'GAZETTEER OF PERSIA. VOL. III. PART I: A to K' [‎516v] (1037/1278)

510
KAR—KAK
described by Fraser as grotesquely, rather than picturesquely, placed at the'
mouth of a gorge between too precipitous hills. The houses, though small
are neat and built in terraces on the slope of the gorge, with the naked
and scarped rock rising abruptly above them. Rich gardens extend up
the defile and along the base of the mountain, which produce a variety
of fruits (including the celebrated stoneless grape known as that of Karind)
which ripen during the end of July and August. The willow and the lofty
poplar attain a considerable size on the margin of a mountain stream that
bisects the village, and is afterwards turned off into smaller channels for
the supply of the gardens in the plain. Several copious springs issuing
from the plain, which is here about 3 miles broad, add their water to numer
ous mountain streams and from the sources of the Ab-i-Karind, the north
west tributary of the Karkheh river. The temperature is very mild, when
Jones visited it in August the maximum point of the thermometer was
only 85°. A mild east wind prevails throughout the nights, and is followed
by a refreshing west wind that lasts during the day.
Karind has long been celebrated in Persia for the excellence of its steel
work ; the inhabitants however mainly live by agriculture ; a few carpets
are made. The gunsmiths at Karind are reputed to be the best workmen in
Western Persia. They turn out exceedingly good Martini rifles at about
tumdns 20 (Rs. 45) a-piece and will copy anything. There are four gun
smiths in the town, and the average output of rifles amount to about 100-
per annum. Cartridge cases, however, cannot be made ; they are obtained
from Europe or old once are recapped and filled, home-made powder being
used, which is described as being better than the usual Persian powder.
The population may be 3,000 mainly belonging to the ’All Illahi sect;
32 families of Jews.
There are several mills in the town, each being able to grind 6,5C0 lbs.
of wheat in 24 hours, and a Persian Government Telegraph Office. The
fine caravanserai A roadside inn providing accommodation for caravans (groups of travellers). built by Shah ’Abbas is now in ruin. Supplies : cattle
and plough oxen, 3,000 sheep, 500 goats, firewood. A road from here to
Gavarreh, distant 14 miles, said to be practicable for mules.—(Jowes—
Curzon — Preece — V aughan — Gough , 1806 .)
(See also Gazetteer of Kirmanshah.)
KARINDl—
A tribe of Kurds partly nomad, partly sedentary, living in Kirmanshah.
Their country extends from the Bishaveh plain to Khusrauabad, 12 miles
from the town of Karind ; beyond this is Kalhur country. They are
estimated at 1,000 families. In the summer they occupy the hills above
Karind ; in the winter the Karind plain. They are supposed to provide a
battalion of infantry. Their chief is generally Sartip of the battalion and
Governor of the tribe.
The arrangements for cultivation are the same as those obtaining amongst
the Kalhurs (g.v.). They are for the most part ’AH Illahis.— (Curzon —
Preece.)
(See also under Kerindi in Gazetteer of Kirmanshah.)
KARIZ KHANEH —Lat. Long. Elev.
A village 111 miles north-west of Yarpusht in the Tihran-Karvan district,
a mile to the left of the road from Isfahan to Burujird.— (Schindler.)