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JUNE, 1876.]
VILLAGES IN THE HIMALAYAS, &c.
165
one precipice, a solid mass of rock to the height proximately correct, will give a good idea of of 4000 feet, with apparently scarcely a blade of the resources of a large and prosperous comgrass or a single tree; yet up this lies my path muníty in these valleys :to-morrow, although from my point of view it Kamrû was once the residence of the Rajas looks inaccessible. Around the village, in the of Bissehir, and is situated in the beantiful terrace fields, chukor (Caccabis chukor), a large valley of the Baspå. It is built of wood and partridge, abounded, and I secured some of stone mixed, at the end of a rocky spur overthem in the evening. They are noble birds, looking its own fields, and contains aboutand a great addition to the larder.
25 zamindârs, i.e. taxpayers and land"July 21.-Off at 5 P.M., descending to the bed holders; say, 25 brothers to ditto, i.e. not paying of the torrent, lying perhaps 1000 feet below. taxes; This I crossed by a very dirty much-melted | 22 or 23 women, and about 40 children; snow-bridge. No path had been followed in the 1 6 coolies or artizans holding no land, paying descent, which, like the ascent now to be made, no taxes, and feeding generally on grain for consisted of loose broken stones, chiefly slate. their services; It took me till 10 A.m. to climb to within about 2 musicians, for temple worship. 1000 feet of the summit, and here all rested for Next a rough estimate of crop-400 mans a little water. By the water were lovely flowers of 80 lbs. each. amongst the barren rocks, and I caught by the Cattle-including oxen, cows, and calves-150. tail and killed a fine snake, as he was slipping Sheep, i.e. rams and ewes, 250; goats 400. away, which measured 4 feet 2 inches. Forward Sheep for lading (wethers), 250. again and the crest (some 14,000 feet) is gained. Say, eaten in one year at festivals, 50 sheep; Here all join in building a pillar of stones, sick 25; leaving 225 sheep fit for work at one and I, sitting down, draw and colour one or time. Now let us see what profit there will be two of the more perishable of my flowers. The on these same sheep. descent was easier for perhaps 2000 feet, but 1. Home wool: each sheep gives 2 lbs. at after this it was really fearful,- all loose stones; each shearing=4 lbs. each. no trees, no grass, no water, and scarcely a Sold in Râmpúr at 5 lbs. for 28. = £9 10s. little shrub. At last all reach safely the bed Less the cost of carriage, 88. leaves £9 2s. of another torrent, blocked with dirty snow Foreign wool purchased in Tibet : 2 sheep and huge rocks. From this an ascent of 500 | = 1 rupee or 28. = £1 28. plus cost of carriage, feet led me to a little terrace scooped from 68., for 400 lbs. weight. the hill side, perhaps eight feet by fifteen in Salt and grain :area. Here I pitch my little tent, and am glad la. Salt is bought in Tibet: 7 to rest after my weary walk of twelve miles
6 lbs. of wheat.
= 4 lbs. of only."
11. Salt sold in Râmserâi salt. But enough from my diary. What I have
Valley : 5 lbs. of rice. extracted will show the character of the country, At the rate of 1 lb. of salt = 9 lbs. of wheat which of course modifies that of the people = 4 rice=12) barley. in a great degree. It will also give an idea of 2a. Plus carriage 1} months = 11 men to 225 what travelling in these parts means. There sheep = 33 days. are no roads, but only footpaths, and these are 26. Plus carriage, 18 days = 22 men to 450 often more fit for the mountain goat than for a sheep = 33 sheep. I roan; and this brings me very naturally to the | Leaving clear for profit 159 sheep. traffic carried on by these villages in the neces- Cost of sheep (original) 68. each, value saries of life.
£4 78. 101d. When halting at Kamrů, in the valley of Cost of sheep's keep for 9 months (unem. the Baspå river, an affluent of the Satlej, I ployed), 5 months at 4s. per annum--say, cripprepared the following statistics, which, apples and casualties 25 sheep = £9.
† Although polyandry prevaile, I hold the women, as calculated by my native friend, at too low a figure.
This apparent difference arises from food for men and
beant having to be carried in either case, in the one case for 18 days, and in the other 45 days!
