'GAZETTEER OF PERSIA. VOLUME II' [‎305v] (615/706)

598
TABKlZ
It will be also gathered from these tables that exports from this portion
of Persia continue to bear no comparison with imports :—
Value.
1899-1900.
1900-01.
£
£
Exports
316,304
649,415
r .
Imports
723,174
1,204,069
The average rate of exchange on London bills during 1900-01 has been
52| krans per 11. sterling.
Presen Exchange {1900-01).
Population .—In 1881 General Schindler estimated the population at
164,630. Assuming an increase of ’9 per cent it should have reached 200,000
twenty years later (1901).
The Europeans live in the Armenian quarter. Here are the Residencies
of the Turkish, Russian, and British Consul-Generals, the last named having
a charming and spacious house ; France also maintains a Consul at Tabriz,
whose business it is to foster such trade as she may possess and to supervise
the interests of the Catholic Nestorians, whom she has taken under her pro
tection. There was once a Belgian Consul, but a sinecure so complete could
only end in withdrawal. The United States have a Consulate here.
In 1881 there were 2,892 Armenians in Tabriz.
Tabriz is the residence of an Armenian bishop, whose diocese (called
the Tabriz diocese) is divided in to several districts, the more important ones
being Tabriz, Salmas, VurmI (Urumieh), Baranduz, Maragheh and Karadagh.
The number of Armenians under the Tabriz bishop is about 25,000.—
{Schindler.)
The bazaars are about the same size as those of Tehran, but neither so
well built nor so regular. Adjoining them are two fine caravansarais, one
constructed by Haji Saiyid Husain, merchant, and another by his son-in-
law, Haji Shaikh Qasim. There is also another not far distant, the Fateh
’All Beg caravansarai, which is tenanted by Georgian merchants, and
usually called the Georgian sarai. These are the best in the city.
There is a race-course prettily situated under a line of red hills about
3 miles from the town, on the AjI Chal plain, which is much patronized
by both Europeans and Persians. The races sometimes attract as many
as 20,000 people and the bazaars are sometimes closed on these occasions.
In the streets, and bazaars of Tabriz Turkish is the only language spoken,
and Persian is only understood among the better classes.
11.
1 Russian Imperial ..
1 Russian paper rouble
1 Turkish lira
1 franc