Description of Panjshir valley by Ibn Battuta

Ibn Battuta (1304-1369) informs us that there used to be a fine and populous city on the bank of river Panjshir in the Panjshir valley. It was destroyed by Genghis Khan of the Mongols, and it was still in ruins and uninhabited when Ibn Batutta was writing.

Panjshir was known as Panjhir پنجهیر in medieval times. Or Banjhir in Arabic (since there is no "پ" in that language). According to Ibn Batutta, Panj-hir means five mountains.

Ibn Battuta also mentions the presence of a mausoleum of a saint by name of Shaikh Said al-Makki in that ruined city. That saint was greatly venerated by Panjshiris. In the mountains of Panjshir were found rubies which were called "Balkhash" (بلخش) by the people.

The people of Panjshir and Andarab were tributary to Siah Posh Kafirs (of present-day Nuristan) in medieval times

In 14th century the people of Panjshir and Andarab were raided and bullied by Siah Posh (black-clad) people of "Kafiristan" (present-day Nuristan). Siah-Posh "Kafirs" exacted annual tribute from the Muslims of these regions. Upon failure to pay the tribute, the Siah Poshan would slay the men, and enslave their women and children.

When Amir Timur arrived at Andarab, the chiefs of that country came and cast themselves at his feet, asking him to deliver them from the oppression of Siah-Posh Kafirs. This is reported by Zafarnama of Sharf al-Din Yazdi. 

The people of Panjshir (known as Panjhir پنجهیر in medieval times) were under the thumbs of Siah-Posh Kafirs even in the times of Mughal king Babur. The latter writes: " Panjhir is another tuman; it lies close to Kafiristan, along the Panjhir road, and is the thoroughfare of Kafir highway-men who also, being so near, take tax of it. They have gone through it, killing a mass of persons, and doing very evil deeds, since I came this last time and conquered Hindustan."

This drawing of a Siah Posh Kafir is from "The Illustrated London News", published on September 26, 1874.

Panjshir calley