BALUCHISTAN

37

the whole system to a gigantic gridiron. Narrow little
“subsequent ”’ valleys between these sharp-backed ridges
contribute an intermittent flow of brackish water to the
main arteries, and these again, as before described, break
transversely across the general strike of the minor ridges
ere they debouch into the Indus plain.
And if we transfer the general view of a system of
steep, narrow, parallel ridges, alternating with equally-constricted
 valleys, and give an altitude to the hills such as
will carry their peaks 8ooo feet above sea-level ; clothe them
with a scanty vegetation of grass, wild olive, and juniper ;
widen out certain intermediate valleys, and fill them with
occasional bunches of tamarisk jungle and coarse grass,
admitting narrow bands of cultivation bordering streams
that are occasionally perennial, we shall gain a fair
general conception of the Baluchistan of the highlands
lying west of the Sulimani and extending to the newlydefined
 frontier of Afghanistan,
The dominating mountain of the Sulimani range is
usually called the Takht-i-Suliman. This is (as usual with
our Indian frontier nomenclature) an inaccurate designation,
 unrecognised by the people of the country; the
Takht-i-Sulimén being a famous ziarat, or shrine, which is
situated some distance below the summit at the southern
extremity of the mountain. The mountain itself is better
known locally as the Kaisargarh, the name of the highest
northern peak (11,300 feet above sea-level), which forms
a magnificently dominant feature in the landscape, whether
viewed from the far-away Indus plains, or from the
shadowed sides of the precipitous hills which encompass
it. For many years the Kaisargarh (which is some forty
miles south of the Gomal River) was reckoned the highest
peak of the Indian border south of the Himalayas. Its,
however, surpassed by more than one of the gigantic
mountains which overlook the valleys of Peshin and
Quetta ; but for grandeur of outline enhanced by isolation,
and for the traditional interest which hangs around its
limestone crags, the Kaisargarh stands unrivalled amongst
frontier landmarks.