'GAZETTEER OF PERSIA. VOLUME I' [‎165r] (336/820)

its strength, it has two very fatal sources of weakness. First, it is situated
to the north of an exceedingly difficult range of mountains, across which it
would be very difficult to transport supplies ; and, if cut off from its sup
plies in this direction, it would not be possible to collect sufficient from the
small villages in the district. Secondly, its size is a source of weakness. It
would require a garrison far beyond the power of any State to devote to its
care. In its present state, with its slender garrison of half-hearted soldiers
scattered all over the place, and separated from each other and from all
support by miles of difficult and impracticable roads, it is not probable that
it would hold out very long against any skilful or determined attack.
The garrison consists of two companies stationed at Mesned, woo are
^ . changed occasionally. Two hundred savdrs
gxist almost entirely on paper. For some
years no artillery has been stationed in the fortress.
In Firdausi’s great epic, known as the Shah Ndmeh, the district is refer-
red to as Kalat and Charam, the latter being an
important village some 6 miles to the west of
Kalat. In it a grim tragedy was enacted on the occasion of the invasion
of Turan or Central Asia by the forces of Kai Khusran, a legendary
monarch of Persia. It was inhabited by his half-brother, Faiud, who was
independent, and the Shah enjoined upon Tus, his commander-in-chief,
the necessity of avoiding the district. However, it was found that the
alternative routes led through deserts, and the Persian army perforce en
tered the gorges to the south of the district. Faiud, hearing of the
approach of a mighty host, took up his position on a lofty crag, and watch
ed the army defile below him. He was accosted by the hero Bahram,
who, upon being shown the Kaianian mole on Famd’s arm, reported to
Tus that it was the Shah’s brother. Tus, however, cherished sinister
designs, and wished' to sack Charam. He consequently refused to
acknowledge the identity of Farud, who was attacked. After kill
ing various heroes in Homeric style, he retreated to the fort, whence he
shortly afterwards sallied out and gave battle, until the whole of his
force was exterminated and he himse f was mortally wounded. Return
ing to his fastness with difficulty, he was received by his mother, who
fired the treasury and hamstrung the horses. The women committed
suicide by throwing themselves from the top of the fortress, and, finally,
Farud and his mother killed themselves. Tus burst in the gate, to find
nothing living inside, but merely a mass of ashes, on which to satiate his
thirst for plunder.
From the above it does not appear that Kalat was renovmed for its
natural strength in the tenth century of our era, when Firdausi lived : nor
have we any details as to its occupation by Arghavan Shah : but when
blood-drinking Tamerlane strode across the stage of Asia, it won a match
less reputation. Tamerlane found Kalat in the possession of a certain ’AH
Beg and attempted its capture by surprise. In this he failed, although
he seized many flocks of camels and sheep. He then formally invested
what is now known as the Nafta darhand in person, his Amirs attack
ing the other entrances. Some Badakshani hillmen disco ered a track,
up which they effected an entrance, and matters looked black for the