"تقرير عسكري عن بلاد فارس - المجلد I ١٩٣٠" [و‎‎٢‎٢] (١٥٤/٤٨)

The political importance of the city is enhanced by the
fact that it is one of the most important of the holy cities
of the Shiah Muhammadans.
Thousands of Shiah pilgrims visit this shrine every year
from Central Asia, Afghanistan, India, and various parts
of Persia, During the spring, summer, and early autumn
there are usually about 10,000 of them in Meshed, but in
the winter, when climatic conditions make transport diffi
cult the town is practically deserted by pilgrims.
Large numbers of students of Muhammadan theology
undergo their preliminary training in Meshed before pro
ceeding to join one of the numerous religious institutions in
Iraq. Meshed has a considerable trade with Russia, India,
Afghanistan, and Asia Minor, and acts as the distributing
centre for the Province. Its chief industries are carpet
making, shawl and silk weaving, and stone working.
The carpet industry is growing very rapidly and
Meshed has now become one of the chief centres of the
carpet trade in Persia.
To the north, east, south-east, and south of the town
a belt of walled vineyards and fruit gardens extends out
wards from a half to one mile from the walls.
To the north-east there is a fertile plain which varies
from 10 to 15 miles in width, which is dotted with many
villages surrounded by cultivation.
To the South-west the mountain wall approaches to
rather less than two miles from the city, the intervening
apace being sandy, little cultivated and much intersected
by qanats (underground water channels).
From the south to the south-east of the city lie low
rocky hills at distances varying from 5 to 15 miles.
In the surrounding districts most of the villages are
protected by mud walls with circular projecting towers.
Such walls are generally in a broken down and dilapidated
state, and would provide but poor protection against rifle
fire. Some villages to the north are protected by high
raised mounds which are supposed to be the sites of Atish-
kadehs (Fire Worshippers’ temples), many of which have
strong cells or chambers which would serve as casemates.
Such posts, improved, and combined with an outer line of
defence would provide formidable obstacle to a force with
only light guns.