The Book of Akbar 38.1

38.1

[Text, vol. ii. p. 263.] Khwaja 'Abdu-l Majid Asaf Khan, although he was a Tajik and a civilian, yet by the help of the good fortune of the Emperor, he had performed such deeds as would have humbled even Turks in his presence. He now resolved upon attempting the conquest of Garha-katanka. In the vast territories of Hindustan there is a country called Gondwana, that is, the land inhabited by the tribe of Gonds, — a numerous race of people, who dwell in the wilds, and pass most of their time in eating and drinking and the procreation of children. They are a very low race, and are held in contempt by the people of Hindustan, who look upon them as outcasts from their religion and laws. To the east of this country lies Ratanpur, a dependency of the country of Jharkand; and on the west it borders on Raisin, belonging to the province of Malwa. The length of this district is 150 kos. On the north lies Panna, and on the south the Dakhin, and the breadth is eighty kos. This country is called Garha-katanka, and it contains many strongholds and lofty forts. It has numerous towns and villages, and veracious writers have recorded that it contains seventy thousand villages. Garha is the name of the chief city, and Katanka is the name of a place (near it), and these two places have given their names to the whole country. The seat of government was the fort of Chauragarh.