Travels in the Mogul Empire (Bernier) 19.6.6

19.6.6

The following which I now relate is such a well-established fact that no one here doubts it, namely that it is not twenty years since caravans went annually from Kachemire to Katay. They used to traverse the mountains of Great Tibet, enter Tartary, and reach Katay in about three months. It is an extremely difficult road, and there are impetuous torrents that can be crossed only by means of cords extended from rock to rock. The caravans returned with musk, China-wood [bois de Chine], rhubarb and mamiron, a small root in great repute for the cure of bad eyes; and in returning through Great Tibet they further loaded themselves with the produce of that country, such as musk, crystal, jade, and especially with a quantity of very fine wool of two kinds, the first from the sheep of that country, and the latter which is known by the name of twiz, and resembles, as already observed, the beaver, and should rather be called hair than wool. But since Chah-Jehan's irruption into Great Tibet, the King has not only interdicted the passage of caravans, but forbidden any person from Kachemire to enter his dominions. This is the reason why the caravans now take their departure from Patna on the Ganges so as to avoid his territories: they leave Great Tibet on the left and proceed directly to the kingdom of slaves, Lassa.