'The Expedition for the survey of the rivers Euphrates and Tigris, carried on by order of the British government, in the years 1835, 1836, and 1837; preceded by geographical and historical notices of the regions situated between the rivers Nile and Indus. In four volumes. With fourteen maps and charts, and embellished with ninety-seven plates, besides numerous wood-cuts. Volume the first.' [‎134] (187/905)

134
DERBEND, AND THE PORT.® ALBANIiE. [CHAP. VII.
Town of Kuba, adjoining district, Kuba, has likewise but one town,
which bears the same name: it is fortified, and contains 654
ill-constructed houses ^ but it is in a picturesque situation, being
surrounded by mountains, and overlooking the river Koudial.
Derbend, the most important city of Daghestan, is at the
extremity of one of the great arms already noticed as branch
ing from the Caucasus ; and, by its position on a steep and
almost inaccessible ridge, overhanging the Caspian Sea, it at
once commands the coast, road, and the Albanian pass. The
cityofDer- town contains 1795 well built stone houses, 2 inclosed by a
substantial parapet wall, and it has the additional defence of
the citadel of Narini Kal'ah, the supposed work of Alexander,
which stands a little higher than the rest of the town, and
communicates with the latter through a single gate.
Rose-water and opium are prepared by the inhabitants of
Derbend, in addition to copper and iron vessels, and the
manufacture of silk and ^woollen stuffs: but a shallow and
defective harbour greatly restricts their commerce.
The Albanian The Portse Albanise bear the name of the Iron Gates
among the Arabs 3 and Turks. 4 By the Persians they are
called Siril Alsaghabe, or the Golden Throne: the words
Der and hend, in Persian, signify a narrow closed passage. 5
Wall of Kitai. Derbend, which, according to D'Anville, represents ancient
Albania, had the additional security of the wall of Kitai',
which, like many other extraordinary works, is attributed to
Alexander, though constructed at a period later than that of
the Macedonian king, as a defence against the inroads of the
Scythians, who occupied the country towards the north.
This massive work was 21 feet high by 7 wide, and ex
tended from Derbend to the river Irkisohe; or, according to
tradition, to the pass of Dariyel itself. The existing remains
are those of the third wall, which was constructed by Shah
Nushiravan, in the sixth century. 6
Tarku, the last city to be noticed, is between the rivers
Manasse and Ozene, at 2^ miles from the Caspian Sea; and
1 There are 3572 Tartars.—Aperqu, &c., Tome IV., p. 141.
2 There are 8543 Tartars, 225 Armenians, and 461 Jews.
Bab el Hadid. * Demir Capi.—-Ogilby's Asia, p. 11.
5 Apenju, &c.. Tome IV., pp. 151 to 187, &c. 6 Ibid.