History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v1.c8.52

v1.c8.52

∗ Abdul Hamid, ii. 671—673. Aurangzib advanced from Kabul by the *Abdarah* and *Gaz* passes, according to the Persian account. Yule takes Abdarah to be the upper valley of the Surkhab, below Zohak (Wood's *Journey*, LXV). This was therefore "the Shibr Pass, which was most commonly used by Baber." (Leyden, 139). Aurangzib's stages are thus named : Kabul—(by way of Ghorband) to Aq Rabat (two stages from Kahmard)—Bajgah—the pass of Badar Hamid (? = Babar's "*Madr* on the Khulm road"),—Kishan Deh Khurd—Puni (or Buni) Qara ('which is the beginning of the valley of Gaz')—Balkh. He seems to have marched from Kabul northwards to Charikar, thence westwards by way of Ghorband to Zohak and Bamian, next northwards across the Dandan-Shikan Pass to Kahmard or even to Qara Kotal, whence he turned northwest to the mouth of the valley of Gaz (crossing one affluent of the Dehas river on the way). The entire route from Kabul to Balkh city is spoken of as 123 *kos* or 246 miles, (Abd. Ham. ii. 669).