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RASHI′DU-D DI′N, FROM AL BI′RU′NI′.
55
is Karwa; from Karwa to Brahmashk, eight; thence to A′bhábúdi,[1] eight; thence to the tree[2] of Barágí (Prág,) twelve. This is at the confluence of the Jumna and Ganges. From the confluence to the embouchure of the Ganges, is twelve[3] parasangs. From the above-mentioned tree, in directing your course towards the south, a road leads along the bank of the river to Arak Tírat,[4] which is distant twelve parasangs ; to the country of U′ríhár,[5] forty; to Urdabishak,[6] on the borders of the sea, fifty; from thence, still on the shore of the sea, on the east, there is a kingdom which is at present near Chún, and the beginning (mabda’) of that is Dar (or Dúr,)[7]
- ↑ [Reinaud and Elliot read “Abhápúrí,” but our MSS. have “búdí.” The Arabic version translates “Abhá,” and says “waters of Búdí.”]
- ↑ The mention of the tree is important, as showing that at that time there was no city on the site of Allahábád, but merely a tree at the confluence; which is described in a subsequent passage as being of large dimensions, with two main boughs, one withered, the other flourishing, and as the Indians are represented as mounting on the tree to enable them to precipitate themselves into the Ganges, the river must have then flowed under it. The trunk of the tree still exists, and is as holy as ever, but is almost excluded from view by being enclosed in a subterraneous dwelling, called Patálpúrí, evidently of great antiquity, within the walls of the fort of Allahábád.
- ↑ This accords with Al Bírúní's original Arabic, but there is some unaccountable error. [The Arabic version of Rashídu-d din says simply “from hence to the Ganges,” but this does not mend the matter.]
- ↑ Perhaps the Island of Karan Tirat, now abreviated into Kantit, near Mirzápúr.
- ↑ M. Reinaud reads Oubarhar. [The initial letters U′r are clear in all the copies, the third letter is n, in the E. I. Library M.S., and the final r is also wanting in that and in the B.M. MS. The true reading is probably given in the Lucknow copy which has U′rihár, meaning in all likelihood, Orissa.]
- ↑ M. Reinaud reads Ourdabyschhau [but the final k is clear in all our copies]. See Lassen, Ind: Alterthumskunde, I. 186.
- ↑ This is very obscure. [Our MSS. differ in several points—the text given is a literal translation of the Persian
.—MS. B. reads حون for 
, adds ان after 
and for the last در it has دور. The reading of C. is 
.] M. Reinaud translates it thus: en suivant les bords de la mer et en se dirigeant vers l’Orient, à travers les provinces anxquelles confinent maintenant les états du roi Djour; la première de ces provinces est Dravida.
