Indian and Caubul cloth, salt, cowries, pewter, and tin. Some slaves are procured from the Caufers in the same manner. Slaves are also imported from Arabia, Abyssinia, &c. to the ports in Sind.

It is obvious, that in a kingdom so diversified, a good deal of internal trade must prevail. The principal articles carried from the western provinces to those in the east, are woollens, furs, madder, cheese, cooroot, and some manufactures; such as Heraut carpets, and the finer articles of dress or equipment for the great. From the East are carried the Longees, silk, and chintze of Moultaun; the mixed silk and cotton cloths of Bahawulpoor; together with indigo, and perhaps some cotton. Iron is exported from the mountainous countries in Hindoo Coosh and the range of Solimaun; salt, from the range which is distinguished for producing that mineral; alum and sulphur, from Calla Baugh ; horses, from Bulkh; and cocoa-nuts and dates, from Belochestaun.

The horse-trade requires a few words from its importance. A great number of horses are annually sold in the north of India, under the name of Caubul horses, and in the west, under that of Candahar horses; but almost the whole of these come from Toorkistaun. No horses are bred at Caubul, except by men of property for their own use, nor are the horses bred about Candahar ex

ported. Some of the fine horses of the neighbourhood of Heraut are carried to other coun

tries, but few or none to India. A good many horses are exported from Belochestaun, as are some of the fine breed found on both sides of the Indus, to the north of the Salt Range. But by far the greatest breeding country in the Caubul dominions is Bulkh; and it is from that province, and the Toorkmun country lower down the Oxus, that the bulk of those exported are brought. There are two sorts of horses most dealt in one rather small, but very stout, capable of much work, and cheap; the other much larger, and more valued on that account, though not near so serviceable, except for war, where, owing to the Asiatic mode of fighting, size is of importance. The former, though of three sorts, are generally comprehended in the name of Toorkee or Uzbekee, and are bred in Bulkh, and the provinces near Bokhaura. The other is called Toorkmunee, and is really bred by the Toorkmuns on both banks of the Lower Oxus. The great marts are Bulkh and Bokhaura. Horses sell there at from 51. to 20l. for a Toorkee, and from 20l. to 100l. for a Toorkmunee. The merchants generally buy them cheap, and in bad order, and fatten them in the pasture of Caubul. The most famous place is the Nirkh Merdaun, west of Caubul, where a horse in the most emaciated state can be brought into con

dition in forty days, at an expence of five or six shillings. They first soil them with trefoil, and then give them lucerne.

Many horses are sold in the country, and great numbers used to be sent on to India. The internal sale is increasing; many of the farmers buying horses now, that formerly never thought of doing so; but the exportation to India has greatly fallen off. Wherever the British dominion extends, large armies of horse are changed for small ones of infantry: and there the gentlemen prefer Arabs. The native armies also have diminished, as the circle of their depredations has been circumscribed; and if the Company's breeding studs are successful, the trade between India and Toorkistaun will be annihilated.

471

CHAP. XI.

HUSBANDRY OF CAUBUL.

THERE are five classes of cultivators in Afghaunistaun 1st, Proprietors, who culti vate their own land; 2d, Tenants, who hire it for a rent in money, or for a fixed proportion of the produce; 3d, Buzgurs, who are the same as the Metayers in France; 4th, Hired labourers; and 5th, Villains, who cultivate their lords' lands without wages.

The estates of the proprietors are, of course, various in their extent, but on the whole, the land is more equally divided in Afghaunistaun than in most other countries. There are a great number of small proprietors, who cultivate their lands themselves, assisted by their families, and sometimes by hired labourers and Buzgurs. The reason of the equal division of property will be easily perceived, by adverting to the nature of the government of tribes. That distribution seems to have been general in former times, and to have been disturbed by various causes. Extravagance or misfortune compel many to sell their lands; quarrels, or a desire for change, induce others to part with them,

that they may quit the neighbourhood in which they live, and the division of every man's estate among all his sons, which is enjoined by the Mahomedan law, soon renders each lot too small to maintain its proprietor, who consequently either gives it up to one of his brothers, or sells it. Purchasers are found among those who have been enriched by the King's service, by war, and by successful agriculture or commerce. Much has likewise been brought under cultivation by individuals or societies, who have taken measures to procure water for irrigation, on which so much depends in Afghaunistaun, and the land thus reclaimed becomes the private property of the adventurers. Finally, some have received great grants directly from the crown.

The value of land in Caubul is stated by Mr. Strachey to be from nine to twelve years' purchase.

The number of tenants, in the common acceptation of the word, is not great in this country; and of those who do not rent land, a great portion are middlemen, who let it out again to Buzgurs. The commonest term for a lease is one or two years; the longest period is five. The rent varies greatly; in the barren country of the Stooreeaunees, it is only one-tenth of the produce; while in the plain of Bajour, it is said