1892.J H. G. Raverty —The Mihrdn of Sind and its Tributaries. 377 
Biah (if such extensive tracts, here and there depressed, in which 
these rivers have flowed from time to time, can be called valleys), and 
this elevated tract extends from about twenty-one miles in breadth 
between Kasur and Labor, but decreases in one place, lower down, to 
about eight miles, but it soon increases again to about seventeen miles 
in breadth. 382 
This elevated plateau, which consists of a stiff, clayey surface, was 
capable of irrigation, and therefore of cultivation, by means of wells 
and water-cuts, of which there are numerous remains still to be seen, 
on the northern or Rawi side in particular. This was before the Rawi 
and Biah deserted these well-defined high banks ; but who shall pre¬ 
sume to say where they were, or whether they existed at all twenty-two 
centuries since, and what mighty geological changes have taken place in 
the interim ? 383 On the south or Biah side, where the plateau rises 
abruptly from the surrounding country to the height of some twenty 
feet or more, it is about forty feet above the level of the country below, 
but it slopes gradually away towards the north or Hawi side, the slope 
there being about half of what it is on the other, and in some places, 
where it rises abruptly from the plain, the height is about ten feet, 
and in some places only five. 88i The many and various signs of pros¬ 
perity, in the shape of mounds covered with fragments of bricks and 
pottery, the sites of towns, villages, and fortified places, 385 clearly show 
that this, now totally waste, tract of country, was once in a flourishing 
state, and supported a considerable population. This tract forms part 
382 This elevated tract effectually prevented the Biah from following the 
other rivers in their inclination westwards, and hence it took a totally opposite 
course, and inclined eastwards and met the Sutlaj half way. See the heights of 
different places around given in note 387, next page. 
333 Volcanic action, and physical alterations have, in many places farther 
west, changed the courses of rivers in past ages, and certainly this part was not 
exempt from similar changes. I have mentioned the great flood in the northern 
parts of the Panj-ab tei'ritory ; and this very part here noticed, from its geological 
formation, bears evidence of some such change in by-gone days. See note 307, 
page 305. 
38-1 This tract is locally known as the dhaiya, signifying in Hindi, ‘ declivity,’ 
* slope,’ ‘ fall,’ etc. Combined with tekar, ‘ rising ground,’ the compound word— 
dhaiya-tekar —is used as an adjective to signify ‘ desolation,’ ‘ ruin,’ waste,’ etc. 
The crest of this dhaiyd forms great part of the Ganji Bar previously noticed. 
In other districts it is also known as dhah and ndka. 
336 Hence the absurdity of attempting to “fix” upon modern places as an¬ 
cient sites, and “ identifying” them with places mentioned by the Greeks. 
Numerous ancient wells remain scattered over the Ganji Bar, as well as in 
other now completely waste tracts in the Bari Do-abah, in the Ghugherah or 
Montgomery, and the Multan districts, but the water, at present, lies a considerable 
distance below the interior brickwork. 
W W 
