1849.] Notes on the Geography of Western Afghanistan, 569 



A writer on geography is also constantly quoted as Ebne Sueed, of 

 whom little appears known. D'Herbelot adds, that his name was 

 Othman, and that the title of his book was Ketab olmoccenna. This 

 author is chiefly known as being an authority of Abool Eeda. 



The work of Edresee compiled in the year 1154, for Roger, king 

 of Naples, by Aboo Abdallah Mohummud, should be of authority 

 and weight in questions connected with the Mediterranian, Egypt, 

 the coast of Africa, and perhaps the interior of Asia Minor or 

 Syria. 



Abool Fedae, Esmael bin Nusr, Prince of Hamah, in Syria, flourishes 

 as a royal author of a work on geography in the Arabic language. He 

 died in the year A. D. 1331 ; his work is entitled Tukweem ul Buladan, 

 and with reference to the country where written, it should have more 

 weight in questions connected with Asia Minor and Syria, than in rela- 

 tion to those at any great distance from his native place. 



It is a strange circumstance, and worthy of note, that Kundahar, as a 

 term for a capital, or even district, is not to be traced in the geographi- 

 cal works of common use as connected with the country, to which it is 

 now applied. This fact has created some astonishment ; so much so that 

 Professor Wilson is inclined to consider the name of modern origin. 



Thus, if we consider the book translated by Sir Wm. Ouseley to be 

 the work of Ebne Huokul, we find not the word Kundahar where it 

 should be looked for, in the direct road from Best on the Helmund, to 

 Guznee ; but in the spot now occupied by Kundahar we find Shuhre 

 Rukhuj, being the capital of Arachotia. It may be questioned which 

 is the archtype on these two words, and which the corruption. But 

 we are to bear in mind that this work of Momalek and Mosalek, is not 

 proved to be the book of Ebne Huokul ; that a work under this title is 

 attributed to another author, viz. Uhmud bin Abee Yakoob. 



In the work of Edresee, in the same situation, between Best and 

 Guznee, we trace this identical route, with a few intermediate stations 

 added ; giving Bukhuj and Punjwaee as occupying the position of 

 modern Kundahar, set forth in the 7th section of the third climate. 

 Hence, here we are disappointed in finding the name of the district, 

 although, as we shall show hereafter, names are given of places close to 

 the old city of Kundahar. This to a casual observer would be almost 

 conclusive, that the city, or its name was of date subsequent to the 



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