This flourishing country was called Khándes, but after the capture of the fortress of Asír* and when this province fell under the government of prince Dányál, it was known as Dándés.* It is situated in the second climate. Its length from Bórgáoṇ* which adjoins Hindiah to Lalang* which is on the borders of the territory of Aḥmadnagar is 75 kos. Its breadth from Jámód adjoining Berár to Pál which borders Málwah is 50, and in some parts only 25 kos. On its east is Berár; to the north, Málwah: to the south, Gálnah (Jálna): to the west, the southern chain of the mountains of Málwah. The rivers are numerous, the principal being the Táli* which rises between Berár and Gonḍhwánah, the Tapti which has its source from the same quarter and which is also called the Púrna, and the Girni near Cháprah. The climate is pleasant and the winter temperate.
Jowári is chiefly cultivated of which, in some places, there are three crops in a year, and its stalk is so delicate and pleasant to the taste that it is regarded in the light of a fruit. The rice is of fine quality, fruits grow plentifully and betel leaves are in abundance. Good cloth stuffs are woven here: those called Siri Ṣáf* and Bhíraun come from Dharangáoṇ.
A´sír* is the residence of the governor. It is a fortress on a lofty hill. Three other forts encompass it which for strength and loftiness are scarcely to be equalled. A large and flourishing city is at its foot. Burhánpúr is a large city three kos distant from the Tapti. It lies in latitude 21° 40',* and is embellished with many gardens and the sandal-wood also grows here. It is inhabited by people of all countries and handicraftsmen play a thriving trade. In the summer, clouds of dust fly which in the rains turn to mud.
Aádilábád is a fine town. Near it is a lake, a noted place of worship, and the crime of Rájá Jasrat* was expiated at this shrine. It is full all the year round and it irrigates a large area of cultivation.
Chángdeo* is a village near which the Tapti and the Púrná unite, and the confluence is accounted a place of great sanctity. It is called Chikar* Tírth. Adjacent to it is an image of Mahádeo. They relate that a blind man carried about him an image of Mahádeo which he worshipped daily. He lost the image at this spot. For a time he was sore distressed but forming a similar image of sand, he placed it on a little eminence and adored it in a like spirit. By a miracle of divine will, it became stone and exists to this day. Near it a spring rises which is held to be the Ganges. An ascetic by the power of the Almighty was in the habit of going to the Ganges daily from this spot. One night the river appeared to him in a dream, and said, “Undertake these fatigues no longer; I myself will rise up in thy cell.” Accordingly in the morning it began to well forth and is flowing at the present time.
Jámód is a rich parganah. In its neighbourhood is a fort on a high hill called Pípalḍol. Dámarni* is a prosperous town. Near it is a tank in which a hot spring perpetually rises and which is an object of worship.
Chóprah is a large flourishing town, near which is a shrine called Rámésar at the confluence of the Girni and the Tapti. Pilgrims from the most distant parts frequent it. Adjacent to it is the fort of Malkámad.*
Thálner was for a time the capital of the Fárúḳi princes. The fort though situated on the plain is nevertheless of great strength.
This Súbah contains 32 parganahs. Scarce any land is out of cultivation and many of the villages more resemble towns. The peasantry are docile and industrious. The provincial force is formed of Kólis, Bhíls and Gonds. Some of these can tame lions, so that they will obey their commands, and strange tales are told of them.
Its revenue is 12,647,062, Berári tankahs as will appear in the statement. After the conquest of A´sír, this revenue was increased by 50 per cent. The tankah is reckoned at 24 dáms. The total is therefore, 455,294,232 Akbari dáms.* (Rs. 11,382,355-12-9.)