ISKARDOL, the capital of Bultistan, is situate in a valley 19 miles long and 7 broad, and embosomed in stupendous ranges of mountains. The castle of the former sovereigns stands on a small natural platform about 300 feet above the bed of the Indus and its great tributary the Shigor, the two rivers forming a junction at the foot of the rock on which the castle is built. Ahmed Shah, the late native sovereign of Bultistan, had ruled his kingdom with a moderation little known among Asiatic despots. He made some unsuccessful efforts to become a protected vassal of the Indian Government as he dreaded the power and rapacity of the Sikhs. His fears proved true; Iskardol having been seized by Gholab Singh, the present ruler of Cashmere. Iskardol is in Lat. 35.12, Long. 75.35.