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0162 Report of a Mission to Yarkund in 1873 : vol.1
Report of a Mission to Yarkund in 1873 : vol.1 / Page 162 (Color Image)

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doi: 10.20676/00000196
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CHAPTER III.

HISTORY OF K.dSHGHAR.*

By H. W. Bellew.

THE ancient history of this region, which constitutes no mean portion, as regards superficial extent at least, of that vast territory indicated by the comprehensive term Central Asia, is enveloped in the doubts of obscurity that surround all ancient history.

For several centuries anterior to the Christian era it formed part of the empire

of   swayed by a long line of Scythian Kings who are referred to a common
descent from the great family of Afr6syâb. Of the wealth, power, civilization and laws of this ancient and most remarkable people who figure in the early records under the various Târt6,r, Chinese, Indian, and European appellations of Kinto Moey, Sai, Su, S6c6,, S6,kyâ, Xaca, Sacoe, Scythee, Tokh6ri, Yueichi, Yuchi, Yetoe, Getae, Jattah, Jath, Jat, Jotun, Gothi, Guti, Goths, Guttones, Massagetoe, Caucasians, Tentones, Venden, Vandals, Germans, &c., &c.., and who are all_ classed under the generic appellation of Aryan from Ariavartha, the old Sanskrit name of the region now known as that group of mountain ranges concentrating in Hindû Kush—the Kohi K6f of Orientals, the Caucasus of occidentals—and recognized as the primæval abode or location of the-Caueasian stock-of- the Man *family, we have many historic records; but none more significant than the yet enduring consequences of their early foreign conquests from this cradle of their race extending from the valley of the Syhon on the west to the basin of Lake Balkash on the east.

The successive irruptions of their vast colonizing hordes into northern and eastern Europe during the centuries just preceding and following the Christian era, as history teaches, thoroughly revolutionized the old form of society, and planted a new

* There are several histories of the life and career of Yakiib Khan, the Amir of Kashghar, besides those to be found in Vambery's and Von Hellwald's published works.

But no one has gone into the History of Eastern Turkistan from the earliest times with such deep and careful research as Dr. Bellew. He has spent many months in reading voluminous Persian and Turki manuscripts, and owing to his remarkable linguistic attainments he has enjoyed better opportunities than any one else of conversing with the learned men of the country. I have therefore adopted his history for incorporation in this work.

(Sd.)   T. D. FORSYTH.

The following sketch of the history of Kâshghar, and supplementary description of the country, have been prepared for submission to Government at the request of Sir Douglas Forsyth, late Envoy to the Court of Kâshghar.

The work has been compiled from such authorities and materials as were accessible at the time, coupled with the results of personal enquiry and observation on the spot during the stay of the Embassy in the country.

These from the nature of the case, it will be understood, were found as limited as the time itself at my disposal and, though no labour has been spared in reducing the mass of materials collected into a consecutive and at the same time brief form, there has consequently been no attempt to enter into lengthy detail. This last result could only have been accomplished had I enjoyed the advantage of a reference to European and Oriental libraries, and a sufficient leisure to study the subject.