'Additions to Gazetteer of Persia, Volumes II to IV.' [‎46v] (92/370)

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KARAGUINLU. Vol. II, page 218.
The name given to the western portion of the Aras valley in Azar-
baijan, it^is only a small district and extends from the river to the north of
the Maku mountains. The country is uninteresting, though it possesses
some fine villages, such as Sufi, Kara, Zamin, etc. There are numerous tracts
traversable by mules and camels between villages. The two principal ones
are from Sufi by Pirnek to Shah Takht and from Sufi by Kara Jakh to
Zekislo.
(Picot, 1394.)
NIKIRLO. Vol. II, page 379.
Once a well known ford over the Aras, by which ran a good carriage
road from Erivan to Maku. The ford is now closed, and the road seldom
used has fallen into disrepair. It is still fit for caravans and could with
very little labour be restored. A few Kurds live near the ford, but it is a
miserable place.
(Picot, 1894.)
MAKU (DISTRICT). Vol. II, page 340.
Maku is the general name given to the north-west corner of Azarbaijan,
the district which takes its name from the mountain stronghold of Maku
extends from the Dara Sham and Karaziadin valleys on the east, to
Awajik on the west and from Mount Ararat (Agra Dagh) on the north to
Kara Aina (Chalderan) on the south. Its mountain system consists of the
Agra Dagh range, extending from south-east to north-west, some 46
miles in length; parallel to it and separated by the Bayazid-Daralu valley
are the mountains of Maku, which, commencing in low hills, north of
Karaziadin, reach to the north-west, gradually increasing in height
as they approach the dividing range between Turkey and Persia, length
about 52 miles. North-east from Karaziadin and extending as far as the
Aras is the very broken and mountainous district of the Dara Sham through
which the Ag Chai flows to the Aras. The fourth and greatest range is
that extending from Rayazid southward, forming the mountain wall between
Persia and Turkey. The region is drained by t wo large rivers. The Zang-
mar Chai takes the northernmost drainage, assisted by its three branches—the
Kizil Chai, the Arajik Chai and the Bayazid Chai. These rivers unite at the
Maku ravine. The Ag Chai drains the elevated country between Zohrabad
and Karaziadin, thence it flows to Marakand, where it is joined by the
Kizil Chai, a fine river formed by the Kotur and Zilbir Chai, the united
streams finally pass down the Dara Sham valley to the Aras. The first impres
sion of the district is one of utter desolation, of lofty and treeless mountains,
of sterile and bare uplands. Further acquaintance, whilst confirming the first
impression, discloses mountains which, though bare of trees, are at times
covered with grasses which support a few nomads with their sheep, goats
and horses. Rich valleys are also seen and fine crops of rice and cotton are
grown on the river levels, whilst fair crops of wheat and barley are raised on
the mountains wherever the slopes allow the use of the plough. The princi
pal centres of life are in the valleys of Karaziadin, Maku, Arajik, Kara Aina,
Babajigh.
(Picot, November 1894.)