1844.] Itinerary from Herat to Cabool via Candahar, 843 



these latter two other ridges branch off to the S.W., which enclose 

 the district of Maeevend, famous for its fruits, and above all, the pome- 

 granate. On reaching Koosh-Nakout, we found ourselves upon a spot, 

 which was admirably calculated to defend the city of Candahar on the 

 West. From this is visible the Arghanab river, running to the West, 

 and which empties itself into the Helmund about four pharsacs below 

 Girisk. The country which extends to the South, is covered with sandy 

 hillocks for about forty pharsacs as far as Neski and Karon, situated in 

 Beloochistan, and from whence the Candaharians procure camels and 

 dates. The right bank of this river shews many rich villages ; the 

 principal are, Lenguissar, Kolk, and Pachemour. On examining the 

 course of the Arghanab, I could not fail to remark the great error into 

 which Danville has fallen, in making a pretended river rise at Canda- 

 har, to which he gives an eastern course, eventually falling into the In- 

 dus, Foster has likewise given to this river a false direction. 



I observed, that all the rivers which are in this province, such as- the 

 Arghandab, the Turnuk, the Arkassan, and the Doree, pass to the West, 

 and discharge their waters into the Helmund. I presume the Arghan- 

 dab is no other than the Arachotus of the Greeks, because they say, it 

 fell into a lake ; its source is at the Goolkoo mountain, in the district of 

 Naoor. 



After having forded the Arghandab, we entered the plain of Canda- 

 har through the pass of Chehul Zenee, so called from forty steps which 

 lead to a grotto, situated at the end of a hill close to the right, and 

 which the Affghans say, were excavated by a descendant of Tamerlane. 

 This point also presents an admirable defence to the city of Candahar ; 

 the numerous canals which intersect it would be difficult to pass. There 

 is still to be seen the ruins of a small fort, which formerly defended this 

 entrance. From the end of the hill; the view is most picturesque, on 

 one side you have below you a superb valley, covered with meadows 

 and gardens, and on the other the vast plain of Candahar ; nature has here 

 been prodigal, the water of the Arghanab, fertilising the country by innu- 

 merable canals, the principal of which are the Noodseezan and Patab, the 

 last, before reaching the city, passes by the village of Shah Dooteran, and 

 is full of grains of mica. 



The city of Candahar was built by Ahmed Shah ; in the construction 



of its buildings which in general are of no soliditv, and with little taste, 



5u 



