1333.] Description of the Siah-posis 331 



Zoroaster, and yet visit the Kaffirs in their native glens. I know not 

 what could have given rise to an identification of the Kaffir race with 

 that of ancient Persia, but the mode of disposing of their dead on hills, 

 without interment, but there are certainly traditions all over Afghanis- 

 tan regardiug the Gubrs or fireworshippers, and one of their principal 

 cities, called Gurdez, in Ztlnnut south of Cabul, yet exists, which even 

 in Baber's time, was a place of considerable strength. 



The country of the Kaffirs has also been entered by many wandering 

 jewellers who pass through it, which brings me to make mention of its 

 adjoining districts and their peculiarities. One of these individuals had 

 visited Cashgar beyond Deer, and proceeded thence to the town of 

 Shah Kuttore under Chitral and on to BaduTchshan, habited as a 

 fakir. He always received bread when he asked for it, but could not 

 have, with safety, made himself known. The account of this man's 

 journey is curious as well as what he saw during it. Near a " zyarut" 

 or place of pilgrimage at Bajour there is an inscription which, from 

 the specimen shewn to me, I take to be old Sanskrit. About two miles 

 beyond there is another inscription ; between the village of Deer and 

 Arabkhan, there is a third, towards Cashgar, where the road is cut 

 through the hill for some yards, the fame of the artificer being com- 

 memorated. Katigiram is an ancient place a day's march from Deer. 

 Two days' journey from Bajour, there is a small idol cut in black stone 

 and attached to the rock. It is in a sitting posture, about two and a half 

 feet high, and is said to have a helmet on the head similar to what is 

 seen in the coins from Bajour. It may be a Hindu figure for that tribe 

 hold it sacred, but idols are to be dug up throughout all this country and 

 a small one, eight or nine inches high, was brought to me from Swat 

 which represented a pot-bellied figure cut in stone, half seated, with 

 crossed arms and a hand placed on its head. Such idols are also found at 

 the " tope" in the plain of Peshawur, and, whether they represent 

 Bacchus or some less celebrated hero, antiquarians must determine. 

 But to continue the jeweller's rambles. At Cashgar he purchased rock 

 crystal (beloor) from the shepherds, who, simple men that they are, 

 believe it to be the frozen ice of an hundred years ! In situ a maund of 

 it costs twenty rupees and he doubled his outlay on returning by mak- 

 ing it into seals and armlets. It is exported to China as buttons for the 

 caps of the Mandarins. From Cashgar the onward journey was made 

 for lapis lazuli and rubies which he found in Dudulchshan. Leaving 

 Cashgar he crossed the river that passes Chitral, and which is here 

 called the water of Kuner ; in three days he came to a hill called 

 " Koh-i-nugsan" or the hill of injury, down which he slid upon the 



