AL IDRÍSÍ.
87
Nahrwárá, Kandahár, Rúmala, Kalbata and Aghushta, on the borders of the deserts; Kabúl, Khawás, Hasak, Murídas, Mádiyár, Tatta, Dadah [Darh], Maníbár [Malabar], Malwa, Niyásat, Atrásá, Níja, Kashmír the Lower, Maidara, Kármút, Kashmír the Upper, Kanauj, Rástána, and the islands of the Indian Sea, Mallan, Balbak, Tarwáklij, Masnaha and Samandár. We shall describe all these countries without omitting anything remarkable or curious that they may afford.
Barúh [Barúch, Broach] is a large handsome town, well-built of bricks and plaster. The inhabitants are rich and engaged in trade, and they freely enter upon speculations and distant expeditions. It is a port for the vessels coming from China, as it is also for those of Sind. From hence to Saimúr is considered two days’ journey, and to Nahrwára eight days through a flat country where they travel in carriages on wheels. In all Nahrwára and its environs there is no other mode of travelling except in chariots drawn by oxen under the control of a driver. These carriages are fitted with harness and traces, and are used for the carriage of goods.
Between Barúh and Nahrwára there are two towns, one called Hanáwal (or Janáwal), the other Dúlaka. They are about equal in size, and are somewhat less than a day’s journey distant from each other. Dúlaka is on the banks of a river which flows into the sea, forming an estuary, on the west of which stands the town of Barúh, (the name of which is also pronounced Barús), Both these towns stand at the foot of a chain of mountains which lie to the north, and which are called U′ndaran,[1] they are of a white colour approaching to yellow. The kaná grows here as well as a few cocoa nut trees. In the vicinity of Hanáwal (or Janáwal) stands the town of Asáwal,[2] which is very much like the other two both in size and in the condition of its population. A good trade is carried on in all three.
Nahrwára is governed by a great prince who bears the title of Balhárá. He has troops and elephants; he worships the idol Buddha; wears a crown of gold upon his head, and dresses in rich stuffs. He rides a good deal on horseback, but especially once a week when he goes out attended only by women, one hundred in
