JOURNAL 



OF THE 



ASIATIC SOCIETY 



No. VI. 1856. 



Route of two Nepalese Embassies to Pefcin with remarks on the 

 water-shed and plateau of Tibet. — By B. H. Hodgson, Esq. 



The two following papers (it may be as well to state, in order to 

 show their trustworthiness) were presented to me by the Maha 

 Bajah of Nepal in 1843, when I took my leave of him after having 

 resided at his court for ten years in the capacity of British minister. 

 His Highness was pleased to say he desired to give me something, 

 which, not being of monied value, I should be permitted to retain, 

 and which he knew I should set especial store by, and all the more 

 because I was aware that the communicating of any such information 

 to the "Feringe" (European) was contrary to the fixed policy of 

 his government. And therewith His Highness gave me these two 

 documents as well as several others of equal interest. The papers 

 now in question comprise official summaries of the routes of two 

 of those embassies of tribute and dependance, which, since the war 

 of '92 with Tibet (aided by China), Nepal has been bound by treaty 

 to send to Pekin once every five years. It is customary for these 

 embassies always to keep nearly or quite to the same track, they 

 being conducted through Tibet and China at the expense of the 

 celestial empire and under the guidance of officers appointed by it. 



The time of departure from Kathmandu is determined by the 



opening of the passes over the Himalaya, which takes place usually 



during the first half of June by the melting of the snows ; and 



that accordingly is the regular period for the setting out of the 



No. LXXXIV.— New Series. Vol. XXV. 3 q 



