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Digital Archive of Toyo Bunko Rare Books

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204   ANTIQUITIES OF WESTERN TIBET   [Void. II

In addition to his pay as a Neg he had the grazing rights 1 of the whole of Lāhul

allotted to his family.

4.  In 1857, when Mr. Salaganwait (Schlagintweit), a Survey Officer, was murdered

in Yārkand, the duty of inquiring into the case and bringing back all information

was entrusted by Government to me, Thākur Hari Chand. Accordingly, in my own

person I went to Laddākh. From thence I sent my special trustworthy servant to

Yārkand and learned all the details of the above-mentioned officer's death, how he was

murdered without any reason by Wall Khan, the ruler of Kokān (Kokand), who at that

time was engaged in ravaging the country around Yārkand. On learning this I returned

to Jālandhar, to Colonel Lek (Lake), the Commissioner, and reported the matter. As a

reward for this service, I received from Government one thousand rupees and four

hundred rupees as travelling expenses.

5.  In 1861, when news was received that some English gentlemen were coming

from China to Simla by way of Lāsa, etc., then according to a suggestion from Govern-

ment and with the sanction of my revered father, Thākur Tara Chand Sahib, I, in

my own person, went out as far as Gādar (Sgar-thog ?) and Rodakh (Ru-thog ?) in

Tibat to welcome and offer my services to the above-mentioned gentlemen. When no

news of them was obtainable, I returned and reported the fact to Government. As a

reward for this service, I was granted a robe of honour and a parwānah expressing the

satisfaction of the Lieutenant-Governor of the Panj āb, signed by the Secretary, and

sealed with the office seal.

6.  In 1861, in recognition of the high status of his family and in appreciation

of his services, my father, Thākur Taira Chand Sahib, was raised to the rank of Honorary

Magistrate and Honorary Extra Assistant [Commissioner]. He was given the power

of a police officer of the first grade in criminal cases and of a civil officer with powers

to fine up to Rs. 10. The criminal fines were allotted to him. In addition to his

ancient ancestral jāgir he was granted a mu`āf i 2 of Rs. 100 a year, on Kothi Barbog.

7.  In 1863, in accordance with orders from Mr. Remūtan (Egerton ?), Deputy

Commissioner of Kāngrah, according to the wishes of Government to establish trade

connections between India and Tibat by way of Yabasti Gar, I, in my own person,

went as far as Tibat and reported the circumstances of that place to Government.

On this occasion Government granted me a reward of five hundred rupees.

9.3 In 1867, on account of his services and ability and in appreciation of what

he had done, an increase was made in the powers of my father, Thākur Tara Chand.

He was made an Honorary Magistrate of the third grade, with criminal and civil powers

of an Honorary Extra Assistant Commissioner, [and] according to the powers of an

ordinary Assistant Commissioner he could deal with civil cases up to Rs. 100.

Criminal fines could be retained by him, and, instead of the exemption of Rs. 100

on Kothi Barbog which in 1861 was granted to him as a temporary measure, he was

permitted to retain the fourth part of the revenue of Lāhul, a sum amounting to

Rs. 550.

10. In 1868 the office of Registration was established in Lāhul, and my father,

Thākur Tara Chand, was appointed Sub-Registrar.

1 It is not clear whether he had the right of grazing for himself or the taxes for grazing generally allotted to him.

2 Exemption.   3 There is no para. (8) in the Urdū.