'Report on the preliminary survey of the route for the Central Persia Telegraph Line. By W King Wood, Assistant Superintendent, Indo-European Telegraph Department.' [‎14r] (32/300)

28M September 1898.
Ardist an —contin ued.
Kemtrks— continued, stone foundations and baked brick domed roofing. It
was noticed very few of the houses had windows, the
glass having to be brought from Ispahan, which greatly
enhanced the price. Another ride of 15 minutes took us
through more walled gardens. In addition to a chapar-
kaneh, Ardistan possesses two caravanserais, a post office
and one large burnt-brick mosque, called the Masjid
Jomeh, and four smaller ones; also 9 or 10 public baths.
The revenue is stated to be 18,000 tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. . There are
about 50 villages within a radius of 12 miles, and up
wards of 80 within a radius of 16 miles, such as Zewareh,
with an estimated population of 7,000, to little villages
of 50 houses each. Zawareh is said to excel Ardistan in
buildings, mosques, gates, etc., but cannot compete
with it in richness of soil and produce. I noticed the
Ardistan soil was particularly rich. The produce of
other places, such as Catchoo, with a population of 1,000,
centres itself at Ardistan, which is on the junction of
the Y from Yezd to Kashan, Ispahan to Kashan to
Teheran, Ispahan to Arad an andShahrood. The Gover
nor was a very nice man, and the people were much
pleased with him. He has been appointed only six
months. Ardistan is famous for a camel hair shawl
(Rufarshee), about 3 yards by 1, of a brown and closely
woven stuff, which is sold at krans 20 to 25, and also a
chintz known as chitz and sold in lengths of 3 yards at
1^ krans.
En route, Laseeb 4 , 627 from Bagham.
Population, 150; sweet spring water'i ordinary supplies in
fair quantities,