1845.] Account of the Cabool and Peshawar* Territories, %c. 663 



From Dacca to Jamrood is in all 24 kos.* 



From Dacca to Huft Chah (7 wells) is 4 kos; these were sunk it is 

 said by a Cafer king of old, named Bagram, for the convenience of 

 travellers. In those days the land around them, it is said, was culti- 

 vated. Their depth has never been ascertained. They are situated 

 on the high road, four to the East and three to the West of it. The 

 place is infested by thieves, and there is no water or habitations. 



The Khyber Pass is a defile between hills, the eastern one belonging 

 to the Shanwarees. The road runs from North to South. From Huft 

 Chah to this Kotal of Sande khanah, is six kos. Below the Kotal (pass) 

 immediately on the road a little to the South, on the skirt of the hill 

 near a ravine, there is a spring of water of one mill strength, flowing 

 from East to West ; to the West there is a very high hill on which is 

 a fort of the above named Cafar king, said to have been destroyed 

 by Hazrat Alle, who defeated him, and opened the Khyber. It is 

 now in ruins ; there is a little cultivation here, which is a Caffila and 

 army stage. It is on the boundary of the Zakha khel, and Than- 

 wareeg. 



There are two roads up the hill, one to the East below the brow, 

 having four windings and ascents and descents three kos in extent; 

 the other by the stream along a ridge, two windings and ascents and 

 descents one kos in extent, not a gun road. On reaching the top the 

 road is again level to Gurheelalbeg, which is four kos and a stage. 

 There are twelve small square forts, having each a lofty tower and eight 

 guz high many of which are hostile to each other. It is the boundary 

 of the Zakha khel. There are 1500 matchlock men in these forts. 

 There is cultivation round the forts, but the inhabitants gain their 

 livelihood by robbing on the highway. 



Even when royal armies paid for their passage, the advance and 

 rear baggage generally suffered. 



The Khyberee mothers are said to accustom their children from 

 the age of five to six years to steal, beginning with neighbour's fowls, 

 their spinning wheels and other household utensils, stinting them in 

 food the days they are not successful. Sayuds, Molvees and Fakeers are 

 not respected by them, and in stripping them, they jokingly say 

 they intend to hang up their clothes as holy relics in their houses. 



* The details are in kachab, or short kos. 



4 u 



