1841.] the N. W. Frontier Trade icith Afghanistan. 259 



It now remains to offer a few brief general observations, premising 

 as to the character of the Cabool merchants, that they are remarkable 

 for probity and straight-forward dealing, combined with caution 

 and great tact in the art of buying and selling, and that it is so high 

 in the provinces, that credit to any amount is given to them without 

 hesitation. Indeed a striking resemblance in this respect may be 

 traced between them and that remarkable tribe the Brinjarruhs. 



After disposing of most of their import wares at Delhi, the mer- 

 chants proceed to the lower provinces, furnished with bills of exchange 

 from the Delhi merchants on their agents at Cawnpore, Allahabad, 

 Benares, Calcutta, &c. and having laid in a stock of goods suited to the 

 Cabool markets they return to Delhi, and forming a Kafila, retrace 

 their way back to Cabool by the same route* they come. They use no 

 other carriage but camels until they reach Allahabad, at which place 

 they leave them, and convey any goods they may have purchased in 

 the lower provinces on hackeries. 



Mention was not made in the proper place, that besides the trade 

 carried on bona fide by the Cabool merchants, which the statements 

 appended are intended to shew, immense quantities of every kind of 

 goods obtainable at Delhi are consigned to Cabool by the Delhi mer- 

 chants, through their agents at Amritsir, and advantage is taken of 

 convoys proceeding to Cabool to despatch large consignments. 



As a proof of the growing importance of the Cabool trade, it 

 may be mentioned, that an insurance office (Native) has been opened 

 in Delhi, which will assure goods to any amount and value to 

 Cabool. 



The regeneration of the town of Sirsa has greatly contributed 

 to the convenience and security of the Cabool merchants. The 

 opening of the navigation of the Indus, and the predominance 

 given thereby to Ferozepore, has certainly abstracted in some measure 

 from the importance of Sirsa, as a grand emporium of traffic. Yet it 

 will always be deemed a valuable/wm* d'appui to the northern trade, 

 especially as the superintendent of the Bhutty territory can protect 

 the traders from exactions and vexatious delays on the part of our sub- 

 ordinate customs' officers. 

 ± * They usually make trips in the year one and a half. 



