The Throne of Solomon
neighbours until the Assassins began to take over their lands
and much of their reputation in the twelfth century.
The connection between Kalar and the Daylamites is given
by the fact that the geographer Yaqut describes the town as
being at one day's march from Chalus on the coast; two days
from Ray (near Teheran); three from Amul on the east; and
one day from the Daylamite frontier. From the plain of Kalar the
only probable dividing line to fulfil these conditions is that of
the Hazarchal Pass: Darijan—the other valley—could never be
considered a day's ride, and all north of it—i.e. west or north-
west of Kalar—is thick jungle until one reaches Daku, a two
days' journey. The Hazarchal leads to the upper Talaghan
valley, which is mentioned in the tenth century as part of the
Daylam country, and Kalar would naturally be described as
being at one day's distance from that fertile region: it would
be equally accurately described as being close to the Daylam-
ite fastnesses of the western jungle: in either case die site of
Kalar fits the geographical requirements, and answers also to
numerous references made by the historians of those times.
Yaqut also mentions the little town of Sa'idabad as
close to Kalar, on the way between Hasankeif and Laktar,
which latter village still exists in Kujur. Hasankeif, though
not marked on the maps, is now the capital of Kalar Dasht,
almost in sight of Rudbarek. The track from Kalar to Ruyan
would also be the track from Hasankeif to Laktar, along the
Pul Rud valley, where Sa'idabad must be looked for.
I have gone into these references because they form the basis
for the geography of Kalar.1 But at the time, I had no books
packed in my saddle-bags. All I remembered was the impor-
tance of Kalar in connection with the Daylamites, for if this
were really the site of the old city, then we had probably
1 For a mote detailed study see my article ; " The Site of Kalar " in the
Royal Geographical Society Journal for March, 1934.
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