ਪੰਨਾ:A geographical description of the Panjab.pdf/7



{{c|PREFACE.}] ⁠The Geographical Description of the Panjáb, which follows, is taken from a Persian History of that country, written by the lateBáte Sháh of Lodiina. This work was undertaken many years ago, at the suggestion of the Political Agent at that place, and carried on under his patronage. The part, now givento the Public, was translated into Panjábí by MunshíBahilol, anative of the Panjáb, but latterly a resident at Lodiána.

⁠Thebookispublished, chiefly, to facilitate the studies of those who are desirous of becoming acquainted with the Panjábf dialect; and the style being peculiarly chaste, it may be safely recommended for this purpose. No other book is known to exhibit, so accurately, the current language of the country, as spoken by the best classes in society; that is, when they avoid the use of foreign terms. Pure Panjibs, however, is rarely to be met with, either in books, or in the colloquial usages of the people; there being a predominant disposition, especially in cities, to make use of as much Urdi as happens to be known.

⁠The orthography of Panjábi books is greatly diversified;-a thing which results from the uncultivated state of the language. The Translator of this work has conformed the spelling of words, as nearly as possible, to what he considered the most correct pronunciation.

⁠While the Lodina Mission deem it expedient to bring this work before the Public, they are not willing to vouch for the truth of all its statements. The author professed, indeed, g have spared no pains, and to have spent a large sum of money, in procuring information from all parts of the country concerning which he wrote; and so јt may be prestmed, that his statements are, in the main, to be relied