368 Ibn HuokuVs Account of Seestan, [No. 5. 



also flow into the Zeruh Lake. The river of Furruh rises in the 

 country of Ghoor, as does the stream called Meeshuk also flowing 

 into the lake. 



Seestan is highly productive, abounding in grain and fruits and 

 grapes. The inhabitants to appearance are comfortable. Large crops 

 of Assafoetida are gathered in the deserts which lie between Seestan 

 and Mukran ; the people often eat it as food ; and mix it very generally 

 in all their cooking. 



Buloochistan is the name of a country in which is the town called 

 Seewee, but the chief resides at Quetta j Espongulee is larger 

 than Quetta. Rukhuj is the name of a district of which a town is 

 Punjwaee and another Kohuk, this district lies between Buloo- 

 chistan and Zumeendawur; the inhabitants are mostly weavers of 

 woollen cloth ; much money is paid as revenue from this district ; much 

 grain is also produced, as the country is both fertile and extensive. 



Zumeendawur is a productive spot being bounded by Ghoor, 

 Bugnee, Khuluj Bishling and Khash ; the town of Zumeen- 

 dawur is without walls but has a citadel ; it is also the name of the 

 district of which are towns called Gurmabuk and Dez Guz both 

 situated on the banks of the Helmund. But in Bugnee, Khuluj, 

 Zabul, and Ghoor with their dependencies, some of the people are 

 on terms of alliance, and some have become Mohummedans. These 

 places are all very cold locations. 



The Khuluj is a Toorkee tribe, which for ages, has wandered between 

 India and Seestan to the South of Ghoor ; they are rich in cattle like 

 other Toorkee tribes, their dress and language are similar to those of 

 Erak ; they wander to Meroe and visit India as merchants. 



Bost is a city larger than any other in the government of Seestan, 

 except Zurung — but it is not salubrious ; although very fertile at all 

 seasons ; having both dates and grapes. 



Kooheen is a small place, but having villages and hamlets attached ; 

 it is situated one march from Seestan on the left of a traveller to Bost, 

 about two fursukhs from Suroor ; the family of Suffar which ruled 

 over Fars, Kerman, Khorasan and Seestan came originally from this 

 place. They were four brothers called Yakoob, Omur, Taher and 

 Ulee, sons of Lues. Taher was killed at the gate of Bost ; his grave 

 is there. Yakoob died at Jund Shapore on his return from Baghdad, 

 at which place he is buried. Omur was killed and buried at Baghdad. 



