The minister, I learned from his head cook (Machen[2]), whom I now met, had gone to Dongtse, his native town, but he had left instructions that I be lodged in the Targod chyi-khang until his return.
Though the news of the absence of my friend Phendi Khang-sar somewhat damped my spirits, yet the pleasing thought of having been able for the second time to visit Tashilhunpo was a source of infinite gratification. The Machen opened the padlock which closed the great door of the house, and ushered me in with outstretched hands and greetings of “Pundib la, chyag-pheb nang,” “Welcome, Mr. Pundit.”[3]
TOWN OF SHIGATSE.
THE JONG or FORT of SHIGATSE
EXPLANATION.
- 3. Norgya khangsar. The residence of the chief noble of Tashi Lhunpo.
- 9. Chinese burial ground.
- 11. Tondub khangsar. The residence of Shapeh Rompa.
- 12. Panja or gyami khang. Quarters for the Chinese militia.
- 13. Amban’s residence. The house of the Imperial Chinese resident.
- 20. Jong Samdub-tse. The fort and court of the Magistrate of Shigatse.
- 21. Road to the Tsang po (River Brahmaputra).
- 22. Shigatse. The town (called Digar che by the Nepalese).
- 23. Thom or Market.
- 24. Tse-yang-tse. Garden for the Chinese.
- 25. Changlo khangsar. The park belonging to the estate of Changlo char.
- 26. Daloyeh Chyangra. The park for the use of the Commandant of the Chinese militia.
- 27. Jah-hu-thang. The camp and field for exercise.
- 28. Kesar Lhakhang. The Temple of the War god called Kesar.
- 29. Pachal-para. The Northern division of the town of Shigatse.
- 30. Cha-o-para. The Southern division of the town of Shigatse.
- 31. Phari-para. The General division of the town of Shigatse.
W. & A. K. Johnston, Limited, Edinburgh & London
Published by the Royal Geographical Society
The building was a three-storied one, the ground floor, adjoining which were two stables, being used as a godown. The rooms on the first floor were spacious and neat, but very cold on account of the [[46]]height of the roof and the absence of sunlight. The third story, though it looked snug, was exposed to the wind, and therefore uninhabitable. The minister’s steward (Nerpa[4]), coming in while we were looking over the house, recommended the first floor for our residence, as it would be warm in winter, when much air is not desirable. Having made up my mind to occupy it, he had the rooms dusted, and removed some two hundred volumes, a pile of printing-blocks, boards, and tables with which the rooms were encumbered; and then, some thickly stuffed cushions having been spread, on which our carpets and rugs were placed, he begged us to be seated. Cups were placed on some small tables before us, and tea was brought from the minister’s kitchen and served us by the head cook. A few twisted biscuits,[5] some pieces of mutton and tsamba were put before me, and from another teapot tea, of evidently an inferior quality, was served to my companions.