laddkh. From Tedra to Laddkh is three days' journey eastward. 

 There is a station for levying transit duties on the Tedra frontier, the 

 collections of which are remitted to the Ladakh treasury. From 

 Tedra, the pass of Rahara Kharam is three marches distant, beyond 

 which extend the dominions of the Emperor of China. A regular 

 communication is maintained on the Chinese frontier from one station 

 to another by Chapars or Suwdrs, instead of foot runners, who convey 

 intelligence with great rapidity. 



Divisions of territory. — Including the district of Iskdrdoh itself, 

 there are altogether nine divisions of territory actually subject to 

 Ahmad Shah, the ruler of that country. Their extent is determin- 

 ed by the limits of the valleys in which they are situated. First, the 

 district of Baraldoh, which is held by Suliman Khan, the nephew 

 of the ruler. From Baraldoh to the city of Ydrqand is a journey of 

 eight days. Second, the district of Parkotah, in charge of Gholam 

 Shah, his brother. It stands in an open valley, from which issues 

 a road to Kashmir, practicable for horses. Third, the district of 

 Talti, which belongs to Ahmad Khan, his cousin. Fourth, the dis- 

 trict of Kartdkhshd, assigned to Ali Sher Khan, his nephew. 

 There is a considerable stream between the district of Kartdkhshd 

 and the fort of Soet, situated in Porakh, a territory subject to Laddkh, 

 and west of Kartdkhshd ; and east of Soet, situated also in the 



* There are twelves passes leading into the valley of Kashmir. Each of them 

 is held by a Malik, or chief, who is responsible for their safety. The Maliks derive 

 the offices from the Moghals, who granted to them the territory in the immediate 

 vicinity of the passes for their own support, and the pay of the guards necessary 

 to their defence. 



