374 Journal of a trip through the [April } 



the Joala valley. A couple of miles south-east of Juck-o-burr, and 

 on the opposite side of the Beas, the Jaswun and Hooshearpoor ranges 

 unite, and throw out a single ridge as far as Hajeepoor, whilst the 

 principal chain keeps a north-westerly direction, after allowing a free 

 passage to the Beas. From the right bank of the river, and from be- 

 tween Dhamata and Juck-o-burr, this sandstone range stretches out in 

 one broad belt towards the north-west, and passing between Noorpoor 

 and Puthankot, reaches the Ravee, beyond which river I suspect that 

 lofty hills of the saliferons formation abut immediately onto the plains. 

 However, that portion of the sandstone range lying between the Beas 

 and the Ravee maintains its usual characteristic features. They consist of 

 strata of compact sand, soft friable sandstone and loose gravel. But the 

 hilly track between Noorpoor and the Chumba range is formed of sand- 

 stone and marls with thick conformable beds of calcareous conglomer- 

 ate indurated into a solid rock. This formation extends also to the 

 Ravee and composes probably a large portion of the territory belonging 

 to the Rajah of Chumba.* This is under the protection of the British 

 Government, to which he pays an annual tribute. 



Dhamata is a considerable village on the banks of a dry nullah. It 

 is well wooded. From there a road through Hurreepore leads to Joala- 

 mukhi, which is about 25 miles off. The jaghir belonging to the 

 Rajah of Hurreepoor. Golche is a very small village and situated on 

 the right bank of the Beas. 



24. Nagrota is likewise a large village built on some rising ground 

 on the left bank of the Guj. It is also situated at the entrance of a 

 ravine which affords a passage from one valley to the other for the Guj 

 that there enters the Joala-mukhi valley. The distance between 

 Nagrota and Dhamata is about 9 miles, which is somewhat more than 

 the width of the valley at this point, as the road crosses it diagonally. 

 The former is tolerably level, and the latter good. Besides the Guj, 

 another considerable stream flows across the valley, into which the 

 former empties itself before reaching the Beas. In May 1846, large 

 quantities of tobacco were growing in the fields, also the Oleander and 

 Cassia fistula were in full blossom, adorning the glens with their red 

 and yellow flowers, as well as scenting the air with their fragrance. 



* The saliferous formation of the Kangra district rests on the Siluvian, according 

 to Dr. W. Jameson. 



