It lies in the third and fourth climates. Its length from Ḳambar Ver to Kishan Ganga is 120 kós, and its breadth from 10 to 25 kós. On the east are Paristán and the river Chenáb: on the south-east Bánihál and the Jammú mountains: on the north-east, Great Tibet: on the west, Pakli and the Kishen Ganga river: on the south-west, the Gakkhar country: on the north-west, Little Tibet. It is encompassed on all sides by the Himalayan ranges. Twenty-six different roads lead into Hindustán but those by Bhimbhar* and Pakli are the best and are generally practicable on horseback. The first mentioned is the nearest and it has several routes of which three are good, viz., (1) Hasti Bhanj* which was the former route for the march of troops; (2) Pir Panjál,* which His Majesty has thrice traversed on his way to the rose garden of Kashmír. If on these hills an ox or a horse be killed, storm clouds and wind arise with a fall of snow and rain; (3) Tangtalah.
The country is enchanting, and might be fittingly called a garden of perpetual spring surrounding a citadel terraced to the skies, and deservedly appropriate to be either the delight of the worldling or the retired abode of the recluse. Its streams are sweet to the taste, its waterfalls music to the ear, and its climate is invigorating. The rain and snowfall are similar to that of Turkestán and Persia and its periodical rains occur at the same season as in Hindustán. The lands are artificially watered* or dependent on rain for irrigation. The flowers are enchanting fill the heart with delight. Violets, the red rose and wild narcissus cover the plains. To enumerate its flora would be impossible. Its spring and autumn are extremely beautiful. The houses are all of wood and are of four stories and some of more, but it is not the custom to enclose them. Tulips* are grown on the roofs which present a lovely sight in the spring time. Cattle and sundry stores are kept in the lower storey, the second contains the family apartments, and in the third and fourth are the household chattels. On account of the abundance of wood and the constant earthquakes, houses of stone and brick are not built, but the ancient temples inspire astonishment. At the present day many of them are in ruins. Woollen fabrics are made in high perfection, especially shawls which are sent as valuable gifts to every clime. But the bane of this country is its people* yet strange to say, notwithstanding its numerous population and the scantiness of the means of subsistence, thieving and begging are rare. Besides plums and mulberries, the fruits are numerous. Melons, apples, peaches, apricots are excellent. Although grapes are in plenty, the finer qualities are rare and the vines bear on mulberry trees. The mulberry is little eaten, its leaves being reserved for the silkworm. The eggs are brought from Gilgit and Little Tibet, in the former of which they are procured in greater abundance and are more choice. The food of the people is chiefly rice, wine, fish and various vegetables, and the last mentioned they dry and preserve. Rice is cooked and kept over night to be eaten. Though sháli rice is plentiful, the finest quality is not obtainable. Wheat is small in grain and black in colour, and there is little of it, and* little consumed. Gram* and barley are nowhere found. They have a species of sheep* which they call Hándú delicate and sweet in flavour and wholesome. Apparel is generally of wool, a coat of which will last for some years. The horses are small, strong, and traverse difficult ground. There are neither elephants nor camels. The cows are black and ill-shaped, but give excellent milk and butter. There are artificers of various kinds who might be deservedly employed in the greatest cities. The bazár system is little in use, as a brisk traffic is carried on at their own places of business. Snakes, scorpions and other venomous reptiles are not found in the cities. There is a mountain called Mahádeva and in any spot whence its summit can be seen, no snake exists, but fleas,* lice, gnats and flies are very common. From the general use of pellet-bows which are fitted with bow-strings, sparrows are very scarce. The people take their pleasure in skiffs upon the lakes, and their hawks strike the wild-fowl in mid-air and bring them to the boats, and sometimes they hold them down in the water in their talons, and stand on them, presenting an exciting spectacle.
Stags and partridges likewise afford sport and the leopard too is tracked. The carriage of goods is effected by boat, but men also carry great loads over the most difficult country. Boatmen and carpenters drive a thriving trade. The Bráhman class is very numerous.
Although Kashmír has a dialect* of its own, their learned books are in the Sanskrit language. They have a separate character which they use for manuscript work, and they write chiefly on Túz which is the bark of a tree,* worked into sheets with some rude art and which keeps for years. All their ancient documents are written on this. Their ink is so prepared as to be indelible by washing. Although, in ancient times, the learning of the Hindús was in vogue, at the present day, various sciences are studied and their knowledge is of a more general character. Their astrological art and astronomy are after the manner of the Hindús. The majority of the narrow-minded conservatives of blind tradition are Sunnis, and there are some Imámis and Núr Bakshis,* all perpetually at strife with each other. These are chiefly from Persia and Turkestán. Their musicians are exceeding many and all equally monotonous, and with each note they seem to dig their nails into your liver. The most respectable class in this country is that of the Bráhmans, who notwithstanding their need of freedom from the bonds of tradition and custom, are true worshippers of God.
They do not loosen the tongue of calumny against those not of their faith, nor beg nor importune. They employ themselves in planting fruit trees, and are generally a source of benefit to the people. They abstain from flesh-meat and do not marry. There are about two thousand of this class.
The Tolah* in this country is 16 máshas, each mashá being equal to 6 surkhs. The gold mohur weighs 16 dánis, each dáni equalling 6 surkhs, being 4 surkhs more than the ordinary mohurs of Delhi. Rop Sásnú* is a silver coin of 9 máshas. The panchhu is of copper, equal to the fourth of a dám and is called kasérah. One-fourth of this is the bahgagni, of which again one-fourth is called shakri.
| 4 | kasérahs=1 | ráhat. | |
| 40 | kasérahs=1 | sásnú. | |
| 1½ | sásnú =1 | sikkah. | |
| 100 | sikkahs =1 | lakh | which, according to the imperial estimate, is |
equal to one thousand dáms.
The whole country is regarded as holy ground by the Hindú sages. Forty-five shrines are dedicated to Mahadeva, sixty-four to Vishnu, three to Brahmá, and twenty-two to Durga. In seven hundred places there are graven images of snakes which they worship and regarding which wonderful legends are told.*
Srinagar is the capital and is 4 farsakhs in length. The rivers Bihat, Már, and Lachmahkul* flow through it. The last-mentioned runs occasionally dry: the second, at times, becomes so shallow that boats cannot pass. This has been a flourishing city from ancient times* and the home of artificers of various kinds. Beautiful shawls are woven, and they manufacture woollen stuffs* extremely soft. Durmah, paṭṭú and other woollen materials are prepared but the best are brought from Tibet. Mír Sayyid Ali Hamadáni* resided for some time in this city, and a monastery founded by him still preserves his memory. To the east is a high hill known as the Koh i Sulaimán, and adjoining the city are two large lakes always full of water, and it is remarkable that their water will not deteriorate in good savour and wholesomeness for any length of time provided that their free exit is undisturbed.