1841.] the N. W. Frontier Trade with Afghanistan. 255 



north, as possessing a finer and stronger texture, being mostly woven 

 with English and country thread. 



Country shoes, which it will be perceived are exported in large 

 quantities, are manufactured chiefly about, and exported entirely 

 from, Delhi. Indigo, regarding which a distinct notice was reserved, 

 possesses the distinguishing feature of being the only article of 

 trade contained in the statements, which is not conveyed directly 

 by the Cabool (Vilati) merchants. It is in the first instance 

 consigned by the Delhi merchants to Amritsir, from whence it 

 finds its way to Cabool. That which is exported across our customs' 

 frontier, is raised at Koorjah in the Alligurh district ; but the quantity 

 stated in the statements, is perhaps not one-half of what will be 

 found in the Cabool market, as large quantities have within the 

 last few years been grown in the protected Seikh states* which are 

 beyond our line, and from thence imported into the Punjab, and 

 countries contiguous to it. 



There was at first room for doubting the fact, that indigo really 

 found a market at Cabool to the extent alleged, and close inquiry 

 was therefore instituted of the Cabool merchants; the result has 

 proved the correctness of the original information, and the re- 

 moval of all doubt on this important question may truly be deemed 

 of paramount interest, both to the European who embarks his capital 

 in raising indigo, and the exporter, who will be, in a great measure, 

 rendered independent of the fluctuations of the European market, by 

 the wide field of enterprize opened to him in the vast countries of 

 the north ; where, as I have before observed, the beautiful and 

 permanent dye of indigo will always supersede every other, from its 

 being the favourite colour, and applied to the commonest wearing 

 apparel. However, this refers more to a prospective, than a present 

 benefit. 



Indigo produced by a European, whether from its superior qua- 

 lity, the result of superior machinery and larger outlay, or enhanced 

 price, cannot for a time compete with the inferior and cheaper material 

 produced by the native manufacturer, for reasons obvious to those 



* Munny Majra in Sirhind, a small principality among the states, produces it most 

 extensively, and of the best quality. 



2i 



