Morecraft, Trade avenues and our region...
why we are victim from more than 200 years
These days am trying to finalyze my book "Why Britishers annexed the Punjab" in punjabi, while reading the proof i stopped at the reference of Baron Charles Hugel. He wrote a book in early 19th century about his extensive travels in the Punjab and Kashmir. the book is available on-line at http://folkpunjab.com/library/travels-in-kashmir-and-panjab/
In this book there is another sepoy cum traveller Morecraft who was finally killed mysteriously while going to Blukh. In his preliminary report Hugel wrote about some specific sheep used in making precious swalls . London ordered Morecraft to inquire that issue and if it is true than send those sheep to london via calcutta. In 1820, Morecraft came to Lhore, got permission from Punjabi Maharaja to visit Kashmir and finally managed to take many sheep to calcutta. from there he sent them to london yet not a single sheep survived due to climate change. The story reminds us not only regarding Land Trade Routes (LTRs) but also trade policy behind annexation too. read and enjoy
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