INTRODUCTORY. 
7 
Mirza SMdi arrived in Lahore at the end of 1809, 
and after a halt of some weeks went on to Calcutta, 
where he had an interview with Lord Mayo. 
Amongst other things, he requested, on behalf of his 
master, that a British officer should be sent back with 
him on a friendly visit to the Court of the Atalik 
Ghazi, as a proof that our Grovernment wished to be 
on friendly terms with that of Yarkand. Lord Mayo 
determined to comply with this request, and in 
selecting an officer the choice naturally fell on Mr. 
T. D. Forsyth, C.B., Commissioner of the Jalandhar 
Division, who for many years had devoted much 
attention to Central Asian matters. 
The visit to Yarkand was to be merely a friendly 
visit to the Atalik Grhazi. It was to be regarded in 
no sense as a mission, and to have no political objects. 
Mr. Forsyth was instructed to abstain from taking 
any part in the political questions that might be 
agitated, or disputes that might arise, beyond 
advising the Atalik Ghazi that he would best consult 
the interests of his kingdom by a watchful, just, and 
vigorous Government ; by strengthening the defences 
of his frontier, and above all by abstaining from 
interference in the political affairs of other states, or 
from mixing in the quarrels of chiefs or tribes 
which did not directly concern his own interests. 
Mr. Forsyth was to endeavour to obtain the fullest 
information possible regarding the prospects of 
trade ; the Indian staples that were most in demand ; 
the resources of Yarkand and neighbouring countries, 
their past and present history, and generally any 
information which might be considered of interest. 
Whilst Mirza Shadi halted in Lahore before going 
