'GAZETTEER OF PERSIA. VOLUME I' [‎248v] (513/820)

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KtTP-KUR
KtPEH DAGH—
One of the names of the range of mountains between Khorasan and
Transcaspia.— (Curzon.) See also Atak.
KURD—
A tribe of Khorasan—branches of the people of this name who inhabit
Kurdistan. They were brought by Shah Isma’il from Kurdistan and settled
on the eastern frontier of Persia, to check the inroads of the Turkomans.
They then consisted of 4,000 houses, which now have increased to 50,000.
They are, formidable, both on account of their numbers'and bravery.
They retain much of their language ; although they have left off wearing
their characteristic dress and adopted that of Persia. Their principal
places to the eastward are Bujrurd, Kuchan, Isfarain, Chinaian, and
Darreh Gaz. Many live in tents and some in houses. They are sub-divided
into Shadillu, Za’afaranlu, Kaivanlh and ’Amarlu (q. v.), and are still
notorious for their thieving and plundering talents.—(Eraser ; Morier .)—
See “ Kuchan.”
KURDABAD (1)—
One of the groups of small hamlets known as Kalateh, in Northern Kho
rasan, 25 miles east of the Robai -i-Ahnsham : Kuhun, Bibsan, Zaristan and
Askarabad are the others. Magas (Maghz) is 26 miles distant.—(£tewar<.)
KURDABAD (2)—
A village of Kalateh-i-’Arab-u-’Ajam (q.v.). The Government list of
villages gives Girdabad and Kirdabad.— (Schindler.)
KURD MAHALLEH— Lat. 36° 48' 40"; Long. 54° 10' 13*.
A considerable village of from 350 to 400 houses, in the Sadam Rustak
district of the province of Astarabad on the road from Ashraf to the town
of Astarabad, and 16 miles from the latter place. It is situated half-a-mile
north of the road in a dense forest, which extends to the shore 4 or 5 miles
distant, and in which are to be seen many very fine trees, oak, sycamore,
and beech. On these latter a great quantity of misletoe grows, with
' which the inhabitants feed their cattle. The village is the largest in this
part of the province, and belongs to the huluk of Anahzan ; it covers a
very great extent of ground, each family having its separate homestead,
with barns and paddocks neatly fenced. The villagers are a haggard,
ill-looking, fever-stricken set, contrasting most unfavourably with the
fine-looking population of the forest villages farther east. The (ause of
this difference is to be found probably in difference of position ; the western
side of the province being more completely shut in between the mountains
and the sea, and having probably a heavier rainfall. Moreover, it is
surrounded by swampy jungle. Kurd Mahalleh has a small fort known
as Mull a Kaleh, 2 miles distant, to the north of the Kara Su river. This
, latter is also the nearest port to Astarabad, and is much frequented by
native boats. Kurd Mahalleh boasts of a college (madraseh) and two
baths. A torrent of the same name flows past the village.— (Holmes;
Eastwick; Napier; Astarabad Trade Report, 1909.)