1857.] Kohcin and other places in Central Asia. 2G3 



vernor dwells, and the other, on the southern side, where the 

 Chinese chief, who commands the army quartered here, resides. 



This force, which is intended to overawe the Yarkandis 

 amounts to about 40,000 men with several guns. This is the 

 largest force the Chinese have in this direction of their empire, 

 and the best and most efficient, being picked men. They are 

 relieved yearly. Of this force, 10,000 are quartered within the city, 

 the remainder in the vicinity. 



The police arrangements are similar to those of Kashghar, with 

 this exception, that an equal number of Chinese soldiers are asso- 

 ciated with the police in their duties ; and one celestial accompanies 

 each of the chdng nawazdn (ringers or strikers of the cluing) as the 

 watchmen already described are called, in his rounds. 



Russian Karawans come here, and bring all sorts of European 

 manufactures, consisting of hardware in a greater proportion. They 

 take back with them teas, silk, and other articles of Chinese manu- 

 facture, but they are not allowed to proceed further east. 



Prom Yarkand, distant fifteen manzils or stages to the north-east 

 is Aksii (Ah, white, su, river), a city whose wealth and population 

 increase steadily every year. All descriptions of food are excessively 

 cheap, and even when prices are at their maximum, a maund and a 

 half of grain, Kabul measure, (about one hundred and twenty pounds 

 English) may be obtained for two shillings. The governor of this 

 city is appointed by the Chinese, but the people are chiefly fol- 

 lowers of Islam. 



"From Aksii to Yilih or Ileh is ten days journey to the north-east. 

 The road is difficult on account of the traveller having to cross the 

 glaciers of the Tiauchan or snowy mountains. A body of fifty men 

 are maintained here by the authorities for the express purpose of 

 assisting travellers over the mountains, and for making roads for 

 their passage through the ice. When a party of travellers reach 

 the foot of the mountains, they proceed in front, and make a road 

 over the ice as they advance, the travellers following close at their 

 heels ; and it generally occupies a whole day in crossing the range. 

 So quickly does this track become impassable, that the pioneers, 

 who return on the following day, have generally to clear a new path 

 for themselves. This place is called by the people of the country, 



2 m 2 



