‘The Oriental geography of Ebn Haukal, an Arabian traveller of the tenth century’ [‎216] (269/388)

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water this city: near one of these the ancient walls and buildings
were situated, of which some vestiges may yet be seen. There
are four gates: one, the jC* Deri S/iciristcin, near the
# v
great mosque: the second is called Deri Shehjan;
the third, Deri Ber ; the fourth, Deri Mish-
han; this is the gate of Khorasan. Near this gate was the camp
and palace of Mamoun, where he resided until his succession to
the khalifat. The J^l Rudi Amol is a considerable river:
those streams which we have mentioned, all proceed from it;
and it is called the Murghab or the Water of Meru
jr v '
Here Yezdegird, the last Persian monarch, was slain in a mill;
which circumstance gave to the Mussulmans possession of Far-
sistan. From Meru also rose the splendour of the Abbassides; and
Mamoun was at Meru when he became heir to the Khalifat. Various
gallant generals and illustrious learned men has Meru produced;
so that in more remote times, it was remarkable above all other
places of Iran, dojjy Barzouieh, the physician who excelled
all others of his profession, and Barhud, the musician
who composed such delightful airs, were of this place. The
melodies of Barbud are still imitated in this country.
The fruits of Mem are finer than those of any other place; and
one cannot see in any other city such palaces, with groves, and
streams and gardens. They manufacture silk at Meru; and I