'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from September 1850 to June 1852. Edited by the Secretary. Volume X.' [‎4] (137/458)

4
LIEUTENANT H. G. RAVERTT
the Kabul river, to the plain of Bagram. Rafts were accordingly made ?
and the greater portion of the troops arrived within six miles of
Seetah’s chief town, before he became aware of their having left
Jellalabad.
At the place where the Kabul river enters the plain from the Khaiber
mountains, and near where the present village of Michnee is situated,
the river separates into three branches, which run almost parallel to
each other as far as Dobundee, where they again unite. The centre
branch was taken by the forces of Mahmood, and this part of the river,
as also the place where they landed, was from thenceforth called the
“ Na-guman,” or the “ Unsuspected.” At the ferry, an old bridge now
stands, and the place to this day retains the name of the “ Guzar-i-na-
guman,” or the “ Unsuspected Ferry.” I may also add that the raft is a
common mode of conveyance from Jellalabad to Peshawur up to the
present time.
Mahmood himself remained behind, with a portion of his army, with the
intention of penetrating through the Khaiber Pass as soon as the main
body, which was under the command of one of his most experienced
Ameers, should create a diversion in his favour; but before this could be
^effected in the manner it was intended, the force of Raja King Seetah, having
recovered from the temporary surprise into which it had fallen on the sud
den appearance of the foe from an entirely unsuspected quarter, advanced
to engage them, and a sanguinary engagement ensued, in which Seetah
was entirely defeated, and the town of Bagram fell into the hands of the
conquerors; and was thus, for the first time, annexed to the Ghuznee
empire. It had been captured previously by Sabuktuggee, Mahmood’s
father, but had not been added to his empire.
A few days after these events took place Mahmood advanced with
the remamdei of his army through the Khaiber, and encamped near the
village of Tahkal, which is about five miles west of Peshawur, and it
was at this period that the latter name was substituted for that of
Bagram, There are two accounts respecting this circumstance, both of
which it is better perhaps to relate.
The first is, that the houses of the town of Bagram, which were
scattered about in every direction, reached from the vicinity of the
present Kabul gate of the city to the village of Tahkal. The ground
here being very low, the Sultan did not like the situation ; and having