9-26 AH DEC. 23rd 1519 to DEC 12th 1520 AD. 423
When we reached Kula-gram in Kunarr where Malik 'All's house is, we dismounted at his middle son's house, overlooking an orange-orchard. We did not go into the orchard because of the rain but just drank where we were. The rain was very heavy. I taught Mulla 'All Khan a talisman I knew; he wrote it on four pieces of paper and hung them on four sides ; as he did it, the rain stopped and the air began to clear.
{Jan. 16th) At dawn (24th) we got on a raft; on another several braves went. People in Bajaur, Sawad, Kunar and thereabouts make, a beer (bir biisd)2 the ferment of which is a thing they call fezm.3 This kirn they make of the roots of herbs and several simples, shaped like a loaf, dried and kept by them. Some sorts of beer are surprisingly exhilarating, but bitter and distasteful. We had thought of drinking beer but, because of its bitter taste, preferred a confection. 'Asas, Hasan Aikirik? and MastI, on the other raft, were ordered to drink some; they did so and became quite drunk. Hasan Aikirik set up a disgusting disturbance; 'Asas, very drunk, did such unpleasant things that we were most uncomfortable {ba tang). I thought of having them put off on the far side of the water, but some of the others begged them off.
I had sent for Khwaja Kalan at this time and had bestowed Bajaur on Shah Mir Husain. For why ? Khwaja Kalan was a friend ; his stay in Bajaur had been long ; moreover the Bajaur appointment appeared an easy one.
At the ford of the Kunar-water Shah Mir Husain met me on his way to Bajaur. I sent for him and said a kw trenchant words, gave him some special armour, and let him go.
Opposite Nur-gal (Rock-village) an old man begged from those on the rafts ; every-one gave him something, coat (tun), turban, bathing-cloth and so on, so he took a good deal away.
At a bad place in mid-stream the raft struck with a great shock; there was much alarm; it did not sink but Mir Muhammad the raftsman was thrown into the water. We were near Atar that night.
1 Koh-i-nur, Rocky-mountains (?). See Appendix F, On the name Dara-i-nur. Steingass gives buza as made of rice, millet, or barley.
3 Is this connected with Arabic kimiyi', alchemy, chemistry ?
4 Turki, a whirlpool; but perhaps the name of an office from aigar, a saddle.
