Ibn Hawqal
Ibn Ḥawqal (died after AD 978/AH 368) was a 10th-century Arab Muslim writer, geographer, and chronicler who travelled from AD 943 to 969.
Quotes
[edit]- The reason why Multán is designated "the boundary of the house of gold" is, that the Muhammadans, though poor at the time they conquered the place, enriched themselves by the gold which they found in it.
- [[w:Debal|Debal[[ is remarkable for the richness of its grain cultivation, but it is not over-abundant in large trees or the date tree. It is famous for the manufacture of swords. The inhabitants generally maintain themselves by their commerce.
- The infidels who inhabit Sind are called Budha and Mand. They reside in the tract between Túrán, Multán, and Mansúra, to the west of the Mihrán. They breed camels, which are sought after in Khurásán and elsewhere, for the purpose of having crosses from those of Bactria.
The city where the Budhites carry on their trade is Kandábíl, and they resemble men of the desert. They live in houses made of reeds and grass. The Mands dwell on the banks of the Mihrán, from the boundary of Multán to the sea, and in the desert between Makrán and Fámhal. They have many cattle sheds and pasturages, and form a large population. - 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 inhabi-tants 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.- Kita´bu-l Masa´lik wa-l Mama´lik. Extracts: The History of India, as Told by Its Own Historians, vol. 1 (1867), pp. 31–40
External links
[edit]
Encyclopedic article on Ibn Hawqal on Wikipedia
