The Translation and Comment

 by 

Mohammed Q, Binghalib:

 of Original Document:

 

Yarkund Mission

 

 

Yarkund Mission.

 

November, Friday, 28th.-Marched to Kakrahat, 25 miles, through the country partly cultivated and partly waste. Found excellent house accommodation pre parel. Mirza Mahood Yakoob and Tash Khoja accompany the Mission to Kashgar. 

 

Saturday, 20th-To Kizilenbat, 30 miles, over desert the whole way.Breakfasted at Akmalat, a posting station half way, where there are two wells, only one however having drinkable water. Khal Mahomed Pansad-bashi, the Commandant and Governor at Yangi Hissar, camo with an escort of cavalry to meet the Mission. He provided the entertainment at Akrabat.

 

Sunday, 30th-To Yangi Hissar, 32 miles, through cultivated country with occasional stretches of sand and salt marsh. Crossed the Chinusay or Yangi Hissar stream by an excellent timber bridge. The town was crowded with people assembled to see the Mission pass. Capital quarters were found ready in a garden near the fort. The road from Badukshan to Yarkund joins here. The fort is strong and is well garrisoned.

 

December, Monday, 1st.-Halt at Yangi Hissar. Tuesday, 2nd.-A second day's halt made in accordance with instructions from Kashgar. It is believed that the delay is required to give time for the completion of the Elchi-khana, which has been built there for the accommodation of the mission.

 

Wednesday, 3rd-To Yup-chung, 22 miles, through cultivated and waste land; water is plentiful; and the land seems all capable of agriculture, population only being required to bring it under cultivation. Found breakfast prepared at Tajhuk-lik half way in particularly good rooms, also comfortable quarters provided at Yup-chung. Crossed the Kasan stream.

 

Thursday, 4th.-To Kashgar, 15 miles, through cultivated country. Crossed the Tuskan and Kara Su streams. Breakfast iras provided and laid out in tents at Kara Su. The Mission was met about three miles from Kashgar by Mirza Almed Kush-begi, an official of high rank deputed by the Atalik to connect it to the Elchi-khana, outside the Yangi Shahr, aud close to its main gate. The accommodation in it is ample and excellent. The utmost has been done to make the rooms neat and comfortable, and with great success. Immediately on arrival Thrar Khan Tora, one of the Atalik's Councilors, who has been appointed Mihmandar to the Mission, came from the Palace with the King's request that the Envoy and the officers would visit him as soon as possible, in order that his "friends and enemies"might know that no time had been lost in meeting. All proceeded shortly after in "full dress" to the Atalik's "Oordah" (Palace) within the fort (Yangi Shahr). After passing through the large quadrangles lined with armed men, a third was reached perfectly empty and still, at the end of this is the Audience llall. The Envoy (Mr. Forsyth) was conducted alone, and was received by the Atalik standing, who welcomed him, and after complimentary enquiries regarding the health of Her Majesty the Queen and the Viceroy of India sat down, sending the Envoy by his side. A salute of 16 guns in honor of the Envoy was then fired, and the officers of the Mission were conducted in singly and introduced to the Atalik, taking their seats near the Envoy. Some conversation then ensued relating chiefly to the journey of the Mission, during which the Atalik said that he hoped every care and attention had been bestowed upon the officers since they entered his territory, in accordance with his wonders to that effect. The Atalik was informed that as, in compliance with his request, the Envoy and officers hurried to pay their respects to him immediately on arrival, there had been no time to

prepare for the presentation of the Queen's and Viceroy's letters with the accompanying gifts. The Atalik replied that a day would shortly be fixed for this ceremony. A dastar-khwan of fruit, brend, ten, &c., was then brought in, of which the Atalik partook with the officers. On departure the Atalik again said that he welcomed the Mission.

 

Friday, 5th-Syul Yakoob Khan Tora came to see Mr. Forsyth. The sincere desire to provide for the comfort of the Mission is shown in the readiness with which every request and suggestion is attended to.

 

Saturday, 6th-The same liberty of going wherever wished is accorded here as at Yarkund, and in fact since entering the country, but as it is regarded to be fitting respect noty to visit the city till after the ceremonial interview (the first being considered private), it is arranged that none of the officers go there for the present. Rides are taken in the neighborhood. A mail bag received to-day with news from Eugland of 3rd October.

 

Sunday, 7th.-Nil.

 

Monday, 8th.-Do

 

Tuesday, 9th-Syud Yakoob Khan came to see Mr. Forsyth and to intimate that the Atalik has assumed the title of "Ameer" conferred on him by the Sultan of Turkey

 

Wednesday, 10th-Nil.

 

Thursday, 11th. The formal reception of the Mission took place at 2 P.M. to-day in the fort. 

 

The Mission left the residency (Blehi-khann) in the following order :

 

Two sowars of the escort preceding Sergeant Rhind, who carried the casket containing the Queen's letter, and Havildar Ahmed Gool, who carried that containing the Viceroy's letter, two chuprassees on either side in scarlet with silver sticks.

 

Mr. Forsyth was accompanied by Thrar Khan Tom and followed by the officers of the Mission. The Cavalry of the escort in rear. Behind all came the presents, carried by upwards of 100 men under the charge of Ibrahim Khan and Tara Sing.

 

The party dismounted in the first quadrangle after passing through the first gate, and proceeded in the same order (the Cavalry remaining with the horses) to the Audience Hall," where the Ameer received on the first occasion. There was a great display of armed men in the gateways and quadrangles. The guard (a very strong one) at the inner gateway rose as the Queen's letter was carried past.

 

On reaching the Audience Hall the Envoy was conducted in alone by Thrar Khau Tora, and was received by the Aineer standing Mr. Forsyth, after the first salutations, congratulated His Highness on the title of "Ameer" conferred by the Sultan of Turkey, both then sat down and the officers of the Mission were introduced one by one, shaking hands with the Ameer, saluting him by his new title, and taking their seats near the Envoy.

 

Mr. Forsyth then, addressing the Ameer, said that he was the bearer of letters from the Queen and the Viceroy which he wished to deliver to His Highness with their accompanying presents.

 

Lieutenant-Colonel Gordon and Ressaldar Mahomed Afzul Khan rose, went to the door, and received the casket containing Her Majesty's letter from Sergeant Rhind, carrying it half way up the hall, where it was taken by the Envoy, and by him, kneeling on one knee, placed before the Ameer; Mr. Forsyth then presented the letter with a complimentary address in Persian to the following effect:-"I have the honor to present this letter from 1ler Most Gracious Majesty the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland and Empress of Hindoostan. Since the Government of Her Majesty is in terms of amity and friendship with all the Governments of the world, it is hoped that the same relations may be established between the British Government and that of Your Highness."

 

The Ameer replied "God be praised! This is a very great honor, and it makes me exceedingly happy." lle expressed his extreme pleasure in many similar words.

 

Lieutenant-Colonel Gordon and Ressaldar Mahomed Afzul Khan returned to the door and arranged for the presents from the Queen passing by the verandah, before the open door before which the Ameer was scented, after which they were taken into His Highness' private apartments close at hand.

 

On the Envoy intimating to the Ameer that he would next present the letter from the Viceroy of India, Captain Biddulph rose, went to the door of the hall and received the casket containing it from Havildar Ahmed Gool of the Guide Infantry. Ile carried it half way up the hall and was met by Mr. Forsyth, who placed the casket before the Ameer and delivered the letter standing with a complimentary address to the following effect: "I have the honor to brook, Viceroy and Gent letter from His Excellency Lord North rnor-General of India. When Syud Yakoob Khan went to India and had the honor of meeting the Viceroy at Calcutta, he made known Your Highness' virtues and high qualities. On hearing His Excellency was extremely gratified and pleased, and when he returned from the capital of Turkey and the success of his Mission was known, it became a source of still greater pleasure to His Excellency. On the part, therefore, of the Queen, the Viceroy, and all people of England I congratulate Your Highness. Happy be your dignity of Ameer' and the title of Khan! May the sun of your State always shine with effulgence."

 

The Ameer replied with warmth and earnestness" Praise be to God."

 

This is a very high mark of distinguished favor, I am extremely gratified." He spoke continuously in this style of his gratitude for, and his pleasure in, the honor he stated himself to have received.

 

Captain Biddulph then returned to the door and arranged for the presents from the Viceroy passing before the Ameer in the same manner as before. The following report of the conversation that ensued is furnished by Lieutenant Colonel Gordon and Dr. Bellew.

 

The Ameer said-"You have done much for me in coming here, and I am exceedingly glad to welcome you. The Queen of England has shown me great favor and has done me very high honor. I look mainly to England, and I consider myself most fortunate in obtaining the friendship of the English nation. The Queen of England is a great sovereign, whose friendship is to be greatly desired, for it is always most beneficial to those who possess it. I look to the English for favor and good-will. I prefer their friendship. The Queen of England is like the sun to me, making poor people like me happy when shining on them."

 

In reply to Mr. Forsyth's speech that the desire of the Queen and of the Viceroy was to increase the friendship and intercourse between them and Kashgar, he said with eagerness and earnestness-"Inshallah (please God !) it will be so it will be so! the road is open, free, and safe even to London! I have heard much of the Queen of England, and her treatment of other nations; how anxious she always is to promote peace and encourage trade and intercourse between them. I have heard much of the Palumpoor Bazaar, and your name has always been mentioned in connection with it. You established a trade with my country. You planted seed there which is bearing good fruit. The name of Forsyth Sahib' is well known to me as one who has always worked with a kindly intent towards may people and country." With reference to the success of Syud Yakoob Khan's Mission to Constantinople, he said-" What could the helpless man have done there without the great and valuable assistance of the English Government. The English have shown me great favor and wonderful kindness, Synd Yakoob Khan was treated with great honor in India. You raised me in dignity by the honor paid to him. Thrur Khan Khoja was also treated with high respect and favor. The kindness of the English towards my Envoys and people is great. You have gone through much fatigue and hardship on a long and difficult journey to come here to show the favor of England towards me."

 

A "dastar-khwan" was brought in of which the Ameer partook with the Envoy and officers. On taking leave the Ameer repeated his welcome ("Kush-Amaded") as on

 

the previous occasion. The Mission then returned to the "Elchi-khana" attended by Thrar Khan The only person present at the reception of the Mission and during the Tors interview was Thrar Khan Torn, and he remained standing at the door at the farther end of the Audience Hall.

 

P.S.-As Kashgar is the capital of the Ameer's kingdom, His Highness should be addressed as "Ameer of Kashgar and Yarkund."