TANAOLEES.
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ON the extreme north-west frontier of the Punjab, the country is broken into deep narrow glens and ravines, caused by the lofty rugged spurs of the higher ranges of the Himalayas, which descend into the plains of the Punjab. This frontier district is called Hazara, and is peopled by several martial clans of Pathan Mahomedans, who, since the annexation of the Punjab, have become British subjects. Further north and north-west the same wild country continues, increasing in difficulty as the main range is approached, and lying on both banks of the river Indus, which, for the most part, forms the boundary between the British territory and that of the independent mountain tribes as far as Swat and Bijour. Beyond these towns the country is almost unknown to Europeans, and indeed to Mahomedans also, and belongs to the strange and mysterious tribe called Kafirs, the descendants probably of Bactrian Greeks. From the extreme point of British territory the frontier winds round bases of mountains, till it reaches the great Soleeman range, and following that and the line of the Indus, finally reaches Sinde.
Along this irregular frontier, where it bounds the Hazara and Peshawur, seven powerful tribes are located, who are entirely independent, but who either owe nominal allegiance to the Kuler of Swat, or to the Ameer of Kabool, as local politics and needs may determine. These tribes are as follows:—
- Hussunzye;
- Jadoon;
- Bunoorwal;
- Swatee;
- Raneezye;
- Osman Kheyl;
- Upper Momunds;
some of whom are British subjects.
