1856.] Narrative of the Travels of Khwajah Ahmud Shah. 349 



Chinese unaccustomed to horses, accounts for their not having any 

 cavalry. 



The people generally are contented and well pleased with their 

 rulers. There are no other taxes in the country save the land-tax, 

 which amounts to about one-tenth of the produce. 



After making full enquiries and not getting any information 

 regarding Mr. Wyburd, I started for Kashgurh on the 27th May, 

 and sent Myeefoodeen to Khoottan. 'From Tarkund to Kashgurh 

 the country is cultivated, and along the road at regular stages the 

 dak is kept up. After three marches I arrived at Inghissar, a small 

 town, having a Chinese fort and garrison of about one thousand 

 men, situated on a commanding position. Water is abundant and 

 fruits plentiful. I remained here a short time, and then proceeded 

 to Kashgurh, which I reached after three days. I remained at 

 Kashgurh, in order to enquire after the fate of Mr. "Wyburd, for 

 two months. The reason of this delay was as follows. The road 

 between Tarkund and Kokan was closed in consequence of the 

 ascendancy of Bizong Khoja, whose ancestors formerly ruled over 

 Tarkund, Aksoo, Kashgurh, Khoottan, Inghissar and Oochtoorfan ; 

 the Umban of Kashgurh having by order of his superior the Tar- 

 kund TJmban, ceased to grant passports to travellers by this route ; 

 and also because Aksukol Ingamat Khan, a deputy of the Khan of 

 Kokan, who, according to custom, with the sanction of the Chinese 

 authorities, was collecting tribute from certain subjects of the 

 Kokan Khan (traders residing in the city of Kashgurh) had been 

 ordered, on account of some former disputes, to desist from doing 

 so. For these reasons the Kashgurh Umban refused to grant me 

 passports until he received authority for so doing from Tarkund. 

 Nyamut Khan also informed me that I could never get to Kokan 

 without first receiving the sanction of the Khan of that place to 

 proceed there, so I accordingly despatched Kasim Jan, a man of my 

 own, with presents for the king ; asking for his permission to pro- 

 ceed ; and I myself returned to Tarkund to get passports, which I 

 had the good fortune to obtain through the influence of Afreedond 

 Wauk, the governor. Here I met with Nujeeboodeen, who had 

 returned from Khoottan having been unsuccessful in obtaining any 

 information regarding Mr. Wyburd. From Tarkuud to Kurrakash 



