"دليل بلاد فارس، المجلد I ويشمل محافظات أستراباد، شاهرود-بوستان، خراسان، وسيستان" [ظ‎‎٤‎٥] (٧٢٢/٩٥)

from Herat in 1857. The total population of the chief ship therefore, roiMi.
ly estimated, stands thus :—
Town
...
...
...
... 7,200
Bujnurd
...
...
...
...
... 6,000
Mana
...
...
...
... 1,500
Simalghan
...
... 2,000
Shanglian
...
...
... 1,600
Isferayfn
...
... 7,000
Jah Jarm
... 3,200
Total
... 28,500
About two-thirds of the whole are Kurds, who were transported to this
frontier from the west by Shah Abbas at the end of the 16th century.
The disastrous famine of 1872 and several previous years, that ruined the
Condition of the population, agriculture and dispersed the population of other
parts ot Khurasan, brought wealth and prosperity
to the Kurds of Kuchan and Bujnurd. Their grain crops, lying for the
most part at a considerable elevation, and sheltered from the burning wind
of the southern deserts, are independent of irrigation. Though lighter by
reason of the want of seasonable rainfall, they were still sufficient to feed
the people and many thousands of immigrants, and to leave a large balance
for exportation. The Ilkhani of Bujnurd cited as an evidence of the im
proved condition of his people that the number of women in the town had
been doubled by importations during the famine. Young girls from the
distressed districts were sold by their parents to the Kurds for a few loads
of grain. The peasants also of the outlying villages have laid by money
and increased their stock of household goods. There was certainly every
appearance of prosperity; the villages teemed with infant life, and all classes
were well clothed, fed, and housed. The tracts lying south of the moun
tain chain, Isferayin and Jah Jarm, had suffered somewhat; but there had
been few deaths, the destitute having found food and shelter amonff the
Kurds.
the grain-producing lands of Bujnurd lie at a greater distance from the
Resources for supply Of grain, markets of Mashhad, Nishapur, and Scabawar than
those or Kuchan; and as a consequene cultivation
is more nearly limited to local wants. The outlying tracts, Mana and
Simalghan, do not export at all; and Jah Jarm and Isferaym do not produce
sufficient for their own requirements.
The^ villages lying around Bujnurd produce at a rough guess 5,000 khar-
wars in excess of their wants, which is exported to Isferaym, Jah Jarm,
and Sabzawar. The quantity exported is said to be slightly on the increase.
Prices shortly after harvest stood at 7 maunds per kran for wheat, for
barley 11 maunds per kran. Grain is at present the only article of export, the .
little silk, cotton, and rice raised being kept for borne consumption. With
improved communications and an increased demand, the facility afforded
by the unirrigated lands on the hill slopes for grain production would
admit of the ample supply of water enjoyed by most of the villages being
employed in the production of the more valuable trade staples. The opening