IBN HAUKAL.
V.
ASHKA′LU-L BILA′D
OR THE
KITA′BU-L MASA′LIK WA-L MAMA′LIK
OF
IBN HAUKAL.
In one of the Royal Libraries of Lucknow there is a very old Arabic manuscript, written A.H. 689 (1193 A.D.). The title, “Ashkálu-l Bilád,” Diagrams of the countries (of Islam), is given in the Postscript. It contains maps and a geographical description of several countries. The first leaf is wanting. It contained in folio recto in all probability the beginning of the preface, and in folio verso the map of the world; apparently the greater portion of the preface is preserved. The plan of the work is thus stated—“Then (after having given a map of the world) I have devoted a separate diagram to every country of Islám, in which I show its frontiers, the shape of the country, the principal towns, and in fact everything necessary to know. The diagrams are accompanied by a text. I have divided the dominions of Islám into twenty countries. I begin with Arabia, for this peninsula contains the Kábah and Mecca, which is unquestionably the most important city and the centre of the peninsula. After Mecca I describe the country of the Bedouins; then I proceed to the description of—2. the Persian Gulf, which surrounds the greater part of Arabia; 3. the Maghrib; 4. Egypt; 5. Syria; 6. The Mediterranean; 7. Mesopotamia; 8. ’Irák; 9. Khúzistán; 10. Fárs; 11. Kirmán;
