On the other side of that stupendous mountain chain lies the far farmed Valley of Kashmir. For more than a hundred miles the river has made its way, round mighty spurs, through chasms, down gorges, often a foaming torrent, but sometimes smooth and pale green, although eddies and swirls bear witness to its recent struggles. From Kohala, the river is accompanied by the Jhelum Valley Road. How interesting in this thin white line, which connects the Punjab with the mountain Kingdom—this artery, which pulsates with life and transmits its daily freight of passengers, merchandise and varied produce! Even the maintenance of the road is a blessing to every district through which it passes. The relation of the engineer-in-charge is semi-patriarchal. The road navvies are really cultivators. They accept the responsibility for repairs and metalling, much as if it were part of their ordinary agriculture work, and they find it a very lucrative branch of employment. No strikes or industrial warfare mar the peace of the long river valley. There is no “drink” problem, and if brains are not so acute nor work so skilled as in the West, still, patient hands in great number carry out the mandates of their chief.
