The Nāṣirī Generations 266.1

266.1

After the Mughal troops had effected the capture of Hirat and desolated the city, they divided into two divisions. One of these marched into Sistan, and at its head was the Juzbi, Sa’di, and other great Nu-ins ; and the other force appeared at the foot [of the walls] of the hisar of Kal-yun, and the troops took up their position round about that fortress. It is a fortification excessively strong, the like of which, in strength of construction, there is nowhere to be found, either in loftiness and sublimity, or in stability and solidity ; and in the KITAB-I-MASALIK WA MAMALIK [The Book of Roads and Kingdoms], which the masters learned in science have compiled, this fortress is mentioned in these words : “ The strongest fortress in the world, and the fairest, is Kal-yun.” It is such a fortress that whosoever would go from the foot of [the walls of] the city of Hirat to the foot of the walls of that fort, it behoveth him to proceed twenty farsangs [leagues] in an upward direction to a considerable altitude, until he reaches the base of the rock upon which that fortification stands ; and, that point having been reached, it is necessary to proceed another league upwards in order to reach the foot of the rock on the summit of which the ramparts of the fort stand. The height of that rock is about a thousand cubits, and the face of it is like a wall, so that it is impossible for any living thing to mount it, with the exception of reptiles of the earth ;