‘GAZETTEER OF PERSIA VOL. I Comprising the Provinces of ASTARÁBÁD, SHÁHRUD-BÚSTAN, KHÚRÁSÁN, AND SÍSTÁN’ [‎153v] (311/722)

well fed and clothed, and their villages are neatly Luilt, clean, and enliv-'
ened by troops of children of all ages—an unusual sight. They bear a
high character for courage, and were always civil, hospitable, and honest
in their dealings. Their independent, manly bearing marked them as
superior 1o the inhabitants of the southern districts, and is also an
evidence of their prosperous condition. They have now enjoyed almost
uninterrupted peace for over thirty years. The villagers of the northern
mountains only are liable to molestation from the Turkumans ; and even
there the natural strength of the country is such, that they are more
usually the assailants than the assailed, and are able to maintain them
selves successfully at many points only a few miles from large settle
ments of the Turkumans. Conflicts between small parties from either
side of the border are common enough. When large numbers meet, it
is usually the Kurd horsemen, backed by the armed villagers, who are the
aggressors.
The feelings of feudal attachment to their chief and of tribal union
are more marked among the Zafaranlu than among the Shahdillu—a cir
cumstance that is probably attributable to their superior material condi
tion, and to the personal character of the chief and his sou, whose name
is constantly in their mouths. There are complaints of exaction and of
over-assessment ; but their condition shows that, at any rate, they are
left a very sufficient share of the profits of agriculture. Travelling slowly
through the country, and lodging always in the bouses of the villagers, good
opportunities of observing their condition, and appreciating fairly the value
of the complaints that were almost invariably made, and would probably
be made under any circumstances, occur. Their chief is proud and fond
of show and state, which of course involves expenditure ; and he is also said
to be addicted to hoarding (though liberal enough with his dependents and
relatives). But the conclusion to be arrived at is, that he places no unfair
burdens on the backs of bis subjects.
Kuchau is beyond dispute the most productive tract in Khurasan; it
Resources. ma y> fact, be termed the granary of the province.
Its surplus produce finds its way into the markets
of Mashhad and of all the towns of the eastern borders; and it is in seasons
when the crops of the southern districts fail by reason of drought that its
value is most felt.
The drainage of two great chains of mountains gives it unequalled advant
ages of irrigation ; and large tracts of corn land lying at a considerable
elevation, sheltered from the parching south winds and within reach of
the moisture-laden breezes from the Caspian and the fertile plains and
valleys to the east of it, ensure a fair supply of grain, even when the annual
rainfall is deficient. The following extract, translated from the Shah’s
Diary in Khurasan, will show how fully the importance of this tract is
appreciated ; and it is also worthy of special note that nearly the whole of
it lies north of the main branch of the Atrak:—
V The soil of that place (Kuehan) is the most productive of any in the
vicinity of Mashhad. The corn land, which is both irrigated and unirri
gated, is in a favourable year the source of supply of several of the towns
of Khurasan ; and so dependent are they upon this supply, that any dis
turbance or accident of seasons occurring in Kuehan likely to injure the
crops at once affects the prices current in all the towns of the province.”
Save a small proportion of the townspeople and of the nomads, the whole
copulation is engaged in the production of corn. The amount of silk and