On Yuan Chwang's Travels in India, 629–645 A.D. v1.c12.2

v1.c12.2

From Rājapur the pilgrim proceeded south-east down a hill and across a river 700 *li* to the *Chêh-ka* country. This was above 10 000 *li* in circuit; it lay between the *P'i-po-she* (Bibas) river on the east and the Indus on the west; the capital was above 20 *li* in circuit. The crops of the country were upland rice and spring wheat; it yielded gold, silver, bell-metal (*t'u-shih*), copper, and iron; the climate was hot with much violent wind; the inhabitants had rude bad ways and a low vulgar speech; they wore glossy white clothing made of silk, muslin &c.; few of them believed in Buddhism, and most served the Devas; there were ten Buddhist monasteries, and some hundreds of Deva-Temples. On from this country there were numerous *Punyasāl's* or free rest-houses for the relief of the needy, and distressed; at these houses medicine and food were distributed and so travellers having their bodily wants supplied, did not experience inconvenience.