Marco Polo: Central Asia:06: Baldach

At this place dwelt Caliph, the chief prelate of Saracens in the world, as the Pope is at Rome. Through the middle of it flows a very large river, by which you can proceed to the sea of Hind, where merchants go and come with their goods.  From Baldach [1] to the ocean by the stream is a voyage of eighteen days.  The merchants going to Hind sail down that river to a place named Chisi [2] and then enter the sea of Hind. [3] Between Baldach and Chisi is a great city named Basera.[4]  The woods around that city yield the finest dates.  In Basera we get fine clothes of silk and gold with pictures of birds and beasts. It is the great and noble city in the region.  The Caliph is found to possess abundant treasure in gold, silver, and precious stones, that ever was in the possession of man; and I will tell you how it happened.  In the year of our Lord, 1255, the great sire of the Tartars, named Alau, brother to the great sire that now reigns, assembled a very large army, and marched upon Baldach and took it by force.  It was a glorious exploit. It contained more than 100000 horses, beside foot soldiers, and when it was taken, Alau found Caliph in possession of a tower full of gold, silver and other treasures.  Alau sent for the Caliph.  When he came, Alau asked, "Caliph, why have you amassed such a treasure, and what do you mean to do with it?  Did you not know that I was your enemy, and coming to attack you with this mighty host?  Knowing this why did you not take your treasure and give it to the knights and soldiers to defend your city?"  Caliph replied nothing, because he knew not why.  Then said Alau, "Caliph, since I see you love so much of your treasure I will give it to you to eat."  Then he commanded that he should be shut up in the tower with treasure, and that nothing should be given to him to eat or drink.  Then he said to him, "Caliph, eat your treasure as heartily as you please, for you will never eat anything else." He was then immured in the tower, where he died at the end of four days.  And after him there never was any other Caliph. 

Notes:-

1. Baldach: Modern day Baghdad, the capital of Europe.  It was an important centre of trade, culture and learning.  And it was a major stopover in ancient trade. Baldach must have been medieval corruption of Baghdad. Now Baldach is no more in use it is marked in the Sur name of many people.

2. Chisi: Island of Qeshm located in the Persian Gulf. It was a major stopover for merchants travelling between East and Middle East.

3. There is only sea and land. We call it different names based on our perception. Hind, Sind and India are exonyms coined by peoples outside Indian subcontinent.
4. Basera: Basrah, a port city in southern Iraq.   It is situated on the Shatt al Arab river which drains into Persian Gulf.

End of the Section 

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