1835.] Memoir on Chinese Tartary and Khoten. 655 



being of the same religion, join the Usbeks in case of any insurrec- 

 tion taking place. The Tungdnis live in the country, the chief 

 towns of which are Salar and Seiram. Alexander the Great is said 

 to have penetrated as far as Salar, and to have left a colony of his 

 soldiers in the country, from whom the Tungdnis are descended. They 

 derive the name from several Turkish and Persian words, in different 

 ways, signifying, left behind, looking hack, &c. &c. It is a general 

 tradition, that Alexander carried his conquests through this country, 

 to the frontiers of China proper. The Umbaun, who is the Chinese 

 resident, is the chief political, as well as military, authority in each 

 district. The present Governor of Ydrkand is Abdul Rehman Beg 

 Waug, who is the nominal Usbek ruler of the country ; but is, to 

 all intents, under the most complete control of the Umbaun, who has 

 sole authority over the regular Chinese troops stationed in the district. 

 There are many small towns and villages dependent on Ydrkand. 

 The whole district round it is said to be most populous, and is thickly 

 interspersed with villages and hamlets. The country is described as 

 very fertile also ; and amongst its productions are enumerated wheat, 

 barley, rice, gram, jawdri, bajri, and various seeds from which oil 

 is extracted. Melons, grapes, apples, and other fruits of temperate 

 climes, are also abundant. A large portion, however, of the wealth 

 of the people of the country about Ydrkand is said to consist of flocks 

 of the shawl goat, called by them Akhchahs, of which almost every 

 landed proprietor possesses a large number. The diimba, or fat- 

 tailed sheep, is also common. Plantations of mulberry trees are very 

 numerous, and great quantities of silk are produced. 



Irrigation is said to be carried on to a great extent, the whole of 

 the lands in the vicinity being plentifully watered by rivulets, and 

 streams of water, flowing from the mountains. 



Kashgar. — The city of Kashgar is the ancient capital of the pro- 

 vince ; but since the rebellion of Jeha'ngir Khojbh, when its inhabi- 

 tants suffered much from both friends and foes, it has fallen greatly 

 to decay. Kashgar is the frontier station, and five days' journey from 

 Ydrkand; with a kafila it is six days ; but with quick travelling the 

 distance may be traversed in four. The city itself contains about 

 16,000 inhabitants : many towns, villages, and castles are also depend- 

 ant on it, the population of which is very considerable. The Usbeck 

 chief of Kashgar is named Tahi'ruldi'n Beg, who has not the 

 title of Waug ; but his government is distinct from that of Abdul 

 Rehman Beg Waug, the chief of Ydrkand. He is, however, inferior 

 in rank to the Waug. Eight thousand Chinese regular troops aje 

 constantly cantoned at Kashgar, as a check on the Khan of Kokdn. 

 4 p 2 



