1870.] Report on Trans-Himalayan Explorations, $fc. 59 



obvious reasons be made to names &c, whilst the work is in 

 progress, the explorers having been somewhat impeded by the 

 publicity given to the results of former expeditions. 



On the north western frontier of India a Mahommedan gentle- 

 man, generally known as the M i r z a, has been employed for some 

 time in exploring the countries beyond the Hindoo-Koosh, the 

 Mustagh, and Karakoram ranges. The M i r z a was regularly 

 trained, and having acquired the necessary facility in the use of a 

 sextant, and in the method of route-surveying practised in these 

 exjolorations, was started on an expedition via Afghanistan. He 

 made his way to Oandahar ; but there his progress was for a time 

 arrested owing to the war which resulted in re-seating the Amir 

 Ali on the Cabul throne. 



The M. i r z a, it may be as well to state here, was one of the lads 

 brought originally from Herat byPottinger, and had received a 

 partial English education, by which he has benefited considerably. 

 Being a native of Afghanistan he has kept up his acquaintance 

 with that country, and though for some time in the British service, 

 has spent the greater part of his life in that country. His former 

 residence in Cabul more especially favoured him, and he was at 

 once able to accompany the Amir. He witnessed various actions 

 that took place during the Amir's advance from Candahar, and 

 supplied our Gfovernment with accounts of them and the general 

 state of affairs ; accounts which at the time were rather valuable, 

 as it was difficult to get any other accurate information. The M i r z a 

 was detained for some time at Cabul, owing to the disturbed state 

 of the country, but ultimately was able to pass over to Badukshan, 

 thence he ascended, through the Upper Yalley of the Oxus, to 

 Lieutenant Wood's Sirikul (or "Victoria) Lake. From this lake he 

 made his way through a part of Sirikul district to Tashkurgan, 

 crossing the watershed which divides the Oxus from Eastern Tur- 

 kistan. At Tashkurgan, he was placed in a sort of open arrest, 

 being allowed to do what he pleased, though always watched. 

 From Tashkurgan he made his way over the mountains direct to 

 Kashghar, still accompanied by men from Tashkurgna, who insisted 

 upon seeing him into Kashghar; fortunately they did not interfere 

 with his using his instruments, and he was able to continue his 

 route-survey. 



