'The Expedition for the survey of the rivers Euphrates and Tigris, carried on by order of the British government, in the years 1835, 1836, and 1837; preceded by geographical and historical notices of the regions situated between the rivers Nile and Indus. In four volumes. With fourteen maps and charts, and embellished with ninety-seven plates, besides numerous wood-cuts. Volume the first.' [‎171] (226/905)

CHAP, vm.]
THE KHYBUR PASS.
171
through which Mr. Moorcroft accompanied Sultan Muhammed
in the opposite direction in 1824. The most difficult part is
formed by the defiles of Ali Masjid, near the Choora stream, choora stream,
where bare and almost inaccessible mountains of 1300 feet
high inclose this part of the pass, which, for the distance of one
mile, separates the two clans of Khohi Khail and Zaka Khail.
The western extremity of this difficult defile opens into the
Khybur valley, which is inclosed on each side by hills rising to
the height of about 700 feet, and it has an average width of
1500 paces through a distance of 16 miles, when it terminates
in another narrow defile 1 leading to the village of Dhaka, in
the valley of Kabul. The present capital is situated between,
and partly on the acclivities of two ranges of hills, which
shelter its northern and southern sides. This celebrated city
occupies less space than Kandahar, having barely a circum
ference of three miles. The bankers' and other bazaars are
extensive, and display ample supplies of different kinds of
merchandise. Southward of the town is an irregular citadel,
stretching its walls, towers, and houses up the hill; so that
these last may be seen from without, rising in succession to
the highest building, which is a house, or rather a defensible
tower, constructed by Sultan Muhammed Khan. 8
Kabul is compact, of moderate size, and constructed chiefly Kabul city
of wood, on account of the earthquakes which are occasionally
felt there. The city is washed by a stream which bears its
name, and is placed amidst numerous gardens and groves of
productive fruit trees, at the junction of two fertile valleys, de
scending from the south and west. The tomb of the Emperor
Baber is on a most agreeable spot at the top of a hill over
hanging the river S.W. of the city. It is surrounded with beds
of anemones and other flowers, and commands a noble prospect. 3
Eastward of the city are numerous valleys descending from and country,
the north, in which are raised an abundance of the finest
European fruits. The whole country enjoys the advantage of
a delightful climate, and abounds with enchanting scenery;
1 Huft-chah, between Lundu-Khana and Dakka.—Elphinstone's Kdbul,
p. 315. • • TT ^
2 MS. of Mr. Masson's First Journey into AfgMnistdn; and Major Hough s
Narrative, p. 283. 8 Elphinstone's Kibul, p. 434.
z 2