'The lands of the Eastern Caliphate Mesopotamia, Persia, and Central Asia from the Moslem conquest to the time of Timur' [‎290] (329/586)

290
FARS.
[CHAP.
the date 340 (951) still exist. Close to the shore of the lake
-•stands the town of Khir (spelt also Khayar and Al-Khayrah),
"which is mentioned, from the 4th (10th) century onwards, as a
:stage on the road along the south side of Lake Bakhtigan going
from Shiraz to Kirman. Mustawfi and the Fars Namah name
the district round Khayrah MishMnat; it was famous for its
raisins {kishmish), and both Niriz and Khayrah were protected
by strong castles'.
Half-way between Khayrah and Ig lies the town of Istahbanat,
a name which the Arab geographers also spell Al-Istahbanan or
sometimes Al-Isbahanit, which is shortened by the Persians into
Istahban. Mustawf! describes it as a town buried in trees, with a
strong castle in its vicinity. It had been laid in ruins by the
Atabeg ChMli, who had, however, subsequently caused it to be
rebuilt; and the castle in the 8th (14th) century was occupied by
the Khasiiyah tribe.
The town of Fasa, pronounced Pasa by the Persians, was in
the 4th (10th) century the second city of the Darabjird district,
being almost of the size of Shiraz. It was well built, much cypress-
wood being used in the construction of the houses, and was very
healthy. The markets were excellent, there was a ditch round the
town, which was further defended by a castle, and large suburbs
stietched beyond the city gates. Dates, nuts, and oranges in
abundance came from its gardens. Mukaddasi states that the
Great Mosque, built of burnt brick and with two courts, rivalled
that of Medina for splendour. The Mrs speaks of
Pasa as being almost of the size of Isfahan. The Shabankarah
had ruined it, but the city had been rebuilt by the Atabeg Chailli.
Mustawfi adds that anciently the city was called Sasan, and it
had been built triangular in plan. Its water-supply, which was
abundant, was taken from underground channels, for there were no
wells. Shakk Miskahan and Shakk Rudbal (or Rudbar) were of
its dependencies, and in the neighbourhood stood the strong castle
of Khwadan, where there were great cisterns for storing water 2 .
1 1st. 107, 108, 132, 136, 200. Muk. 423, 429, 446, 455. F. N. 68^, 69a, b.
" l81 - Yak - 415 : "■ 560. Captain Lovett,/. G. 1872, p. 203.
2 1st. 108, 127, 136. Muk. 423, 431, 448. F. N. 69a, 82 83a.
Mst. 175, 179, 181. J. N. 272.