The Nāṣirī Generations 256.4.8

256.4.8

In looking for sites of such places, it appears to me that sufficient allowance is not made for the physical changes which may have taken place during six centuries. In one great tract of country, in particular, as I shall presently show, a vast desert has existed for some centuries, where, previously, many flourishing cities stood; but the sites even of the cities of Bilasa-ghun, Kayalik, Bish-baligh, and Almaligh, were entirely unknown upwards of three centuries since. Landmarks have disappeared, and hence people look elsewhere than in this desert for lost cities, in many instances. I may also again mention here that our author's Kayalik at page 154 is incorrect. The copyists of the different MSS. wrote for and such an error has occurred in other Histories than his carelessly copied. The city's name is properly according to other authorities, and the place certainly lay south of the Ulugh-Tagh, or Thianshan mountains, but near them. I will now give a few particulars as to what the Muhammadan authors, and some old travellers say, respecting the geography of the parts herein referred to.