‘The Oriental geography of Ebn Haukal, an Arabian traveller of the tenth century’ [‎148] (201/388)

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The city of Mansourah is about a mile in breadth, and as much
in length; and a bay or arm of the river Mihran passes
by it, and renders it like an island. The inhabitants of Mansoureh
are of the descendants of (^1 Hehar ehn Alasoud.
He took the place, and it continues till this time in the possession of
his family. It enjoys a warm climate, and produces dates, apples,
and pears, and a fruit resembling the peach : it is a place abound
ing in provisions. Their coins are the Kaheri, every
direm of which is equivalent to (or weighs) fifty direms; and
another of silver, which they call Tautooi, one direm of
which is fifty direms; they also use gold in their commercial in
tercourse. Their dress and habits resemble those of the people of
Irak ; but their kings affect the appearance of Indian kings, and
wear pendants in their ears.
The city of ^ Moultan is about half the size of Man
soureh. It is called the " Golden House;" for there is in the city a
certain idol, to which the Indians of the country come as on a re
ligious pilgrimage, every year, and bring great riches with them;
and those who pray in the temple of this idol must pay a tribute.
This temple is situated in the centre of Moultan ; and in the middle
of the temple there is a great cupola or dome. All round this
building are various houses, in which the servants and attendants
of the idol reside. Moultan is not reckoned as belonging to Hin-
doostan; but there is in it a race of idolaters.who worship in this
temple. I he idol is made in the form of a man, with the feet