Naser-e Khosraw on Cairo

Persian Heritage Series

  • Editor: Ehsan Yarshater

  • Title: Naser-e Khosraw's Book of Travels (Safarnama)

  • Translator: W. M. Thackston, Jr. (Harvard University)

  • Edition: Number 36

Publication Information (Page 2)

  • Publisher: The Persian Heritage Foundation

  • Imprint: Bibliotheca Persica

  • Copyright: © 1986

  • Location: Printed in the USA

  • ISBN: 0-88706-067-6 (hardcover), 0-88706-066-8 (pbk)

  • Library of Congress Catalog:

    • Na~er-e Khosraw, 1004-ca. 1088

    • The Book of Travels = (Safarnama)

    • Subjects: Near East - Description and travel

Contents Overview (Page 3)

  1. Preface

  2. Introduction

  3. Text of Translation

    • Azerbaijan and Beyond

    • The Region of Diyar Bakr

    • Into Syria

    • Description of Tripoli

    • Beirut, Sidon, and Tyre

    • From Acre to Jerusalem

    • Jerusalem

    • Description of the Dome of the Rock

    • Journey to Egypt

    • Description of Cairo and Its Provinces

    • The Sultan's Banquet

    • Voyage to Mecca

    • Description of Arabia and Yemen

  4. Glossaries

    • Glossary of Persons

    • Glossary of Places

    • Glossary of Terms

  5. Appendices

    • Calendrical Systems

    • Weights and Measures

    • Naser's Itinerary

  6. Bibliography

  7. Index

Naser-e Khosraw's Itinerary (Map) (Page 5)

  • Key Locations:

    • Tabriz, Isfahan, Basra, Mecca, Cairo, Jerusalem

  • Important Sites: Khorasan, Abyssinia, the Nile

Traveling Insights (Page 6)

  • Description of Nubia and Its Inhabitants:

    • Strong, squat black-skinned soldiers known as Masmudis

    • Used swords and spears

  • Cairo:

    • First encountered is New Cairo, which was established by al-Mo(ezz le-Din Allah

    • Events during establishment include the tale of a dog leading the army

    • Historical significance of Cairo and its relationship with the Nile

The City of Cairo: Structure and Legacy (Page 7)

  • Cairo's Architecture:

    • City camp named al-Qahera

    • Numerous shops & buildings, including the Sultan's palace

    • Estimated twenty thousand shops

    • Public buildings owned by the Sultan

Daily Life in Cairo (Page 8)

  • Sultan's Palace Features:

    • Large, surrounded by gardens

    • Security details and staffing

  • Prohibitions on Alcohol:

    • Strict rules against wine and other intoxicating substances under al-Hakem's reign

Urban Design of New Cairo (Page 9)

  • Architecture and Gardens:

    • High buildings serving as fortresses

    • Advanced irrigation systems and extensive gardens

    • Major canal named al-Khalij

  • Water Supply:

    • Transported by camels, with reliance on Nile**

Canal Festivals (Pages 10-13)

  • Rokub Fath al-Khalij Day:

    • Festivities surrounding the opening of the canal

    • Description of the ceremonial procession involving the Sultan and military

  • Sultan's Ceremony:

    • Involves the opening of the dam and local celebrations

Economic Conditions in Old Cairo (Pages 14-18)

  • Trade and Markets:

    • Extensive marketplace system; merchants operate without fear of theft

    • Wealthy merchants demonstrated through lavish decorations

  • Merchants and Handicrafts:

    • Assessment of prices and availability of goods

    • Diverse range of fruits, vegetables, and goods highlighted

The Sultan's Impact and Leadership (Pages 19-20)

  • Banquet Customs:

    • Biannual feasts and their grand scope

  • Public Welfare:

    • Sultan's approach to governance and security

    • Respect for wealth of significant citizens and fair treatment