222 Notes on Eastern Thibet. [No. 3. 



all the Chinese officers in Thibet are paid by China and in money ; 

 the Thibetan Troops by assignments of the Government share of 

 the land tax. There is no money Eevenue sent to Pekin, an annual 

 Embassy with presents only in cloths, images, books, incense, &c. 



There is a fund in Patala Goompa to which 100,000 rupees is added 

 annually. Never opened except in time of great war expenses, it was 

 opened to repel Zorawur Singh the Sikh General, who invaded Thi- 

 bet from Cashmere in 1842. The Arnpas pay is 140 Es. per day, and 

 he gets large presents while travelling in Thibet. 



A Shapee's pay is 140 Es. per mensem from China, and he has 

 lands and other emoluments from the Grand Lama. 



Army. 

 They have no Artillery in Thibet ; the Cavalry so called is mount- 

 ed on ponies ; the principal troops are Infantry and great pains are 

 taken to make them good marksmen. Prizes and promotions are 

 the invariable rewards of good marksmen. The Chinese or Tartar 

 troops are kept quite distinct from the Thibetan ones, which are 

 only a Militia called out when required, and not regularly paid. The 

 Imperial Troops quartered in Thibet do not exceed 4,000 men, and 

 the Thibetan force is not so strong. There are 2,000 Imperials at 

 Lassa, 1,000 at Digarchi, 500 at Giangtchi, and detachments at 

 Phari, and Tingri. The last named post, is on the high road from 

 Cathmandu to Lassa, and is situated on a Plateau called the " Tingri 

 Maydan" by the Nepalese. The Imperial troops are armed with 

 long matchlocks, to which a rest is attached. The Thibetans have 

 very few firearms, being provided with bows and arrows, and short 

 swords. The powder is of a very inferior description, and it does 

 not appear that the troops are ever practised in military manoeuvres. 



at the urgency of the same Lama, Keshen was appointed viceroy to Thibet. Affairs 

 at Lassa, and throughout Thibet were in great confusion at the time ; three Grand 

 Lamas had died by poison in a few years and the Noume-hen was suspected of the 

 crime. Keshen had the opportunity given him of redeeming his fame, and he did 

 so by re-establishing order in the country, and convicting the Noume-hen. It is a 

 curious fact, however, that he proceeded from his banishment in Manchouria to his 

 Government at Lassa in chains, that is to say, lie wore a gold chain, the badge of 

 punishment round his neck, concealed by his garments, nor was it removed, and his 

 forgiveness complete until after he quitted Lassa as Governor of Sechmen. 



