Chapter 2 (2)

Daud Khan, the founder of Daudputra, was a native of Shikarpur, west of the Indus, where he acquired too much power for a subject, and consequently drew upon himself the arms of his sovereign of Kandahar. Unable to cope with them, he abandoned his native place, passed his family and effects across the Indus, and followed them into the desert. The royal forces pursued, and coming up with him at Sutiala, Daud had no alternative but to surrender, or destroy the families who impeded his flight or defence. He acted the Rajput, and faced his foes; who, appalled at this desperate act, deemed it unwise to attack him, and retreated. Daud Khan, with his adherents, then settled in the _kachhi_, or flats of Sind, and gradually extended his authority into the _thal_. He was succeeded by Mubarik Khan; he, by his nephew Bahawal Khan, whose son is Sadik Muhammad Khan, the present lord of Bahawalpur, or Daudputra, a name applied both to the country and to its possessors, “the children of David.”[8.2.58] It was Mubarik who deprived the Bhattis of the district called Khadal, so often mentioned in the Annals of Jaisalmer, and whose chief town is Derawar, founded by Rawal Deoraj in the eighth century; and where the successor of Daud established his abode. Derawar was at that time inhabited by a branch of the Bhattis, broken off at a very early period, its chief holding the title of Rawal, and whose family since their expulsion have resided at Ghariala, belonging to Bikaner, on [325] an allowance of five rupees a day, granted by the conqueror. The capital of the “sons of David” was removed to the south bank of the Gara by Bahawal Khan (who gave it his name), to the site of an old Bhatti city, whose name I could not learn. About thirty years ago[8.2.59] an army from Kandahar invaded Daudputra, invested and took Derawar, and compelled Bahawal Khan to seek protection with the Bhattis at Bikampur. A negotiation for its restoration took place, and he once more pledged his submission to the Abdali king, and having sent his son Mubarik Khan as a hostage and guarantee for the liquidation of the imposition, the army withdrew. Mubarik continued three years at Kabul, and was at length restored to liberty and made Khan of Bahawalpur, on attempting which he was imprisoned by his father, and confined in the fortress of Khangarh, where he remained nearly until Bahawal Khan’s death. A short time previous to this, the principal chiefs of Daudputra, namely, Badera Khairani, chief of Mozgarh, Khudabakhsh of Traihara, Ikhtiyar Khan of Garhi, and Haji Khan of Uchh, released Mubarik Khan from Khangarh and they had reached Murara, when tidings arrived of the death of Bahawal Khan. He continued his route to the capital; but Nasir Khan, son of Alam Khan, Gurgecha (Baloch), having formerly injured him and dreading punishment, had him assassinated, and placed his brother, the present chief, Sadik Muhammad, on the masnad: who immediately shut up his nephews, the sons of Mubarik, together with his younger brothers, in the fortress of Derawar. They escaped, raised a force of Rajputs and Purbias, and seized upon Derawar; but Sadik escaladed it, the Purbias made no defence [326], and both his brothers and one nephew were slain. The other nephew got over the wall, but was seized by a neighbouring chief, surrendered, and slain; and it is conjectured the whole was a plot of Sadik Khan to afford a pretext for their death. Nasir Khan, by whose instigation he obtained the masnad, was also put to death, being too powerful for a subject. But the Khairani lords have always been plotting against their liege; an instance of which has been given in the Annals of Bikaner, when Traihara and Mozgarh were confiscated, and the chiefs sent to the castle of Khangarh, the State prison of Daudputra. Garhi still belongs to Abdulla, son of Haji Khan, but no territory is annexed to it. Sadik Muhammad has not the reputation of his father, whom Bijai Singh, of Marwar, used to style his brother. The Daudputras are much at variance amongst each other, and detested by the Bhattis, from whom they have hitherto exacted a tribute to abstain from plunder. The fear of Kandahar no longer exists at Bahawalpur, whose chief is on good terms with his neighbour of Upper Sind, though he is often alarmed by the threats of Ranjit Singh of Lahore, who asserts supremacy over “the children of David.”

=Diseases.=—Of the numerous diseases to which the inhabitants of the desert are subjected, from poor and unwholesome diet, and yet more unwholesome drink, _rataundha_ or night-blindness, the _narua_ or Guinea-worm, and varicose veins, are the most common. The first and last are mostly confined to the poorer classes, and those who are compelled to walk a great deal, when the exertion necessary to extricate the limbs from deep sand, acting as a constant drag upon the elasticity of the fibres, occasions them to become ruptured. Yet such is the force of habit that the natives of Dhat in my service, who had all their lives been plying their limbs as kasids, or carriers of dispatches, between all the cities on the Indus and in Rajputana, complained of the firmer footing of the Indian plains, as more fatiguing than that of their native sandhills. But I never was a convert to the Dhati’s reasoning; with all his simplicity of character, even in this was there vanity, for his own swelled veins, which could be compared to nothing but rattans twisted round the calf of his limbs, if they did not belie his assertion, at least proved that he had paid dearly for his pedestrianism in the desert [327]. From the _narua_, or Guinea-worm, there is no exemption, from the prince to the peasant, and happy is the man who can boast of only one trial. The disease is not confined to the desert and western Rajputana, being far from uncommon in the central States; but beyond the Aravalli the question of “How is your _narua_?” is almost a general form of greeting, so numerous are the sufferers from this malady. It generally attacks the limbs and the integuments of the joints, when it is excruciating almost past endurance. Whether it arises from animalculae in sand or water, or porous absorption of minute particles imbued with the latent vital principle, the natives are not agreed. But the seat of the disease appears immediately under and adhesive to the skin, on which it at first produces a small speck, which, gradually increasing and swelling, at length reaches a state of inflammation that affects the whole system. The worm then begins to move, and as it attains the degree of vitality apparently necessary for extricating itself, its motions are unceasing, and night and day it gnaws the unhappy patient, who only exists in the hope of daily seeing the head of his enemy pierce the cuticle. This is the moment for action: the skilful _narua_-doctor is sent for, who seizes upon the head of the worm, and winding it round a needle or straw, employs it as a windlass, which is daily set in motion at a certain hour, when they wind out as much line as they can without the risk of breaking it. Unhappy the wretch whom this disaster befalls, when, happening to fall into a feverish slumber, he kicks the windlass, and snaps the living thread, which creates tenfold inflammation and suppuration. On the other hand, if by patience and skill it is extracted entire, he recovers. I should almost imagine, when the patriarch of Uz exclaims, “My flesh is clothed with worms: my skin is broken and become loathsome. When I lie down, I say, when shall I arise and the night be gone?” that he must have been afflicted with the _narua_, than which none of the ills that flesh is heir to can be more agonizing.[8.2.60]

They have the usual infantine and adult diseases, as in the rest of India. Of these the _sitala_, or ‘smallpox,’ and the _tijari_, or ‘tertian,’ are the most common. For the first, they merely recommend the little patient to Sitala Mata; and treat the other with astringents in which infusion of the rind of the pomegranate is always (when procurable) an ingredient. The rich, as in other countries, are under the dominion of empirics, who entail worse diseases by administering mineral poisons, of whose effects they are ignorant. Enlargement of the spleen under the influence of these fevers is very common, and its cure is mostly the actual cautery.

=Famines.=—Famine is, however, the grand natural disease of these regions, whose legendary stanzas teem with records of visitations of Bhukhi Mata, the ‘famished mother,’ from the remotest times. That which is best authenticated in the traditions of several of these States, occurred in the eleventh century, and continued during twelve years! It is erroneously connected with the name of Lakha Phulani, who was the personal foe of Siahji, the first Rathor emigrant from Kanauj, and who slew this Robin Hood of the desert in S. 1268 (A.D. 1212). Doubtless the desiccation of the Ghaggar River, in the time of Hamir Sodha, nearly a century before, must have been the cause of this. Every third year they calculate upon a partial visitation, and in 1812 one commenced which lasted three or four years, extending even to the central States of India, when flocks of poor creatures found their way to the provinces on the Ganges, selling their infants, or parting with their own liberty, to sustain existence.[8.2.61]

=Productions, Animal and Vegetable.=—The camel, ‘the ship of the desert,’ deserves the first mention. There he is indispensable; he is yoked to the plough, draws water from the well [328], bears it for his lordly master in _mashaks_, or ‘skins,’ in the passage of the desert, and can dispense with it himself altogether during several days. This quality, the formation of his hoof, which has the property of contracting and expanding according to the soil, and the induration of his mouth, into which he draws by his tongue the branches of the _babul_, the _khair_, and _jawas_, with their long thorns, sharp and hard as needles, attest the beneficence of the Supreme Artist. It is singular that the Arabian patriarch, who so accurately describes the habits of various animals, domestic and ferocious, and who was himself lord of three thousand camels, should not have mentioned the peculiar properties of the camel, though in alluding to the incapacity of the unicorn (rhinoceros) for the plough, he seems indirectly to insinuate the use of others besides the ox for this purpose. The camels of the desert are far superior to those of the plains, and those bred in the _thals_ of Dhat and Barmer are the best of all. The Rajas of Jaisalmer and Bikaner have corps of camels trained for war.[8.2.62] That of the former State is two hundred strong, eighty of which belong to the prince; the rest are the quotas of his chiefs; but how they are rated, or in what ratio to the horsemen of the other principalities, I never thought of inquiring. Two men are mounted on each camel, one facing the head, the other the rear, and they are famous in a retreating action: but when compelled to come to close quarters, they make the camel kneel down, tie his legs, and retiring behind, make a breastwork of his body, resting the matchlock over the pack-saddle. There is not a shrub in the desert that does not serve the camel for fodder.

=The Wild Ass.=—Khar-gadha, Gorkhar, or the wild ass,[8.2.63] is an inhabitant of the desert, but most abounds in the southern part, about Dhat, and the deep _rui_ which extends from Barmer to Bankasar and Baliari, along the north bank of the great Rann, or ‘salt desert.’

=Rojh or Nilgae, Lions, etc.=—The noble species of the deer, the nilgae, is to be met with in numerous parts of the desert; and although it enjoys a kind of immunity from the Rajput of the plains, who may hunt, but do not eat its flesh, here, both for food and for its hide, it is of great use.[8.2.64] Of the other wild animals common to India they have the tiger, fox, jackal, hare, and also the nobler animal, the lion.

=Domestic Animals.=—Of domestic animals, as horses, oxen, cows, sheep, goats, asses, there is no want, and even the last mentioned is made to go in the plough.

Flocks (here termed _chang_) of goats and sheep are pastured in vast numbers in the desert. It is asserted that the goat can subsist without water from the month of Karttik to the middle of Chait, the autumnal to the spring equinox [329]—apparently an impossibility: though it is well known that they can dispense with it during six weeks when the grasses are abundant. In the _thals_ of Daudputra and Bhattipo, they remove to the flats of Sind in the commencement of the hot weather. The shepherds, like their flocks, go without water, but find a substitute in the _chhachh_, or buttermilk, after extracting the butter, which is made into _ghi_, and exchanged for grain, or other necessaries. Those who pasture camels also live entirely upon their milk, and the wild fruits, scarcely ever tasting bread.

=Shrubs and Fruits.=—We have often had occasion to mention the _khair_ or _karil_; the _khejra_, whose pod converted, when dried, into flour, is called _sangri_; the _jhal_, which serves to hut the shepherds, and in Jeth and Raisakh affords them fruit; the _pilu_, used as food;[8.2.65] the _babul_, which yields its medicinal gum; the _ber_, or jujube, which also has a pleasant fruit; all of which serve the camel to browse on, and are the most common and most useful of the shrubs: the _jawas_, whose expressed juice yields a gum used in medicine; the _phog_, with whose twigs they line their wells; and the alkaline plant, the _sajji_, which they burn for its ashes. Of these, the first and last are worthy of a more detailed notice.

The _karil_, or _khair_ (the capparis, or caper-bush), is well known both in Hindustan and the desert: there they use it as a pickle, but here it is stored up as a culinary article of importance. The bush is from ten to fifteen feet in height, spreading very wide; there are no leaves on its evergreen twig-like branches, which bear a red flower, and the fruit is about the size of a large black currant. When gathered, it is steeped for twenty-four hours in water, which is then poured off, and it undergoes, afterwards, two similar operations, when the deleterious properties are carried off; they are then boiled and eaten with a little salt, or by those who can afford it, dressed in ghi and eaten with bread. Many families possess a stock of twenty maunds.

The _sajji_ is a low, bushy plant, chiefly produced in the northern desert, and most abundant in those tracts of Jaisalmer called Khadal, now subject to Daudputra. From Pugal to Derawar, and thence by Muridkot, Ikhtyar Khan-ki-garhi, to Khairpur (Dair Ali), is one extensive _thal_, or desert, in which there are very considerable tracts of low, hard flat, termed _chittram_,[8.2.66] formed by the lodgment of water [330] after rain, and in these spots only is the _sajji_ plant produced. The salt, which is a sub-carbonate of soda, is obtained by incineration, and the process is as follows: Pits are excavated and filled with the plant, which, when fired, exudes a liquid substance that falls to the bottom. While burning, they agitate the mass with long poles, or throw on sand if it burns too rapidly. When the virtue of the plant is extracted, the pit is covered with sand, and left for three days to cool; the alkali is then taken out, and freed from its impurities by some process. The purer product is sold at a rupee the ser (two pounds weight); of the other upwards of forty sers are sold for a rupee. Both Rajputs and Muhammadans pursue this employment, and pay a duty to the lord paramount of a copper pice on every rupee’s worth they sell. Charans and others from the towns of Marwar purchase and transport this salt to the different marts, whence it is distributed over all parts of India. It is a considerable article of commerce with Sind, and entire caravans of it are carried to Bakhar, Tatta, and Cutch. The virtue of the soda is well understood in culinary purposes, a little _sajji_ added to the hard water soon softening the mess of pulse and rice preparing for their meals; and the tobacconists use considerable quantities in their trade, as it is said to have the power of restoring the lost virtues of the plant.

=Grasses.=—Grasses are numerous, but unless accompanied by botanical illustration, their description would possess little interest. There is the gigantic _siwan_, or _siun_, classically known as the _kusa_, and said to have originated the name of Kusa, the second son of Rama, and his race the Kachhwaha. It is often eight feet in height; when young, it serves as provender for animals, and when more mature, as thatch for the huts, while its roots supply a fibre, converted by the weavers into brushes indispensable to their trade. There is likewise the _sarkanda_, the _dhaman_, the _duba_, and various others; besides the _gokhru_, the _papri_, and the _bharut_, which adhering to their garments, are the torment of travellers.[8.2.67]

=Melons.=—Of the cucurbitaceous genus, indigenous to the desert, they have various kinds, from the gigantic _kharbuza_ and the _chitra_, to the dwarf _guar_. The tomato, whose Indian name I have not preserved, is also a native of these regions, and well known in other parts of India.[8.2.68] We shall trespass no further with these details, than to add, that the botanical names of all such trees, shrubs, or grains, as occur in this work, will be given with the general _Index_, to avoid unnecessary repetition [331].

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ITINERARY[8.2.69]

Jaisalmer to Sehwan, on the right bank of the Indus, and Haidarabad, and
return by Umarkot to Jaisalmer

Kuldra (5 coss).—A village inhabited by Paliwal Brahmans; two hundred
houses; wells.

Gajia-ki-basti (2 do.).—Sixty houses; chiefly Brahmans; wells.

Khaba (3 do.).—Three hundred houses; chiefly Brahmans; a small fort of
four bastions on low hills, having a garrison of Jaisalmer.

Kanohi (5 do.).┐—An assemblage of hamlets of four or five huts on one Sum (5 do.).┘ spot, about a mile distant from each other, conjointly called Sum, having a _burj_ or tower for defence, garrisoned from Jaisalmer; several large wells, termed _beria_; inhabitants, chiefly Sindis of various tribes, pasture their flocks, and bring salt and _khara_ (natron) from Deo Chandeswar, the latter used as a mordant in fixing colours, exported to all parts. Half-way between Sum and Mulana is the boundary of Jaisalmer and Sind.

Mulana[8.2.70] (24 coss).—A hamlet of ten huts; chiefly Sindis; situated
amidst lofty sandhills. From Sum, the first half of the journey is
over alternate sandhills, rocky ridges (termed _magra_), and
occasionally plain; for the next three, rocky ridges and sandhills
without any flats, and the remaining nine coss a succession of lofty
_tibas_. In all this space of twenty-four coss there are no wells,
nor is a drop of water to be had but after rain, when it collects in
some old tanks or reservoirs, called _nadi_ and _taba_, situated
half-way, where in past times there was a town.

It is asserted, that before the Muhammadans conquered Sind and these
regions, the valley and desert belonged to Rajput princes of the
Pramar and Solanki tribes; that the whole _thal_ (desert) was more
or less inhabited, and the remains of old tanks and temples,
notwithstanding the drifting of the sands, attest the fact.
Tradition records a famine of twelve years’ duration during the time
of Lakha Phulani, in the twelfth century, which depopulated the
country, when the survivors of the _thal_ fled to the _kachhi_, or
flats of the Sind. There are throughout still many oases or
cultivated patches, designated by the local terms from the [332]
indispensable element, water, which whether springs or rivulets, are
called _wah_, _bah_, _beria_, _rar_, _tar_, prefixed by the tribe of
those pasturing, whether Sodhas, Rajars, or Samaichas. The
inhabitants of one hamlet will go as far as ten miles to cultivate a
patch.

Bhor (2 do.). ┐ These are all hamlets of about ten huts, inhabited Palri (3 do.). │ by Rajars, who cultivate patches of Rajar-ki-basti │ land or pasture their flocks of buffaloes, (2 do.). │ cows, camels, goats, amidst the _thal_; at Hamlet of Rajars │ each of these hamlets there are plenty of (2 do.). ┘ springs; at Rajar-ki-basti there is a pool called Mahadeo-ka-dah. (See p. 1263 above.)

Deo Chandeswar Mahadeo (2 do.).—When the Sodha princes held sway in
these regions, there was a town here, and a temple to Mahadeo, the
ruins of which still exist, erected over a spring called Suraj kund,
or fountain of the Sun. The Islamite destroyed the temple, and
changed the name of the spring to Dinbawa, or ‘waters of the faith.’
The _kund_ is small, faced with brick, and has its margin planted
with date trees and pomegranates, and a Mulla, or priest from Sind,
resides there and receives tribute from the faithful. For twelve
coss around this spot there are numerous springs of water, where the
Rajars find pasture for their flocks, and patches to cultivate.
Their huts are conical like the wigwams of the African, and formed
by stakes tied at the apex and covered with grass and leaves, and
often but a large blanket of camel’s hair stretched on stakes.

Chandia-ki-basti (2 coss).—Hamlet inhabited by Muslims of the Chandia
tribe, mendicants who subsist on the charity of the traveller.

Rajar-ki-basti (2 do.). ┐ Purwas⓵, or hamlets of shepherds,
Samaichas,

Samaicha-ki-do (2 do.). │ Rajars, and others, who

Rajar do. (1 do.). │ are all migratory, and shift with their

Do. do. (2 do.). │ flocks as they consume the pastures.

Do. do. (2 do.). │ There is plenty of water in this space

Do. do. (2 do.). │ for all their wants, chiefly springs.

Do. do. (2 do.). │

Do. do. (2 do.). ┘

Udhania (7 do.).—Twelve huts; no water between it and the last hamlet.

Nala (5 do.).—Descent from the _thal_ or desert, which ceases a mile
east of the nala or stream, said to be the same which issues from
the Indus at Dara, above Rohri-Bakhar; thence it passes east of
Sohrab’s Khairpur, and by Jinar to Bersia-ka-rar, whence there is a
canal cut to Umarkot and Chor.

Mitrao (4 do.).—Village of sixty houses, inhabited by Baloch; a thana,
or post here from Haidarabad; occasional low sandhills.

Mir-ki-kui (6 do.).—Three detached hamlets of ten huts each, inhabited
by Aroras.

Sheopuri (3 do.).—One hundred and twenty houses, chiefly Aroras: small
fort of six bastions to the south-east, garrisoned from Haidarabad.

Kamera-ka-Nala (6 do.).—This _nala_ issues from the Indus between
Kakar-ki-basti and Sakrand, and passes eastward; probably the bed of
an old canal, with which the country is everywhere intersected.

Sakrand (2 do.).—One hundred houses, one-third of which are Hindus;
patches of cultivation; numerous watercourses neglected; everywhere
overgrown with jungle, chiefly _jhau_ and [333] _khejra_ (tamarisk
and acacia). Cotton, indigo, rice, wheat, barley, peas, grain, and
maize grow on the banks of the watercourses.

Jatui (2 do.).—Sixty houses; a nala between it and Jatui.

Kazi-ka-Shahr (4 do.).—Four hundred houses; two nalas intervene.

Makera (4 coss).—Sixty houses; a nala between it and Jatui.

Kakar-ki-basti (6 do.).—Sixteen houses; half-way the remains of an
ancient fortress; three canals or nalas intervening; the village
placed upon a mound four miles from the Indus, whose waters overflow
it during the periodic monsoon.

Pura _or_ Hamlet (1 do.).—A ferry.

The Indus (1 do.).—Took boat and crossed to

Sewan _or_ Sehwan (1½ do.).—A town of twelve hundred houses on the right
bank, belonging to Haidarabad[8.2.71] [334].

Sehwan to Haidarabad

Jat-ki-basti (2 coss).—The word _jāt_ or _jat_ is here pronounced Zjat.
This hamlet ‘basti,’ is of thirty huts, half a mile from the Indus:
hills close to the village.

Samaicha-ki-basti (2½ coss).—Small village.

Lakhi (2½ do.).—Sixty houses; one mile and a half from the river: canal
on the north side of the village; banks well cultivated. In the
hills, two miles west, is a spot sacred to Parbati and Mahadeo,
where are several springs, three of which are hot.[8.2.72]

Umri (2 do.).—Twenty-five houses, half a mile from River; the hills not
lofty, a coss west.

Sumri (3 do.).—Fifty houses, on the River hills; one and a half coss
west.

Sindu or San (4 do.).—Two hundred houses and a bazar, two hundred yards
from the River; hills one and a half coss west.

Manjhand (4½ do.).—On the River two hundred and fifty houses,
considerable trade; hills two coss west.

Umar-ki-basti (3 do.).—A few huts, near the river.

Sayyid-ki-basti (3 do.).

Shikarpur (4 do.).—On the river; crossed to the east side.

Haidarabad (3 coss).—One and a half coss from the river Indus.
Haidarabad to Nasarpur, nine coss; to Sheodadpur, eleven do.; to
Sheopuri, seventeen do.; to Rohri-Bakhar, six do.—total forty-three
coss.

Haidarabad via Umarkot, to Jaisalmer

Sindu Khan ki-basti (3 do.).—West bank of Phuleli river.

Tajpur (3 do.).—Large town, north-east of Haidarabad [335].

Katrel (1½ do.).—A hundred houses.

Nasarpur (1½ do.).—East of Tajpur, large town.

Alahyar-ka-Tanda (4 do.).—A considerable town built by Alahyar Khan,
brother of the late Ghulam Ali, and lying south-east of Nasarpur.
Two coss north of the town is the Sangra Nala or Bawa,[8.2.73] said
to issue from the Indus between Hala and Sakrand and passing
Jandila.

Mirbah (5 do.).—Forty houses; _Bah_, _Tanda_, _Got_, _Purwa_, are all
synonymous terms for habitations of various degrees.

Sunaria (7 do.).—Forty houses.

Dangana (4 do.).—To this hamlet extend the flats of Sind. Sandhills five
and six miles distant to the north. A small river runs under
Dangana.

Karsana (7 do.).—A hundred houses. Two coss east of Karsana are the
remains of an ancient city; brick buildings still remaining, with
well and reservoirs. Sandhills two to three coss to the northward.

Umarkot (8 do.).—There is one continued plain from Haidarabad to
Umarkot, which is built on the low ground at the very extremity of
the _thal_ or sand-hills of the desert, here commencing. In all this
space, estimated at forty-four kachha coss, or almost seventy miles
of horizontal distance, as far as Sunaria the soil is excellent, and
plentifully irrigated by bawahs, or canals from the Indus. Around
the villages there is considerable cultivation; but notwithstanding
the natural fertility, there is a vast quantity of jungle, chiefly
babul (_Mimosa arabica_), the evergreen _thal_, and _thal_ or
tamarisk. From Sunaria to Umarkot is one continued jungle, in which
there are a few cultivated patches dependent on the heavens for
irrigation; the soil is not so good as the first portion of the
route.

Katar (4 do.).—A mile east of Umarkot commences the _thal_ or sandhills,
the ascent a hundred and fifty to two hundred feet. A few huts of
Samaichas who pasture; two wells.

Dhat-ki-basti (4 do.).—A few huts; one well; Dhats, Sodhas, and Sindis
cultivate and pasture.

Dharnas (8 coss).—A hundred houses, chiefly Pokharna Brahmans and
Banias, who purchase up the _thal_ from the pastoral tribes, which
they export to Bhuj and the valley. It is also an entrepôt for
trade; caravans from the east exchange their goods for the _thal_,
here very cheap, from the vast flocks pastured in the Rui.

Kherlu-ka-Par (3 do.).—Numerous springs (_thal_) and hamlets scattered
throughout this tract.

Lanela (1½ do.).—A hundred houses; water brackish; conveyed by camels
from Kherlu.

Bhoj-ka-Par (3 do.).—Huts; wells; patches of cultivation.

Bhu (6 do.).—Huts.

Garara (10 do.).—A small town of three hundred houses, belonging to
Sawai Singh Sodha, with several _thal_ or hamlets attached to it.
This is the boundary between Dhat or the Sodha raj and Jaisalmer.
Dhat is now entirely incorporated in Sind. A _thal_, or collector of
the transit duties, resides here.

Harsani (10 do.).—Three hundred houses, chiefly Bhattis. It belongs to a
Rajput of this tribe, now dependent on Marwar [336].

Jinjiniali (10 do.).—Three hundred houses. This is the fief of the chief
noble of Jaisalmer; his name Ketsi,[8.2.74] Bhatti. It is the border
town of Jaisalmer. There is a small mud fortress, and several
talaos, or sheets of water, which contain water often during
three-fourths of the year; and considerable cultivation in the
little valleys formed by the _thal_, or sand-ridges. About two miles
north of Jinjiniali there is a village of Charans.

Gaj Singh-ki-basti (2 do.).—Thirty-five houses. Water scarce, brought on
camels from the Charan village.

Hamirdeora (5 do.).—Two hundred houses. There are several _thal_ or
pools, about a mile north, whither water is brought on camels, that
in the village being saline. The ridge of rocks from Jaisalmer here
terminates.

Chelak (5 do.).—Eighty houses; wells; Chelak on the ridge.

Bhopa (7 do.).—Forty houses; wells; small _thal_ or pool.

Bhao (2 do.).—Two hundred houses; pool to the west; small wells.

Jaisalmer (5 do.).—Eighty-five and a half coss from Umarkot to Jaisalmer
by this route, which is circuitous. That by Jinjiniali 26 coss,
Girab 7, Nilwa 12, Umarkot 25—in all 70 pakka coss, or about 150
miles. Caravans or kitars of camels pass in four days, kasids or
messengers in three and a half, travelling night and day. The last
25 coss, or 50 miles, is entire desert: add to this 44 short coss
from Haidarabad to Umarkot, making a total of 129½ coss. The most
direct road is estimated at 105 pakka coss, which, allowing for
sinuosities, is equal to about 195 English miles.

Total of this route, 85½ coss.

Jaisalmer to Haidarabad, by Baisnau

Kuldar (5 coss).

Khaba (5 do.).

Lakha-ka-ganw (30 do.).—Desert the whole way; no hamlets or water.

Baisnau (8 do.).

Bersia-ka-Rar (16 do.).—Wells.

Thipra (3 do.).

Mata-ka-dher (7 do.).—Umarkot distant 20 coss.

Jandila (8 do.).

Alahyar-ka-Tanda (10 do.).—Sankra, or Sangra _thal_.

┌ In the former route the distance from Tajpur (4 do.). │ Alahyar-ka-Tanda, by the town of Jam-ka-Tanda (2 do.). │ Nasarpur, is called 13 coss, or two Haidarabad (5 do.). │ more than this. There are five nalas └ or canals in the last five coss.

Total of this route, 103 coss.

Jaisalmer, by Shahgarh, to Khairpur of Mir Sohrab

Anasagar (2 do.).

Chonda (2 do.).

Pani-ka-tar (3 do.).—Tar or Tir, springs [337].

Pani-ki-kuchri (7 do.).—No village.

Kuriala (4 do.).

Shahgarh (20 do.[8.2.75]).—Rui or waste all this distance. Shahgarh is
the boundary; it has a small castle of six bastions, a post of Mir
Sohrab, governor of Upper Sind.

Garsia (6 do.).

Garhar (28 do.).—Rui or desert the whole way; not a drop of water. There
are two routes branching off from Garhar, one to Khairpur, the other
to Ranipur.

Baloch-ki-basti (5 do.). ┐ Hamlets of Baloch and Samaichas. Samaicha-ki-basti (5 do.). ┘

Nala (2 do.).—The same stream which flows from Dara, and through the
ancient city of Alor; it marks the boundary of the desert.

Khairpur[8.2.76] (18 coss).—Mir Sohrab, governor of Upper Sind, and
brother of the prince of Haidarabad, resides here. He has erected a
stone fortress of twelve bastions, called Nawakot or New-castle. The
18 coss from the _thal_ to Khairpur is flat, and marks the breadth
of the valley here. The following towns are of consequence.

Khairpur to Larkhana.—Twenty coss west of the Indus, held by Karam Ali,
son of the prince of Haidarabad.

Khairpur to Lakhi.—Fifteen coss, and five from Shikarpur.

Khairpur to Shikarpur (20 do.).

Garhar to Ranipur

Pharara (10 do.).—A village of fifty houses, inhabited by Sindis and
Karars; several hamlets around. A dani, or collector of transit
dues, resides here on the part of Mir Sohrab, the route being
travelled by kitars or caravans of camels. The nala from Dara passes
two coss east of Pharara, which is on the extremity of the desert.
Commencement of the ridge called Takar, five coss west of Pharara,
extending to Rohri Bakhar, sixteen coss distant from Pharara. From
Pharara to the Indus, eighteen coss, or thirty miles breadth of the
valley here.

Ranipur[8.2.77] (18 do.).

Jaisalmer to Rohri Bakhar

Kuriala (18 do.).—See last route.

Banda (4 do.).—A tribe of Muslims, called Undar, dwell here.

Gotru (16 do.).—Boundary of Jaisalmer and Upper Sind. A small castle and
garrison of Mir Sohrab’s; two wells, one inside; and a hamlet of
thirty huts of Samaichas and Undars; _thal_ heavy.

Udat (32 do.).—Thirty huts of shepherds; a small mud fortress. Rui, a
deep and entire desert, throughout all this space; no water [338].

Sankram or Sangram (16 do.).—Half the distance sand-hills, the rest
numerous temporary hamlets constructed of the _thal_, or maize
stalks; several water-courses.

Nala-Sangra (½ do.).—This nala or stream is from Dara, on the Sind, two
coss and a half north of Rohri Bakhar; much cultivation; extremity
of the sand-hills.

Targatia (½ do.).—A large town; Bankers and Banias, here termed Karar
and Samaichas.

Low ridge of hills, called Takar (4 do.).—This little chain of silicious
rocks runs north and south; Nawakot, the Newcastle of Sohrab, is at
the foot of them; they extend beyond Pharara, which is sixteen coss
from Rohri Bakhar. Gumat is six coss from Nawakot.

Rohri (4 coss). ┐ On the ridge, on the left bank of the Indus. Crossed Bakhar (½ do.). ├ over to Bakhar; breadth of the river near a mile. Sakhar (½ do.). ┘ Bakhar is an island, and the other branch to Sakhar is almost a mile over also. This insulated rock is of silex, specimens of which I possess. There are the remains of the ancient fortress of Mansura, named in honour of the Caliph Al-Mansur, whose lieutenants made it the capital of Sind on the opening of their conquests. It is yet more famed as the capital of the Sogdoi of Alexander; in all probability a corruption of Sodha, the name of the tribe which has ruled from immemorial ages, and who till very lately held Umarkot.

_N.B._—Kasids or messengers engage to carry despatches from
Jaisalmer to Rohri Bakhar in four days and a half; a distance of
one hundred and twelve coss.

Bakhar to Shikarpur

Lakhi, also called Lakhisar (12 do.).

Sindu Nala (3½ do.).

Shikarpur (½ do.).

Total of this route, 16 do.

Bakhar to Larkhana (28 do.).

Shikarpur to Larkhana (20 do.).

Jaisalmer to Dahir Ali Khairpur

Kuriala (18 do.).

Khara (20 do.).—Rui or desert all the way. This is the _thal_, or mutual
boundary of Upper Sind and Jaisalmer, and there is a small _thal_ or
mud fort, jointly held by the respective troops; twenty huts and one
well.

Sutiala (20 do.).—Rui all the way. A _thal_ for the collection of
duties; six wells.

Khairpur (Dahir Ali) (20 do.).—Rui, and deep jungle of the evergreens
called _thal_ and _thal_, from Sutiala to Khairpur.

Total of this route, 78 do.

Khairpur (Dahir Ali) to Ahmadpur

Ubaura (6 do.).—Considerable town; Indus four coss west.

Sabzal-ka-kot (8 do.).—Boundary of Upper Sind and Daudputra. This
frontier castle, often disputed, was lately taken by Mir Sohrab from
Bahawal Khan. Numerous hamlets and watercourses [339].

Ahmadpur (8 coss).—Considerable garrison town of Daudputra; two
battalions and sixteen guns.

Total of this route, 22 coss.

Khairpur (Dahir Ali) to Haidarabad

Mirpur (8 do.).—Four coss from the Indus.

Matela (5 do.).—Four coss from the Indus.

Gotki (7 do.).—Two coss from the Indus.

Dadla (8 do.).—Two coss from the Indus.

Rohri Bakhar (20 do.).—Numerous hamlets and temporary villages, with
many water-courses for cultivation in all this space.

Coss.

Khairpur ┐ 8 ┐ Six coss from the Indus. (Sohrab-ka-) ┘ │ Gumat 8 │ Ranipur 2 │ (See route to │ The coss in this distance seems a medium it from Garhar). │ between the pakka of two coss and the Hingor 5 │ kachha of one and a half. The medium of Bhiranapur 5 ├ one and three quarter miles to each coss, Haliani 1 │ deducting a tenth for windings, appears, Kanjara 3 │ after numerous comparisons, to be just. Naushahra 8 │ This is alike applicable to all Upper Sind. Mora 7 │ Shahpura 3 │ Daulatpur 3 ┘ Mirpur 3 ┌ On the Indus. Here Madari crossed to └ Sehwan, and returned to Mirpur. Kazi-ka-Got 9 ┐ Sakrand 11 │ Hala 7 ├ The coss about two miles each; which, deducting Khardao 4 │ one in ten for windings of the road, Matari 4 │ may be protracted. Haidarabad 6 ┘ —— TOTAL 145 coss.

Jaisalmer to Ikhtyar Khan-ki-Garhi

┌ These villages are all inhabited by Paliwal Brahmsar (4 coss) │ Brahmans, and are in the tract termed Mordesar (3 do.) ┤ Kandal or Khadal, of which Katori, eight Gugadeo (3 do.) │ coss north of Jaisalmer, is the chief town of Kaimsar (5 do.) │ about forty villages.—_N.B._ All towns with └ the affix of _thal_ have pools of water.

Nohar-ki-Garhi (25 do.).—_thal_ or desert throughout this space. The
castle of Nohar is of brick, and now belongs to Daudputra, who
captured it from the Bhattis of Jaisalmer. About forty huts and
little cultivation. It is a place of toll for the kitars or
caravans; two rupees for each [340] camel-load of ghi, and four for
one with sugar; half a rupee for each camel, and a third for an ox
laden with grain.

Murid Kot (24 coss).—_thal_ or desert. Rangarh is four coss east of
this.

Ikhtyar-ki-Garhi (15 do.).—_thal_ until the last four coss, or eight
miles. Thence the descent from the _thal_ or sand-hills to the
valley of the Indus.

Total of this route, 79 coss. Ikhtyar to Ahmadpur 18 coss
” Khanpur 5 ”
” Sultanpur 8 ”

Jaisalmer to Sheo-Kotra, Kheralu, Chhotan, Nagar-Parkar, Mitti, and
return to Jaisalmer.

Dabla (3 do.).—Thirty houses, Pokharna Brahmans.

Akali (2 do.).—Thirty houses, Chauhans, well and small talao.

Chor (5 do.).—Sixty houses, mixed classes.

Devikot (2 do.).—A small town of two hundred houses; belongs to the
Jaisalmer fisc or khalisa. There is a little fort and garrison. A
talao or pool excavated by the Paliwals, in which water remains
throughout the year after much rain.

Sangar (6 do.).—_N.B._ This route is to the east of that (following) by
Chincha, the most direct road to Balotra, and the one usually
travelled; but the villages are now deserted.

Biasar (2 do.).—Forty houses, and talao. Bhikarae 2 coss distant.

Mandai (frontier) (2½ do.).—Two hundred and fifty houses. Sahib Khan
Sahariya with a hundred horse is stationed here; the town is khalisa
and the last of Jaisalmer. The ridge from Jaisalmer is close to all
the places on this route to Mandi.

Gunga (4½ do.).—_thal_, or post of Jodhpur.

Sheo (2 do.).—A large town of three hundred houses, but many deserted,
some through famine. Chief of a district. A Hakim resides here from
Jodhpur; collects the transit dues, and protects the country from
the depredations of the Sahariyas.

Kotra (3 do.).—Town of five hundred houses, of which only two hundred
are now inhabited. On the north-west side is a fort on the ridge. A
Rathor chief resides here. The district of Sheo Kotra was taken from
the Bhattis of Jaisalmer by the Rathors of Jodhpur.

Vesala (6 do.).—In ancient times a considerable place; now only fifty
houses. A fort on the ridge to the south-west, near two hundred feet
high; connected with the Jaisalmer ridge, but often covered by the
lofty _thal_ of sand.

Kheralu (7 coss).—Capital of Kherdhar, one of the ancient divisions of
Marusthali. Two coss south of Vesala crossed a pass over the hills.

Chhotan (10 do.).—An ancient city, now in ruins, having at present only
about eighty houses, inhabited by the Sahariyas [341].

Bankasar (11 do.). Formerly a large city, now only about three hundred
and sixty houses.

Bhil-ki-basti (5 do.) ┐ Few huts in each. Chauhan-ka-pura (6 do.) ┘

Nagar (3 do.).—A large town, capital of Parkar, containing one thousand
five hundred houses, of which one-half are inhabited.

Kaim Khan Sahariya-ki-basti (18 do.).—Thirty houses in the _thal_;
wells, with water near the surface; three coss to the east the
boundary of Sind and the Chauhan Raj.

Dhat-ka-pura (15 do.).—A hamlet; Rajputs, Bhils, and Sahariyas.

Mitti or Mittri-ka-kot (3 do.).—A town of six hundred houses in Dhat, or
the division of Umarkot belonging to Haidarabad; a relative of whose
prince, with the title of Nawab, resides here; a place of great
commerce, and also of transit for the caravans; a fortified mahall
to the south-west. When the Shah of Kabul used to invade Sind, the
Haidarabad prince always took refuge here with his family and
valuables. The sand-hills are immensely high and formidable.

Chailasar (10 do.).—Four hundred houses, inhabited by Sahariyas,
Brahmans, Bijaranis, and Banias; a place of great importance to the
transit trade.

Samaicha-ki-basti (10 do.).—_thal_ from Chailasar.

Nur Ali, Pani-ka-Tar (9 do.).—Sixty houses of Charans, Sultana Rajputs
and Kauravas (qu. the ancient Kauravas?) water (_thal_) plenty in
the _thal_.

Rual (5 do.).—Twelve hamlets termed _thal_, scattered round a tract of
several coss, inhabited by different tribes, after whom they are
named, as Sodha, Sahariya, Kaurava, Brahman, Bania and Sutar, as
Sodha-ka-bas, Sahariya-ka-bas, or habitations of the Sodhas; of the
Sahariyas, etc. etc. (see p. 1263).

Deli (7 do.).—One hundred houses; a _thal_, or collector of duties,
resides here.

Garara (10 do.).—Described in route from Umarkot to Jaisalmer.

Raedana (11 do.).—Forty houses; a lake formed by damming up the water.
_thal_, or salt-pans.

Kotra (9 do.).

Sheo (3 do.).—The whole space from Nagar to Sheo-Kotra is a continuous
mass of lofty sand-hills (_thal_), scattered with hamlets (_thal_),
in many parts affording abundant pasture for flocks of sheep, goats,
buffaloes, and camels; the _thal_ extends south to Nawakot and
Balwar, about ten coss south of the former and two of the latter. To
the left of Nawakot are the flats of Talpura, or Lower Sind.

Jaisalmer to Sheo Kotra, Barmer, Nagar-Gura and Suigam.

Dhana (5 coss).—Two hundred houses of Paliwals; pool and wells; ridge
two to three hundred feet high, cultivation between the ridges.

Chincha (7 do.).—Small hamlet; Sara, half a coss east; ridge, low
_thal_, cultivation.

Jasrana (2 do.).—Thirty houses of Paliwals, as before; Kita to the right
half a coss.

Unda (1 do.).—Fifty houses of Paliwals and Jain Rajputs; wells and
pools; country as before [342].

Sangar (2 do.).—Sixty houses; only fifteen inhabited, the rest fled to
Sind during the famine of 1813; Charans. Grand _thal_ commences.

Sangar-ka-talao (½ do.).—Water remains generally eight months in the
talao or pool, sometimes the whole year.

┌ Between is the _thal_ or boundary of Jaisalmer
Bhikarae (1½ do.) │ and Jodhpur. Bhikarae has one
Kharel (4 do.) │ hundred and twenty houses of Paliwals;
└ wells and pools at both places.

Rajarel (1 do.).—Seventy houses; most deserted since famine.

Gonga (4 do.).—Hamlet of twenty huts; _thal_, or small wells and pools;
to this the ridge and _thal_ intermingle.

Sheo (2 do.).—Capital of the district.

Nimla (4 do.).—Forty houses; deserted.

Bhadka (2 do.).—Four hundred houses; deserted. This is “the third year
of famine!”

Kapulri (3 do.).—Thirty huts, deserted; wells.

Jalepa (3 do.).—Twenty huts; deserted.

Nagar (Gurha) (20 do.).—This is a large town on the west bank of the
Luni River, of four to five hundred houses, but many deserted since
the famine, which has almost depopulated this region. In 1813 the
inhabitants were flying as far as the Ganges, and selling themselves
and offspring into slavery to save life.

Barmer (6 do.).—A town of twelve hundred houses.

Guru (2 do.).—West side of the Luni; town of seven hundred houses; the
chief is styled Rana, and of the Chauhan tribe.

Bata (3 do.).—West side of river.

Patarna (1 do.) ┐West side of river. Gadla (1 do.) ┘

Ranas (3 do.).—East side of river.

Charani (2 do.).—Seventy houses; east side.

Chitalwana (2 do.).—Town of three hundred houses; east side of river;
belonging to a Chauhan chief, styled Rana. Sanchor seven coss to the
south.

Ratra (2 coss).—East side of river; deserted.

Hotiganw (2 do.).—South side of river; temple to Phulmukheswar Mahadeo.

Dhuta (2 do.) ┌ North side. On the west side the _thal_ is very Tapi (2 do.) └ heavy; east side is plain; both sides well cultivated.

Lalpura (2 do.).—West side.

Surpura (1 do.).—Crossed river.

Sanloti (2 do.).—Eighty houses, east side of river.

Butera (2 do.).—East side; relation of the Rana resides here.

Narke (4 do.).—South side river; Bhils and Sonigiras.

Karoi (4 do.).—Sahariyas [343].

Pitlana (2 do.).—Large village; Kolis and Pitals.

Dharanidhar (3 do.).—Seven or eight hundred houses, nearly deserted,
belonging to Suigam.

Bah (4 do.).—Capital of Rana Narayan Rao, Chauhan prince of Virawah.

Luna (5 do.).—One hundred houses.

Sui (7 do.).—Residence of Chauhan chief.

Balotra on the Luni River to Pokaran and Jaisalmer.

Panchbhadra (3 do.).—Balotra fair on the 11th Magh—continues ten days.
Balotra has four to five hundred houses in the tract called
Siwanchi; the ridge unites with Jalor and Siwana. Panchbhadra has
two hundred houses, almost all deserted since the famine. Here is
the celebrated Agar, or salt-lake, yielding considerable revenue to
the government.

Gopti (2 coss).—Forty houses; deserted; one coss north of this the deep
_thal_ commences.

Patod (4 do.).—A considerable commercial mart; four hundred houses;
cotton produced in great quantities.

Sivai (4 do.).—Two hundred houses, almost deserted.

Serara (1 do.).—Sixty houses. To Patod the tract is termed Siwanchi;
from thence Indhavati, from the ancient lords of the Indha tribe.

┌ Bungara has seventy houses, Solankitala four
│ hundred, and Pongali sixty. Throughout
Bungara (3 do.) │ sand-hills. This tract is called Thalecha,
Solankitala (4 do.) ┤ and the Rathors who inhabit it, Thalecha
Pongali (5 do.) │ Rathors. There are many of the Jat or
│ Jāt tribe as cultivators. Pongali a Charan
└ community.

Bakri (5 do.).—One hundred houses; inhabited by Charans.

Dholsar (4 do.).—Sixty houses, inhabited by Paliwal Brahmans.

Pokaran (4 do.).—From Bakri commences the Pokaran district; all flat,
and though sandy, no _thal_ or hills.

Udhania (6 coss).—Fifty houses; a pool the south side.

Lahti (7 do.).—Three hundred houses; Paliwal Brahmans.

Sodhakur (2 do.) ┌ Sodhakur has thirty houses and Chandan fifty; Channda (4 do.) ┤ Paliwals. Dry _thal_ at the latter; water └ obtained by digging in its bed.

Bhojka (3 do.).—One coss to the left is the direct road to Basanki,
seven coss from Chandan.

Basanki-talao (5 do.).—One hundred houses; Paliwals.

Moklet (1½ do.).—Twelve houses; Pokharna Brahmans.

Jaisalmer (4 do.).—From Pokaran to Udhania, the road is over a low ridge
of rocks; thence to Lahti is a well-cultivated plain, the ridge
being on the left. A small _thal_ intervenes at Sodhakur, thence to
Chandan, plain. From Chandan to Basanki the road again traverses the
low ridge, increasing in height, and with occasional cultivation, to
Jaisalmer [344].

Bikaner to Ikhtyar Khan-ki Garhi, on the Indus.

Nai-ki-basti (4 do.) ┐ Gajner (5 do.) │ Sandy plains; water at all these villages. Gurha (5 do.) ├ From Girajsar, the Jaisalmer frontier, the Bitnok (5 do.) │ _thal_, or sand-hills commence, and continue Girajsar (8 do.) │ moderate to Bikampur. Narai (4 do.) ┘ Bikampur (9 do.) ┌ Bikampur to Mohangarh, _thal_ or desert all Mohangarh (16 do.) │ the way, having considerable sand-hills └ and jungle.

Nachna (16 do.).—_thal_, or sand-hills throughout this space.

Narai (9 do.).—A Brahman village.

Nohar-ki-Garhi (24 do.).—Deep _thal_ or desert; the frontier garrison of
Sind; the garhi, or castle, held by Haji Khan.

Murid Kot (24 coss).—_thal_, high sand-hills.

Garhi Ikhtyar Khan-ki (18 do.)—The best portion of this through the
Kachhi, or flats of the valley. Garhi on the Indus.

Total 147 coss, equal to 220½ miles, the coss being about a mile and
a half each; 200 English miles of horizontal distance to be
protracted [345].

-----

Footnote 8.2.1:

From _par_, ‘beyond,’ and _kar_ or _khar_, synonymous with _Luni_, the
‘salt-river.’ We have several Khari Nadis, or salt-rivulets, in
Rajputana, though only one Luni. The sea is frequently called the
Luna-pani, ‘the salt-water,’ or Khara-pani, metamorphosed into
Kala-pani, or ‘the black water,’ which is by no means insignificant.
[The proposed etymology of Pārkar is impossible, and _Khārā_,
‘saline,’ has no connexion with _Kālā_, ‘black.’]

Footnote 8.2.2:

[An account of the travels of Withington or Whithington is given in
_Purchas his Pilgrimes_, ed. 1625, i. 483. Mr. W. Foster, who is
engaged on a new edition, describes the story as interesting, but
muddled in history and geography.]

Footnote 8.2.3:

[Briggs’ trans. i. 69, but compare Elliot-Dowson iv. 180.]

Footnote 8.2.4:

[See Vol. II. p. 807.]

Footnote 8.2.5:

[Dharanīdhar, the Kūrma or tortoise, ‘supporter of the earth,’ the
second incarnation of Vishnu. At Dhema in Tharād a fair is held in
honour of Dharanīdharji (_BG_, v. 300, 342).]

Footnote 8.2.6:

One of my journals mentions that a branch of the Luni passes by Sui,
the capital of Virawah, where it is four hundred and twelve paces in
breadth: an error, I imagine. [Sūigām is on the E. shore of the Rann,
and the Lūni does not pass by it or by Virawāh.]

Footnote 8.2.7:

_Pursa_, the standard measure of the desert, is here from six to seven
feet, or the average height of a man, to the tip of his finger, the
hand being raised vertically over the head. It is derived from
_purush_, ‘man.’

Footnote 8.2.8:

[Pital is another name for the Kalbi farming caste, Kalbi being
apparently the local form of the name Kanbi or Kunbi (_Census Report,
Mārwār_, 1891, ii. 343). The caste does not appear in the 1911 Census
Report of Rājputāna.]

Footnote 8.2.9:

[Arabic _zunnār_, probably Greek ζωνάριον The Hindi _janeo_ is Skt.
_yajnopavīta_, the investiture of youths with the sacred thread, and
later the thread itself.]

Footnote 8.2.10:

[For a full account of the Kolis see _BG_, ix. Part i. 237 ff.]

Footnote 8.2.11:

[Iguanas (Yule, _Hobson-Jobson_, 2nd ed. 379 f.)]

Footnote 8.2.12:

[That is to say, from Bahāwalpur on the N. to Baliāri on the N. shore
of the Rann of Cutch, a distance, as the crow flies, of some 380
miles.]

Footnote 8.2.13:

[The original is condensed. “The lands of the Rāthor, who rules nine
districts, are for the most part all sand; they have little or no
water. The wells in some places are so deep that the water is drawn
with the help of oxen. When water is to be drawn, those who set the
animals to work beat a drum as a warning that the pot is at the mouth
of the well, and they are about to draw water” (Manucci ii. 432).]

Footnote 8.2.14:

[About 15 miles N. of Umarkot. See Elliot-Dowson i. 532.]

Footnote 8.2.15:

[The name Dhāt has disappeared from modern maps, and is not to be
found in the _IGI_.]

Footnote 8.2.16:

See table of tribes, and sketch of the Pramaras, Vol. I. pp. 98
and 107.

Footnote 8.2.17:

_Ferishta_ [iv. 411], Abu-l Fazl [_Āīn_, ii. 337, 340 ff.].

Footnote 8.2.18:

[A better version runs:

“_Pirthī barā Panwār, Pirthi Panwārān tāni;
Ek Ujjaini Dhār, dūjē Ābū baithno._”

“The Panwār the greatest on earth, and the world belongs to the
Panwārs. Their early seats were Ujjain, Dhār, and Mount Ābū” (_Census
Report, Mārwār_, 1891, ii. 29).]

Footnote 8.2.19:

[St. Martin fixes the capital of the Sogdoi at Alor or Aror, but
Cunningham would place it higher up stream, about midway between Alor
and Uchh, at the village of Sirwahi (McCrindle, _Alexander_, 354).]

Footnote 8.2.20:

To convince the reader I do not build upon nominal resemblance, when
localities do not bear me out, he is requested to call to mind, that
we have elsewhere assigned to the Yadus of the Panjab the honour of
furnishing the well-known king named Porus; although the Puar, the
usual pronunciation of Pramar, would afford a more ready solution.
[This is doubtful (Smith, _EHI_, 40 note).]

Footnote 8.2.21:

Colonel Briggs, in his translation [iv. 406], writes it _Hully Sa_,
and in this very place remarks on the “mutilation of Hindu names by
the early Mahomedan writers, which are frequently not to be
recognized”; or, we might have learned that the adjunct _Sa_ to Hully
(_qu._ Heri), the son of Sehris, was the badge of his tribe, Soda. The
Roy-sahy, or Rae-sa of Abulfazil, means ‘Prince Sa’ or ‘Prince of the
Sodas.’ Of the same family was Dahir, whose capital, in A.H. 99, was
(says Abu-l fazil) “Alore or Debeil,” in which this historian makes a
geographical mistake: Alore or Arore being the capital of Upper Sinde,
and Debeil (correctly Dewul, _the_ temple), or Tatta, the capital of
Lower Sinde. In all probability Dahir held both. We have already
dilated, in the Annals of Mewar, on a foreign prince named “Dahir
Despati,” or the sovereign prince, Dahir, being amongst her defenders,
on the first Mooslem invasion, which we conjectured must have been
that of Mahomed Kasim, after he had subdued Sinde. Bappa, the lord of
Cheetore, was nephew of Raja Maun Mori, shewing a double motive in the
exiled son of Dahir to support Cheetore against his own enemy Kasim.
The Moris and Sodas were alike branches of the Pramar (see Vol. I. p.
111). It is also worth while to draw attention to the remark
elsewhere made (p. 286) on the stir made by Hejauje of Khorasan (who
sent Kasim to Sinde) amongst the Hindu princes of Zabulist’han:
dislocated facts, all demonstrating one of great importance, namely,
the wide dominion of the Rajpoot race, previous to the appearance of
Mahomed. Oriental literature sustained a loss which can scarcely be
repaired, by the destruction of the valuable MSS. amassed by Colonel
Briggs, during many years, for the purpose of a general history of the
early transactions of the Mahomedans. [This note has been reprinted as
it stands in the original text. Many statements must be received with
caution. See Elliot-Dowson i. 120 ff.]

Footnote 8.2.22: