The Institutes of Akbar 65.1.7

65.1.7

The statement occasionally found in some old books that the habitat of the tree is Central India, is an absurdity of fanciful writers. There are several kinds: the best is called Mandalí, and the second in quantity, Jabalí or Hindí. The smell of the wood, especially that of the first kind, is a preventive against fleas; but some think both kinds equal in this respect. Of other good kinds I may mention the Samandurí; the Qumárí, which is inferior to it; the Qáqulí, next in rank; the Barrí; the Qit‘í; and the Chinese, also called Qismúrí, which is wet and sweet. Still inferior are the Jalálí, the Máya-táqí, the Lawáqí, the Rítalí. But of all kinds the Mandalí is the best. Samandurí is grey, fatty, thick, hard, juicy, without the slightest sign of whitishness, and burns long. The best of all is the black and heavy; in water it settles at the bottom, is not fibrous, and may be easily pounded. The wood which floats is looked upon as bad. Former kings transplanted the tree to Gujrát, and now-a-days it grows in Chánpánír. It is generally brought from Achin and Dahnasari. Nothing is known of the habitat mentioned in old books. Aloewood is often used in compound perfumes; when eaten, it is exhilarating. It is generally employed in incense; the better qualities, in form of a powder, are often used for rubbing into the skin and clothes.