'Military report on Tehran and adjacent Provinces of North-West Persia (including the Caspian Littoral)' [‎79r] (162/610)

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Water .—From wells. Haraz is bitter.
'Camping Grounds. —Extensive.
1. Ashraf.
Population about 3,500.
General .—Situated 14 miles West of Galugah, the boundary
between Mazandaran and Astarabad, about 5 miles from the
Gulf of Astarabad and 12 from the Caspian. It is a place of
exquisite natural beauty at the foot of jungle clad hills with a
view down to the Gulf and of high mountains to the East. It
is described on page 49 of Gazetteer, Vol. II. The climate is mild
and relaxing, but there is no rice cultivation m the vicinity and
-t is said to be fairly immune from mosquitoes.
Supplies.—'For general remarks see Sari. Supplies, especially
vegetables and fruit, are scarcer than at Sari, and local stocks
•of wheat and barley are very small. Very extensive grazing
ground exists between Ashraf and the Caspian and large flocks
of sheep come to it in winter from the Hazar Jarib.
Transport.—Very little carrying trade passes through Ashraf.
A considerable number of ponies are bred m the district oi/ar-
•ghamarz (Abdul Maliki tribe), at the Western corner of the
Gulf of Astarabad near the Caspian.
Water .—The supply is good from springs.
Camping Grounds.— -Excellent and extensive on grassland in
qhe ruined Safavi Park.
Administration.—Ashrai is the seat of a_Deputy Governor
subordinate to the Governor of Mazandaran.
8. Rustam Kalah and Gurjlmahalleh.
Population about 4,000.
Two large Tillages about IJmiles apart, on the Sari—Asluaf
road, about S 27 miles from Sari and 7 miles from Ashraf The
inhabitants of Gurjlmahalleh are of Georgian origin and came to
Mazandaran in 2 parties during the rergns of Shah Abbsa and
of Agka Muhammad Khan Kajar, but have lost their ong
language and religion and have intermarned «th ‘he nat.T«-
These villages were a flourishing centre of cotton produetmn
and considerable trade was done, bu y
depressed condition.
Supplies and Transport as at Ashraf.