1857.] Account of the Lower Derdjut. 18? 



adjoin the Khetraus on the south and west, cultivate some available 

 land within the influence of this stream, on the banks of which 

 there are several Kunar (Zizyphus jujuba), Leyah. (tamarisk), 

 Lauah (Camel-thorn) trees, and a flower called the jungli-gul is 

 found in great numbers throughout the valley. There appears to 

 be no want of water inside, but out of the valley it is by no means so 

 plentiful ; and the extent of the cultivation depends on the quan- 

 tity of water collected in the various bunds or ponds, and from the 

 rains which are often copious in the spring and winter months. 

 There is a road through the Liria pass which leads into that from 

 Sanghar, but it is only passable for men on foot. 



Khaseanis. 



The tribe to the south and west of the Khetraus are the Khas- 

 ranis who hold the Bhatti, Khanvva, and Kawrah passes. They are 

 great thieves, and have given a deal of trouble at different times, 

 so much so as to call for a severe chastisement, which they partially 

 received from a small force under Brigadier Hodgson at the com- 

 mencement of the hot season of 1853. 



The Bhatti pass and valley is about six miles south of the valley 

 of Liria, and is inhabited by about 1,500 of the Khasrani tribe, of 

 whom Mitta Khan and Omar Khan are the chiefs. Their prin- 

 cipal village, called after the tribe, is situated about eighteen miles 

 up the valley, through which a small river meanders, and the banks 

 of which are shaded by Kunar, Lanah, and Leyah trees in several 

 places. Out of the valley water is excessively scarce. 



The valley and pass of Kauwa is four miles and a half from the 

 preceding, and is close to the skirt of the hills. It also contains a 

 rivulet of pure water, but out of the valley none is procurable. 

 About five hundred families dwell in the hills in this vicinity, and 

 the remainder of the tribe, which altogether may be computed at 

 seven thousand souls, occupy the lands from Khas-raui-ki Busti to 

 Gamak in the Derajat. 



The chiefs of this tribe receive a cash payment from the British 

 Government, besides certain fees or assignments on the lands 

 termed Kusur aud Bardt ; and in former times when the route 

 through their country was frequented by the traders from Kabul 



2 b 2 



