80 On the Mineral resources, fyc. of Northern Afghanistan. [No. 109. 



the blast furnaces of Sweden, where charcoal is employed. It will be a matter for 

 future consideration, whether the most desirable site for these would be in the direc- 

 tion of Spega and Hazardurukht, or of Tezeen. The former will have the advantage 

 of being better situated for labourers, whilst the latter, by being near the Cabool river, 

 will have the convenience of raft carriage to the Indus. 



Mining operations may be commenced in this country without incurring much ex- 

 pence in road -making at the outset. At present the roads are 



only tracks, but they answer camels, and the mountains afford 

 means of transport. J . 



pasture for the maintenance ot these useful animals. Mules, 



ponies, &c are also used for carriage, and the neighbouring district of Koorrum is 

 famous for its breed of the former. Roads for wheeled carriage may in process of time 

 be made, as improvement advances, and this will create a great saving in transport 

 throughout the country generally. An excellent one might be cut from Cabool to 

 Dobundee, by the plain of Sogur, and no doubt the same could be continued to the 

 banks of the Indus by the valley of Koorrum ; guns at any rate have already been 

 taken by that route. As soon as this road is surveyed and repaired, and political ob- 

 stacles are removed, the circuitous route by the Khyber Pass will be forsaken for this 

 shorter and safer line of communication with Hindoostan; meanwhile as far as the 

 mines are concerned, the most economical method would be to purchase a certain 

 number of camels, the transport management could then be conducted at a moderate 

 expence, and occasion very little trouble. 

 The occupations of these mountain tribes are partly agricultural, but chiefly 

 Habits and character of pastoral and commercial. Those who have flocks of sheep 

 the people. migrate from place to place according to the season of 



the year, whilst those who have camels, engage in trading speculations, and in 

 hiring out their camels for transporting wood, charcoal, &c. to Cabool, salt from 

 Kalabagh and Malgeen, iron from Bajour and Foormool, and merchandise to and 

 from Peshawur, and various other quarters. 



I regret to add, there is another class that I call the predatory, which the poverty 

 of the people, the distracted state of the country, insecurity of property, &c. 

 appear to have brought into existence, and gangs of these banditti have been 

 infesting the country to the no small detriment of the industrious merchant. The 

 different tribes which contain this class within them, are the following : — 



Adrumzyes Rob by night. 



Muminozyes Ditto ditto. 



Ahmedzyes of Spega Highwaymen by day. 



Kurrookhails Ditto by day and night. 



Khivazuks Rob by night principally. 



Ooreakhails Ditto ditto. 



Ootkhails Thieves by day principally. 



These molest the country between Ghuznee and Jelallabad— some rob chiefly 

 by night, break into houses, annoy an encampment, &c. others steal in broad day- 

 light, in the bazar of Cabool even, and are famous for their dexterity in pilfering; 

 whilst others again come down from the mountains in force, attack a cafila, and 

 return immediately with the property they have captured. 



