Ann: Tarikh-e Sistan; (History of Sistan)

(1062 then second author till 1325)

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It is an anonymous local history in Persian of the eastern Iranian region of Sistan, (modern Iran-Afghanistan border). It deals with towns and provinces. The first part: from the legendary, pre-Islamic history of the province up to 1062 being the time of writing. The last pages of the history, are clearly by another hand. The subject matter is more parochial in its geographical coverage. The book gives some small anecdotes about Zanj people living in the area.

 

Taken from: The Tarikh-e Sistan translation Milton Gold.

 

(In the year 909 AD)

After they reached the outskirts of Nishabur (1), they heard of the death and burial of Harun (2) in Tus and of the return of the army to Baghdad. Hamza said: God has won the battle for the Faithful. Since this is so, we must go forth to wage war against the idolaters in the Indus Valley, India, North and South China, Turkestan, Byzantium, and Zang. His followers replied: Whatever through you the Almighty proclaims bears good for us.

 

(in the year 1291; about the flowering and demise of the country )

It became a sprawling kingdom * * * * and Amr became head over this kingdom

From the borders of India to the borders of China and the Turks * * * and from the borders of Zinj to the borders of the Romans and the Kingdom of the Throne

The head became a sin (a tail), the kingdom ended * * *, and gold became copper

 

Taken from: The medieval history of Iran, Afghanistan, and Central Asia  By Clifford Edmund Bosworth