708 Notes on the Antiquities of Bdmidn. [Nov. 



ing the etymology of Paropdmisus, we learn that of Pamir, the lord 

 of hills. 



The principal antiquities of Bdmidn are its idols and caves, which 

 have manifestly a connection with each other, — the castle of Zohdk, 

 so called — and the remains of the city and citadel of Ghdlghdleh. 



The evidences of Ghdlghuleh are numerous and extensive, proving 

 that it must have been an important city. Refraining from specula- 

 tion as to its origin, we know from authentic history that it was de- 

 stroyed by Genghiz Khan in 1220, A. D. The natives of Bdmidn have 

 a tradition, that it was re-edified, and again fell into decay — which is 

 probable, there being many Muhammedan tombs referring to it, 

 which have a less antiquity than six centuries, if painted glazed tiles 

 to be seen in them, were confined to China,;.until the era of Genghiz 

 Khan, as supposed by some authors. The most striking of the re- 

 mains of Ghdlghdleh is the citadel or place, the walls of which 

 encompass an isolated eminence. 



The fortress of Zohdk, so called by the natives and by Abul Fazil, 

 occurs at the eastern extremity of the valley, where the rivulet of 

 Kald falls into the river of Bdmidn. We have not inspected it with 

 sufficient attention, to decide upon its character, or to venture to 

 advance an opinion on it, which future research may controvert — we 

 therefore merely observe that, agreeing with Abul Fazil as to its 

 antiquity, we differ both from his notion and that sanctioned by 

 tradition that it was a place of defence. 



The caves of Bdmidn are found in the cliffs or perpendicular fronts 

 of the hills on either side of the valley, and on the northern side 

 they uninterruptedly occur for a distance of six or seven miles. At 

 the spot called Bdmidn, the elevation of the cliffs, being most consi- 

 derable, there are found the greater number of caves, or samuches as 

 called in these countries, congregated as in a focus. Among these 

 caves stand in niches the two large idols long known in Europe, and 

 between them are two other niches, in one of which are the fragments 

 of a former idol, and the other as certainly once contained one. Op- 

 posite to these, diverging to the south-west is the valley through 

 which flows the rivulet of Jul Folddi, and eastward of the citadel of 

 Ghdlghuleh is a valley stretching to the south — the hills to the north 

 and east of both these valleys are also perforated with caves, and 

 among those of the latter is a large idol inferior only in size to the 

 two superior ones at Bdmidn. 



The idols are cut or hewn in the rock, and have been covered with 

 a surface of cement. They are erect figures, with their hands extend- 



