[ 116 ] 



Extracts from Demi-Official Reports. — By Capt. Arthur Conolly 

 on a Mission into Khorasan, ( communicated to the Editor from the 

 Political Secretariat.) 



The Huzarah and Eiraauk Country which we traversed between 

 Bameean and Meimunna, consists of high unwooded mountains, covered 

 with grass and various shrubs and herbs which serve for spring and 

 summer pasture, and winter fodder, and vallies at different elevations, 

 in the highest of which is grown only the naked Thibetan barley, and in 

 the lowest barley, wheat, and millet. 



The Huzarah portion is the coldest and poorest, and the natives with 

 difficulty eke out a living from its natural resources ; living in small 

 villages of low huts where they herd during the long winter season 

 under one roof with their cows and sheep, and using as fuel small 

 dry shrubs and the dung of their cattle. An idea of their privations may 

 be formed from the fact that the most of the people do not use salt. 

 There is none in their own country, and as they cannot afford the price 

 which would remunerate importers of this heavy article from Tartary and 

 Afghanistan, they have learned to do without it. Their best bread is con- 

 sequently very tasteless to a stranger. 



But the Huzarahs are not allowed to enjoy even their limited means 

 of existence in peace, for the Oosbegs make occasional inroads upon 

 their dwelling places, and sweep away whole villages into slavery, leav- 

 ing fertile spots desolate. Their neighbours, but religious enemies, the 

 Eimauks, also carry off as many of them as they can, from time to time, con- 

 quer or kidnap, and the chiefs of their own race, steal each other's sub- 

 jects in their petty wars, exporting all they can thus obtain, through 

 Toorkish merchants with whom they have understanding. 



We found the Huzarah people unblushing beggars and thieves, but 

 they are mild mannered and industrious, and sigh for the protection 

 of a settled government. Were this given to them, their condition 

 would soon improve in every way. Their chiefs are ' barbarians of the 

 rudest stamp, without any of the barbarous virtues.' They reside in small 

 mud forts, exact as much as they can from all who come within their reach, 

 and form occasional combinations for the defence or attack of each 

 other. The Eimauks differ chiefly from the Huzarahs in being of a more 

 nomade habit, the chiefs consult their dignity and safety, by dwelling 

 in mud forts, but the people reside nearly the whole year in the dry 

 stick and felt tents which are used by the Toorkmans. The chiefs, like 



