1850.] Descriptive notice of the District of Jhilum. 61 



contrast to those of Chakhowal, which are numerous, and still more 

 so to the country in the Jhilum tehsil, where a village encounters one 

 every few hundred yards. Dhoks so called, or little hamlets, are 

 however rising up and with the spread of cultivation will doubtless 

 increase in number. 



The range of hills which extends from Namal to Mari opposite 

 Kalabagh is called Majiich. Kalabagh. not belonging properly to 

 this district, it is unnecessary to enter into any description of its various 

 products, its salt, its alum, and its dying materials. Mari contains 

 some remarkable temples of apparently the same era as that at Kutas. 

 In the Majiich hill near the village of Jabu, and about 8 miles east 

 of Mari sulphur is found in some quantity, and also petroleum called 

 by the natives 'lalida,' which is used by them in lieu of oil. Namal is 

 situated in a recess of the hills, which in the neighbourhood are of 

 great height, but of little width, a camel road leading across to Mu- 

 sakhel on the southern side, a distance of about 4 miles. Musakhel 

 is in the district of Kuchi which together with Pakar Namal was 

 in former days held in Jageer by Ram Singh Beli. The hills about 

 Namal are a flinty limestone, and on their summits contain numerous 

 fossils. Flints are found in great abundance, and were formerly col- 

 lected in great numbers for the use of the Sikh troops. About a kos 

 from the village, coal is found at the bottom of the ravines of pretty 

 good quality, but in difficult positions. The substance called R61 

 from which alum is made, and which has an astringent taste, is also 

 found, as also salt, sulphur in small quantities, and Khai which is 

 used in dying. The sulphur issues in a decomposed state from the 

 rocks, and gives a chalybeate taste to the stream of clear water, which 

 here flows through the hills, and which receives from it a yellow colour. 



It is reported that copper has been found in small quantities on 

 these hills. The account is either false, or if true the place has been 

 concealed or forgotten. It is not however improbable, that in the vast 

 mass of hills which stretches S. E. from Namal to a distance of 6 

 kos, and which is little frequented from its barren nature, copper may 

 be found. This range known by the name of Sikesar is of very 

 remarkable appearance, and will be alluded to presently. Adjoining 

 the district of Namal to the east in its southern part is the Chachi 

 Jageer consisting of 13 villages, the principal of which is Lawa. The 



