Rashiduddin in another place mentions the
fair lady from Cathay; "The ordu (or establishment) of Tukiti Khatun was
given to KUKACHI KHATUN, who had been brought from the Kaan's Court, and
who was a kinswoman of the late chief Queen Bulghan. Kukachi, the wife of
the Padshah of Islam, Ghazan Khan, died in the month of Shaban, 695," i.e.
in June, 1296, so that the poor girl did not long survive her promotion.
(See Hammer's Ilch. II. 20, and 8, and I. 273; and Quatremere's
Rashiduddin, p. 97.) Kukachin was the name also of the wife of Chingkim,
Kublai's favourite son; but she was of the Kungurat tribe. (Deguignes,
IV. 179.)
NOTE 7. - Here Ramusio's text says: "During this journey Messers Nicolo,
Maffeo, and Marco heard the news that the Great Khan had departed this
life; and this caused them to give up all hope of returning to those
parts."
NOTE 8. - This Princess of Manzi, or Southern China, is mentioned only in
the Geog. Text and in the Crusca, which is based thereon. I find no notice
of her among the wives of Ghazan or otherwise.
On the fall of the capital of the Sung Dynasty - the Kinsay of Polo - in
1276, the Princesses of that Imperial family were sent to Peking, and were
graciously treated by Kublai's favourite Queen, the Lady Jamui. This young
lady was, no doubt, one of those captive princesses who had been brought
up at the Court of Khanbalik. (See De Mailla, IX. 376, and infra Bk. II.
ch. lxv., note 6.)
BOOK FIRST.
ACCOUNT OF REGIONS VISITED OR HEARD OF ON THE JOURNEY FROM THE LESSER
ARMENIA TO THE COURT OF THE GREAT KAAN AT CHANDU.
[Illustration: Aias, the LAIAS of POLO, from an Admiralty Chart]
[Illustration: Position of Dilawar, the supposed Site of POLO'S DILAVAR]
BOOK I.
CHAPTER I.
HERE THE BOOK BEGINS; AND FIRST IT SPEAKS OF THE LESSER HERMENIA.
There are two Hermenias, the Greater and the Less. The Lesser Hermenia is
governed by a certain King, who maintains a just rule in his dominions,
but is himself subject to the Tartar.[NOTE 1] The country contains
numerous towns and villages,[NOTE 2] and has everything in plenty;
moreover, it is a great country for sport in the chase of all manner of
beasts and birds. It is, however, by no means a healthy region, but
grievously the reverse.[NOTE 3] In days of old the nobles there were
valiant men, and did doughty deeds of arms; but nowadays they are poor
creatures, and good at nought, unless it be at boozing; they are great at
that.
