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| The Book of Ser Marco Polo : vol.1 |
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Citation Information
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v
90
MARCO POLO BOOK T.
Anár and Bahrámábád. Before the Sefavfehs (i.e. before A.D. 1500) the Anár road was hardly, if ever, used ; travellers always took the Báfk road. The country from Yazd to Anár, 97 miles, seems to have been totally uninhabited before the Sefavfehs. Anár, as late as A.D. 1340, is mentioned as the frontier place of Kermán to the north, on the confines of the Yazd desert. When Sháh Abbás had caravanserais built at three places between Yazd and Anár (Zein ud-dín, Kermán-sháhán, and Shamsh), the eastern road began to be neglected." (Cf. Major Sykes' Persia, ch. xxiii.)—H. C.]
CHAPTER XVII.
CONCERNING THE KINGDOM OF KERMAN.
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KERMAN is a kingdom which is also properly in Persia,
and formerly it had a hereditary prince. Since the
Tartars conquered the country the rule is no longer
hereditary, but the Tartar sends to administer whatever
lord he pleases.' In this kingdom are produced the
stones called turquoises in great abundance ; they are
found in the mountains, where they are extracted from
the rocks.' There are also plenty of veins of steel and
Ondanique.3 The people are very skilful in making
harness of war ; their saddles, bridles, spurs, swords,
bows, quivers, and arms of every kind, are very well
made indeed according to the fashion of those parts.
The ladies of the country and their daughters also
produce exquisite needlework in the embroidery of silk
stuffs in different colours, with figures of beasts and
birds, trees and flowers, and a variety of other patterns.
They work hangings for the use of noblemen so deftly
that they are marvels to see, as well as cushions, pillows,
quilts, and all sorts of things.'
In the mountains of Kerman are found the best:
falcons in the world. They are inferior in size to the
Peregrine, red on the breast, under the neck, and
between the thighs ; their flight so swift that no bird
can escape them.5
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