'Military report on Tehran and adjacent Provinces of North-West Persia (including the Caspian Littoral)' [‎81r] (166/610)

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It was formerly the principal town in Gilan, but has now
been eclipsed by the commercial expansion of Rasht. It
remains a quiet old residential country town with well built
picturesque red brick houses, and is very prettily situated
near the foot of wooded hills. It is on a slope with gravelly
soil at some distance from the ricefields and surrounded by
open common land. In summer the climate is consequently
much drier and healthier than in other Gilan towns.
Before the war silk production was the principal industry
and in recent years Lahijan has also become the centre of tea
cultivation in Gilan. Some 10,000 to 15,000 pounds of cigarette
tobacco are grown each year. Rice is the staple crop and is
cultivated along the stream North of the town. The town is
divided into 7 quarters, containing 2,260 houses, 6 caravans-
arais and 3 bazaars with 300 shops.
Inhabitants .—With the exception of 10 to 15 Greeks, who
were engaged in the silk trade, are Gilaki and said to be more
addicted to opium than in any other town in Persia. About
20 per cent, are literate.
Supplies .—As in Rasht. The adjacent hill districts of
Dailiman and Ranikuh produce a good deal of wheat and barley
surplus to their own requirements, and, with Amarlu, possess
large herds of sheep. SM
Transport .—300 to 400 local ponies might be collected at 5
days’ notice but with difficulty. A few mules come via
Siyahkal (Chapter X, para, (c), Elburz Routes No. 10) which
also attracts a fair number of mules from hill ^ villages
on market day, but most go via Amlish to Langarud (route
No. 9).
Vehicles are very few and mostly private carriages.
Communications. —1. Rasht-Lahijan Langarud-Rudisar road
(Chapter X., para, (c), Carriageable
roads No. (j), page 418).
2. via, Dailiman to Kazvln (Elburz routes
No. 10, page 447).
3. via Langarud to Kazvin (Elburz routes
No. 9, pp. 446).
• 4. to Astaneh (passable for carts in dry
weather),
The Langarud is a shallow stream and does not become
navigable until near Langarud.