Marco Polo in Central Asia: 41: The City of Karakoram [1]

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 to obey or pay tribute him, and remained thus for a long time.

Notes:-

1. Karakoram is a mountain range spanning India, China, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan.  Most of it is Pakistan's Gilgit-Baltistan region.

2. Ciorcia: Ancient name of modern day city of Baotou, inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of northern China.

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