国立情報学研究所 - ディジタル・シルクロード・プロジェクト
『東洋文庫所蔵』貴重書デジタルアーカイブ

Alphabetical Arrangement. In order to render the route-book as practical
as possible, I thought it best to give the routes in a strictly alphabetical order—
a plan generally adopted in similar publications;¹ but an unexpected difficulty pre-
sented itself in fixing the length of any route, viz. in defining the "starting" and
"terminal" points. In general I have considered every place where another route
branches off, as a limit to it; and though this arrangement may have the disadvantage
of increasing the number of routes, it obviates the necessity of referring to other
routes, or of repeating details already given. As the starting point I have adopted
the southern one, if the general direction of the route is from south to north; and
the eastern one, if the direction is from east to west. In a few cases, however, a doubt
may exist as to the places selected as the starting and terminal points; the routes
are therefore given in the alphabetical arrangement also in the reverse order, with
a reference to their place in the book.

For the direct connection of important places I have frequently made com-
binations of larger routes, e. g. Simla to Leh, Leh to Yárkand, Nainitál to Milum, &c.;
though, by aid of the detailed list given at the beginning, and especially of the Index-
map to the routes annexed to this volume, it will be easy for the traveller himself
to find out such combinations for any two remote places.

Index-Map. The Index-map is drawn on the scale of 20 miles to an inch, or
in the proportion of 1 to 1,267,200; and in order to make it clear and precisely
adapted to its purpose, only the starting and terminal points of each route are in-
serted, together with some of the principal rivers and passes. A part of Central Asia
is drawn at the left side, as a separate map, on the scale of 80 miles to an inch, or
in the proportion of 1 to 5,068,800. To the right and left of the map, which should
be regarded as an Index-map only, is added an alphabetical enumeration of the routes.

The numbers affixed to the routes on the map are identical with those in this
volume; for most places the height is given. Distinctions are also made with re-
ference to the nature of the route, these, in my opinion, not being without their prac-
tical importance, as enabling the traveller to select that route between distant places
which will be most in accordance with his taste, or with the mode of travelling he
wishes to employ.