'Central Asia. Part V. A contribution towards the better knowledge of the History, Ethnography, Topography, and resources of part of Asiatic Turkey and Caucasia' [‎125] (140/360)

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to some of Dariel itself. This massive work was 21 feet liif^b, 7 feet wide,
the foundation being composed of immense stones, and was intended as a
defence against the inroads of the Scythians from the north. Rose-water
and opium are prepared by the inhabitants of Darband in addition to
copper and iron vessels, and the manufacture of silk and woollen stuffs, but
a shallow and defective harbour greatly restrict their commerce. The bazaar
is large and well attended, and it has quite an oriental appearance.
Darband fell into the hands of the Russians after the war of 1813,
though it had formerly been captured in 17'22 by Peter the Great. A hut
said to have been inhabited by him is carefully preserved here surrounded
both by pillars and chains and defended by a couple of cannon.
In the neighbourhood lies the village of Dashkessine at the foot of the
precipitous mountain of Kogre Kafe. Here is the remarkable cave of the
Dives, traditionally famous as the supposed dwelling-place of the giants of
scripture.— {Chesney—Imperial Gazetteer.)
DARBAND-I-BASTERA—Lat. Long. Elev.
A pass in Turkish Kurdistan, west of Sulimania, on the road to Altun
Kopri. It is over the same hills as the Darband-i-Bazian and a little to the
south of it.— (Rich.)
DARBAND-I-BAZIAN—Lat. Long. Elev.
A pass in Turkish Kiirdistan, west of Sulimania, on the road to Altun
Kopn. The approach to it is very marshy. The pass is formed by a mere
ridge, which advances as it were to close the valley and slopes down very
gradually, leaving but a small opening. This is a complete screen facing the
two sides of the opening through which the road to Kurdistan leads. In the
war between the Province of Baghdad and that of Sulimania the latter fortified
this pass and would doubtless have been able to hold it had not a Kurd
shewn the former a pass by which it could be turned.— (Rich.)
DARDAGH—Lat. Long. Elev.
A range of mountains in Russian Armenia, which separates the district of
Urdabad from that of Nakhshvan.— (Chesney.)
DAREH CHICHEK—Lat. Long. Elev.
A valley in Russian Armenia, running into the mountains from the north
shore of Lake Gokcha. It is a favourite haunt of the wandering tribes.—
(Morier.)
DARIEL—Lat. Long. Elev. 4,000.
A fortress of Circassia at the entrance of a pass over the Caucasus between
Yladi Kavkas and Tiflls, 40 miles south of former, 80 miles north of latter,
and on right bank of the Terek. It is built on an isolated and impregnable rock
in a most commanding position over the Terek, which here foams through
a narrow passage on the mountains. It is now in a very dilapidated state,
consisting merely of a strong square tower and a walled space around it
capable of sheltering several hundred men. The mountains in the vicinity
are scarped and impracticable except by the narrow road leading directly
under the walls of the castle. Formerly both sides of the valley were
occupied by fortifications so as completely to shut up the entrance to the
pass. On the south side this pass may be said to commence at the defile
of Annanur, which is not difficult. From this to the Pass of the Cross
the road ascends gradually, and a carriage road has been made to the
summit of the pass and down to the ravine of the Terek. Thence three
miles lie through a narrow ravine bounded by high schist rocks. This