1840.] from Bactrian and Indo- Scythian coins. 467 



all descend from the Hindookush through main valleys, in 

 which less considerable bodies of water are discharged, giving 

 the effect of the fibrous ramification of a leaf in the union 

 of these river valleys. The Gurbend, rising in the western range 

 of the Hindookush, flows to the east, the Panjhir from north to 

 south, while the Nijrow runs in a south-western direction to 

 the Panjhir. The district above the junction of the three rivers, 

 is called the Kohistan, the highlands of Cabul, a beautiful 

 Alpine country, not inferior to that of Penjkora, and Sewad ; 

 below that junction extends the more even country of Kohdaman, 

 " the skirt of the mountain." This variously ramified system 

 of valleys includes the passes, which lead from Cabul itself, 

 over lofty mountains, winding upwards through their vallies 

 in ramifications, either westward to Bamian under the Kohi- 

 Baba, or northward over the Hindookush, to Anderab and the 

 higher north. There are altogether seven or eight of these. 



On the southern boundaries of this western district of the 

 Cabul we have to notice the valley of the river Ghuznee, which 

 leads to the town of the same name, lying on a rugged lofty 

 plain, the ancient seat of mighty dominion. 



Hence goes the road to the river valleys of Arachosia, descend- 

 ing westwards. 



The plain of the valley of the Cabul river, before it reaches 

 Jelalabad, lies in a situation so much higher than that of the 

 lower part of the river, that the climate and products are as 

 different from those of Peshawur, as are the products of loftily 

 placed, and frigid Ghuznee from those of Cabul. 



As the outer boundary constitutes a gradual approach to the 

 inner one, so is it in relation to India Proper. Cabul is one of the 

 most beautiful countries of the earth, highly praised by Sultan 

 Baber, warm in virtue of its southern situation, and the protection 

 afforded by the mountains towards the north, and at the same 

 time cooled by reason of its height above the level of the sea. 



This very succinct description was specially intended to call 

 to mind the following facts. 



First. — That the natural road to India passes through western 

 Cabulistan, whether we start from Arachosia, from Aria (Herat) 



