EARLY ARAB GEOGRAPHERS.
four; from Ayara [Annarí] to Valara [Ballarí], two; from Valara to Mánsura, one; from Debal to Kannazbúr, fourteen: from Debal to Manhátara [Manjábarí] two, and that is on the road from Debal to Kannazbúr; from Vallara [Ballarí] to Ayara [Annarí], four parasangs; Kámuhul from Mansúra is two days' journey,[1] and Bánia intervenes at one stage distance. The Mihrán is the chief river of those parts. Its source is in a mountain, from which also some of the feeders of the Jíhún flow. Many great rivers increase its volume, and it appears like the sea in the neighbourhood of Multán. It then flows by Basmad, Alrúz, and Mansúra, and falls into the sea, to the east of Debal. Its water is very sweet, and there are said tobe crocodiles in it it like those of Egypt. It equals the Nile in volume and strength of current. It inundates the land during the summer rains, and on its subsidence the seed is sown, as in Egypt.
The river Sandarúz [Sind-rúd] is about three days’ distant from Multán, Its waters are abundant and sweet. I was told that its confluence with the Mihrán is above Basmad, but below Multán.
Jandarúz [Jand-rúd] is also a great and sweet river, on whose bank is the city of Jandarúz.[2] It falls into the Mihrán below the Sandarúz [Sind-rúd] towards the country of Mansúra.
Makrán contains chiefly pasturages and fields, which cannot be irrigated on account of the deficiency of water. Between Mansúra and Makrán the waters from the Mihrán form lakes, and the inhabitants of the country are the Indian races called Zat. Those who are near the river dwell in houses formed of reeds, like the Berbers, and eat fish and aquatic birds.◌◌◌◌Another clan of them, who live remote from the banks, are like the Kurds, and feed on milk, cheese, and bread made of millet.
We have now reached the extreme eastern border of the dominions of Islám. The revenue of the kings and governors is small, and not more than to satisfy their actual needs. Some, no doubt, have less
than they wish.
- ↑ He has just said, only a few lines before, that the distance between these two towns is eight days’ journey; and that is, doubtless, the correct distance ; otherwise, we should have only six days’ journey between Mansúra and Kambáya, which is obviously incorrect. Abú-l Fidá, moreover, gives the distance as eight days’ journey.
- ↑ [See Note in Appx.]
