大唐西域記 4.5

4.5

大城西南十四五里，至奢羯羅故城。垣堵雖壞，基趾尚固。周二十餘里。其中更築小城，周六七里，居人富饒；即此國之故都也。

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.