It is situated in the third climate. Its length from the river Satlaj (Sutlej) to the Sind river is 180 kós. Its breadth from Bhimbar to Chaukhandi one of the dependencies of Satgarah,* 86 kós. It is bounded on the east by Sirhind; on the north by Kashmír; on the south by Bikanér and Ajmer; on the west by Multán. It has six principal rivers which all flow from the northern mountains.
(1.) The Sutlej the ancient name of which is Shattudar* and whose source is in the Káhlór hills. Rúpar, Máchhíwárah and Lúdhiánah are situated on its banks, and it receives the Biáh at the Bauh* ferry.
(2.) The Biáh (Beás) was anciently called Bipásha, (Sansk. Vipasa Gr. Hyphasis). Its source is named Biahkund in the Kullu mountains in the vicinity of which the town of Sulṭánpúr* stands above the river.
(3.) The Ravi, the ancient I´rawati,* rises in the Bhadrál* hills. Lahor the capital, is situated on its banks.
(4.) The Chenáb, anciently Chandarbhágá. From the summit of the Khatwár* range issue two sweet water streams, the one called Chandar, the other Bhágá which unite near Khatwár and are known by the above name whence they flow by Bahlólpúr, Súdharah and Hazárah.
(5.) The Bihat,* anciently called Bidasta, has its rise in a lake in the parganah of Vér in Kashmír, flows through Srinagar and enters Hindustán. Bhérah* lies on its (left) bank.
(6.) The source of the Sindh (Indus) is placed by some between Kashmír and Káshghar, while others locate it in China. It flows along the borders of the Sawád territory by Aṭak Benares* and Chaupárah into Balúchistán.
His Majesty has given the name of Béth Jálandhar to the valley between the Biáh and the Satlaj; of Bári, to that between the Biáh and the Rávi; of Rechna to that between the Rávi and the Chenáb; of Jenhaṭ* to the valley of the Chenáb and the Bihat, and Sindh Ságar to that of the Bihat and Sindh. The distance*
| between | the | Satlaj | and the | Biáh | is | 50 | kós. |
| ” | ” | Biáh | ” | Rávi | ” | 17 | ” |
| ” | ” | Rávi | ” | Chenáb | ” | 30 | ” |
| ” | ” | Chenáb | ” | Bihat | ” | 20 | ” |
| ” | ” | Bihat | ” | Sindh | ” | 68 | ” |
This province is populous, its climate healthy and its agricultural fertility rarely equalled. The irrigation is chiefly from wells. The winter though not as rigorous as in Persia and Turkestán, is more severe than in any other part of India. Through the encouragement given by His Majesty, the choicest productions of Turkestán, Persia and Hindustán are to be found here. Musk-melons are to be had throughout the whole year. They come first in season when the sun is in Taurus and Gemini, (April, May, June,) and a later crop when he is in Cancer and Leo (June, July, August). When the season is over, they are imported from Kashmír and from Kábul, Badakshán and Turkestán. Snow is brought down every year from the northern mountains. The horses resemble the Iráḳ breed and are of excellent mettle. In some parts of the country, they employ themselves in washing the soil whence gold, silver, copper, rúi,* zinc, brass and lead are obtained. There are skilful handicraftsmen of various kinds.
Láhor is a large city in the Bari Doáb. In size and population it is among the first. In ancient astronomical tables it is recorded as Loháwar. Its longitude is 109° 22', lat. 31° 50'.* During the present reign the fortifications and citadel have been strengthened with brick masonry and as it was on several occasions the seat of government, many splendid buildings have been erected and delightful gardens have lent it additional beauty. It is the resort of people of all countries whose manufactures present an astonishing display and it is beyond measure remarkable in populousness and extent.
Nagarkót is a city situated on a hill: its fort is called Kángṛah. Near the town is the shrine of Mahamáyá* which is considered as a manifestation of the divinity. Pilgrims from distant parts visit it and obtain their desires. Strange it is that in order that their prayers may be favourably heard, they cut out their tongues: with some it grows again on the spot, with others after one or two days. Although the medical faculty allow the possibility of growth in the tongue, yet in so short space of time it is sufficiently amazing. In the Hindú mythology, Máhamaya is said to be the wife of Mahádeva, and the learned of this creed represent by this name the energizing power of the deity. It is said that on beholding the disrespect (shown to her husband, ´Siva) she cut herself in pieces and her body fell in four places; her head and some of her limbs in the northern mountains of Kashmír near Kamráj, and these relics are called Sháradá: other parts fell near Bíjápúr in the Deccan and are known as Tuljá (Turja) Bhawáni. Such portions as reached the eastern quarter near Kamrúp are called Kámákhya,* and the remnant that kept its place is celebrated as Jálandhari which is this particular spot.*
In the vicinity torch-like flames issue from the ground in some places, and others resemble the blaze of lamps.* There is a concourse of pilgrims and various things are cast into the flames with the expectation of obtaining temporal blessings. Over them a domed temple has been erected and au astonishing crowd assembles therein. The vulgar impute to miraculous agency what is simply the effect of a mine of brimstone.
In the middle of Sindh Ságar near Shamsábád is the cell of Bálnáth Jogi which they call Tilah Bálnáth.* Devotees of Hindustán regard it with veneration and Jogis especially make pilgrimage to it. Rock-salt is found in this neighbourhood. There is a mountain 20 kós in length from which they excavate it, and some of the workmen carry it out. Of what is obtained, three-fourths is the share of those that excavate and one-fourth is allotted to the carriers. Merchants purchase it at from half to two dáms a man and transport it to distant countries. The landowner takes 10 dáms for every carrier and the merchant pays a duty of one rupee for every 17 man to the state. From this salt artificers make dishes, dish-covers, plates and lamp-stands.
The five Doábs of this province are subdivided into 234 parganahs. The measured land is one krór, 61 lakhs, 55,643 Bíghas, and 3 Biswas. The gross revenue is 55 krórs, 94 lahhs, 58,423 dáms. (Rs. 1,398,646-9-2). Of this 98 lakhs, 65,594 dáms. (Rs. 246,639-13-7) are Suyúrghál. The local force consists of 54,480 Cavalry and 426,086 Infantry.