Indian Antiquary Vol 14

SR No.: 032506
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: John Faithfull Fleet, Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 418
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 18 MB

Page 170

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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
elephants from India he saw there. He speaks of the environs of the city as very beautiful, everywhere lakes, orchards, terraces, towers, and tents. "We lay down on the grass," says the narrator, "and were all very happy together, talking about matters sublime." Even Chinese gardens, we are told, were not to be compared to those of Samarkand, but there was absence of birds.
an
[MAY, 1885.
and gave him the title of Shen-sien, i.e. "the immortal." In the summer they went to the snowy mountains to pass the hot season. Meanwhile the exigencies of war afforded little time for explaining the doctrines of Tao, and as Chinghiz had to be away on a fresh campaign, the sage returned to Samarkand to await the great Khân's leisure. He was escorted thither by Yang Aku, with 1,000 men, and the narrative describes the road traversing the Hindu-Kush in which was the Shi-men (i.e. stone gate) and at a distance rocks on each side looking like candles, an immense slab lay across these rocks like a bridge, and beneath it ran a rapid torrent. Many of the soldiers' donkeys were drowned in crossing and the sage, who composed an ode on the passage, complains of the bad smell from the dead bodies, and how he had to hold his nose in passing. They passed soldiers carrying trophies from the war, inter alia, trees. of coral, some a foot long. Some of their escort bought 50 coral-trees for 2 yis of silver, but journeying on horseback it was impossible. to prevent breaking them. The travellers again reached Samarkand which was called Hochung-fu, i.e. Between-the-rivers, by the Taishi, i.e. by Yeliu-Tashi. Ch'ang-Ch'un took up his quarters in the palace where he had previously lodged. In the hot season he was accustomed to sit at the northern window and enjoy the breeze, while at night he slept on the flat roof.
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Ch'ang-Ch'un now received an urgent summons at the hands of Ali-sien to go to Chinghiz, who was impatient to hear him explain the doctrines of Tao, and who had ordered Bo-lu-ji (or Borji, the Boorchi named in an earlier chapter) to escort him through the pass of Derbend. Leaving three of his disciples behind, he set out in the beginning of May, taking five or six others with him, still accompanied by the adjutant Chunglu and by Chen-hai. They passed Kesh (Timur's birthplace) and the defile of Derbend, through which he was escorted by Borji with 100 Mongols and Musalmans, who helped to pull the carts on the different roads. Eventually they reached the Amu Daria. The narrator's naive statements are curious. He mentions the reeds that grew along an old artificial watercourse as being so stout that they used them for supporting the shafts of their carts. The spears of the soldiers were shafted with bamboos. They also saw lizards three feet long, and of a dark colour.
At last, about the 22nd of May, they reached Chinghiz Khan's camp, which was then apparently at Peruan. He sent a high official to greet the sage. After he had been settled in his quarters he had an audience with Chinghiz who remarked, "You were invited by the other Courts (i.e. the Sung and Kin) but you refused, yet you have come 10,000 li to see me; I am gratified." To which Ch'ang-Ch'un replied, "The wild man of the mountains came to see the Emperor by order of your Majesty, it was the will of Heaven." Chinghiz then turned to business, and asked him if he had a medicine of immortality. The sage announced, "There are means for preserving life, but no medicines for immortality." This answer was no doubt very disappointing to the Mongol Chief who, however, praised him for his candour. He had two tents pitched for him to the east of his own,
* ibid. Notes, pp. 37-40.
The Chinese traveller gives us an interesting picture of Samarkand. He tells us the arable land there was well suited for growing corn, but that buck-wheat and the Soy bean (soya hispeda) did not grow there. Wheat was ripe in May, and when ready was piled up in heaps. He describes the watermelons as very fragrant, sweet and large, no melons like them being found in China. Some of them were given him by the Taishi's intendant, and Chung-lu begged some of them for the prince, i.e. for Chagatai. Other fruits abounded there, but not chestnuts or the colocasia. The egg-plants were shaped like fingers, and of great size. Men and women braided their hair, and the caps of the former at a distance resembled mounds. They were adorned with embroidery and tassels. All officers wore them. The lower orders wrapped their heads in turbans of muslin about 6 feet long. Most of their a ibid. Notes, pp. 40-44.