12 A Brief Description of Herat, [Jan. 



On the 4th of July, 1833, before the sun rose, we set out to the east 

 of the city, to examine the place called Gdzur Gdh, where the body of 

 Abu Ismael, or Khajeh Abdul Ansar, the son of Abu Mansaur, the 

 son of Abu Ayoub, the son of Mat Ansar, or the bearer of Muhammed's 

 Koran, reposes. 



Abu ansar was struck with stones by the boys, when he Was doing 

 penance, of which he expired in 1065, A. D., or in 481, Hejri*. He had 

 learned about 12,00,000 poems by heart, and was the author of 1,00,000 

 couplets. 



When we reached the pleasant Gdzur Gdh, we entered the Char- 

 su or square of Hasan Khan Shamlu, who has also built a few shops 

 and a finecistern on account of the periodical fair in spring. Having pass- 

 ed through the saltan, we came to the door which led us to the grave 

 of Abu Ansar. The door is made of copper, and on each side are 

 fine and clear mosques, where we saw a few Korans laying on the shelves 

 or rdhals. The Musnavi, or the book of Maulanai Rum, is recited 

 every morning, and the people faint during the invocation. 



On our right hand were the tombs of Mansur Sultan, the father 

 of Shah Rukh Mirza, and of the descendants of Amir Timur. On 

 our left were buried the successors of Chengiz Khan. The body of 

 Mansur was lodged on a large platform, bordered with marble, and 

 towards the head of the tomb we saw the following inscription : 



c^l^lLw^&lLo £*Xy <S$) \Jy0j o^i\ c~a>jj ^j^Lwl^ j {j^sifi 



lJ»J)j**^Jj jy a ^*i*ri < ^J tf J d*taJ) ii>Uc tjA*-« AX*a, ^UaL* j^fI T J 

 JjI *>pM3X* iy*±i \r**- c ^^-^ *&*»• j) i*j:.y j . <^*- *&"** i JoUix-e^Uj 



The substance of the inscription may be thus rendered : 

 " This excellent construction aad meritorious work which resembles Paradise, re- 

 splendent with the lights of divine favour and the blessings of the merciful 

 God, has been built with great art and beauty as the monument of the famous Sul- 

 tan Ghiuscddin Mansur and his pious descendants, in the year of H. 772. 

 Written by Sultan Mushhadi." 



* The year 481 Hejiri began on the 27th March, 1088, not 1065 as above stated. 

 —Ed. 



