1056 Memoir on Indian Earthquakes. QNo. 144. 



3. — Earthquakes of the Tract of the Solimaun Mountains, 



This tract cannot yet be considered as well established, since I 

 have found but one Earthquake that can be referred to it, and this 

 not with perfect confidence. The shock occurred in 1831, and was 

 very severe.* It extended from Peshawur to Dhera Ghazee Khan, 

 but the point of greatest force was in the vicinity of the village of 

 Derabund, on the Eastern slope or side of the Solimaun range. Near 

 this spot it is said, that water appeared from crevices formed in the plan : 

 men and camels were unable to stand from the violence of the undula- 

 tions, and fragments of rock fell in many places among the mountains. 



Very little information connected with the physical structure of the 

 Solimaun range has come under my notice, and I am unable to say 

 whether the usual indications of volcanic action exist there or not. 

 Mr. Vigne mentions, (Travels in Affghanistan, p. 61,) his having procur- 

 ed from the interior of the mountains, specimens of a substance which 

 on analysis appeared to be naptha with bituminous matter in solution. 

 It oozes through the ground in various parts, and as it is a very com- 

 mon product of volcanic regions, it may indicate in the present case, 

 volcanic action in some portions at least of the Solimaun mountains. 



4. — Earthquakes of the Tract of the Aravulli Mountains. 



It is only to the Northern portion of the Aravulli range, extending 

 from the latitude of Agra to that of Delhi, that Earthquakes can yet 

 be traced. The earliest of which I have discovered any notice is that 

 of the 1 5th July 1505, experienced at Agra, and recorded in Dow's 

 Ferishta, (Vol. II, p. 75). With indications of oriental exaggeration 

 it is there stated, that " the mountains shook on their broad bases, and 

 every lofty building was levelled with the ground, some thousands 

 being buried in the ruins." Making due allowance for the tendencies 

 of native historians in general, and of Ferishta in particular, this shock 

 still appears to have been a severe one, and it is remarkable, that it was 



Ath March, 1840. — A shock was felt this day by Capt. Hannay, shortly after a total 

 Eclipse of the sun. He remarks, when the sun was obscured the air was unusually 

 cold and disagreeable to the feelings, even to nausea : about an hour after the Eclipse 

 passed away, i. e. about 1 P. m., a smart shock of an Earthquake, and about ten 

 minutes afterwards another : both shocks appeared to have come from the South. 

 The sky was cloudless, but the atmosphere hazy. 



9th February, 1841. — An Earthquake at Gowhatty this day (or on the 11th). Capt. 

 Hannay states, that it was different to those previously mentioned. It was accom- 

 panied by a low rumbling noise, was sharp and stunning, as if a blow had been struck 

 under you: the others alluded to, appear to have more of a trembling or rocking 

 motion. 



Vlth October, 1841. — A slight shock recorded by Mr. Masters at Nazera. Time 6 



A. M. 



Ath January, 1842. — A smart shock felt on this day at 7£ p. m., at Sibsagur. The 

 weather gloomy, cold and threatening rain. Capt. Hannay is unable to specify the 

 direction, but the motion was of the undulatory character. 



Ath February 1842. — At 8 a. m., a shock experienced at Nazera by Mr. Masters. 



The other shocks of 1842 are duly noted in the Register for that year. Those for 

 1843 shall be given in due time. 



Any remarks on these shocks will be given more appropriately hereafter, and I may 

 now only express my obligations to the gentlemen who have so kindly forwarded their 

 notes to me. 



* Vigne's Travels in Affghanistan, vol. i, p. 58. 



