Bochar

1693. A geographical dictionary representing the present and ancient names by Edmund Bohun.

Bochar, or Buchar, Bochora and Buchara, an antient and a stately City of Asia, in the Province of Mawaralnahra, call'd by the Romans Trans Oxiana Regio, a days Journey beyond the River Oxus; this City was the Birth-place of Avicenna, the famous Arabian Physician and Philosopher, who flourish'd in Spain, in the X. Century. He is said to have been the first that settled the true method of Physick by the many Books published by him; he was born in 992. and died in 1050.

1694. The great historical, geographical and poetical dictionary by Louis Moreri.

Bochara or Bockora, Buchara, a Town of Asia, in Zachatay or Maurenaher part of Tartary. It is near the River Albiamu, which is the Oxus of the Ancients, and therefore call'd Trans Oxiana Regio by the Romans, about 50 Leagues from Samarcand. Bochara was the Birth-place of Avicenna the Philosopher, and is a Town of great Trade; it lies low, is encompass'd with a high Wall of Earth, most of the private Houses are also of Earth, but the Temples and some of the Publick Buildings are Stone; a small River runs through the middle, but its Waters are not wholesome. This City and adjacent Country were formerly under the Persians, but being possess'd by a Tartar Prince in 1558, they made cruel Wars upon the Persians, because of their wearing Hair on their Upper Lip, which the Tartars count a great Sin. The Kings are generally Poor and Tyrannical, and seldom Reign above 2 or 3 years, being either expell'd or kill'd; it was formerly much frequented by Caravans from India, Persia, Russia, and Calhia, from which last it is 9 months Journey, and 20 days Journey from Vercem. Lat. 39. 10.