Page:The journal of the Royal Geographic Society of London. Volume 34, 1864. (IA s572id13663720).pdf/249

Rh One of the most curious and suggestive features to be observed in the Braldoh valley is connected with the great glacier of Biafo. Crossing the transverse valley into which it descends with its vast mass of ice, and abutting on the cliffs on the opposite side, it forces the river to flow at the foot of these, though in some places it is completely hidden, coming into view only here and there. This relative position of the Biafo Glacier to the Braldoh valley produced many years ago—how many I could not ascertain—one of those cataclysms to which the Upper Indus is subject. The valley of the Braldoh became wholly obstructed with ice, and the whole of the broad expanse above of sandbanks and lines of streams became converted into a deep lake, which extended several miles upwards. Thus it continued for some time, and when the waters at last broke through their icy barrier, the damage done seems to have been considerable. The greatest flood chronicled in the traditions of this region is that which took place along this very tributary to the Indus some 200 years since, when the village of Spanboo was quite destroyed, and its Musjid carried almost entire into the Shigar River. This was considered to be a miracle, and its timbers were accordingly re-erected in one of the villages on the left bank, where they remain to this day.

The grazing-grounds of the villages of the right bank of the Braldoh lie up the Thla Brok and neighbouring ravines; those of Askolè are immediately above the village, whilst the villagers further down have to take their herds and yaks up the spur above the camping spots of Tsok and Punmah. The goats of this valley are very handsome, with fine curling horns like those of the Markore.

The villagers of these regions have but few personal wants, and all are obtainable in the valley. They dress entirely in puttoo, or woollen cloth, which they make themselves: cotton is never used, not even for turbans. Their knowledge of the world is almost limited to their own wild ravines, and though many may have crossed the Mustakh, I met with very few who, in the other direction, had been beyond Skardo. During the winter months the men are engaged in hunting the Ibex, when these are driven off the higher ground by the snow and come down to the streams. The animals are run down by dogs, which they take great care of and prize highly. The dogs are trained to get above the Ibex, and so drive them to spots below, where the men are ready with their matchlocks. The Ibex seems to have the greatest fear of the dogs, and, instead of bounding away, will run and then crouch behind rocks on their approach, but taking little heed of the men. In several places I came upon the small, strongly-built huts, where the people place the venison, which freezes and keeps till they return to the village below. About Askolè were fine crops of wheat, beardless tromber, and turnips. Peas are sown at the same time