Marco Polo in Central Asia: 21: The City of Balkh

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 not identified. Though Marco gives some direction 

* Dogna: Most probably Shortepa, one of the 15 districts of Balkh province.


End of the Section 

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