1844.] via Candahar, Cabool and the Punjaub. 341 



are some places where the ascent is not so steep, and at one of these, 

 the Persians, in a late attempt at assault, clambered up to the upper 

 Sheer Hajee, of which they kept possession for some time. 



The citadel of Herat is built upon a mound at the northern end of 

 the town, surrounded by a wet ditch, said to be of considerable depth, 

 and about 36 feet wide, and flanked by large massive towers of burnt 

 brick, 60 or 70 feet high. The position is a strong one, and might be 

 held for some days, or even weeks, after the fall of the town. The 

 only entrance to the citadel is on its Southern face, over a bridge, 

 which might be destroyed in a few minutes. 



On the northern face of the town, an outwork has of late years been 

 constructed, called the Ark-i-no, or new citadel. This covers the cita- 

 del, and one of the gates of the town. 



From the above rough sketch of the defences of Herat, some idea 

 may be formed of its strength. It would be very difficult, if not im- 

 possible to breach it with artillery, and the immense quantity of 

 powder which would be necessary in order to establish such a mine 

 as would effect a practicable breach, may be estimated from the dimen- 

 sions of the rampart above given. From the size of the place, it would 

 require an army of 25 or 30,000 men to invest it effectually. 



Herat is not, however, without its weak points. The ruined walls 

 of houses and gardens surround the place, and afford shelter to the be- 

 siegers, almost up to the edge of the ditch. On the northern side of the 

 town is an immense mound called the Tull-i-bunjee, which was 

 thrown up I believe by Nadir Shah, about 4 or 500 yards from the 

 walls, and behind which a couple of regiments might be encamped, 

 completely screened from the fire of the town. The very size of Herat 

 is also a weakness : it would require a garrison of at least 10,000 men 

 to defend it against an active and enterprizing enemy. 



The Sheer Hajees are not traversed throughout their whole extent, 

 and might therefore by an enfilading ricochet fire be rendered in some 

 places, untenable. 



Nearly all the weak points above-mentioned, might, however, be 

 remedied by a skilful engineer, and if time were allowed for this, 

 the place supplied with guns, and a sufficiency of ammunition, and 

 the works defended with common bravery, the capture of Herat even 

 with European troops, would be a tedious and difficult enterprize. 



