But the occupation of such a line
could have but one possible object, which would be to conceal
the actual line of further advance. Each of these places may be
said to dominate a pass to India over the Hindoo Kush. Opposite
Sarhadd is the Baroghil, leading either to Kashmir or to Mastuj
and the Kunar valley. Faizabad commands the Nuksa Pass. Khulm
looks southwards to Ghozi and the Parwan Pass into Kohistan,
while from Balkh two main routes diverge, one to Bamian and
Kabul, the other to Maimana and Herat.
It would be a great mistake to suppose that this short list
disposes of all the practicable passes over the Hindoo Kush. The
range is a singularly well-defined one throughout its vast
length; but it is not by any means a range of startling peaks
and magnificent altitudes. It is rather a chain of very elevated
flattish-topped hills, spreading down in long spurs to the north
and south, abounding in warm sheltered valleys and smiling
corners, affording more or less pasture even in its highest
parts, and traversed by countless paths. Many of these paths are
followed by Kuchis in their annual migrations southward, with
their families and household goods piled up in picturesque heaps
on their hardy camels, or with large herds of sheep and goats,
in search of fresh pasturage.
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