Illustrated Gazetteer of the Maritime Kingdoms

Volume 23

The landscapes in the outlying regions are elegant and picturesque. The poets of this nation gaze upon the mountains and waters, composing verses and chanting in their delight. Along the maritime ports, they conduct trade with the Kingdom of India, exporting robust horses, red dates, and pearls, while importing various southern commodities and bolts of cloth.

Along the coastal corners of Persia original: 白西 (Bai-xi) lies the island of Hormuz original: 惡末嶼 (E-mo-yu). In ancient times, it was a grand marketplace where multitudes of merchants congregated, yet today it has fallen into ruin, reduced to a sandy wilderness. Within this territory, there are ancient relics: ornate columns, old temples, and grand halls now turned into fields of rubble. Travelers who examine these ruins and decipher the inscriptions find that they were constructed by the ancient Persians—worshipers of fire and the sun A reference to Zoroastrianism, the pre-Islamic religion of Persia—during the eras when they waged war against the Western nations.

Along the coastal region of Fars original: 法南 (Fa-nan), the sandy lands produce little else besides dates.

To the east lies the region of Kerman original: 克耳曼 (Ke-er-man). The inhabitants there raise fine-wool sheep original: 毳羊 (cui yang); referring to the high-quality wool used for Persian shawls and carpets, using the fleece to weave patterned shawls, which are sold at a very high price.

In the province of Sistan original: 西古西但 (Xi-gu-xi-dan), the fields are fertile and the soil is lush, with rivers providing irrigation to the entire territory. However, because of the constant incursions and plundering by raiders, the common people suffer from a lack of daily necessities. To the southeast lies a waterless, sandy wilderness. Its king is fond of warfare, leading his troops to besiege...