1046 Memoir on Indian Earthquakes. [No. 144. 



p. 277,) mentions a hill within three days' journey of the city of Cash- 

 mere, from which loud explosions are heard at intervals, accompanied 

 by the escape of gaseous matter, with force sufficient to tear off the 

 doors and windows of buildings situated upon it. There was nothing 

 on the hill resembling a crater, but the inhabitants on the spot asserted 

 a distinct recollection of the explosions. 



About the years 1831-32, a series of Earthquakes occurred in Cash- 

 mere, which continued for six months without interruption. These I 

 am informed were chiefly confined to the valley, and scarcely, if at all, 

 experienced beyond it, thus proving the local action of the forces to 

 which they were due. In a letter formerly noted from the late Sir 

 A. Burnes to J. Prinsep, Esq. dated 23rd January (?) 1832, it is stated, 

 " The Earthquakes of Cashmere are frequent, and the natives inform 

 me, that the shocks are more severe nearer the mountains." 



That the valley of Cashmere is a focal Earthquake tract, or in other 

 words, that disturbing forces giving rise to Earthquake shocks, are in 

 active operation beneath its surface, ard that these forces act indepen- 

 dently, and without connection with those of other focal tracts in the 

 Himalayas, are points I think very clearly established by the preceding 

 details. Unfortunately, the nature of the information obtained does not 

 warrant deductions of a more special character, but those actually made, 

 are not devoid of interest, as illustrating the general distribution of ac- 

 tive volcanic forces throughout the lateral region of the great moun- 

 tain range of India. 



D. Earthquakes of the Valley of Nepaul. 



Traditional accounts of Earthquakes in the valley of Nepaul exist ; 

 and in the historical records preserved by the Brahmins of that country, 

 a shock of great severity, by which the cities of Mangah, Patan and 

 innumerable towns were utterly destroyed, and thousands of their inha- 

 bitants were killed, is said to have occurred about six centuries ago ; 

 but it is not until the year 1833, that we have any detailed accounts of 

 such convulsions. On the 26th of August of that year, a most destructive 

 Earthquake occurred, of which ample details have been furnished by 

 Archibald Campbell, Esq , then Assistant to the Resident at the Court 

 of Nepaul, and accounts of the progress and effects of the shock beyond 

 the valley have been collected and recorded by James Prinsep, Esq. 

 I propose combining the detached narratives of these two gentlemen, 

 so as to form a general account of the course and effects of the 

 shock. 



Earthquake of the 26th August, 1833. — The first shock of this 

 Earthquake was experienced at Katmandu, the modern capital of Ne- 

 paul, about 6. P. m. It extended throughout the valley and neigh- 

 bouring hills, being felt Westward in the valley of Nayakot and Duny 

 Byas : eastward at Panouti, Baneppa, Dulkele and Pholam Chok ; and 

 southward at Chitlong, Chisagarby, Etounda and Bissoulea. The 

 shock lasted about 40 seconds, and during its continuance, there was a 

 distinctly audible noise as of ordnance passing rapidly over a draw- 

 bridge. This rumbling noise came from the Eastward, and Dr. Camp- 



