1859.] The Flooding of the Indus. 227 



and just after the event, seem to refer it to the neighbourhood of 

 Hussoora and Gilgit.* 



The inundation of 1833, caused by the accumulation of ice in the 

 Shayok branch, was more local and comparatively harmless ; it is not 

 even known in the plain country of Huzara, Chuch, or Attok. Captain 

 Cunningham describes that of 1841 as " immensely greater in effect," 

 which is hardly to be explained, if the cause and the position was the 

 same in both. I have not been able to consult Dr. Thomson's work, 

 nor the paper of D\\ Falconer addressed to the Asiatic Society 

 in 1841. 



The recent cataclysm of August 1858, is I think proved to have 

 been that of the Hoonza branch, which at least affords an example 

 that the site can vary ; this is 300 miles from Attok. Yet no remark- 

 able difference was previously visible in the state of the lower Indus 

 in Huzara or at Attok; whereas in 1841 (before the flood) the river 

 was fordable, and shrunk wonderfully to a small stream, I do not think 

 it would have been so, had only one tributary like the Shayok been 

 dammed up 600 miles above at Sasserh. Again, in 1841 when, as 

 I believe, the main Indus, after the junction of many tributaries, 

 was arrested, when the barrier was burst, down at once in one over- 

 whelming irresistible wall came the " bore" of discoloured waters, 

 defying all hope of escape, while latterly in 1858, the rise though 

 great was gradual, and afforded a warning for flight. 



* Copy of Intelligence from Meerza Ahud in April 1841. 



I. " From Hussoora and Gilgit, news has arrived that in last January a moun- 

 tain (by reason of an earthquake) fell into the Indus or Attok river, and has 

 closed the course of its stream, up to the 1st May, 12 coss of lands in the Gil- 

 git district has been submerged. Jubbar Khan the Chief of Hussoora sent in 

 a note to Cashmere that the waters would continue pent up for another month, 

 and after that would force a passage in some direction." 



From the above in June, 1841. 



II. " From Gilgit the news is that the waters of the Sinde or Attok by reason 

 of the fall of a mountain were brimmed up in the direction of Gilgit for a 

 long time, and there was a lake reaching to a distance of 18 coss ; high hills 

 were on all sides ; when it had risen immensely, the river forced its way with great 

 velocity aud is now pursuing its natural course — many villages of Yusoofzyc, 

 Chuch and Huzara have been destroyed by the deluge." 



2 g 2 



