1848] Report of the Kohistan of the Jullundhur Doab. 281 



A Report of the Kohistan of the Jullundhur Doah. — By Lieut. 

 William Hawtayne Parish, Bengal Artillery. 



1. The alternation, on so large a scale, of marl sandstone and con- 

 glomerate, has given rise to some marked features in the physical out- 

 line of these hills. Fertile valleys usually intervene between the sepa- 

 rate ranges, whilst extensive table- lands sometimes crown their summits. 

 This tract is composed of strata, dipping in general to the north-east, 

 of sand, sandstone, calcareous marl, clay, and conglomerate, arranged 

 in distinct formations, which observe a fixed and invariable order of 

 superposition. It is evident that this country has undergone great 

 changes in its physical geography since these strata were formed ; for 

 their direction and inclination have scarcely any relation to the existing 

 drainage of the country. Also, for the more modern valleys, with the 

 horizontal strata at their bases, as well as the hills which encircle them, 

 are all posterior to them in date. Here are presented to us the evidence 

 of a series of events of astonishing grandeur and magnitude, by which 

 the original form and features of the country have been completely 

 altered, but not so far obliterated, but that they may be restored in the 

 imagination. It requires no great effort of the mind to recall its exter- 

 nal condition and physical structure before these wonderful vicissitudes 

 began, and whilst it was yet being formed in " the capacious bed of 

 waters." During this early period the various strata of which these 

 hills are composed were gradually formed ; and the vast beds of sand, 

 marl, and gravel were deposited. Equal quantities, however, were not 

 deposited in equal periods, for we have convincing proof of some of the 

 strata having been formed in comparatively tranquil waters ; whilst the 

 materials of others were hurried along by strong currents and rapidly 

 spread over the localities in which they are now found. In some places, 

 stratified masses more than a hundred feet high, are made up of a suc- 

 cession of strata of fine sand scarcely an inch in thickness, and single 

 layers of small waterworn pebbles ; whereas, in other localities, we meet 

 with beds of sandstone and conglomerate, not less than forty feet thick. 

 This era of comparative tranquillity must have been followed, however, 

 by one of violent convulsions, during which this country received the 

 first impress of its present varied outline. 



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