'Military report on Tehran and adjacent Provinces of North-West Persia (including the Caspian Littoral)' [‎75v] (155/610)

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to fall into disrepair during recent years, until in 1920 the
Gendarmerie had taken it over for use as their barracks and
parade ground.
The town is situated near the exit of the Tejen valley from
the hills. The ground slopes slightly up to a low spur about 2
miles South West of it and the surrounding country is fairly
open and free from stagnant water, and the area of rice
cultivation is not very large. The summer climate is consequ
ently less bad than at Barfarush or Amol and the town is consi
dered comparatively salubrious and the “ yailaq ” of the Mazan-
daran plain. Only about 10 per cent, of the inhabitants leave
it in summer and migrate to the hills of the Hazar Jarib
district.
Inhabitants .-—-They are all Mazandaranis except the officials,,
speaking a dialect among themselves but understanding Farsi.
About 20 per cent, are believed to be literate. They have had
little intercourse with foreigners and are less developed and
progressive than the Gilakis. Their characteristics are described
in Chapter IV, para.(c). As the administrative capital the town
has been considerably disturbed by the intrigues and troubles
in Mazandaran since 1909.
Sardar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Jalil is the biggest landowner and most influential
personality of the district.
Supplies .—In winter sheep and cattle come down in great
numbers to graze in the plain and along the coast, and every
kind of dairy produce is abundant until they begin to
move towards the hills in April, after which very few animals
remain.
Vegetables are excellent and grown in considerable quan
tities. Fruit, with the exception of oranges, is less plentiful
than on the plateau but more plentiful than in Gilan (See also
Chapter VII (d) under Agriculture, p. 289). Rice is the staple diet
of the natives, men and animals, and is obtainable in unlimited
quantities ; the bazaar has always a stock of wheat and barley
for immediate consumption but a garrison would require to
import its requirements from the Hazar Jarib, a large and
productive mountain district up the Tejen valley between Sari
and Samnan. A little barley is grown on the plain near Sari
but is of inferior quality, the ears being dark in colour and
poorly filled. The plain grown wheat is unwholesome and
should be avoided.
*
Fish can also be fetched in winter from the coast. The
supply of wood and charcoal is unlimited.