'GAZETTEER OF PERSIA. VOLUME II' [‎212v] (429/706)

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MAKft
ziadm, 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 Karaziad n and extending as far as the Aras is the
very broken and mountainous district of the Darreh Sham through which
the Aq Chai flows to the Aras. The fourth and greatest range is that extend
ing from Bayazld southward, forming the mountain wall between Persia
and Turkey. The region is drained by two large rivers. The Zangmar
Chai takes 'the northernmost drainage assisted by its three branches-—the
Kizil Chai, Awajik Chai, and the Bayazid Chai. These rivers unite at the
Maku ravine. The Aq 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 Koturu and Zilbir Chai,
the united streams finally passing down the Darreh Sham valley to the
Aras. The first impression 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 principal centres of life are in the valleys of Karaz adm, Maku,
Awajik, Kara Aineh, Babajigh. _ ,
For information regarding the chief of Maku, and troops at his disposal;
see article on Azarbaijan.
MAKU—Elev. 3,740'.
A town in Azarbaijan, on the left bank of the Alsas river (Maku Chai),
35 miles on the road from Bayazid to Makshvan from which it is about 46
miles distant. . . ■. * r
The town, consisting of about 400 houses is situated m a gorge, f to £
mile broad, where the Zangmar river has cut a channel, 20 feet deep, 30
feet broad in the limestone rock, in the desolate region, south of Mount
Ararat, in a valley formed by the Maku mountains and a small detached
range of hills in the north. Timur Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. Khan, the hereditary chief, has
an irregular force of about 7,000 men. He is said to be merely a tool
of the Russians, who supply him with ammunition. (M. P. Price, Decem
ber 1912.) The Chief and his family belong to the sect of ’All Ilahi
(q. v.). The entrance to the gorge is about 200 yards in breadth,
the mountains on either side rounded, but gradually getting higher
and higher till at Maku they present on both sides a precipitous lofty
face to the ravine. An excellent carriage road threads the valley. The
valley at Maku is about | mile in breadth, circular in form, enclosed
apparently on all sides by gigantic clifis. On the north in the direct face
of the cliff, which rises to a height of 5,650 feet, is an enormous natural
overhanging arch, a vault of solid rock, perhaps 800 feet, in height.
Under this is a ledge, 40 to 50 yards broad, occupied by a line of castellated
houses, the former residences of the Chiefs of Maku. Below the castle slopes a
debris of rock, and there the eye falls on a white-walled palace, built far out
into the valley on a projecting ledge. The modern village is built at the foot