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DIVERSIONS OF A BUSY LAWYER continues...

The shikar was driven from the hill tops by about 1500 men in colourful dresses sounding bugles and beating drums. To our misfortune, though we saw a lot of game none was shot, in spite of a good deal of firing. On the return journey, the Raja shot a number of jungle fowl.

Our journey towards the Pangi Pass was arranged by His Highness who also provided us with a State Shikari and a sentry. After two days’ hike, we arrived at the famous village of Teesa, The beautiful hill women of this place are known for their wonderful folk dances and music. The Chamba administration however had prohibited the tourists witnessing such local amusements. My uncle, Lala Prabh Dayal Shah, kept a shop here. He had married a Teesa woman. We camped near his shop and had our meals with him. Then in his company we went to Alwas, the base of the Sach pass which is situated at a height of 14,000 ft. above sea level. The upper reaches of the pass were full of snow.

After crossing the pass, we had to traverse a huge glacier surrounded on all sides by high hills. We spent the night at Bindrabani in a camp on a snow field. The next morning we had to tramp over a very difficult road hanging over the deep Chenab flowing underneath, with steep hills on the other side. We reached Kilar, the capital of Pangi valley. After spending two comfortable nights in the State dak bungalow, we moved on to Dharwas, a big village in the valley. Its water is supposed to be a cure for fever and lung troubles. We spent a week here doing some Chakor shooting and calling on the leading villagers.

Houses here are like underground forts, rooms within rooms. Once you get into a room, you find it difficult to get out without a guide. For about six months in the year the inhabitants are snow-bound. All their food and cattle feed has to be stored inside their houses.

to be continued....