596 s Notes relative to Iskdrdoh, [Nov. 



Porakh territory, there is another stream of nearly the same size. 



From the limits of Kartdkhshd to Laddkh, a light kasid can travel 



in seven days ; but a traveller with baggage requires ten days to 



make the journey. Fifth, the district of Karkes, which is held by 



Yaqub Kha'n, one of the Ahmad Sha'h's relations. Karkes is 



bounded on three sides by the Iskdrdoh district, and on the fourth, 



or eastern side, by Child, which was originally included within 



the government of Iskdrdoh ; but about three years ago, the chief of it, 



named Mehdi Khan, revolted and setting the authority of the ruler of 



Iskdrdoh at defiance, has entered into an alliance with the " Gelpo" or 



ruler of Laddkh. As the Governor of Child is married to a niece of 



Ahmad Shah, the ruler of Iskdrdoh is restrained by considerations 



of delicacy from attacking and reducing him to obedience. The 



district of Child lies five days' journey distant to the east of Iskdrdoh • 



and from Child, the Laddkh frontier is only one day's journey. Sixth, 



the district of Nagar is situated in the hills, about seven days' journey 



to the north-west of Iskdrdoh, and constitutes the Jagir of FiroZ 



Shah, a dependent of Ahmad Shah. From the town of Nagar to 



Sirakol is eight days' journey, and from Sirakol to Ydrqand is the same 



distance. Seventh, the district of Randoh, the Jagir of Ali Khan, the 



nephew of Ahmad Shah, which is reported to be much less elevated 



than other parts of the country, and the climate and productions to 



partake of the difference in elevation. It is famous for grapes, and 



also produces rice, figs, and pomegranates, which are not found in 



other parts of the country. Formerly, it was subject to the authority 



of Ahmad Shah's ancestors ; but it was wrested from them during a 



period of anarchy by the chief of Gilget, in whose possession it now 



remains. Beyond the fort of Randoh a journey of five days' is the 



territory of Gilget, in the possession of Suliman Shah. Eighth, the 



district of Hazdra is the Jagir of the son of the ruler of Iskdrdoh, 



and is bounded by Kashmir on the south. 



City of Iskdrdoh. — The city of Iskdrdoh appears to be situated in 

 a valley of some extent. It is built on an isolated hill, bounded on 

 two sides by the river Indus. From the south, the ascent by the road 

 is about two and a half kos. On the summit of the hill is the fort 

 supposed to have been erected by Alexander the Great. It is now 

 merely used as a citadel or station for a guard of soldiers. The 

 residence of the ruler, together with some habitations belonging to his 

 relations and dependents, is situated on a projection of the hill about 

 half way from the top. At its base runs the river, and on the other 

 side of the river, about a kos and a half distant, lies another isolated 

 hill, which is called Barkh Kharah ; beyond which, in the same direction, 



