1859.] Notes on Kafiristdn . 343 



Baber on taking Chegau-sara'e in 1514, at which time, he says, the 

 Kafirs of Pioh came down to the assistance of the people of that 

 place. 



Ashin. 



The Askin tribe holds the upper valley of the Tagab river, towards 

 the highest range of the Hindu Kush. They have for the most 

 part become converts to the Muhammadan faith, and are subject 

 to Tajammul Shah, son of Shah Kator. Those of the tribe who 

 retain their ancient religion pay this ruler a trifling tribute. 



Ashpin. 



The Ashpin Kafirs dwell in the same district as the Askins. 

 Numbers of them have changed their religion, and are also subject 

 to Tajammul Shah of Lower Kashkar. The remainder are tolerated 

 in their ancient religion on the same terms as mentioned with 

 reference to the preceding tribe. 



Wadi-hu. 

 The Wadi-hu tribe continues, as heretofore, to inhabit the darah 

 or valley of Inkar. A few have become Muhammadans. 



Wae-kal. 

 The country of the Wae-kal tribe, lies to the southward of Lower 

 Kashkar, along the eastern bank of the Kashkar or Chitral river, and 

 bounds the Kampar district on the north. They have not changed 

 their faith, but they pay a small tribute to Tajammul Shah of 

 Kashkar, in acknowledgement of his supremacy. 



From the foregoing account, it will have been perceived, that, 

 out of the eighteen original divisions or tribes into which the 

 Si'ah-posh are divided, only ten; viz., the Kati-hi, Si'ah-posh, Pa- 

 shagar, Mandul, Samajil, Sa-lao, Kattar, Kampar, Kamuz, and Wae- 

 kal, retain their ancient faith, and observe their former customs. 

 They may be considered along with the tribes of Pandu, Wamah, 

 Duhtak, and Wadi-hu — a few only of whom have embraced Mu- 

 hainmadanisin — as now constituting the whole of the real Kafir race ; 

 for the Tapah-kal, Askin, and Ashpin are for the most part of that 

 religion; whilst the whole of the Chanaks have become converts 

 to Islam ism. 



2 i 2 



