Aurel Stein’s most trusted and devoted camp assistant in Kashmir, Ram Chand Bali learnt of Stein’s death some days after the actual happening while he was at Jammu. He was informed about the sad news by Pandit Sarvanand Raina. It utterly shocked him. He grieved at the loss for a long time but bore the accompanying grief with a sense of fortitude. Many years later Ram Chand Bali paid his last tribute by actually installing a memorial stone at Mohand Marg to perpetuate the honoured memory of Stein.

“For several years I have had no news about you. I have been thinking about you as to what you have been doing. I am now writing this letter in the hope that this letter will serve to find you out. The immediate cause of writing to you is that I need your help in a particular matter. This matter pertains to the memories of our common friend, the late Sir Aurel Stein.

“The trustees of his inheritance wish that a tomb stone be erected at Mohand Marg, which should bear mention of Sir Stein’s beloved camping place, the Marg. It is proposed that the epitaph be engraved on a suitable rock and that it should make mention of these facts. In this connection, the first step would be to find out a sculptor who could engrave words on the rock and who would be willing to go to the Marg for this work. You are the only person in Kashmir who is well- acquainted with this place at this Marg and you alone can pinpoint the right place where this epitaph could be engraved on a suitable rock. You will recall that there was a particular place on the Marg which Aurel Stein would always speak of as his grave and where he wished to be buried. But this could not be made possible because Aurel Stein passed away at Kabul. If you can recognize this particular rock and if does have a suitable place for engraving the words, then it will be extremely suitable for the purpose and, if the space is not suitable, then another rock near it can be selected.

“When the occasion for this arises, can you kindly take the sculptor up over the height and show him the suitable place selected? I am making out the words for the epitaph on a full-size paper, and shall arrange to send it to you or to the person whose name you may propose. After receipt of your confirmation that you can help us in this work, the trustees of Sir Stein will make payment to you for the expenses involved. I trust that in token of the esteem in which you hold the memories of Aurel Stein you will accomplish this work with pleasure. I shall look forward to receiving your suggestions in this matter. Kindly send you reply promptly by air-mail. Hoping that this finds you in good health and wishing you all the best.” - Fred Andrews.

(in a letter dated April 14, 1947, by Fred Andrews to Pandit Ram Chand Bali. (Stein’s camp assistant in Kashmir). (Translation into English of the Urdu original, which it self constitutes a translation of the English original), rendered by Shiv Nath Hundoo from Jalwa-E-Sadrang, by Dr. Brij Premi. (Source courtesy : Jawahar Lal Bali, grandson of Pandit Ram Chand Bali.)

“It is proposed that the epitaph, a copy of which is enclosed, be in the size of 24” into16” so that it could be accommodate on a suitable surface and may not need much time to be spent on engraving. I shall forward to you at appropriate time a drawing of the words for the guidance of the sculptor. His work should represent a true copy of the drawing. Prior to this, I should have in my possession a complete detailed estimate of the expenses involved, so that I could submit the same to the trustees for their compliance. When the work is completed, a photocopy of the same may be made out and a copy thereof should be sent to me to enable me to place it before them.

“I agree with you as to your suggestion that the rock should be at a safe and covered place and that the engraving should be nearly two inches deep. Since the safe site which had been selected by Sir Aurel Stein for his grave could not be traced out, I concur with you as to your suggestion that a suitable rock be selected in the neighbourhood of his camping ground. The decision on this is completely in your hands. You must have observed that I am taking the fullest advantage of your offer of help, and I do know that you will feel pleased and satisfied that we are endeavouring to revive the memories of the relationship that had existed between our beloved friend and this Marg. It was verily at this Marg where, amidst its enthralling surroundings and sitting in his camp, we had profusely enjoyed his love and affection with an abundance of mirth and celebration.”
- Fred Andrews.