S6 
Route from Peltang-yeh 
[March 
delicious water, which might soon be collected in some quantities. From this to 
Nodun the road is pretty good, and gi'adually ascends : from this latter place to 
Kanajh, it winds along the side of high conical mountains ; the precipices on the 
outer side are very steep, and the road in some places has been washed away : this 
might soon be remedied, as the slope down to the inner side is not very steep, and 
the soil is a red loose clay. There is also a small spring on the north side, and 
some good forage for cattle. Descending one mile further through a deep bamboo 
jungle, we arrived at an open spot called Waddah, where we halted. This day’s 
march, though only 6 miles 2 furlongs, was the most fatiguing ; — first the descent 
of the mountain, then the various obstacles the enemy had placed in the way ; such 
as trees felled across the road, abatis, &c. &c., detained us until 5 in the evening. 
The baggage did not come up until 9 or 10 o’clock, and a number of bullocks 
dropped down with thirst and fatigue, and, together with three elephants, were left 
behind and eventually abandoned in spite of every exertion that was used to bring 
them on. We marched next morning to Ser6ah on the Aeng river : the road runs 
along, in general, the slopes of the ridge, and is well made with occasional ascents, 
but the descents were more gradual: the distance is 10 miles 6 furlongs, and the 
joy we felt at seeing once more the clear waters of a river after two day’s priva- 
tion, may be easily conceived. The ground is open, and affords excellent pasturage; 
the jungle abounds in wild elephants, a herd of which were seen by the guides, 
and their traces were, discernible in every direction : the wild plantain tree is in 
great plenty, and affords them food. 
On leaving Serdali the road ascends an abrupt declivity, and then winds 
along a succession of low ranges, and crosses eight mountain torrents, over which 
remarkable well constructed bridges of teak wood had been thrown, but they are 
now going fast to decay, and some are in complete ruin. Two miles further we re- 
crossed the Aeng river, having the bills entirely to the right. The road then runs 
through a flat country, covered with deep jungle and numerous plantain trees, 
Three miles further we again crossed the river ; the road is a perfect bowling green, 
and passes through a deep forest, abounding in wild elephants, and continues to 
Aeng ; total distance 35 miles 3 furlongs. 
This village, which from its situation, has been the emporium of commerce 
between Burmali and Aracan, is now nearly deserted. All its former Burmese 
inhabitants have fled, justly dreading the retaliation which their own despotic 
injustice demanded. About 20 Mug families and a few Kyanns are now its only 
inhabitants : it is situated on a peninsula formed by a river of the same name and 
some other streams. The former is navigable at high water for boats drawing 
from 4 to .> feet water. Y essels of greater burden can approach within 5 or 6’ 
miles to this place. YVe cut a road through a deep jungle, and embarked on the 
5th of April, on board three gun boats and four flotillas, sent by Commodore 
Hayes, and arrived at Amherst Harbour on the morning of the 10 th when the 
detachment embarked, the right wing under Captain Ross, and public followers 
on board the transport Robarts, — the left wing and pioneers on board the Mermaid. 
” e took our final departure from Chedubah on the 19th April, and arrived in 
Madras Roads on the 23rd May, 1826. 
General Remarks on the origin of the Road ; on the Commerce between Rurmak 
the Mountain* °* ^ Customs and Manner* of the Kyanns, the Inhabitants of 
This road, which may be safely called the Simplon of the East, was begun in 
the year 1816, during the reign of Mendarfiji Pivi, who employed 560 men for 
that purpose under the superintendence of the Thehdwd-YVun and the other 
chiefs through whose territories it passed, the whole plan being previously hud 
the Wn s„m y tl ;% engm r S 01 l e a lng ‘ In tUe be 2 innin 2 of 1817; the road towards 
were Pmn 1 1 °™! We f ' V ' aS n6arl > r fmished > 200 men in addition 
were employed, who completed the work to the eastward as far as Shu-Clmtob. 
In the ™ nce r nt the different Poparts and merchants, who carried 
two countries, finding a facility of conveyance for 
their merchandize, became more adventurous and enterprising, forming regular 
caiavans for crossing the mountains during the months of January, February, 
Bu r i n e. se'^G o v e rnme n t ^wi ' v b 1 c bt b e Monsoon shuts out all communfcation. The 
of exacting inv necuniarv i * P ° *7 Ie ? s advanta 8 eo «s than well timed, instead 
them ; ^ pecuniary tax, only stipulated that merchants should carry with 
In variZ 7ace" t *** ^ ^ widening the road 
ing places that could bl fm nd * Tl a " d m c "“ mg • >athwa l' s to the different water- 
g p aces mat could he lound. Tims m a • few years, through the policy of the 
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