It is situated in the second climate. Its length from the Sarkár of Gorakhpúr to Kanauj is 135 kos. Its breadth from the northern mountains to Sidhpúr* on the frontier of the Subah of Allahabad is 115 kos. To the east is Behar; to the north, the mountains; to the south, Manikpúr, and to the west, Kanauj. Its climate is good. Summer and winter are nearly temperate. Its principal streams are the Sarú (Sarjú), the Ghaghar (Gogra) the Sai and the Godí (Gumti). In the first mentioned, divers aquatic animals and forms of strange appearance show themselves. Agriculture is in a flourishing state, especially rice of the kinds called Sukhdás, Madkhar, and Jhanwáh,* which for whiteness, delicacy, fragrance and wholesomeness are scarcely to be matched. They sow their rice three months earlier than in other parts of Hindustán. When the drought begins, the Sai and the Gogra rise high in flood and before the beginning of the rains, the land is inundated, and as the waters rise, the stalks of rice shoot up and proportionately lengthen: the crop, however, is destroyed if the floods are in full force before the rice is in ear. Flowers, fruit and game are abundant. Wild buffaloes are numerous. When the plains are inundated the animals take to the high ground where the people find sport in hunting them. Some of the animals remain all day in the water and only at night approach the dry ground and breathe in freedom. Awadh* is one of the largest cities of India. In is situated in longitude 118°, 6', and latitude 27°, 22'. It ancient times its populous site covered an extent of 148 kos in length and 36 in breadth, and it is esteemed one of the holiest places of antiquity. Around the environs of the city, they sift the earth and gold is obtained. It was the residence of Rámachandra* who in the Treta* age combined in his own person both the spiritual supremacy and the kingly office.
At the distance of one kos from the city, the Gogra, after its junction with the Sai, flows belows the fort. Near the city stand two considerable tombs of six and seven yards in length respectively. The vulgar believe them to be the resting-places of Seth and the prophet Job, and extraordinary tales are related of them. Some say that at Rattanpúr is the tomb of Kabír,* the assertor of the unity of God. The portals of spiritual discernment were partly opened to him and he discarded the effete doctrines of his own time. Numerous verses in the Hindi language are still extant of him containing important theological truths. Bahraich is a large town on the banks of the river Sarju. Its environs are delightful with numerous gardens. Sálár Masạúd* and Rajab Sálár are both buried here. The common people of the Muhammadan faith greatly reverence this spot and pilgrims visit it from distant parts, forming themselves in bands and bearing gilded banners. The first mentioned was connected by blood with Maḥmúd Ghazní, and sold his life bravely in battle and left an unperishable name. The second was the father of Sulṭán Fíróz king of Delhi and won renown by the rectitude of his life.
In the vicinity of the town, there is a village called Dókóṇ which for a long time possessed a mint for copper coinage.
From the northern mountains quantities of goods are carried on the backs of men, of stout ponies and of goats, such as gold, copper, lead, musk, tails* of the ḳuṭás cow, honey, chúk (an acid composed of orange juice and lemon boiled together), pomegranate seeds, ginger, long pepper, majith* root, borax, zedoary, wax, woollen stuffs, wooden ware, hawks, falcons, black falcons, merlins, and other articles. In exchange they carry back white and coloured cloths, amber, salt, assafœtida, ornaments, glass and earthen ware.
Nímkhár is a fort of considerable note and a shrine of great resort. The river Godi (Gumti) flows near it, and around are numerous temples. There is a tank called Brahmáwartkund in which the water boils and with such a swirl, that a man cannot sink therein,* and it ejects whatever is thrown into it. In the neighbourhood is also a deep hollow, the spring-head of a small stream one yard in breadth and four digits deep that flows into the Gumti. The Bráhmans tell strange tales of it and pay it worship. Its sand shapes itself into the form of Mahádeo which quickly disappears again and of whatever is thrown in, as rice and the like, no trace remains.
There is likewise a place called Charámiti, whence, during the Holi festival, flames spontaneously issue forth with astonishing effect.
Lucknow is a large city on the banks of the Gumti, delightful in its surroundings. Shaikh Mína whom the people consider a saint, lies buried here.
Súrajkand is a place of worship frequented by various classes of people from the most distant places.
Kheri is a town on the banks of the river Saí upon which the people go in boats to spear fish.
Bilgrám is a small town the air of which is healthy and its inhabitants are generally distinguished for their quick wit and their love of singing. There is a well here which adds to the intelligence and comeliness of whomsoever drinks of it for forty days.
This Súbah is divided into five Sarkárs and thirty-eight parganas. The measured lands are 1 kror, 1 lakh, 71,180 bíghas. Its revenue, 20 krors, 17 lakhs, 58,172 dáms, (Rs. 5,043,954-4), of which 85 lakhs, 21,658 dáms (Rs. 213,041-7,) are Suyúrghál. The provincial force consists of 7,640 Cavalry, 168,250, Infantry and 59 Elephants.