■4-98 SURVEY OF THE' GANGES, 



drugs of different kinds and a few shawls, which come by tiut route from 

 Cashmir. Among the drugs rs one called Mirbisi* held in^re^t value aji^d 

 repute, by the natives, for its supposed medicinal qualities, as an antidote 

 against the bite of a snake, and for its efficacy in healing tumors, sprains, 

 boils, &c. by rubbing it over the part affecJted. In shape and appearance 

 it somewhat resembles a shrivelled date, of a dark colour, and has a 

 strong bitter taste. They judge of its quality by wetting and rubbing it 

 on a piece of cloth ; if it yields a bright purple, it is pronounced fresh and 

 good. The E/z^/fsA name for it is Zedoary. Hawks are also brought 

 down from the hills. In- exchange for the above, the following articles 

 are supplied from the low countries. Coarse cotton and woollen cloths, 

 silks, spices, Lahore salt, sugar and tobacco. On all these goods a 

 greater or less duty is levied at Snnagar, amounting, on an average, 

 to one Ana in the rupee, or about eight and a third per cent; and 

 additional duties are coilefted at different posts, in their transit through 

 the country. These imports are not regulated by any fixed principles ; 

 but a retrospective reference is frequently made to the accounts of for- 

 mer years ; and if the statement of the owner falls short of the usual 

 amount imported by him, the duties are proportionally augmented. A 

 free communication formerly existed with the people of But an, who were 

 in the habit of bringing their goods for sale to this market, and taking ■ 

 hence other commodities in exchange ; but, owing probably to the above 

 exactions, they have discontinued the practice, and very little direct 

 intercourse is nov^ maintained. The annual amount of traffic, carried 

 on at this capital, must be very inconsideraMe ; for most of the sbove 



■^ Curcima Zcdoaria. p. S33 of this Volume. 



