Marco Polo in Central Asia: 05: The Kingdom of Mosul

Mosul is a great kingdom on the eastern boarder of Armenia, and inhabited by various denominations of men, whom I will now describe. There is a race called Arabic, who adore Mohammed; also another, who hold the Christian law; but not as the church of Rome commands; they err in many things.  They are denominated Nestorian and Jacobite and have patriarch named Jatolior, who makes Archbishops, bishops, abbots, and other clergy, and send them to all parts of Baghdad, India, and Cathay, as pope does from Rome.  All the christians in those parts are of this sect; and all the cloths of silk and gold, which are called mouslin, are made there.  The great merchants who are called mouslin, and bring the largest quantity of all costly spices, are of this kingdom.  Among its mountains are people called kurds, who are Nestorians, and Jacobite christians, but some are Saracens, and respect Mohammed.  They are overbearing and wicked people, ever ready to rob the merchants.  Now let us leave Mosul, and speak of great city of Baldach.

Notes:- Mosul is an oldest city, and now in Iraq.

End of the Section.



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