The Rashīdī History 187.2

187.2

In the same way, some of the towns in Moghulistan are mentioned by name and described, in standard works. Among them is Balá-Sákun, which in the Suvar-i-Aklám is reckoned among the cities of Khitái, and called 'Khán Báligh'; while in Moghulistan and Kará Khitai they have written the same 'Balá Sákun.' They have applied the name to no other city. In books of repute and histories, Bala-Sakun is said to have been one of the cities built by Afrasiab, and [the authors] have praised it very highly. In the Mujmal-u'l-Tawarikh it is written: "Bala-Sakun, until the time of the Kara Khitai, was under the rule of the offspring [and descendants] of Afrasiab. The Gur Khan of Kara Khitai took it from one of these descendants, Ilak Khan, and made it his own capital. For ninety-five years Bala-Sakun remained the capital of Kara Khitai, and all the countries on this side of the Jihun — that is, to the east of it — carried tribute to Bala-Sakun. The Moghuls call Bala-Sakun, 'Ghur-baligh.' The author of the Surah-ul-Lughat, in his Supplement, says that his father was one of the traditionists [háfiz] of Bala-Sakun. He gives, in this Supplement, the names of eminent men [afázil] of every town. In Samarkand he reckons fewer than ten. But in Balá-Sakun he mentions the names of a great number of learned and notable persons, and quotes traditions concerning some of them.