1862.] 
265 
An account of Upper and Lower Suwdt. 
here the villages will be found lower down towards the centre of the 
valley. These villages lying lower down have from the windings of 
the river, and the different branches into which it separates as 
already stated, streams of water running through them, very often, 
indeed, more than there is any need of. The villages at the foot of 
the different hills also, have, generally, small streams flowing close 
by towards the main river. 
From Allah-ddandd to Chhar-bagh on the wucliah side of the 
valley; and from Chak-darah to Banddf on the lanwdah , which 
places face each other, the villages are small and very close together; 
i 
whilst lower down the valley towards the south-west, and higher up 
towards the north-east, the villages are larger, and at a greater dis¬ 
tance apart, often from two to three miles. 
In the more elevated parts of the valley, where rice is not culti¬ 
vated, the land lying between the villages and the rise of the moun¬ 
tains, is set apart for wheat and barley, and is dependent entirely on 
rain for irrigation. 
The Afghan tribes, like all Muhammadans, have a great respect 
for the last resting-places of their own dead, at least; but the Suwa- 
tis seem to feel little compunction or respect on this head. I have 
already mentioned that the strip of land lying between the villages 
and the rise of the mountains, is set apart for the cultivation of 
wheat and barley, and that, in that land also, their burying grounds 
are situated. After a few years they allow these fields to lie fallow 
for some time and plough up all the burying grounds, and, in future, 
bury the dead in the fallow land! This may be consequent on the 
small quantity of land available for purposes of agriculture ; but still, 
it appears a very horrible custom. 
On such occasions as I have referred to, they get as many ploughs 
together as the village contains ; and preparatory to the commence¬ 
ment of operations, it is customary to cry out to the dead : “ Look 
to yourselves! tuck up your legs: the plough is coming!” after 
which they set to work and plough up the whole. They, however, 
appear to have some respect for persons who may have been of any 
repute among them, and do not disturb their graves; neither do 
they disturb the graves of those who may have been slain whilst 
fighting against the Kafirs or infidels; for such are held in the light 
of martyrs. 
2 m 2 
