大唐西域記 4.4

4.4

磔迦國，周萬餘里，東據毘播奢河，西臨信度河。國大都城周二十餘里。宜粳稻，多宿麥，出金、銀、鍮石、銅、鐵。時候暑熱，土多風飆。風俗暴惡，言辭鄙褻。衣服鮮白，所謂憍奢耶衣、朝霞衣等。少信佛法，多事天神。伽藍十所，天祠數百。此國已往，多有福舍，以贍貧匱，或施藥，或施食，口腹之資，行旅無累。

This kingdom is about 10,000 li in circuit. On the east it borders on the river Pi-po-che (Vipaśā); on the west it borders on the Sin-tu river. The capital of the country is about 20 li in circuit. The soil is suitable for rice and produces much late-sown corn. It also produces gold, silver, the stone called teou, copper and iron. The climate is very warm, and the land is subject to hurricanes. The people are quick and violent, their language coarse and uncultivated. For clothing they wear a very shining white fabric which they call kiau-che-ye (Kauśēya, silk), and also morning-red cloth (chau hia) and other kinds. Few of them believe in Buddha; many sacrifice to the heavenly spirits (Dēvas and spirits). There are about ten saṅghārāmas and some hundreds of temples. There were formerly in this country many houses of charity (goodness or happiness — Puṇyaśālās) for keeping the poor and the unfortunate. They provided for them medicine and food, clothing and necessaries; so that travellers were never badly off. To the south-west of the capital about 14 or 15 li we come to the old town of Śākala (She-kie-lo). Although its walls are thrown down, the foundations are still firm and strong. It is about 20 li in circuit. In the midst of it they have built a little town of about 6 or 7 li in circuit; the inhabitants are prosperous and rich. This was the old capital of the country.