This district used to be under Ahmad Shah of Skardo, and has since its conquest by Ghulab Singh come permanently under the Maharajah of Kashmîr. Its possession used to be the apple of discord between the Nawabs of Astor and the Rajahs of Skardo. It appears never to have had a real Government of its own. The fertility of its valleys always invited invasion. Yet the people are of Shîná origin and appear much more manly than the other subjects of Kashmîr. Their loyalty to that power is not much to be relied upon, but it is probable that with the great intermixture which has taken place between them and the Kashmîri Mussulmans for many years past, they will become equally demoralized. The old territory of Guraiz used in former days to extend up to Kuyam or Bandipur on the Wular Lake. The women are reputed to be very chaste, and Colonel Gardiner told me that the handsomest women in Kashmîr came from that district. To me, however, they appeared to be tolerably plain, although rather innocent-looking, which may render them attractive, especially after one has seen the handsome, but sensual-looking, women of Kashmîr. The people of Guraiz are certainly very dirty, but they are not so plain as the Chilásis. At Guraiz three languages are spoken: Kashmîri, Guraizi (a corruption of a Shiná dialect), and Panjabi—the latter on account of its occupation by the Maharajah’s officials. I found some difficulty in getting a number of them together from the different villages which compose the district of Guraiz, the Arcadia of Kashmir, but I gave them food and money, and after I got them into a good humour they sang: GURAIZI HUNTING SONG. _Guraizi._ _English._ _Pere, tshaké, gazàri meyaru_ = Look beyond! what a fine stag! Beyond, look! a fine stag. Chorus. _Pére, tshaké, djôk maar = Chorus. Look beyond! how âke dey._ gracefully he struts. Beyond, look! how he struts! _Pére, tshaké, bhapûri bay bâro_ = Look beyond! he bears twelve Beyond, look! shawl wool 12 loads. loads of wool. Chorus. _Pére, tshaké, djôk maarâke = Chorus. Look beyond! how dey._ gracefully he struts. Beyond, look! how he does strut! _Pére, tshaké, dòni shilélu_ = Look beyond! his very teeth Beyond, look! [his] teeth are of are of crystal. crystal [glass] Chorus. _Pére, tshaké, djôk maarâke = Chorus. Look beyond! how dey._ gracefully he struts. This is apparently a hunting song, but seems also to be applied to singing the praises of a favourite.