Classics Retold

Departing from Pentam, and going 130 miles southeast I find the island of Java lesser; but irrespective of this title, it is about 2000 miles in circuit, having eight kingdoms and same number of kings.  I will tell you all truth about it.  The people are idolaters. Each kingdom has a language of its own. There is plenty of spices, lignum aloes ( aloes wood or agar wood, a fragrant wood obtained from Aquilaria tree), and many other woods unknown in our country. The island lies far south that north star is never seen. Now I will tell you of each kingdom by itself. Little Java is an island near Java, may be Bali or Madura in Indonesia. End of the Section 

When a man goes 500 miles southward from Lochac, he finds an island named Pentam, very wild and all covered with odoriferous woods.  Then he navigates between these two islands about sixty miles, drawing only four paces of water, so that vessels in the passage must remove their rudder.  He then goes southeast about thirty miles, reach an island also named Pentam, with the noble and rich city Malaiur, having much traffic in spices and other articles. Notes:- Pentam: Modern day Sumatra is an elongated landmass, spanning a diagonal northwest southeast axis.

Leaving this island (Java) and sailing between south and southwest 700 miles, you find two isles, a large and a small called Sondur and Condur. Departing thence and going southeast 500 miles you find a very extensive province named Lochac.  The people are subject only to a native king; they are idolaters and have languages of their own. They are tributary to no power, being situated so far no invader can reach their land; otherwise it would have been subdued by the great Khan.  Brazil wood is in abundance, and gold in almost incredible quantities.  There are elephants and other animals for hunting, and from this place is derived all the porcelain that is circulated as money through the provinces now described.  I have only to add that, the country is difficult to reach; the king himself does not wish to be visited by strangers, and thus no one knows his treasure and conditions. Notes:- 1. Lochac: Modern day Laos.

Departing from Cianba and going south and southeast 1500 miles you come to this island.  Good mariners, who know it intimately describe it as the largest in the world, with a circuit of more than 3000 miles. The people are subject to a powerful king, are idolaters, and pay no tribute to any other prince.  The territory is very rich yielding pepper, nutmeg, galanga, cubebs, cloves and all the richest spices. Notes:-  1. Galanga: ഗലാഗൽ ഇഞ്ചി. Galangal is a common name for several tropical rhizomatous spices 2. Cubeb also known as Java pepper. വാൽമുളക് (തിപ്പിലി)

On leaving the port and sailing west, and somewhat southwest 1500 miles you reach a country named Cianba, which is very great and extensive. The people are idolaters.  They have their own language.  Their king pay tribute to the great Khan. This tribute is in fine elephants of the country.  The great Khan seeking to subdue the king sent in 1278 one of his barons, with many men, horse and foot, who began to lay waste the country. The king, who was very aged and much afraid of such powerful warriors, did not venture to engage them on the open plain, and remained secured in strong cities and and fortresses.  But all the land and houses were wasted and destroyed.  Grieved at this desolation, he sent the messengers, to the great Khan, who said to the great khan, "Sir, the king of Cianba salutes you as his liege lord, and states himself to be a man of great age, who has long preserved his kingdom in peace.  He offers to be your vassal, and pay a liberal tribute i...

You must know that the gulf containing this island is called that of Zin, meaning in their language the sea opposit Manji.  According to skilful and intelligent mariners, who have made the voyage, it contains 7448 isles, mostly inhabited.  In all these there grow no tree which is not agreeably fragrant, and also useful, being equal or superior in size to the lignum aloes. [1] They also produce various spices including pepper, white like snow as well as black. They yield also much gold, but they are much distant and difficult to reach.  The Mariners of Zai-tun and Kin-sai, who visit them, gain indeed great profit; but they spend a year on voyage, going in winter, and returning in the summer.  The wind in these seasons blows from two different quarters, one of which carries them to the isles, and the other brings them back.  But this country is immensely distant from India.  You may observe that though the sea be called Zin, it is really the ocean, just as we...

The idolaters of Cathay, Manji, and of these isles, have all a uniform worship; their idols have heads respectively of dog, hog, the sheep and various other animals.  Some have a head of four faces, others three heads, one in the proper place, and one on each shoulder.  Certain images have four, ten, and even thousand hands, and these last are held in great reverence.  When the Christians ask them why they form idols in so strange a manner, they reply, "our ancestors left them to us, and we will leave them to our children."  The actions of these beings are so various and diabolical, and they must not be mentioned in this book, because it would be a wicked thing for Christians to read them.  I shall only mention, that any idolaters of these isles, when he captures an enemy, who cannot pay a ransom in money, invite his friends, who cook and eat the prisoner, reckoning his flesh the most delicate food that can be obtained. End of the Section 

This is a very large island, fifteen hundred miles from the continent. The people are handsome, fair, and of agreeable nature.  They are idolaters. They live quite seperate,  independent, and not easily accessible.  Gold is in abundance, but no man is allowed to export it. No merchant goes to the mainland. I will give you a wonderful account of a very large palace, all covered with gold, as our churches are with lead. The pavement of the chamber, the halls, the windows and every other part is laid on with two inches thick, so that the riches of this palace are incalculable.  Here are also red pearls, large and of equal value with white, with many other precious stones. Kublai on hearing of this amazing wealth, desired to conquer the island, and sent two of his barons with large fleet, of warriors, both horsemen and on foot.  One was named Abatan, and the other Vonsanicin, both wise and valiant.  They sailed from Saitun and Kinsai, reached the isle, landed a...

Having described so many inland provinces I will now leave the region. The ships in which the merchants navigate towards the places around Indian Seas are made of fir, [1] with only one deck, but many of them are divided beneath into sixty compartments, in each of which a person can be conveniently accommodated. They have one rudder and four masts; while some have two additional which can be put up  and taken down at pleasure.  Many of the largest have as many as thirteen divisions in the hold, [2] formed of thick planks mortised into each other.  The object is to guard against accidents which may cause the vessel to spring a leak, such as striking on a rock, or being attacked by whales.  This last circumstance is not unusual, for during the night the motion of the ship through waves raises foam invites the hungry animal, which hoping to find food rushes violently against the hull and often forces in part of the bottom.  The water entering by the leak runs on to...

Departing from this city, travelling three days between North and Northeast you come to another city named Chandu built by Kublai Khan, the great Khan now reigning. Here he built a magnificent palace. This was already covered. Chandu is Xanadu. End of the Section and End of Part Two 

Tendue [1] is a province towards east where there are cities and castles, and the chief one bears the same name.  The people belong to the great Khan, like all those formerly subject to Prester John. In this province there is a king named George, descended from that prince who indeed enjoys his power. He holds the land under the Khan, but only part of that was enjoyed by his ancestors.  Khans had often given their daughters and female relations to the reigning kings of this Tendue.  In this province are found stones from which azure [2] is made. They are plentiful and good.  There are camlets woven out of Camel's hair. The natives live on cattle and fruits. These include their merchandise, and they have some manufactures.  The Christians, as already mentioned are masters of land. There are also idolaters and followers of Mohammed. There is likewise people called Argon, meaning French Guasmul that is mixed of two races. They are handsome, prudent and commercial. ...

When a man departs from Erginul and goes eight days eastward, he finds the province of Tangut called Egrigaia, where there are cities and castles and the chief one is named  Calacian.[1] The people are idolaters. Nestorian Christians hold three towns in the province.  They are subject to the great Khan. Cloth made of Camel's hair is the speciality here.  They are beautiful and valuable item. These the merchants convey by many routes to Cathay. Now, let us go to Tendue in the territory of Prester John. End of the Section  Notes:- 1.  Calacian: Modern day province of Gansu, in north Central China, also written as Kan Su, Kansu, Tangut.  It is boardered by Mangolia to north.

When a man departs from that city, he goes five days eastward to a country where there are many spirits who are often heard speaking during the night. You then find a kingdom named Erginul, belonging to the great Khan, and included in the great province of Tangut. There are good many towns, the chief one bearing the same name, and the people are a mixture of Nestorian Christians, idolaters and Mohammedans.  Proceeding thence south east, you come into the country of Cathay, when you will find in the way a city named Singuy.  There are a good many other towns still in Tangut, and subject to great Khan, and the inhabitants are as described above.  There are a great number of wild oxen as large as elephants, and very beautiful; their back being entirely covered with white and black hair three palms long.  These animals are also caught and tamed, when they do twice as much work as the common ox. This country produces best musk in the world, and I will describe the animals...

When you depart from Karakoram and from Altai where the Khans are interred, as I have related above, you go northwards to a country which is called the plain of Bangu, and continues during a journey of forty days.  The inhabitants are called Meeri, [2] and are very savage, live on the flesh of animals, chiefly deer and they ride upon these animals.  Their customs resemble that of Tartars, and they are subject to the great Khan.  They have neither corn nor wine, but in summer abundance of beasts and birds for hunting and hawking, though in winter none remain in the country on account of the intense cold.  After travelling these forty days you come to the ocean; and there is found a mountain where peregrine falcons build their nests.  This place contains neither men nor women, nor beasts nor birds except one species, which is called bharghenlac [3]. They are of the size of partridges, have feet like parrots, and tails like swallows, and they fly very swiftly....

The Tartars are good men at arms, capable of much endurance, and they can go through more warlike toil than other men.  Often, when necessary, he will remain a month on milk of mare, and the flesh of animals hunted by him.  Likewise, his horse remain on grass.  He is very obedient to his master.  He can remain,  carrying his arms, on horseback, the whole night.  They are capable of enduring fatigue and trouble, subsisting on least expenses, and best suited for conquering lands and kingdoms. They arrange their army in the following manner.  When a Tarar lord goes to war, he has with him 100000 men. He places a chief over every ten, every hundred, every thousand and every ten thousand, so that each officer, has to deal with only ten persons. Every man answers to his captain only. The hundred thousand is called "tut", ten thousand a toman. When the armies are matching through plains and mountains, they send 200 men two days in advance, also behind and on ...

Now, I have begun speaking of Tartars, I will tell you many things about them. During winter, they live in plains and warm situations, where there are abundant herbage for their cattle.  In summer they retire to cool places on mountains and high valleys where water is abundant.  They have wooden houses covered with felts, of a round shape, which they convey with them wherever they go; for they have them so well bound with twigs as to be easily carried.  Whenever they take down and set up a house, the gate is always placed to the south.  They have wagons well covered with black felts, that if it should rain the whole day no water would reach within.  These wagons are drawn by oxen and camels. On the top they place their wives and children. The ladies buy, sell, and perform all the works necessary for their husbands, who do nothing but hunting, hawking and go to war. They live on flesh and milk, and hunted game, and likewise rats of Pharaoh, [1]which are found her...

After the death of Genghis Khan the rulers in the order of succession were: Cui, Bacui, Alton, Mangou, and Kublai.  Kublai was most powerful and greater than the rest.  The great lords of the lineage of Genghis Khan were buried in a lofty mountain, Altai, at a distance of a hundred day.  I will tell you another striking wonder: When the bodies of the Khans are carried to the mountain, the conductors put to sword all the men whom they meet on the road, saying, "Go and serve the great lord in the other world." And they do same to the horses, killing the best of the stock.  When Mangou Khan died, 20000 men were slain, who had been met on the road, on the way to burial ground. End of the Section 

When Jenghis Khan heard this boastful speech, his heart swelled, so that it almost burst within him; for you know he was a man of great pride.  He then said to his minister, and to all about him, that he would not continue to hold the sovereignty, unless Prester John were made to pay more dearly for this villainy, and he must soon be made to see whether he was his vassal.  Then he summoned round him the greatest army that ever was seen or heard of, and sent notice to Unchan that he must defend himself as he was coming against him.  Though Prester John made light of this, he took all precautions to confront his enemy.  The Khan with all his people came to a great and beautiful plain and set up his camp, expecting to take on his enemy.  He sent for astrologers, Christians and Saracens, to know in advance the result of the confrontation.  The Saracens could tell nothing.  The Christians brought before him a cane, cut it in the middle and put the two parts...

Now it happened that about 1187 the Tartars appointed Genghis as their Khan.  He was a man of great worth, sense and prowess.  All the Tartars in the world scattered in various parts of the world came together  under him as a single force.  He maintained his power with great vigour, and the multitudes who ranged under his standard were almost innumerable.  When he saw so numerous an army, he went conquering other countries, and made himself master of eight provinces.  He never robbed the people of anything, but placing them under the leaders in whom he could confide, led them on to other triumphs.  Thus he overthrew, as you have heard, a multitude of nations; and seeing his good command and mildness, they cheerfully followed him, upon which he formed the design of subduing a great part of the world.  In the year 1200 he sent a message to Prester John, asking his daughter to wife.  Here upon the monarch was very indignant and said - what impud...

Karakoram is a city three miles in circuit which was the first that Tartars took when they issued from their country, and I am to tell you of their actions and manners and how they gained command and spread themselves across the world.  You must know that they dwelt in the north, about Ciorcia [2], in which region are great plains, and no abode in cities or castles, but good pasturage, large rivers and abundance of water.  They had no lords, but paid tribute to the Sire, named in their language Unchan, whom we call Prester John, and who is spoken of all the world.  They paid him one beast out of every ten, but they multiplied so greatly, that he became afraid of them, and resolved to separate them into different countries, for which purpose he sent his barons among them.  The Tartars on hearing this were much grieved, and holding a council, they determined to flee through desert countries to the north, where he could not reach nor injure them.  They then ceased ...

After riding twelve days, you come to a city named Ezina, [1] which is at the northern extremity of the desert of sand, and still in Tangut.  The people who are idolaters breed camels and other beasts, and have falcons of different species and good quality. They live by the fruits of earth and cattle, and are employed in merchandise.  In this city a man lays in provisions for forty days, during which time, travelling from Ezina northwards, except during summer, remain in the valleys; and in the mountains they find a number of wild beasts, especially asses; there are also pine forests.  At the end of these forty days, they reach a northern province, and you shall hear what it is. Notes:- 1. Ezina: It is the ancient name for modern day Yinchuan, the capital of  Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in Northwest China.  It is now the permanent site of China-Arab Expo a platform for economic and cultural exchanges between China and Arab countries.

Canpicon, the capital of Tangut is a great and noble town. [1] The people are idolaters, and there are some who adore Mohammed and Christians who have three large beautiful churches.  The first one have monasteries and Abbeys according to their custom, with a very great number of idols, some of which are ten paces high, severally formed of wood, earth or stone, all beautifully covered with gold and  ivory.  Their priests live more respectably than others and guard themselves against luxury, though they do not hold it for a very great sin.  They observe the lunar months like ours, and in one of them do not kill any beast or bird.  For five days they do not eat food that has had life, and live more strictly than usual.  They take some thirty wives or as many as they have wealth to maintain, and give them a dowry in beasts, slaves and money; but the first wife ranks always as the principal.  If any of them do not please him, she may be divorced.  The...

When you have departed from the province now described you go ten days in the same direction. In all that there are few habitations, nor does anything occurs worth mentioning. Then you find a district called Succiur [1] with a capital of the same name.  The people are Christians and idolaters, and under the great Khan.  All the provinces last described belonged to the general one, named Tangut.  Through all its mountains rhubarb is found in abundance, which the merchants buy and carry to other parts.  The merchants cannot take the road to the mountains with animals, because a poisonous plant grows on the way, which if eaten by the animals causes their hoofs to drop off. But the native animals, having learned its dangerous quality, carefully avoid it.  The people live by the fruits of earth, but attend little to merchandise.  Now I must tell you of another city. Notes:-  1. Succiur: Likely, the city of Suzhou west of Shanghai. It is known for its canals...

Ginghintalas is a province near to Lop Nur desert, sixteen days journey in extend.  The province is under great Khan. There are cities and castles in the province.  The inhabitants are of three kinds: the idolaters, Nestorian Christians and the adorers of Mohammed.  On the boarders of it, towards north is a mountain containing very abundant vein of copper and antimony.  There is also one from which is made salamander, but do not suppose this is the animal so called, for no creature can live in the fire, because it is compounded of the four elements.  It is only through the ignorance that the salamander [2] is called an animal.  A Turk named Zurficar, who was very learned, and governor of this province for three years under the great Khan, being much employed in the working of the mines gave me an account of it.  When this ore is taken from the mountain, and is broken, it strings together and forms a thread like wool, it forms cloth, which is dingy in c...

Kamul is a province, formerly a kingdom containing cities and castles, with a capital of the same name.  It stands between two deserts, the great one already described, and the smaller one, extending three days journey.  The people are all idolators and have a peculiar language.  They live by the fruits of the earth, having enough to eat, and the remaining, they sell to the passengers. They are men of great gaiety, thinking nothing but to sound musical instruments, to sing, dance, and delight their hearts.  When a stranger comes to lodge in a house, the master is highly pleased, leaves him with his wife, desiring her to treat the guest in every respect, and the master of the house goes and spends two or three days elsewhere.  All the men of the province proceed in this manner, do not account it any disgrace.  The women are handsome, gay and fond of diversion.  When Mangou Khan reigned as Sire of the Tartars, it was reported to him how the people of Kam...

When you have rode thirty days through this desert [1] you find a city named Sacchion [2], which belongs to the great Khan. The province is called Tangut [3] The people are idolators mixed with some Nestorian Christians and Saracens.  The first have the languages of their own; they subsist not by merchandise, but by the grain, which they produce from the earth.  They have many Abbeys and monasteries, all full of idols of various shapes, to which they offer frequent sacrifice and homage.  Every man who has children rears a sheep, and at particular festival at the end of the year, leads them along with the animal to the presence of God, to whom they all perform reverence.  They cook the sheep, and offer it very humbly before the idol, leaving it while they make their prayers for the safety of their children.  Then they take the meat and carry it to the house, or wherever they please, send for their relations, and eat it with great joy and respect.  They after...

Lop is a large city at the entrance of the great desert bearing its name, and lying between the north and northeast. It belongs to the Khan.  The people adore Mohammed.  Those persons who wish to pass this tract, rest in the city a week to refresh themselves and their cattle; then having taken a month's provisions and the provender (fodder for their cattle) they enter upon the desert, which is so extensive and if a person were to travel through its whole length, it would employ a year; and even at its smallest breadth a month is requisite.  It consists altogether of mountains and valleys of sand, and nothing is got to eat.  After travelling a day and a night you find sweet water sufficient for fifty to a hundred men and their animals. For a larger body it may be insufficient. Thus water is seen daily, altogether in about twenty eight places, and except in three or four spots it is good.  No beasts or birds, because they could not find food.  There is a grea...

Ciarcian is a province of Great Turkey lying between northeast and east, with a capital city of the same name. The people adore Mohammed.  The city has a good number of towns and castles.  There is a river bringing jasper and Calcedony, which being of excellent quality, is taken to Cathay. It brings great profit. It is a sandy province; the whole tract from Cotan to here is sandy. The water is generally bad, and bitter but in some spots it is better.  When an enemy passes through the country the inhabitants flee with their wives, children and cattle.  After two or three days journey through the sandy tracts, we arrive at places abounding in fine water and meadows.  No one can tell where those people with their wives, children and cattle took to flight to escape the invader, because the wind blowing always obliterated their footsteps. When a friendly army passes through, they hide their cattles because the army would take them away and eat, and pay them nothing....

Updated on 22/02/25 Pein is a Province, 5 days' journey in length between northeast and east.  The people adore Mohammed, and are subject to the great Khan, and have a number of towns and castles.  The noblest city and capital is Kunar. Here is a river in which are found the stones named jasper and chalcedony [2] The people are very well supplied with necessaries.  They grow a good deal of silk.  They live by merchandise and art. They have a peculiar custom:  When a woman has a husband who has gone on journey, and is to be absent above twenty days, as soon as he has departed, she takes another partner, being fully allowed by usage to do so; while husband, in the place where he goes, takes another wife.[3]  All the provinces from Cascar to kunar and further on belong to Great Turkey.  Now, let us tell of a province named Ciarcian. End of the Section  1. Pein: Likely Kunar Province, one of the 34 provinces of Afghanistan.  It is located in the ...

Cotan is a province between northeast and east, and is eight days journey in length. [1]  The people adore Mohammed.  The province has a number of cities and castles. The capital is a noble town, called by the name of the kingdom.  They have all things in abundance, a large supply of silk, and have vineyards and good orchards.  They carry on merchandise and manufactures. But men are not at arms. Notes:-  It is likely Hotan, located in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. The previous station of Marco Polo was Yarkand in the same region; but it is about 330 kilometres southeast of Yarkand. In fact Yarkand is Northwest of Cotan. End of the Section 

Yarcan is a province of five days journey in length. [2] The people obey the law of Mohammed; but there are some Nestorian Christians; they are subject to the nephew of the Khan mentioned above. All necessaries are in abundance. It is an area of cotton cultivation and the inhabitants are skilful artisans.  They suffer severely by swelling in legs and in  throat, occasioned by bad quality of water.  Finding nothing else worth mentioning, I shall go on to Cotan. Notes:- 1. Yarcan: A likely reference to the Yarkand region of modern day Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China. It has been an important centre of trade and culture on what we now call Silk Road.  It is in the Tarim Basin, a large desert basin surrounded by mountains. 2. It is a doubtful claim by the author. Samarkand in Uzbekistan was his last station. It is nearly 1400 kilometres from Samarkand to Yarkand, taking a route, first into Fergana valley and into Tian Shan mountain range; and then crossed mode...

Samarcan is a very great and noble city, lying to the south, inhabited by Christians and Saracens.  The people are governed by the nephew of the great Khan, who however is not his friend but in open hostility.  I have to tell you a great wonder which happened in this city.  I must tell you that very not long ago, Ciagatai, brother to the great Khan, became a Christian, and was lord of that and of many other countries.  The believers of Samarcan rejoiced greatly at his conversion, and erected a large church in honour of it, hearing the name of St John the Baptist.  They took a large fine stone belonging to the Saracens, and made it the base of a column, which rose in the middle of the edifice, and supported the whole roof.  Now it came to pass that Ciagatai died, whereupon the Mohammedans, having been much enraged at this stone being taken for the use of the church, consulted each other how to recover it by force.  This they could now easily do, being t...

Caskar was an ancient kingdom, but now is under the dominion of the great Khan.  The cities and castles of Caskar are situated between north and east.  The people are idolators, who subsist by merchandise and manufactures.  There are fine gardens of vine yards and orchards. There is good supply of silk.  The merchants of the city go round the world as a part of carrying on their trade, but they are sordid and covetous.  Some Nestorian Christians reside here, observing their own customs and laws.  The people have a language of their own, and the province extends five days journey. Now let us leave it, and speak of Samarcan. Note:- 1. Kashgar: Or as the Chinese call it Kashi was a city in the Tarim Basin region of China. Marco Polo's previous station was Belore (modern day Balochistan). Doubts may arise in the mind of readers whether he visited these places or he had been making use of some other accounts.  He is always picking some cities in the south a...

When a man departs from Badascian(Badakshan) he goes twelve days between north-east and east, along a river which belongs to brother of that land.[1] There are good castles and good number of inhabitants who are valiant and adore Mohammed.  He then comes to a Province named Vokhan, not very large, being three days journey in every direction.  The people are of the same description, and subject to the ruler of Badascian (Badakshan).  Wild beasts and birds of every kind for hunting.  After three days travel over mountains, he ascends to the highest place in the world.  A plain between two vast hills, through which flows a very fine river issuing from a large lake.  A rich pasture in the world, lean animal gets fat here in ten days.  All kinds of wild animals are in abundance here.  A species of sheep with horns, a length of upto six palms are found. The shepherds make their spoons out of these horns.  Horns of dead animals are used to enclose t...

Kesimur is inhabited by idolators, who have a language of their own.  They have a wonderful knowledge of enchantments of devils, making them speak, and by sorcery changing the season, and causing great darkness, and doing other wonders, which could not be believed, unless they were seen.  The idols of this province are the heads over all the others and went down to the neighbouring countries.  The people are meagre and of brown complexion; but the females are very beautiful. They live on flesh and rice, and have a number of cities and castles.  They have woods and deserts, and passes so strong that they have little dread of an invader.  Their king rules with great justice.  In this country are hermits, who observe great abstinence in eating and drinking, and carefully abstain from all offences to their faith; and this done through the veneration of their gods.  They have abbeys and monasteries, and are held in much reverence by the people of the countr...

You are to know 10 days south of Badascian (Badakshan) is a province called Pasciai. The people have peculiar language, they are worshippers of idols and much skilled in enchantments and diabolical arts.  The men wear ear rings and buckles of gold and silver, with pearls and precious stones; they are very artful and malicious people.  The province is extremely hot, and the people live upon rice and flesh. Now let us leave it, and tell of another, which is distant from this seven days towards the southeast. Notes:- 1. Pascia: Exact identification of the place is not possible with the contradictory narrative of Marco Polo. With ten days journey towards south from Badakshan he must have covered Kabul. The distance from Badakshan to Kabul being 475 kilometres is agreeing with Marco's 10 days journey. But the syllables in Pascio do not match with that of Kabul. Peshawar is about 712j kilometres south of Badascian. It doesn't come within 10days distance. Perhaps he may be talking ab...

Badascian is a large province whose people adore Mohammed.  They have a language of their own. It is governed by kings descended from Alexander and the daughter of Darius of Persia, and all the kings are called Saracen Zulcarnem. [1] In this country occur precious stones called balasiu, [2] which are very beautiful and valuable.  They are found in the rocks of a mountain called Lighinan,[3] and are cut out of very deep caverns, as is done by those who work in silver mines.  Know that king works out them for himself, and no other man may cut out balasiu on that mountain for fear of death.  His majesty sends them as presents to other princes and great lords, either as homage, or in token of friendship, and he likewise sells them for gold and silver.  This prohibition is enforced to prevent its exhaustion.  You must likewise know, that in other mountains of the same country are found the stones of which ultramarine is made, and it is the finest and best in the...

When a man travels three days, he finds a city named Scassem [1]which is on the plain while others are on the mountains, and through which flows a river.  There are porcupines, and when the hunters set their dogs upon them, the hogs collect together and push their spines, ready to attack, and if the dogs ignore this warning signal, often hurt themselves.  This Scassem is a large large province, and shepherds dwell in caverns on the mountains, which are easily formed being wholly of earth, and make a large handsome habitation, when a man leaves this city, he travels three days without finding a house, or anything to eat or drink.  So people travelling these places must carry provisions themselves. Now comes the district of Badascian. Notes:- 1. Scassem: Most probably Cashmere (archaic) or Kashmir. The Tibetans must have been the earliest settlers in that land and they called it Khachal,  Kha means opening, gap,or pass. Chal means plain or flat area or valley or platea...

When a man has rode these two days, he finds a castle called Taikan where there is great corn market, and the country round is fine. The mountains towards the south are very high and formed entirely of salt, which is the best in the world, and people come for it from a distance of thirty days journey round.  It is so hard that it can be broken only by great iron hammers; and there is enough to supply the whole human race till the end of time.  Departing from that city, you go three days northeast, through a fine country, well planted with grain and fruits.  The people who are followers of Mohammed, are wicked and murderous.  They spent much time in the tavern, for they have an abundance of good wine, well prepared.  They wear nothing on their head, but a cord ten palms long wrapt round it.  They are good hunters, and thus supply themselves with venison, but have no clothing except the skin of animals. Notes:- 1. From Shortepa he returned southward upto Balk...

Balkh has been an ancient town, great and noble; but the Tartars spoiled and wasted it.  Many beautiful houses and palaces are now destroyed.  I was told by the people that Alexander took here the daughter of Darius as his wife.  The people revere Mohammed; here ends the domination of Eastern Tartars. On the outskirts of this city begins Persia.  Now, let me tell of another country named Dogna.[*]  On leaving Balkh you ride two days between northeast and east and find no habitation, because all the people have fled to fortresses in the mountains for fear of wicked men who lay the land waste.  There is no want of water or game, and lions are seen.  No food is to be procured, but travellers must carry them, both for himself and his horses. Notes:- Balkh is a town in Balkh province of Afghanistan. It is 20 kilometres Northwest of Mazar-i-Sharif, the provincial capital.  Historically it was a part of Greater Khorasan in the Iranian Plateau. Dogna is n...

When a man departs from that Castle he rides through beautiful hills covered with rich herbage, with fruits and all things in great abundance.  The country extends to a journey of six days and contains cities the inhabitants of which adores Mohammed. Yet sometimes you find a desert of fifty or sixty miles, without water, which the traveller must carry themselves.  When the traveller has rode six days through the country now described he finds a city called Sapurgan.[1]  It has great abundance of all things, among which are the finest melons in the world in plenty, and they are preserved in this manner:  The people cut them all round like cucumbers, and dry them in the sun, when they become sweeter than honey, they are sold throughout the country.  Beasts and birds are hunted here. Now I will go on to another city named Balk. Note:- 1. Sapurgan: Modern day Mazar - I- Sharif in Afghanistan 

Having now told you of Old Man of the Mountain and his assassins, you shall hear how he was killed.  I had forgotten to mention one thing: The Old Man of the Mountain had placed  in Damascus and Kurdistan his own men to look after his affairs. In the year 1262 Alau, the lord of East, having heard of the Old Man's wicked deeds, determined to destroy him.  He sent his generals with great body of men, who besieged his castle for full three years, and reduced it by famine.  He was taken into custody, and was killed with all his people, and since that time there has been no assassin; and thus ended his domination and his wickedness. Notes:- The history of the Ismailies or assassin is famous in the history of Asia.  It was also known Fatimid They ruled from CE 901 to 1171.  They claimed descent from Fatima,  the daughter of Prophet. End of the Section

You shall know all about the Old Man of Mountain, as I Marco heard related by many persons. He was called in their language Alaodin, who lived in a valley between two mountains.  The valley was a large and beautiful garden.  There were beautiful houses and palaces, the interior of which were richly gilded, and the walls were furnished with finely coloured pictures of birds and beasts.  It contained several conduits through which flowed water, wine, honey and milk.  Beautiful ladies and damsels, sung excellently and played instruments skilfully.  The Old man made his pupil believe that his garden was a paradise.  And he was able to bring people to this belief because Mohammed had given the Saracens to believe that those who went to garden would meet great many ladies, and find rivers of water, wine, milk and honey.  The people were led to think that it was really a paradise.  The Old Man of the Mountain had an evil design in running this paradise. ...

When a man departs from Cobinam he goes through desert for eight days, and the country is arid; there is neither fruit nor trees, and the water is bitter and bad, so he must carry both water and food for himself, but the beasts drink that on the road, though very unwillingly.  He then comes to a province Tonocain [1] with cities and many castles boardering upon Persia towards north. And there is a very great plain on which grows what the Christians call the dry tree, which I will describe to you. It is very large, and its leaves are green on one side, and white on the other.  It yields a nut like the chestnut; but there is nothing within it.  It is a strong wood, and yellow like box; and there is no other tree in those parts for a hundred miles round, except on one side, at ten miles distance. [*] It is said by the people of the country to be the place where Alexander fought with Darius.  There are many towns and castles, and the inhabitants have abundance of all goo...

Cobinam [1] is a great city inhabited by Mohammedans. There is abundance of iron, brass and andanico [2], and with brass they make large and beautiful mirrors.  They make here also tutty [3] which is extremely good for eyes, and likewise sponge in the following manner.  They take a vein of earth [4] fit for this purpose and throw it into a burning furnace above which is a grating iron.  Then the smoke and moisture ascending adhere to the iron and form putty, while the earth which remains in the furnace becomes sponge. Note:- 1. Cobinam: Modern day Qom, the province and capital city on the banks of Qom River. Cobi in Mongol and Chinese language means desert. Mongols must have been the earliest settlers in the area. The name reflect the original geography of the area, which was a desert. Cobinam means desert by lake. 2. Andanico: A variant of the word andanik, a type of bronze or copper alloy that was highly valued for its strength and durability. 3. Tutty: An amorphous yel...

We will now leave this city, and not go on to India, I will describe it later. We will return to Creman (Kerman), because the countries I am going to visit can only be accessed by it. Here, I am taking another route from Cormos to Creman, and this route is a fine plain.  There are many hot springs on the way and a bath in these, is a remedy for some skin diseases.  Abundant fruits, especially dates, also birds like partridges.  But wheaten bread owing to the poor quality of water is so  bitter that no one unaccustomed to it can eat it.  When a man has left Creman, he travels seven days northward through a very dreary region.  During the first three days he finds no river, and the scarce water he gets is saline, green like grass, so bitter that it is impossible to drink it, and if a man tastes even a drop, it produces violent purging.  Travellers therefore carry water with them; but the beasts being obliged to drink, such as they find, suffer violently....

That plain extends five days journey southward.  Then come a downward slope. Twenty miles of bad and difficult road, full of wicked robbers. A full plain of Formosa,[1] watered by fine rivers with plantations of date palm, and having air filled with frsncolins, parrots and other birds unknown to other climate.  You ride two days through it, and then arrive at ocean, on which there is a city and fort named Cormos.  The ships from India bring here all kinds of spices, precious stones, and pearls, clothes of silk and gold, elephant's teeth and many other articles.  It is the capital of a kingdom having many cities and castles under it, and the sovereign is called Reumedan Achomac.  The climate is intensely hot, and extremely unhealthy, and when any foreign merchant dies, the king inherits all his property.  Wine is here made of dates, and spices as flavouring agents, and is extremely good, but when drunk by unaccustomed to it, has a strong purgative quality, t...

At the bottom of this descent is a very extensive plain, at the commencement of which is city named Camandu, [1] once wonderfully great and noble, but now much declined, because the Tartars have repeatedly plundered it. It is a place of extreme heat.  The province is called Reobarle.[2] Its fruits are dates, pistachio nuts, apples of paradise, and others which do not grow in our country. Here are a species of birds called francolin, which are different from those of other lands, their colour being a mixture of black and white, while the beak and feet are red.  The oxen are very large, and white as snow, and their hair very smooth in consequence of heat.  Between their shoulders is a hump, two palms high, and their appearance is the most beautiful of any in the world.  When the owner wishes to load them, they bend down as camels do, and after receiving their burden, rise and bear it well.  There are sheep as large as asses, and with the tails so thick and broad a...

Creman is a kingdom anciently belonging to Persia, and which is used to be governed by a hereditary prince; but since the Tartar conquered it, he appoints what deputy he pleases.  In those regions stones called turquoise are in abundance.  They are found in the mountains and excavated from rocks.  The inhabitants make all things necessary for troops such as reins, saddles, bows, arrows, quivers, and all kinds of arms according to the custom of the country.  The ladies work very neatly clothes of gold and silk with the needles depicting beasts, birds and many other objects. In the mountains, they rear the finest falcons in the world.  Though small than the peregrine species, they fly so swiftly that no bird can escape them.  When a man leaves the city of Creman, he travels seven days through the towns, finding much amusements, because there are great numbers of wild beasts and birds.  At the end of these seven days, he comes to the downward slope of the...

Yasdi is a beautiful and noble city, with rich manufactures.  The people make silk clothes of different names, which the merchants carry into different places.  They all adore Mohammed.  When a man departs from that city, he rides seven days over a plain, which has only three habitates and inns for the travellers.  The rest is forests filled with Patridges and other birds, which afford excellent sports; also beautiful asses.  At the end of these seven days a country called Creman presents itself. Notes:- 1. Yasdi: It is modern day province of Yazd in Iran. The capital city of the province is also called Yazd.  It is a world heritage site by UNESCO.  Because of buildings with windcatchers, or wind towers, an architectural design to create cross ventilation to provide natural cooling, it is called the city of Windcatchers. It is also well-known for its Zorastrian fire temples. It is also known as City of bicycles because of high rate of bicycle riders.

Persia is a vast country.[1] There are eight kingdoms in Persia: Casum, Cardistan, Lor, Cielstan, Instanit, Cerazi, Soucara, and Tonocain, which is on the remotest frontier. In this last are many fine horses of high value, which are taken in large numbers to be sold in India; and greater part of them are worth two hundred livres tournoise each.[2]  They have also the finest asses in the world, one of which is worth full thirty mares of a silver.  The men of that country lead these horses to two entities on the banks of the sea of India called Chisi and Curmoss, and find there merchants who buy them and carry them into distant countries.[3]. In these kingdoms there are many cruel men, who are constantly killing one another, and but for the fear of the Eastern Tartars, who now rule this land they would remain merchants. As it is unless the latter are well provided with arms and bows, they often kill them or hurt them severely.  All these men hold the law of Mohammed.  ...

Persia is an extensive province, anciently very rich and flourishing, but now in a great degree wasted and destroyed by the Tartars.  It contained a city called Sava [1] where from, three magi came to adore Jesus Christ when born at Bethlehem. [2]  In that city are buried the three in seperate tombs, above which is a square house carefully preserved.  Their hearts are still entire, with their hair and beards.  One was named Balthazar, the other Casper, and the third Melchior.  Messer Marco inquired often in that city about these three Magi, but no one could tell him anything, except that they were ancient kings, who were buried there.  They informed him, however, that three days journey farther was a tower called the castle of the fire-worshippers, because the men there venerate fire, and for the following reasons.  Anciently the three kings of that country went to adore a certain prophet, newly born, and carried three offerings, gold, incense and myrr...