‘GAZETTEER OF PERSIA VOL. I Comprising the Provinces of ASTARÁBÁD, SHÁHRUD-BÚSTAN, KHÚRÁSÁN, AND SÍSTÁN’ [‎234v] (475/722)

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puds of steel,—the former at 3 to 4 reals, the latter at 8 reals, a pud,
forming' an amount of near 90,000 turaans (4S,uOO/.)* in two articles
alone,—are annually imported into Rasht and Barfarush. It will also.be
sufficiently clear, from a glance at the nature of the articles in the table
of exports and imports and the above data, that the surplus
remaining to be paid in cash by the Russians must be very considerable;
and this is really the case, as has been remarked in what has bten said
respecting the influx of specie into Persia. They annually bring a large
number of ducats and manets to exchange for the produce they take
away.
The other exports to Russia do not require many observations. Those
which have been noticed above are of by far the greatest consequence.
Grain, like rice, is taken in when cheap to fill up with.
Timber, tobacco, raw hides, lambskins, gallnuts, grape treacle, and
drugs, form only occasional shipments ; and are partly brought from other
places.
Turquoises chiefly go by the way of Bukhara from Mashhad.
Silk goods, such as daryais, kussabs, taftas, &c., are often sent to a
great extent and value.
Gold and silver brocades, the manufactures of Kasban and Isfahan,
likewise form a considerable article of export.
Of the goods imported from Russia, those of principal importance
have already been adverted to in speaking of European imports in general.
Metals, iron, steel, copper, and quicksilver, form a very large proportion
of the whole, both in bulk, and value.
Woollen and cotton goods .—The observations already made on these
supersede the necessity of any further remarks here. As they are chiefly, if
not all, from. England, Germany, and France, they must be imported, at a
greatly enhanced expense, and probably of inferior quality to those which
these nations might themselves supply direct.
Paper .—The greater part of this article, which is used in Persia, is sup
plied from Russia. The most of it is tinted blue, and is of foolscap size,
but coarser.
Fun .—A considerable quantity of these are annually sent to Persia,
either from Astrakhan or Tiflis. The consumption of them in articles of
dress by the Persian nobility is very large. The fitch, sable and grey
squirrel-skins, are most in use.
Leather .—The true Russian leather is imported in considerable quan
tities. The price is generally at the rate of 12tumans for 10 skins.
Of the Russian commerce with the states on the east of the Caspian, I
am not prepared to say a great deal ; nor do I think it can as yet be very
considerable. The natives of Bukhara are doubtless rich for Asiatics,
and able to purchase articles of luxury to a certain amount. But the
transport of goods, whether by land or sea, must so greatly enhance
their value as very much to restrict the disposable quantity.
For a detailed account of the system of date-cultivation near Bushahr,
Mr. Edwards’s memorandum in the Administration Report of the Gulf for
1877-78 may be referred to; and tor pearl fisheries see article by Captain E.
Durand in the same volume.
* At present £ L=about 3 tumans 90,000 = about £30,000 ; but this is at the present
low rate of exchange owing to the depreciation of silver.