‘GAZETTEER OF PERSIA VOL. I Comprising the Provinces of ASTARÁBÁD, SHÁHRUD-BÚSTAN, KHÚRÁSÁN, AND SÍSTÁN’ [‎111v] (227/722)

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a continuance of the demand for their staples, and improved communica
tions, will tend to reduce this surplus, and even a few years may find the
necessitous districts compelled to send further for their supplies. The
people themselves, however, continue in ordinary seasons to raise enough for
their own consumption ; for this favourable climate and good soil enable
them to sow unirrigated lands with advantage. In some season in many of
the villages the unirrigated sowings were ten times the extent of the
irrigated, and there are evidences of a good crop. The district is divided
into two bidukx —Jagatai and Nikah. The first includes all the villages
along the central depression from Farishian, on the Jah Jarm border, to the
barren plain separating Jagatai from Nikah, which lies 20 miles to the east
of it, and those on the skirts of the mountains, numbering in all 20
inhabited villages. Amongst these is Jagatai (<£. v.). The buluk of
Nikah includes all the villages in the eastern portion of the central depres
sion, numbering dO now inhabited. It has very great capabilities, evidenced
by the remains of large villages now ruined and of numerous kanats.
A rough estimate of the population gives 2,050 houses and a population
of 10,250, of which abeut 2,500 may be reckoned as adult males. There
may be also 200 to 300 tents of Baluch nomads, making a total population
of about 1 1,000.
The villagers are Turks, principally of the Ghilitchi tribe, calling them
selves also Jagatai. They are reported to be warlike and well armed. They
furnish now no regular soldiers, but have 800 Tufangchis told off, and paid
a small sum in grain for service in case of Turkman invasion.
The surplus grain produce averages yearly to about 2,000 kharwars.
The revenue of the district paid in cash is 4,000 tumans. The production
of silk is estimated at about 100 kharwars, most of which is consumed
at home; men, women and children being all clothed in silk. There is also
a considerable trade with Russia in silkworm’s e<nrs.
The position of Jagatai Juvam is an important one, for through it will lie
the main road from Shahrud on the west to Nishapur-Mashhad on the
east. When the Turkmans are more settled, the old trade route from
Nishapur to the Caspian traversing it from north to south, either in Juvam
or Isfaraiu, would also be the position or base of any force defending the
Gurgan pass from attack from the north.
To the south-east, a distance of 90 miles over a level plain, on which, save
for about 20 miles, there is ample water, lies Nishapur. To the north-west,
40 miles across a barren plain, deficient in water, but in which no doubt
wells could be dug without difficulty, is Jah Jarm, a large town during the
Arab occupation, now a mere village.
Thirty-live miles north, over a level plain, crossed by one low ridge, is Is-
farain ; and 10 miles beyond, slightly to the west, is the Darband-i-Hissar
(£. the pass leading to the Gurgan.
TV est, over a level plainor series of plateaux, deficient in water, with a few
villages, distant 140 miles byroad, is Shahrud. West for 25 miles, and
then south-west 20 miles, along the banks of the Kal Stnir is a good road
leading to the present highway, whence Sabzawar can be reached in two
marches. There are three direct roads to Sabzawar over the Jagatai Kuh,
but that by Manida and Farumad is alone passable for laden mules. The
other two are little better than footpaths, though horsemen pass occasionally.
It was formerly held by a family of native chiefs of Turk race, and of
some renown.