Nawab Bhadur Syed Muhammad Jan Fishan Khan

JAN FISHAN KHAN, PERGAMEE.-Syud Mahomed Khan was one of the few Afghans of note who steadfastly adhered to the cause of Shah Shoojau throughout his eventful career. When restored to his throne by the British, the King rewarded the many services of this faithful follower, by creating him a noble, under the title of Jan Fishan Khan. To the officers in Kabul he was familiarly known as the “Laird of Pergamee,” (the name of his estate,) and was much esteemed by them for his upright and open conduct. He accompanied Sir Robert Sale’s Force on its march from Kabul to Jellalabad, and was honorably mentioned in the despatches of both that General and Colonel Dennie, in their reports of the forcing of the Teezeen Pass, for the assistance he rendered in carrying the heights with his matchlock men. He is one of the few Chiefs who have shown a sincere devotion to the British interests, during the late insurrection. When Ukbar Khan returned to Kabul, after his defeat by Sir R. Sale, Jan Fishan Khan quitted the Kohistan, and repaired with his followers to the capital in aid of the Kuzzilbashes, but the Sirdar having gained the ascendancy, and forced that party to tender their unwilling submission, he was obliged to fly for his life: his two sons having been slain in the fight. This view of the plain of Begram, the Reg Ruwan, and part of the Kohistan, was taken from the fort of Lughmanee, two miles to the south of Cahrikar, (the station of the Goorkaha regiment,)and the coup d’oeil presented from that spot is truly magnificent. The winding courses of the rivers, the picturesque appearance of the forts and gardens, the verdure of the pastures, of the bold and varied aspect of the surrounding hills, crowned buy the snowy summits of the Hinsoo Kosh, form a landscape of surpassing beauty. In the low range of hills in the distance is situated that curious phenomenon, the “Reg Ruwan,” or the moving sand. Two ridges detached form the rest, round in and meet each other. At the point of junction and where the slope of the hillsis at an angle of about forty-five degrees, and the height nearly four hundred feet, a sheet of sand as pure as that on the sea shore, is spread from top to bottom, to a breadth of about one hundred yards. When this sand is set in motion by a body of people sliding down it, a sound is emitted. The plain extending for miles, and covered with tumuli, is the site of the ancient city of Begram, supposed to be the “Alexandria ad Calcem Caucasi,” where, during many successive years, that indefatigable traveller, Mr. Masson, disinterred thousands of coins and gems. The situation is well suited for a capital: dry, flat, and elevated, in a rich country and near the foot of the passes, which lead to and from Tartary.' He had very faithful & excellent horse by the name of 'Hamdam' that helped him flee from Kabul saving his life & was buried in Sirdhana.