Marco Polo in Central Asia: 26: The Province of Kesimur [1]

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 country and live to a great age.  The coral brought from our land is sold more readily here than in any other country.  From this place you may go to the sea of India, and if we went farther, we should enter into that country; but being return that way, we will then describe it in due order, and now go to Badascian.

1. Kesimur: Probably Kaimur of Bihar state.

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