"دليل بلاد فارس، المجلد I ويشمل محافظات أستراباد، شاهرود-بوستان، خراسان، وسيستان" [و‎‎١‎٨‎٧] (٧٢٢/٣٧٨)

heads of large size, both of iron and brass, have been picked up, much like
those now in use among the Turkumans. Outside of the walls may be seen
the vestiges of what seem to have been graves, formed much in the present
Muhammadan fashion with headstones, but very rude. I think this is all
that can be said about this place, which is chiefly curious from its situation.
1 hat the ruins are of ancient date is not to be doubted ; but to determine
to what period its origin or existence should be assigned is probably impos
sible. In t-Ms dry climate stones remain for centuries unchanged in exter
nal appearance ; yet the stones of these buildings that have fallen are covered
with yellow and grey lichens.”— (Fraser.)
NARDl'N— Lat. 31° 2' 0", Long. 55° 56' O'"; Elev. 4,170' (Napier).
A village in trie province of Astarabad on the road from Jaiarm to Astar-
abad It is the chief village of the buluk of the name, and lies in a
small plain surrounded by high mountains. The Khan of Nardm
Ariasiab ivhan, ipceivuis / 00 tumans and a villag’e rent-free ) also a sum of
20 tumans per annum for each man of 200 horsemen designed for border
d ere nee. ± ire roit ox iMardni is a small mud-walled enclosure^ with hi^h
solid walls and circular bastions, defended by three light fieldonns. Supplies
here are scanty. The fort has but a few gardens round itr But though
the soil is fertile, the supply of water is limited to two scanty springs. There
are some 300 horses within the enclosure, which forms a square of about 200
yards a side. The little chiefship of Nardm partially closes a great
gap in the border line between Shahrud and the frontier villages of Buinurd
Hence only its importance. The boundaries of the chiefship and the
limit of his authority are alike undefined. As the liability of the country
m its rear to Turkuman ravages decreases, so will its importance, and the
claims of its chief to any special consideration. The subdivision’numbers
roundly 2,000,—able to furnish 300 or 400 armed peasantry.—( Napier.)
NARDlN —Lat. , Long. j Elev. 5,400'.
A pass in Khurasan from the Gurgan plain to Jajarm and eastward. It
has fewer natural difficulties than any other line in the Alburz. Italics in a
direct line between Astarabad and Jajarm, in the very track of any force
marching from the sea to the east; and for the construction of a railway
offers facilities only exceeded by the more circuitous route by the Gurgan
defile. 1 he ascent and descent of this pass are both easy, the elevation above
the valley being 1,500 feet. Thirty guns were taken overby the Sipah
Salar about the year 1870. They were dragged, but with a‘little labour
might have been driven. The hillside is of friable trap and trap tufts of
soft clay and marls. — (Napier.)
NARGISI TAPA Lat. , Long. ; Elev.
An encampment of the Jafarbai tribe of Turkumans on the Kara Su river
about 5 miles north of Astarabad.— (Holmes.) ’
NARXSTANG— Lat. , Long. ; Elev.
A village in the Tun subdivision of the Tabas district of KhimGan
(Bellew .)'
NARJtJN— Lat. , Long. ; Elev. r .
A buluk of the district of Kain. Vide “ Muminabad.”
ISASlRABAD — Lat. 31° 1' 0 // , Long. 61° 30' O' 7 ; Elev. 1,770' (JVal/cer).
The modern capital of Persian Sistan, and the residence of the governor
of the province, the Amir of Kain, who has also the title of “ Hashmat-ul-
* “ Narcissus Hill/