ASAM AND THE NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES. 355 



the way, that it would be absolutely impossible to march nine or ten kos 

 a day, or indeed more than one-fourth of that distance, through those rugged 

 hills. The account of the entire distance to the river's fountain head, 

 however, may not differ materially from the truth, and the Mishmis are 

 not ill described- Tigers, however, are not to be found in their hills, and 

 it is highly improbable that troops were ever sent into so difficult a country 

 to chastise people who, in their own haunts, have so great an advantage. 



Correct as his information proves of the situations of the Prabhu 

 Kuthdra and Kunda, Colonel Wilford quite surprises us further on by 

 telling us that (p. 455) the Kunda of Brahma is acknowledged to be the 

 lake Mansarovara. Again, considering the state of our Geographical 

 knowledge when he wrote, the description of the lesser and greater Lohita, 

 the former being known as the Bonash or Manasa, and the latter also called 

 Soma, evidently to be recognised in the Dihong, inclines us to believe that 

 reliance may be placed on the authorities quoted by him, although we cannot 

 overcome the difficulty of making the Prabhu Kuthdr pass subservient to 

 the passage of the Brahmaputra into Asam from the Mansarovara lake. 



On my return to Sadiyal fcrandj amongst the numerous visitors there, all 

 the Singfo Gams, acknowledging our sovereignty, and likewise Ambassa- 

 dors from the tract beyond the Irawadi, in latitude twenty-five to twenty- 

 six ; Burmans and Shams were present — the latter from Munglchang, west 

 of the Irawadi, in latitude twenty-five— the former from various parts of 

 their own empire, and from the source of the Irawadi we had many Khamtis 

 among the population of the place. From Yunan we had two Chinese, who 



natives. The Kings of Asam are sometimes obliged to chastise them, but in general they contrive 

 to secure the friendship and protection of their Chiefs, by trifling presents. The country is covered 

 with extensive forests, with a few spots cleared up, with very little industry and skill. Tigers are 

 very numerous, and very bold." 



