OF KAMAON. 35 



and particular interests, and is now pertinaciously adhered to, partly 

 from a reverence for ancient forms, and partly through the influence of the 

 Chinese power. The intercourse to which the Bhotias are admitted, is 

 considered as a measure of sufferance, and a formal permission is requi- 

 site for its annual renewal. The trade from each Ghat is confined to 

 some proximate town, beyond which the Bhotias are prohibited from pro- 

 ceeding without especial licence obtained from the local authorities, the 

 Juwliri Bhotias alone, in consideration of military services rendered by 

 their ancestors, enj oy ing an immunity from these regulations . On the upper 

 parts of the Ghats becoming practicable, special missions are dispatched 

 by the Bhotias, to their respective marts. These Vakils are each attend- 

 ed by a single follower only, and carry a small offering of established 

 value ; on reaching their destination, they make a full report of the state 

 of politics and of health in this quarter, the heads of their information 

 are taken down in writing, for transmission to the viceroy at Gartokh, 

 and they then receive their dismissal, together with a return in gold- 

 dust, equivalent to the offering brought by them. A Hiutiiya officer 

 commonly accompanies or immediately follows the Vakil for the pur- 

 pose of verifying the statements made by him, and to collect the tribute 

 due from the Bhotias. On the fiat of this offieer, depends the re-opening 

 of the intercourse. 



This regulation would appear to be intended chiefly as a precaution 

 against the introduction of small pox, or other contagious disorders, as even 

 the British invasion of the hill states occasioned no interruption in the in- 

 tercourse with Hiundes, although that event undoubtedly created a consider- 

 able sensation there. When the small pox is ascertained to prevail in 

 any Ghat, all communications with its inhabitants is temporarily prohi- 

 bited. The commercial operations of the season usually commence by 

 the arrival of the Hiimiya traders in Bhot, as the superior strength and 



hardihood 



