DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.3909#0224
( 10.1 )
British rule and power, that not only the Chiefs of Yasin and Clritral, but even the Akhoond of Swat, will
at once send in their adherence and offer of service to the British Government. On the other hand, if the
Maharajah is still allowed to aggress, the most bitter feeling of hostility and hatred will be engendered against-
British rule and there will never be a quiet frontier. In the cause of humanity and justice it is imperative
for the Government to act strongly and decisively: no half measures will do here. When this loyal
feudatory of Kashmir was lately paying his respects to the Duke of Edinburgh at the Lahore Durbar
amidst all the tinsel and glitter that Oriental pomp and splendour conld throw around him, could those
heaps of human skulls and bones have been there, what a silent tale they would have told of foul
treachery and bloodshed. Again I must beg you to use your columns as the means of placing before the
Indian public the above fact and an editorial from your talented pen could not fail, I feel sure, to excite public
feeling and cause an interest, to be taken in the subject. As to my expedition, I may mention that I have
reached Yasin, and have met with a most favorable reception and friendly assurances from the Chief, Raja
Meer Wulli Khan. I have explored nearly all the country in the basin of the Gilgit and Yasin rivers, and
have now just returned from the foot of the Darkote Pass, leading over into Wakhan and the basin of
the Oxus. This pass as well as the Shunder Pass leading over into Chitral, is now closed by the snow,
and I find it will be impossible to get laden animals across until May or June. Once across the pass
down to the Pamir Steppes, and I am very sanguine of meeting with a favorable reception. In placing
the above facts before the public I must ask you to be good enough to refrain from connecting my name
directly with the statements, unless it is absolutely necessary. I have no wish to gain notoriety by show-
ing up the ill deeds of the Kashmir Maharajah. But if it is necessary to substantiate the statements by
publishing the name of your informant (the only Englishman who has ever been able to ascertain the
facts, for the simple reason that he is the only one who ha3 ever visited Yasin) you have then the fullest;
authority to mention mine.
I may also state that official reports on the subject have been submit ted to the Supreme Govern-
ment of India as well as the Punjab Government.
CAMP GILGIT VALLEY, 22ND MARCH 1870.
Thinking it was risky stayiug in Yasin until the passes open I have returned to Gilgit, and most
fortunately, for I find the Maharajah's officials here, in order to serve their own purposes, have caused a report
to be spread that I have been plundered in Yasin (mark, I have been particularly well treated) and have sent
off orders to Astor for the force there to march at once to Gilgit for the purpose of invading Yasin. My
return here has stopped them and they are now hurrying back, but not before I have ascertained the truth of the
movement. Comment on such an act of faithlessness would be unnecessary,, and had they invaded Yasin
while I was therj such act would have been fatal to the whole Pamir expedition, since the Yasin people could1
but have connected the invasion with my presance there.
Planter 9th May, 1870. GEORGE W. HAYWARD."
4
General Cunningham-, in his excellent work on Ladak, refers i nefdentaliy to Dardistan
aS folloWS irrr
Page 37. " Of the country inhabited by the Dards, my information is scanty but interesting. Wh
I was in Kashmir, I found the Vaz-irs of Gilgit and Nager in attendance upon the Maharajah Galab Sing, by whose
en
British rule and power, that not only the Chiefs of Yasin and Clritral, but even the Akhoond of Swat, will
at once send in their adherence and offer of service to the British Government. On the other hand, if the
Maharajah is still allowed to aggress, the most bitter feeling of hostility and hatred will be engendered against-
British rule and there will never be a quiet frontier. In the cause of humanity and justice it is imperative
for the Government to act strongly and decisively: no half measures will do here. When this loyal
feudatory of Kashmir was lately paying his respects to the Duke of Edinburgh at the Lahore Durbar
amidst all the tinsel and glitter that Oriental pomp and splendour conld throw around him, could those
heaps of human skulls and bones have been there, what a silent tale they would have told of foul
treachery and bloodshed. Again I must beg you to use your columns as the means of placing before the
Indian public the above fact and an editorial from your talented pen could not fail, I feel sure, to excite public
feeling and cause an interest, to be taken in the subject. As to my expedition, I may mention that I have
reached Yasin, and have met with a most favorable reception and friendly assurances from the Chief, Raja
Meer Wulli Khan. I have explored nearly all the country in the basin of the Gilgit and Yasin rivers, and
have now just returned from the foot of the Darkote Pass, leading over into Wakhan and the basin of
the Oxus. This pass as well as the Shunder Pass leading over into Chitral, is now closed by the snow,
and I find it will be impossible to get laden animals across until May or June. Once across the pass
down to the Pamir Steppes, and I am very sanguine of meeting with a favorable reception. In placing
the above facts before the public I must ask you to be good enough to refrain from connecting my name
directly with the statements, unless it is absolutely necessary. I have no wish to gain notoriety by show-
ing up the ill deeds of the Kashmir Maharajah. But if it is necessary to substantiate the statements by
publishing the name of your informant (the only Englishman who has ever been able to ascertain the
facts, for the simple reason that he is the only one who ha3 ever visited Yasin) you have then the fullest;
authority to mention mine.
I may also state that official reports on the subject have been submit ted to the Supreme Govern-
ment of India as well as the Punjab Government.
CAMP GILGIT VALLEY, 22ND MARCH 1870.
Thinking it was risky stayiug in Yasin until the passes open I have returned to Gilgit, and most
fortunately, for I find the Maharajah's officials here, in order to serve their own purposes, have caused a report
to be spread that I have been plundered in Yasin (mark, I have been particularly well treated) and have sent
off orders to Astor for the force there to march at once to Gilgit for the purpose of invading Yasin. My
return here has stopped them and they are now hurrying back, but not before I have ascertained the truth of the
movement. Comment on such an act of faithlessness would be unnecessary,, and had they invaded Yasin
while I was therj such act would have been fatal to the whole Pamir expedition, since the Yasin people could1
but have connected the invasion with my presance there.
Planter 9th May, 1870. GEORGE W. HAYWARD."
4
General Cunningham-, in his excellent work on Ladak, refers i nefdentaliy to Dardistan
aS folloWS irrr
Page 37. " Of the country inhabited by the Dards, my information is scanty but interesting. Wh
I was in Kashmir, I found the Vaz-irs of Gilgit and Nager in attendance upon the Maharajah Galab Sing, by whose
en