KASHMIR AND THE HIMALAYAS 121

which is the hill-station of Darjiling, and its northern
border is within 150 miles of Lhasa, the capital of Tibet.
Recent boundary disputes with the Tibetan authorities
led to an expedition into Sikkim, which has resulted in the
rectification of the frontier, but to no better understanding
 as regards European visitors to Tibet. Over the state
of Sikkim we now exercise paramount political control.
For about 450 miles to the west of Sikkim, with an
average breadth of about 100 miles, stretches the native
state of Nepal, by far the most important of all the native
states of the Himalayas. Nepal is absolutely independent,
and has been so since 1815-16, when the Nepalese were
defeated after an arduous and difficult hill campaign, and
lost their richest districts of Kumaon and Garhwal. Since
then they have maintained a policy of “absolute but
friendly isolation,” treating the British resident at the
capital (Khatmandu) as an honoured prisoner, but closing
their gates to Europeans. The result of this policy has
certainly been that no disputes with Nepal have arisen
for eighty years, and at the same time no exploration of
the country has been possible. We do not even now
know for a certainty which is the best route to Khatmandu.
A considerable fringe of the Tarai jungle at the foot of the
Himalayas is included within the Nepalese boundary.
Here is, perhaps, the finest game preserve in India; and
here also a new interest has lately been added by the
discovery of the birthplace of Gautama (the founder of
Buddhism), and the sites of his early experiences. Although
 Nepal is as much an unexplored wilderness to
us as many parts of Africa, the good feeling which has
ever subsisted between the two Governments is a distinct
source of strength to our position in India. For the
goodwill of the Governments extends to the people.
Between English and Gurkhas (who are either true
Nepalese, or are very closely allied to them) there has
ever been a spirit of mutual respect and reliance.
The districts of Kumaon and Garhwal (now entirely
British) lie to the west of Nepal, and on the north of
the North-West Provinces in which they are included.