1830 .] 
Route from Pehang-yeh, fyc. 
83 
II. — Narrative of the Route marched hy the 1 8th Regt. M. N. I. from 
Pelcang-yeh , on the I'rrawadi River, to Aeng, in Arajcan. By 
Lieut. W. Bisset, Q. M. G. D. 
The detachment of the 18th "Regiment N. I., 50 pioneers, and 3 6 elephants, ar- 
rived at Pekaog-yeh from Yanpabu on the 13th March, after a pleasant march of 
eight days; and immediately commenced crossing the river, hy means of canoes 
furnished by Moonva, the Thendy\v6-Wun, who was employed by the Burmese 
Government for the purpose of giving us safe conduct through their territories. 
The elephants being sent up the bank some considerable distance, crossed a 
narrow channel to an island, from whence they swam over without difficulty. The 
14th was employed in crossing the remainder of the commissariat and baggage, 
which was effected towards evening, with the loss of only three ponies and six bul- 
locks. The breadth of the river is 1150 yards. 
We marched on the afternoon of the 15th, and passing through a highly cultivat- 
ed country, arrived at Sembigyhn, a distance of six miles. This once extensive 
village is situated in a fine plain on the banks of the Chil^n river, and was wan- 
tonly burnt to the ground by the Burmese army on their retreat from Melun, 
to prevent the inhabitants remaining and affording ns any supplies or assistance : it 
is surrounded by gardens, affording plenty of fruit and vegetables. The country 
produces Indian corn, China raggi, cholum and coulti, together with abundance 
of rice. The roads in the neighbourhood are extremely good, but must be totally 
inundated during the rains. The best ground for encampment is on the banks of 
the river to the southward of the village, nearly opposite the village of Mokten. 
We marched on the morning of the lfith, and arrived at Childn Myfi, dis- 
tance six miles ; the country remains nearly the same, and as well inhabited. The 
village, as well as the houses in the stockade, have suffered the same fate as 
Sembigyhn, and from similar reason. The fort is of too great antiquity to trace 
with any certainty tlie date of its origin, in a country where early history is lost 
in fiction ; but it is, no doubt, of great antiquity. A stockade was built in 1824, 
round the site of the old for t, and embraces in many places the remains of a brick 
wall, now fast crumbling to decay. The position is excellent, and might form a 
complete island at the will of the besieged, by merely cutting the band of the great 
tank, which is only 200 yards from the south gateway. The weakest point is on 
the north face, where the besiegers would have good cover behind a cluster of pa- 
godas within 300 yards of the walls. We encamped on the band of the great tank, 
on the south side of the stockade ; the ground is good, and produces great quanti- 
ties of rice *. we were informed two crops annually. 
On the 17tli we marched to Paungtehang, distance 9 miles, 2 furlongs, and 
encamped on the hanks of an extensive jh.il, formed by the inundations of the 
Fra wadi, which is not more than three miles distant from this ; the road, which is 
tolerably good, winds along the banks of the jhil which we then forded it is about 
240 yards broad, and runs inland towards Patodio. Half a mile further we recrosscd 
it, and ascended a low ghat to Manisliatwah pagoda, from whence we descended to 
Cu&zi, a large village, having some boilers for saltpetre, which is found in the 
neighbourhood: from thence to Conzafing the country is well cultivated. This 
village is on the Mb river, and contains 3000 inhabitants. 1 he river (which is 
the southern boundary of the Chilbn district), is fordable in the dry season, but is 
navigable for large boats during the monsoon. This district is accounted the 
largest and richest in tiie Burmese empire, and contains 200000 inhabitants. On 
the breaking out of the war it furnished 10000 soldiers, 5000 of whom went down 
the country with Malta Bandula ; few, however, have yet returned. We at rived that 
evening atLehdin : total distance 15£ miles. This village (formerly very extensive, 
and which gave its name to a district containing 24 villages and 10000 inhabi- 
tants,) is now of little consequence : it is well situated, and contains some 
some pagodas. The surrounding plain is covered with rice cultivation, vhich 
appears very luxuriant. . _ 
We marched on the 18th to Hivensah, a distance of 14| nnles, and passed 
through a highly interesting country, studded with villages and covered with cul- 
tivation ; the road is also particularly good. Ynah-seh-khuog is a large village, 
well inhabited: between it and Pbnsloh the road leads over a small artificial 
nullah, the water of which is brought from the Mani river, by means or embank- 
ments ; it not only serves to irrigate the neighbouring country, but is also used as 
& canal, by which rafts of bamboos are floated down, which is no inconsiderable 
