‘GAZETTEER OF PERSIA VOL. I Comprising the Provinces of ASTARÁBÁD, SHÁHRUD-BÚSTAN, KHÚRÁSÁN, AND SÍSTÁN’ [‎27v] (59/722)

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where the population is denser, an equal number would, no doubt, be found
as readily.
The glens leading from the Kohsar plateau to the plain held by the
Goklan Turkmans are inhabited by a small tribe of
The Hajilar clan. Turk, or by one account Baluch origin; who, from the
natural strength of their country and the light hold
the Persians have on the Gurgan plain, are able to maintain a certain
amount of independence. It was lately found so difficult to control them
from Astarabad, that they have been handed over to the tender mercies of
the Ilkhani The paramount chief of certain tribes in south west Iran. of Bujnurd, who is able to reach them if necessary.
They have, however, submitted and paid the arrears of the tribute due.
They number 1,000 tents, and have an immense local reputation for courage,
strength, and expertness with their guns.
In the western biiluks the population is slightly more mixed; there are
many Tajiks and some few villages of Kajars; also two villages, Yan A
Mahala and Muhammadabad, near Astarabad, chiefly of Hazara Barbars
immigrants of an ancient date. There is a mixture also of Taths, a tribe
apparently of Persian origin found in larger numbers in Mazandaran.
Though inferior to the people of the east in appearance and in reputation,
the peasantry of the west are hardy, fairly armed, and well acquainted
with the forest paths and the proper modes of bush fighting. A levy en
masse there would produce about the same number of armed men as in the
east of the district.
The town population is very mixed. There are Tajiks, Kajars, and Turks,
and a number of families of Afghans and Hazaras.
It increased slightly during the famine, but is still far below what it
once was, as is evidenced by large spaces'within the enclosure covered with
ruins and vacant habitations.
I he material condition of the Astarabad population is, as might be expect
ed, far superior to that of the population of Khurasan.
Material condition. The peasants in the eastern and mountain tract and the
. i lowland villages, from which an annual immigration
to the yielak, or summer quarters, is customary, are physically as fine,
01 neaily so, as the average Khurasan peasant, and they have also a robust,
healthy appearance.
About Astarabad and on the coast, haggard fever-worn faces are, however,
common; and the evil effect of the climate is most marked on the children.
All classes appeared to be well fed and sufficiently clothed; and a very large
pi opoi tion so clothed as to show that they had little need to work with their
hands, the last 20 years has seen a very great change in the condition of
the country.
Hie village of I inderisk, for instance, was within the memory of men
young a small collection of reed huts, as often
ago o is deserted for a safe retreat in the neghbouring moun
tains as occupied.
The clearings weie few and of small extent, and rice and wheat, sufficient
T'n'nn f 1 Co ^ 1 um r ) ^ 0l b raised. It has now with neighbouring hamlets
, ami ms. here are several substantial stone houses with neat tiled
roo s, pavet com -yards, and large rooms ; and the houses of less pretensions
are equa y com oitable, they stand usually at some little distance apart;
oi emg in o wood and cane, and having each a rick-yard and stack of
ut , icic is some danger of fire. The whole village thus covers perhaps a