1843.] and the Eastern portion of Cutchee. 25 



is rarely met with to break the monotony of a complete level, 

 and universally low tamarisk jungle. The whole country is inter- 

 sected with canals and water-courses, and many portions during the 

 height of the inundations are for mile3 completely under water. This 

 is particularly the case in the neighbourhood of Shikarpoor, and the 

 intermediate tract between it and Sukkur, the river having of late 

 years shewn an inclination to the western, to the detriment of the 

 lands and revenue of the Khyrpoor possessions on the eastern, side. 



6th. I have before observed, that Upper Sindh is thinly populated, 

 towns and villages are scantily sprinkled over the country. Of the 

 former, the most important in the whole of Sindh, for its wealth, po- 

 pulation, and trade, is Shikarpoor, situated at a distance of about 

 twenty-eight miles N. W. from Sukkur ; its general appearance is like 

 that of all others in Upper Sindh, filthy and ill built, its walls in total 

 disrepair, and surrounded by large stagnant pools of water ; it is re- 

 deemed, however, by its gardens. The population of Shikarpoor by a 

 late census may be about 30,000, of whom 20,000 are Hindoos. All 

 the trade and banking transactions for which Shikarpoor is noted all 

 over India and Central Asia, are in the hands of the Hindoos, who 

 enjoy an unusual degree of toleration, and have obtained an influence 

 which the policy of the rulers dictates should not be disturbed. 

 Khyrpoor is a paltry ill-built town, possessing few claims to notice as 

 a place of trade or wealth, and only important as the residence of the 

 chiefs, Meer Roostam and other members of his family. Meer Alii 

 Moorad, his brother, has his stronghold at " Dejee Kha Kote." Roree 

 retains some of the remains of its former wealth, and from its position 

 on an elevation overlooking the river, has an exterior of respectability, 

 little according with its interior state of dilapidation and decay. Suk- 

 kur may be said to be a ruined and deserted town, though there can 

 be no doubt, both of these places will daily acquire greater importance, 

 from our influence on the trade of the river Indus, and the countries 

 on its banks. Beyond the above, there are at present no towns which 

 may be classed as of any size or importance in Upper Sindh. In cer- 

 tain divisions of the country under a Beloochee zemeendaree, a small 

 mud fort generally forms the residence of the chief, and capital of the 

 tribe. The villages are a collection of mud huts, with a flat roof; the 

 out-houses are formed of reed mats, and in many villages the dwell- 



