128 An Account of TTpjpQr Kash-Mr. ^ 2 



to have been a good ruler, and deservedly popular. He was, however 

 a soldier of fortune originally, and dethroned the rightful sovereign, a 

 grandson of whom Vinge met with, living under the protection of the 

 kind-hearted and hospitable Ahmad Shah, the G-ylfo or prince of Little 

 Thibet. The town is situated in the centre of the valley on a rising 

 ground, on the eastern, or left, or southern bank of the river previous- 

 ly referred to, and over which there is a large and well built wooden 

 bridge, considered by the natives a somewhat wonderful object. The 

 town is said to contain about two thousand houses, and between nine 

 and ten thousand inhabitants. All the chief men of the country have 

 dwellings of considerable size in the capital, where they are expected 

 chiefly to reside. Persons engaged in trade to any extent, together 

 with artizans and mechanics, also dwell almost exclusively at Brush. 



The other considerable towns are, — Las-pur (giving name to the 

 mountains so called) to the east of Brush and north of Dral f Pu- 

 ritt to the north of Drush and south of Ash-rit ; Ash-rit north of Puritt 

 and east of Drush ; Bedlurf to the northward of Drush and south of 

 Hich-gun. 



The country lying to the south of the capital is thinly peopled ; 

 but towards the north-east and west, it is very populous. The 

 inhabitants are Muhammadans professing the Shi-ah doctrine, the 

 same as followed by the Persians of the present day. 



All complaints of importance, and cases of litigation, are investi- 

 gated and determined at Driish by the ruler himself; indeed, all com- 

 plainants residing within four days' journey, are required to appear 

 before the supreme authorities in all cases. Persons dwelling at a 

 greater distance are permitted to appear before the subordinate chiefs, 

 who are empowered to hear and decide matters of minor importance, 

 subject to appeal to the Shah. 



Tajammul Shah can collect, upon occasion, a force of 12,000 match- 

 lock-men, who are not paid in money for their services, but in kind. 

 The whole of the people are well provided with fire-arms with rests ; 

 indeed, there are few persons without arms. These match-locks are 

 long and heavy, similar to those of Turkistan (from whence, most 

 likely, they are obtained) and carry a ball a long distance. The Kash- 



# A valley containing several small hamlets, belonging to Pani-korah. 

 page 23. > t> ■ e . j 



t Bilaur (crystal) ? 



