On Yuan Chwang's Travels in India, 629–645 A.D. v1.c7.s1: Pai-Shui-Ch'êng
On Yuan Chwang's Travels in India, 629–645 A.D. v1.c7.s1
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Pai-Shui-Ch'êng
v1.c7.s1.1
Proceeding on his journey and going in a south-west direction for above 200 *li* from the little Chinese town the pilgrim reached the Pai-shui-ch'êng or "White water city." This was six or seven *li* in circuit, and the district excelled Taras in fertility of soil and in climate.
v1.c7.s1.2
As we learn from other sources this was a well-watered region with a rich fertile soil.² Long ago Rémusat identified this "White water city" with the "Isfidjab" or "Esfidjab" of Arabian writers, this name also meaning "White water."³ M. St. Martin adopts this identification and it has been generally followed. Then this "Isfidjab" has been declared to be the Sairam which is now, Dr Bretschneider tells us, "a little town in Russian Turkestan, north-east of Tashkend and about 6 1/2 (but in another place he says 13) English miles east of Chimkend.¹ It is perhaps better, however, to find the representative of the Pai-shui-ch'êng of Yuan-chuang in the modern Mankent. This town, which is also called Ak-su or "White water," is about 15 miles to the north-east of Chimkend. This last town is also regarded by some as being on or near the site of the "White water city."
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² T'ang-shu *ch.* 221.
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³ Rech. Lang. Tart. p. 286.
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¹ Med. Res. Vol. I. p. 74 and II. p. 94. See also Schuyler's Turkistan I. p. 75 and 393.