Travels in India (Tavernier) 136.1.6

136.1.6

The horses even, though strong and small, often have difficulty in getting through, and it is for this reason, as I shall presently say, that one has recourse to other expedients for traversing these lofty mountains. At 5 or 6 leagues beyond Gorakhpur you enter the territories of the Raja of Nepal, which extend to the frontiers of the Kingdom of Bhutan. This Prince is a vassal of the Great Mogul, and sends him an elephant every year as tribute. He resides in the town of Nepal, of which he bears the name, and there is very little trade or money in his country, as it consists of forests and mountains. The caravan having arrived at the foot of the high mountains, known to-day by the name of Nagar- KOT, which one cannot cross in less than nine or ten days, as they are very high and narrow, with great precipices, — numerous people descend from diverse places, the majority being women and girls, who come to strike a bargain with the people of the caravan, to carry the men, goods, and provisions to the other side of the mountains. This is the method by which they carry them. The women have a strap on the shoulders to which a large cushion hanging on the back is attached ; upon it the man seats himself. It takes three women, who change in turns, to carry a man ; and as for the baggage and provisions, they are loaded on goats which carry up to 150 livres weight each.