ZEHIR-ED-DIN MUHAMMED 41 



Bagh-e Vafa (the Garden of Fidelity). It overlooks the river, 

 which flows between the fort and the palace. In the year in 

 which I defeated Behar Khan, and conquered Lahore and 

 Dibalpur, I brought plantains and planted them here. They 

 grew and thrived. The year before I had also planted the Sugar- 

 cane in it, which throve remarkably well. I sent some of them 

 to Badakshan and Bokhara. It is on an elevated site, enjoys 

 running water, and the climate in the winter season is temperate. 

 In the garden there is a small hillock, from which a stream of 

 water, sufficient to drive a mill, incessantly flows into the garden 

 below. The four-fold field plot of this garden is situated on this 

 eminence. On the south-west part of this garden is a reservoir 

 of water ten gaz square, which is wholly planted round with 

 orange trees ; there are likewise pomegranates. All around the 

 piece of water the ground is quite covered with clover. This spot 

 is the very eye of the beauty of the garden. At the time when 

 the orange becomes yellow, the prospect is delightful. Indeed the 

 garden is charmingly laid out. To the south of the garden lies 

 the Koh-e-Sefid (the White Mountain) of Nangenhar, which 

 separates Bengash from Nangenhar. There is no road by which 

 one can pass it on horseback. Nine streams descend from this 

 mountain. The snow on its summit never diminishes, whence 

 probably comes the name of Kok-e-Sefid. No snow ever falls in 

 the dales at its foot. . . . 



Few quarters possess a district that can rival Istalif. A large 

 river runs through it, and on either side of it are gardens, green, 

 gay, and beautiful. Its water is so cold that there is no need of 

 icing it ; and it is particularly pure. In this district is a garden 

 called Bagh-e- Kilan (the Great Garden), which Ulugh Beg Mirza 

 seized upon. I paid the price of the garden to the proprietors, 

 and received from them a grant of it. On the outside of the 

 garden are large and beautiful spreading plane-trees, under the 

 shade of which there are agreeable spots finely sheltered. A 

 perennial stream, large enough to turn a mill, runs through the 

 garden; and on its banks are planted plane and other trees. 

 Formerly this stream flowed in a winding and crooked course, but 



