'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from September 1850 to June 1852. Edited by the Secretary. Volume X.' [‎33] (166/458)

ON THE HHOVINCE OF PESHAWUR. 33
ties pronounced it highly dangerous, so leave was refused; although, at
the same time, I would have ventured into any part of the country. I
have tried to get a copy of the character on the “ stone,” but without
success. There is no doubt but that there are numerous remains of
antiquity in this part of the country ; and it is here we must search for
the rock of Aornos, and the cities of Ora and Beziza, mentioned by the
Greek Historians.
There are two roads from Hamzah Khan to Katlung, the next march
one leads to the right, and the other to the Hill of Chechar; that on the
jeft only is practicable for guns. The road to the right leads to the
Hill of Chechar, the road leading to the top of which appears in some
places to have been built up, and in others to have been hewn from the
solid rock. The summit of the Hill consists of a space of ground 400
yards long, by 100 yards in breadth, and is covered with the remains of
buildings built on platforms. One in particular, the largest, consisted
of a raised platform of about eighteen feet in height, and sixty square.
On this stands what appear to be the remains of a Temple, and the
whole place was strewn with carvings of men and elephants in differ
ent positions. The buildings are constructed of a bright yellow
coloured soft stone, whilst the carvings are all in slate. Since the
time I saw the place, several figures, as large as life, and extremely
well executed, have been dug up. They are of a white composition,
something similar in appearance to plaster of Paris.' One of these
figures has, I believe, been forwarded to the Governor-General. The
ruins are evidently Bhuddish. The plain at the base of this hill is en
tirely covered with a forest of wild ber and other trees.
The town of Katlung is built on three sides of a small tank, and con
tains about 1,500 people. This tank is formed by the stream which
runs past the town, and is bordered with fine trees, which the people .
call the Adrak and the Mayar, as also a few Ber and Mulberry trees.
The inhabitants of Katlung are Khuttuks, who have been settled here
for a long time : several other villages in this valley, as it is termed, are
inhabited by the same tribe, and will be hereafter enumerated. Some
say they are of a different tribe to the Kljuttuks south of Peshawar,
and that they are one of the various tribes of the Eusufzais. The re
venue of this town is 600 Rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. ; the cultivation is scanty.
von. x.
5