Note 7 — A Halt in the Valley.
Reading edition
This place is mentioned in the “Tûzûk Jehangeery,” or “Precepts of Jehangeer,” in a way which shows that the Conqueror of the World had not included himself among his victories.
The name appears on a Persian inscription as Wurnagh, but is called by the natives Vernagh, and is mentioned by Jehangeer in his journal as Tirnagh:—
“The source of the river Bhet (Jhelum)8 lies in a fountain in Cashmeer, named Tirnagh, which, in the language, of Hindostan, signifies a snake—probably some large snake had been seen there. During the lifetime of my father (Akbar) I went twice to this fountain, which is about twenty kos from the city of Cashmere. Its form is octagonal, and the sides of it are about twenty yards in length.
“I accompanied my father to this spot during the season of flowers. In some places the beds of saffron-flowers extend to a kos. Their appearance is best at a distance, and when they are plucked they emit a strong smell. My attendants were all seized with a headache, and though I was myself at the time intoxicated with liquor, I felt also my head affected. I inquired of the brutal Cashmeerians who were employed in plucking them, what was their condition, and they replied that they never had a headache in their lifetime.” ↑