‘GAZETTEER OF PERSIA VOL. I Comprising the Provinces of ASTARÁBÁD, SHÁHRUD-BÚSTAN, KHÚRÁSÁN, AND SÍSTÁN’ [‎345v] (697/722)

may purchase and eat apart that meal which their religion forbids them
to en joy in the society of others. Ishak Khan is represented as delighting
in this part of his establishment. He always dines with his guests ; and
his attentions are said to be so divided, that, to use the words of a Persian
author, princes and beggars are equally pleased. It is in these hours of
relaxation that he displays his great knowledge of men and books, and
adds, by the information he receives, to his vast stock of knowledge. We
cannot be surprised that those who have for days,, weeks, and months
listened to his conversation and partaken of his hospitality should spread
his name in every direction. This reputation was, of itself, a safeguard,
for the most absolute sovereigns of Asia are themselves the slaves of public
opinion ; and the monarch who, without an adequate pretext, should even
diminish means so justly accumulated and so nobly used would be exposed
to reproach from all, who had either enjoyed or heard of the bounty of
this extraordinary man/ - ’ This account of Ishak Khan is taken from the
pen of one who knew and admired that chief, but it is confirmed by the
information of more impartial observers; and though it may be highly
coloured, there can be no doubt that it is substantially true.— {Malcolm,
Rumen, Shiel, Ferrier, Goldsmid, Bellew, Napier, MacGregor.)
TURBAT-I-HAIDARl*— Lat. 35° 16' 30", Long. 59° 11' 0"; Elev. 4,480'
( Walker).
A flourishing town in Khurasan, the capital of the district of the same
name, and the residence of the Persian governor, who in 1881 was Shahzada
Muhammad Mirza, a prince of the Kajar family. Previous to the famine of
1871, it was one of the most populous, fertile, and prosperous places in Persia ;
but it suffered fearfully in the dearth of the years 1868 to 1871. Owing to
deaths and emigration, its population has been reduced by twenty thousand,
and several villages have been quite deserted. Formerly, the silk crop alone
in this district produced an annual profit of forty thousand tumans
(14,000 pounds sterling) ; but in 1872 the yield was less than a tenth of this
amount. Grain and cotton are also largely cultivated. The district
contains about 150 villages and hamlets. Many of the former are large,
and surrounded by vineyards, fruit-gardens, and corn-fields. The town
is picturesquely situated on the bank of a deep and wide ravine, in
the midst of lofty hills, and is surrounded by clusters of villages. It
consists of two main streets, crossing at right angles, and covered in by a
succession of domes, built of red brick, and comprising over 200 shops.
Before the disastrous famine, Turbat could boast 1,500 families; but
in 1872 there were not over 200. In favourable years the town
pays 3,000 tumans (£1,200) revenue; but in 1872 this was remitted on
account of the famine. It enjoys a temperate climate in summer; but the
winters are rigorous, snow lying on the ground for upwards of two months.
It is the head-quarters of the “ Karai,” a tribe of Tatar origin, whose
settlement here dates from the time of Taimur. They are of a warlike race,
and at one time, under their famous chief Ishak Khan, their possessions
extended from Mashhad to Khaf; but they are now completely subjected by
the Persians. Ihere is a garrison in the town of 200 sawars and 100
shamkalchis, or mounted matchlockmen.
'I he fortifications of Turbat-i-Haidari are in a very ruinous condition, and
can never have been formidable, a weak curtain wall connecting a few small
mud towers being all the fortification it can boast of. For mites round the
# “ Haidar’s Tomb.”