1841.] Trade between Shikar pore fy Candahar. 13 



Shikarpore from Candahar, but it is doubtful if it would be adapted to 

 the European market. The mines are situated at Nishapur near 

 Meshid, and the Persian Government has of late years placed agents 

 to prevent any large or valuable stones from being exported to Herat, 

 whence they find their way to Shikarpore via Candahar ; there is there- 

 fore a great scarcity of the large Turquoises, which are so much prized, 

 the smaller are sufficiently plentiful to be worn by all classes. 



The stone is polished from its rough state by means of a vertical 

 wheel of baked clay, set in motion by the hand and moistened, the 

 value of the stone being entirely determined by the depth of its colour, 

 and absence of white flaws. 



2. — Raw Silk (kokanee) — J md. price rupees 9-9-0 per lb. 



See memorandum already furnished on this article. 

 3. — Churus from Bokhara — 5 mds. — price 3 annas per lb. 



An intoxicating drug prepared from hemp seed (Bang), and used 

 in these countries for the same purposes as opium elsewhere. 

 4. — Gum from Candahar — 46 mds. — 3 lbs. per rupee. 



This gum appears of the same description as that which is 

 known as " Gum Arabic," and is in most extensive use for 

 dyeing, &c. 

 5.— Silk — Manufactured fabrics from Herat of various kinds — 

 pieces 1854: prices not fixed. 



None of these would be adapted for the European Market, being 



entirely manufactured to suit Asiatic tastes, and principally 



used in the wealthier Sindee harems. 



6. — Dried Fruits of various kinds, kismis — prunes, dried black 



grapes, walnuts, dried apricots, almonds, and dates, in great 



quantities: — prices not quoted, as not probably adapted for trade. 



7. — Tinsel Thread for embroidery. — 2 mds. — price 1 anna per tolah. 



8. — Khund Seah, preparation from the sugar cane of Jellalabad — 1-| 



mds. — price 1^ lbs. per rupee. 

 9. — Broken Copper and brass vessels — 4-| mds. — copper 1 rupee 8 

 annas per lb. — brass 1 rupee 7 annas per lb. These are returned 

 to Shikarpore to be re-manufactured, for which they do not 

 apparently possess the means at Candahar. 

 10. — Rodung. Madder dye — 40 mds. — price 8 rupees per md. This 

 is an important article in this trade, and brought down in con- 



