‘GAZETTEER OF PERSIA VOL. I Comprising the Provinces of ASTARÁBÁD, SHÁHRUD-BÚSTAN, KHÚRÁSÁN, AND SÍSTÁN’ [‎163r] (330/722)

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 he
seen many very fine trees, oak, sycamore, and beach. 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
buluk of Anazan; 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 cause 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 rain
fall. Moreover, it is surrounded by swampy jungle. Kurd Mahalla has a
small fort known as Mulla Kala, 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 Mahalla boasts of a college
(madrasa) and two baths. A torrent of the same name flows past the
village. The name of this place is said to have been originally Kur
Mahalla (“Blind Town"), so called from a legend that Kai Khusrau resided
here when he was blind. There are traces of an ancient city in the vicin
ity.— (Holmes, Hastwick, Napier.)
KU RD-MAHALLA-CHAI— Lat. , Long. ; Elev. k
A river in Astarabad, flowing into the Caspian and passing the village of
Kurd-Mahalla, from which it takes its name. It is dry in the winter, but
a rapid torrent in the spring and summer. It divides the districts of
Anazan and Saddam Rustak.—(AMwes.)
KURDS of KHtRASAN— . ^ _
A tribe of Khurasan—branches of the people of this name, who inhabit
Kurdistan. They were brought by Shah Ismail from Kurdistan, and
settled on the eastern frontier of Persia, to check the inroads of the lurku-
mans. They then consisted of 4,000 houses, which now have increased to
50 000. They are formidable, both on account of their numbers and braverv.
Thev retain much of their language; although they have left off weaung t .ur
characteristic dress and adopted that of Persia. Their principal places to
the eastward are Bujnurd, Kuchan, Isfaram, Chmaran, and Daraghaz.
Many live in tents and some m houses. They are subdivided into
Shadilu, Kara Cherehlu, Yazidis, Chmnlu, and Zafaranlu (q. v.), and are
still famous for their thieving and plundering talents.—see, Monei.)
Vide “ Kuchan."
KTJRGAB— Lat. , Long. ; Elev. • w j
\ village in northern Khurasan, about 11 miles north-west of Kuchan and
2, miles north of the road from Kuchan to (MacGregor.)
KtJRGAN— Lat. , Long. ; Elev. _ ; , , , „
A village in the plain and district of Pusht-i-Bustan m Khurasan, about 8
miles from Bustan. It is one of the principal villages m this district.
(MacGregor.)
KURIII Lat. , Lo'?g. Elev.
Formerly an* Akhal Turkuman fort, 41 miles from G a wars, the extreme
south-east fort of the series.— (MacGregor.)