'GAZETTEER OF PERSIA. VOLUME I' [‎27r] (58/820)

AST—AST
45
-X,
country and main lines of communication. The Guklan and the Yamut
“ Chumurs ” grow a considerable quantity of wheat beyond their own
requirements, for sale and barter to the “ Chdrvds ” or nomad Yamuts ;
but this source of supply would not be available to a Russian force unless
they succeeded in securing the hearty co-operation of the tribes.
From the resources of the district of Astarabad alone it would thus
Resources of Astarabad in- appear that a large force could hardly be
sufficient for a large force. supported for any length of time, and could
certainly not rely upon the district as a base from whence a continuous
supply for a distant expedition might be collected. Improvements of com
munications will, no doubt, lead to a great extension of the corn-growing
area and of the capabilities of the district for supply; but such improve
ments progress slowly in Persia.
Large armies have nevertheless within recent times been marched
into and maintained for some months in and about Astaiabad.
ASTARABAD (Province) (No. 4)—
A province of Persia between lat. 36° 45' 0" and 37° 20',0" and long. 54° and
56°. It is bounded on the north by the Gurgan river, south by the Elburz
mountains and Shahrud district, west by the Caspian and Mazandaran, from
which it is divided by the Gulugah stream, and east by the district of J ajarm
and the plateau of Armutli. The Turkoman tribes north of the Gurgan
own a nominal allegiance to the Shah and to the Governor of Astarabad.
It is divided into the following districts under their respective
governors Anahzan, Sadam Rustak, Astarabad Rustak, Katul. The
two former lie west of Astarabad, Shahkuh and Savar, Findarisk and
Ku hsar, Astarabad Rustak to the north, and the remainder to the east.
The south portion is lofty and mountainous ; but immediately below,
an extensive plain of surpassing beauty and richness stretches out to the
north, east, and west. Towards the Caspian, however, the country,
though still remaining level, loses its beauty and fertility, and exhibits the
well-known characteristics of a steppe. Great part of the surface, both
towards the south slope and throughout the rich plain, is covered with
magnificent forests, so close and tangled as not only to be often impassable,
but to exclude the proper circulation of the air and generate pestilential
vapours. The diseases thus spread over the province have repeatedly
made fearful ravages, and are so much dreaded by the roving Turkomans, of
whom the rural population chiefly consists, that when rain sets in and
begins to form stagnant pools and swamps, they retire beyond the Atrak,
preferring the verge of a burning sandy desert to the fatal luxuriance of
Astarabad. The inhabitants of the villages, being stationary, have not the
same resource, and suffer severely from sickness.
The total revenue of the province of Astarabad amounts to about
£6,350; £3,000 from the province, £3,000 from the Turkomans, £300 from the
town, and £50 from the fisheries. Of this, £2,000 are allowed the governor
as a salary, though he probably manages to obtain more than double that
sum by means of fines, confiscations, presents, etc. The remainder of the
revenue is expended in the salaries of the different Government officers
and a part for the pay of the irregular soldiery, who are all matchlockmen.