386 Journal of a trip through the [April, 



ism. It is also a favorite practice of the Moguls in Central Asia to erect 

 these heaps to the honor of their gods, by whom they are called 

 "obos."* 



37. Yesterday's march being a fatiguing one of 14 miles, we were 

 not a little glad at finding the Sookeyt was but 5 or 6 miles off, and that 

 the road was level and good. The residence of the Rajah of Sookeyt is 

 about two miles from the capital, and is built on the western slope of 

 some high hills, whilst the town is placed at the foot, where their slopes 

 are much more precipitous. The situations of both are picturesque, and 

 a fine view of the Dhoon is obtained from the former, but the building 

 itself is not worthy of a description, nor has the town any thing pecu- 

 liar about it save its extreme unhealthiness in consequence of being 

 surrounded by a dense jungle, The Rajah and his sons have very 

 plebeian countenances, and are not polished in their manners, but these 

 deficiencies are fully compensated by their frank and open way of speak- 

 ing. The Rajah is evidently above bespattering Europeans with loath- 

 some flattery, and telling lies for the sake of pleasing, like he of 

 Mundi. "When it was mentioned to him that we had been given to 

 understand that he was a great friend of the Rajah of Mundi, he replied 

 •* Yes, you may call us friends, for it is of no use our quarrelling, as the 

 British Government will not permit us to fight. The Mundi-walla 

 however openly pretends to be a great friend of mine, but in reality is 

 ever striving to do me as much harm as he possibly can." Were the 

 British influence withdrawn but for a short period it is not difficult to 

 foresee what would be the result. These two rival Rajahs would in 

 collision with each other, depopulate villages and lay waste fields ; and 

 it would indeed be difficult to say to how great an extent barbarities 

 might be practised upon the vanquished by who ever became victorious. 

 The will of the Rajah of Sookeyt is law within the limits of his own 

 jaghir,f which is said to be worth about 60,000 Rs. a year. Out of 

 that sum however, he pays the Government 1 1,000 Rs. annually. 



38. The Bui Dhoon, or valley of Sookeyt MundiJ is very fertile and 

 entirely under cultivation, excepting a small swampy preserve which sup- 



* Vide travels of the Russian mission through Mongolia to China, by George 

 Timkowski. 



f As is also that of his neighbour in Mundi. 



X So called because part is in Mundi and part in Sookeyt. 



