838 Itinerary from Yezd to Herat. [No. 154. 



allow himself to be despoiled of this by his son Kamran Shah, who now 

 governs it. This prince nearly 50 years of age, is brave and full of 

 courage, of a determined mind and great activity ; there is no means 

 that he does not use to attempt the recovery of his father's kingdom, 

 but the want of money obliges him to wait until Providence offers a 

 more favorable opportunity. It might, however, not be a difficult task 

 for him to accomplish, considering that the Barukzye chiefs do not act 

 in concert, and even make war between themselves ; and further, their 

 rule is so selfish, that all the tribes are disgusted with their avarice, and 

 ripe for revolt. 



The city of Herat is capable of being better fortified. This place, in the 

 hands of Persia, would, from its geographical position, have a great in- 

 fluence over any expedition sent from Russia in the direction of India as 

 an ally. It would keep in awe the people of Bokhara, Balk and Kanda- 

 har, and by preserving its communication with the rear, permit it to ad- 

 vance without fear to conquest, but occupied by an enemy, it could 

 cause insurmountable obstacles.* 



From Herat to Cabool, via Candahar. 

 On leaving Herat, two routes present themselves leading to Cabool, 

 one by the Huzaree country which does not take more than eight or 

 ten days, the other is that of Candahar which is much more circuitous. 

 Our anxiety to reach the end of our journey made us incline to follow 

 the first, but after taking the opinion of merchants, we were obliged to 

 give up our intention of following that route, not only on account of the 

 roads being so bad in this mountainous country, but also from the dan- 

 gers to be run from the oppressive conduct of those who govern it, to- 

 wards travellers passing through ; we therefore gave the preference to 

 that by Candahar. This latter route passes along the western side 

 of the Firooz Khan chain of mountains, which extend as far as Canda- 

 har, dividing Seistan from the province of Gawz, and the distance 

 about one hundred and twenty-five pharsacs ; it is almost entirely over 

 open plains, occasionally crossing low ranges of hills, which are in no 

 way difficult for guns to traverse. The only inconvenience that troops 

 would find on this road, is, that it is thinly inhabited, and but few sup- 



This view of a political position some as existing some years ago in a country with 

 which we have since had so much to do is by no means distribute of utrospection inter- 

 est.— Eds. 



