a fertile valley of Afghanistan, traversed by the route from Kabul to Turkistan, and bounded on each side by lofty and almost perpendicular steeps. The pass is of importance both in a military and commercial point of view, having less elevation and fewer difficulties than other passes in its vicinity, and being the only one across the Hindu Koh practicable for artillery or heavy carriages. Bamiyan and its vicinity are celebrated for some of the most remarkable relics of antiquity; its colossal idols, the castle of Zobak, and the ruins of Ghulghalchek, which are scattered over the valley. The town of Bamiyan is in Lat. 67° 50', Long. 34° 50'.