1857.] Account of the Lower Deraj&t. 201 



cultivation near it for a number of miles in the direction of the 

 Indus. The valley itself is thirty miles distant from the high 

 range, which in this direction is inhabited by the Gurchanis. 



Next in rotation comes the Thok valley, distant four or five miles 

 from the preceding. The whole distance from this to the Black 

 Range is mountainous and sandy with a few stunted trees and 

 shrubs scattered here and there. Water is also very scarce, and 

 even when procurable it is exceedingly bitter. About twenty-five 

 miles to the west of this valley there is a village belonging to the 

 Gurchani tribe called Muni or Marri, inhabited by about three 

 hundred people, who are mostly shepherds. There is no cultivation 

 in the British territory to the east nearer than the village of 

 Gamu, a distance of nineteen miles, containing five hundred in- 

 habitants chiefly of the Drig clan. 



A few of the principal stages by the road through this valley to 

 the Afghan country by way of Tall and Chotiali, are : 1st, To Makari 

 12 miles, where there are a number of shady "trees, but the water 

 is bitter. From thence to Phora Phatt 17 miles, where there is 

 excellent water to be procured, and several shady trees. The next 

 stage is Phala Wagh, about the same distance as the last stage 

 and possessing similar advantages. The next journey brings the 

 traveller to Lassii 12 miles, which has no particular advantages 

 as a halting-ground ; and from thence to Baki or Bari Khan in 

 the Khetran country, a distance of 19 miles, from whence a long 

 march of about 30 miles brings you to Kholo or Kaholo, where 

 the water is pure and abundant, and shady trees are available. 



The Chak or Chag valley and pass is three miles from that of Thok, 

 a id the country as far as the Black Range, a distance of nearly 

 40 miles or more, is uninhabited. The valley contains nothing 

 but sand and a few stunted shrubs, indeed sand and rocks appear 

 to be the principal, if not the only variations of the landscape 

 in this part of the Derajat. From this Darrah a road leads to 

 the village of Kot Islam Khan, the head-quarters of the Bughti 

 tribe, which is parallel to the Siiri Darrah further south. But the 

 whole country between is a perfect desert, without inhabitants or 

 sign of cultivation. The nearest inhabited spot in the direction 

 of the Indus, is the village of Kiidirah belonging to the Mazari tribe, 

 a nd thirty miles distant. 2 d 



