Marco Polo in Central Asia: 50: Province of Tendeu, Gog, Magog

Tendue [1] is a province towards east where there are cities and castles, and the chief one bears the same name.  The people belong to the great Khan, like all those formerly subject to Prester John. In this province there is a king named George, descended from that prince who indeed enjoys his power. He holds the land under the Khan, but only part of that was enjoyed by his ancestors.  Khans had often given their daughters and female relations to the reigning kings of this Tendue.  In this province are found stones from which azure [2] is made. They are plentiful and good.  There are camlets woven out of Camel's hair. The natives live on cattle and fruits. These include their merchandise, and they have some manufactures.  The Christians, as already mentioned are masters of land. There are also idolaters and followers of Mohammed. There is likewise people called Argon, meaning French Guasmul that is mixed of two races. They are handsome, prudent and commercial. [3] This province was the chief seat of Prester John, when he ruled over the Tartars and all the surrounding countries. This is the place which we, in our country call Gog and Magog. But they call it "Ung" and "Mungul", where Ung means Gog and Mungul means Tartars.

When a man rides through that province seven days eastward towards Cathay he finds many cities and castles. The inhabitants are Mohammedans, idolaters, and Christians.  They carry on trade and manufacture fine gilded cloth, called nascisi with various kinds of silk cloth, and are subject to the great Khan.  There is a city named Sindacui [4] which manufactures harness and trappings necessary for army. In the mountains of that country is a place named Idifu, where there is very productive silver mine.  They have no want of beasts and birds for hunting. Now, let us depart from this province and its cities, and travel three days, when we shall find a town named Cianganor, in which is a fine place of Great Khan.

Notes:-

1. Tendue or Tenduc or Tenduk is modern day Tingri county, northeast 
of Kathmandu and northwest of Sikkim. It is in xigaze of Tibet Autonomous Region.

2. Azure: A kind of semi precious gem stone that has been used for centuries for its striking colour and metaphysical properties.
3. The naming of mixed people as argon is intriguing.

4. Sindacui: Likely a province named Hebie, in North China.

End of the Section 






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