interfere in any way whatever with the existing
friendly relations between Bhutan and India. Equally
necessary was it for us to make this expedition with
the assent and sympathy ■ of all the northern races,
The hermit’s cell in the rocks above Rinchengong.
politically under the influence of India, who professed
spiritual subjection to the Grand Lama of Lhasa. It
is true, as we shall see later, that the favour of making
a road through the small portion of Bhutanese territory
was subsequently asked and willingly granted.
