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130 



An Account of Upper Kdsh-k&r. 



[No. 2, 



Lower Kash-kar or Chitral, lies to the south-west of Mas-tuch. To 

 the east of the latter place is Hicb-gun, to the south of which a^ain 

 is Shotai. 



The elevated plateau of Upper Kash-kar is inclosed by towerino- 

 hills surrounding it on all sides, except towards the south-west in 

 which direction the Kash-kar or Chitral river, so often referred to 

 flows. At the same time, however, it must be remembered, that the 

 whole of Kash-kar, both Upper and Lower, is crossed by several 

 smaller ranges of hills, and by numerous narrow valleys, some of 

 which are of considerable length. 



Several passes lead into the two Kash-kars, the chief of which is the 

 Kotal Lahori, or Lahori Pass leading into Panj-korah through the 

 Laspur mountains, dividing the latter from the former state. By this 

 route Mas-tuch may be reached from Drush, which is distant three 

 manzils or stages, occupying two nights and a day, in the summer 

 months. The Si'ah-posh Kafirs infest the Pass at times, and plunder 

 travellers. The, road is also somewhat difficult between Panj-korah 

 and Drush ; but beyond, it is very good ; and the country is like a 

 vast plain, gradually sloping upwards towards the high land of Pamir, 

 to the north and east. The roads throughout Lower Kash-kar or 

 Chitral, and Upper Kash-kar, are generally good, and clear of much 

 obstruction ; consequently, there would be no difficulty for the passage 

 of light artillery. * 



The nearest road from Chitral or Lower Kash-kar to Badakhshan 

 lies across the range of Hindii Kush— called the Badakhshan Eidge 

 by Macartney* — on the northern slope of which a small river rises, 

 and after flowing about twenty-five miles, enters the Panj, or Upper 

 branch of the Oxus, at Ishtarak in the latter country. The path lies 

 along the banks of this stream, and is only practicable in the sum- 

 mer months, and then only for persons on foot, who can thus reach 

 Chitral in three days. 



Another route into Badakhshan, practicable for beasts of burden; 

 and that pursued by caravans of merchants and traders, is by the 

 Mas-tuch Pass — so called from the town of that name — and by de- 

 scending from thence, along the banks of another small stream, rising 

 on the northern slope of the mountains bounding Lower Kash-kar to 

 the north-east, which falls into the Panj at Issar (His-ar ?) in the 

 * Elphinstone's Caubul : Yol. 2nd, Appendix D. pp. 453. 



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