Travels in the Mogul Empire (Bernier) 19.6.7

19.6.7

In regard to the kingdom known here by the name of Kacheguer, which is in my opinion the same as our maps call Kascar, I shall relate all the information I have collected from merchants, natives of that country, who when they heard that Aureng-Zebe intended to visit Kachemire, brought into this kingdom for sale a great number of young slaves, girls and boys. They say that Kacheguer lies to the east of Kachemire inclining somewhat to the northward; that the shortest route from one kingdom to the other is through Great Tibet, but, that passage being now shut, they were under the necessity of taking the road of Little Tibet. The first town they passed in returning was Gourtche, the last town dependent upon Kachemire, and four days' journey from the city of Kachemire: from Gourtche, they were eight days in reaching Eskerdou, the capital of Little Tibet; and in two days more they came to a small town called Cheker, also within the territory of Little Tibet, and situated on a river celebrated for its medicinal waters. In fifteen days they came to a large forest, on the confines of Little Tibet, and in fifteen days more they arrived at Kacheguer, a small town which was formerly the royal residence, though now the King of Kacheguer resides at Jourkend, a little more to the north, and ten days' journey from Kacheguer. These merchants added that the distance from the town of Kacheguer to Katay is not more than a two months' voyage;