351 
1892.] H. G. Raverty —The Mihrdn of Sind and its Tributaries. 
There is an old and minor branch of the Ghin-ab, which must not 
be passed over, since it has been mistaken for the ancient channel of 
the Rawi, 363 whereas the former river passed this minor branch of the 
Ohin-ab four or five miles farther east. I refer to the Loll Wa-han 
(lAG l 5 ^)> “which nahr is supposed by some,” according to my 
Survey record, “ to have been originally cut from the Ohin-ab, about 
ten or twelve huroh above Multan. In more recent times, after that 
river altered its former course east of that place to the west side, it 
has been neglected, and has gone to ruin. It becomes full during the 
periodical inundations of that river, and passes north of the fortress, 
close under the walls, on the side on which stands the tomb of the 
Rukn-i-’Alam, then runs towards the south to Kot-i-Shuja’ Khan, and 
is used for irrigation purposes, or lost in the thirsty soil. Except in the 
time of the inundations it is nearly dry.” A few years since, it 
was a mere marsh near the north wall of the fortress of Multan, and, 
probably is so still. 
353 At page 205, Yol. I., of Elliot’s “ Historians,” it is stated, that “ Mnliammad 
Kasim’s forces, [Muhammad, the conqueror of Sind, was Kasim’s so?i] found no 
suitable place for digging a mine until a person came out of the fort [of Multan], 
and sued for mercy. He pointed out a place towards the north, on the banks 
of a river.” In a foot note, the learned Editor has, “ —This can hardly 
•* 
mean the main river.” Hardly ; for the Lolf Wa-han is referred to or a similar 
small channel. 
Cunningham (“ Ancient India,” page 142) says : “ The Ravi formerly sur¬ 
rounded the fortress of Multan, and its bed is still traceable. In seasons of heavy 
rains the waters flow to Multan. This agrees with the statement that Alexander 
circumnavigated the fortress [supposing that Multan is referred to, perhaps ?].” 
See note 348, page 345. 
The river “bed” the writer refers to is the Lolx Wa-han, so changed in the 
course of ninety-five years as to be scarcely recognizable, but it was not the Rawi. 
He appears to have forgotten that there is a canal from the Oliin-ab, passing close to 
Multan on the west, navigable, and actually called the Sikandar-abad canal, and, 
of course, must have been cut by order of Alexander, for have we not his name 
here ? 
He also “identifies Atari,” about twenty miles W-S-W. of Tulanbah on the 
high road to Multan, which is really called Atari-Walah, of recent origin, founded 
by a Sikh of that family name, near ivhich are the ruins he refers to, as “ the city 
of the Brahmans which made such a stout defence against Alexander. ## # Cur¬ 
tins says Alexander went completely round the citadel (of Multan) in a boat, which 
is probable enough [if the river flowed by it instead of a score miles farther 
north or south] as its ditch was no doubt capable of being filled at pleasure from 
the river.” Why not have fixed upon Shahr-chah, near which is the tomb of “ Shaikh 
Abdool Hakeem,” of the maps, seven miles and a half west of Tulanbah ? It is 
the site of an ancient city of great size. 
