'GAZETTEER OF PERSIA. VOLUME I' [‎195v] (401/820)

370
KHO—KHO
Mineral productions.
The mineral products of Khorasan consist of turquoise mines at
Ma’dan, near Nishapur. Salt is found all
over it in the shape of a thick efflorescence ;
and iron, lead, alum, gold, and copper are said to exist.
Coal is said to exist in large quantities in the hills some 20 miles to the
south of Meshed. Coal certainly does exist, as small quantities are occasion
ally extracted for use of the electric engine in the Meshed shrine : it is said
to be of fair quality, though rather friable. I can express no opinion as
to its quantity, as no proper examination has been made of the coal-field :
the Persian, who has the present right to work this coal, told me that the
coal-fields are of many square miles extent, and that the only reason they
have not been worked more extensively before is that steam pumps would
be required to keep down the water that rapidly fills up any excavation.
Two copper mines are being worked, one in the Sabzawar, the other in
the Turbat-i-Haidari district.
, . T , The animal products are horses, camels.
Animal products.. -« ^
r sheep, and oxen*
The produce of Khorasan consists of fruit in great variety and most kinds
Produce § ra ^ n 5 some silk, saffron, large quantities
of assafoetida, and cotton ; also manna,
tobacco, pistachio nuts, and gums.
The manufactures of this province consist of the celebrated Khorasa i
sabres, fire-arms of superior make, stoneware,
carpets of considerable fineness, namdehs,
woollen clothes, cotton goods, pushtins, or sheepskin pelisses, velvets,
armour, etc.
Owing to cessation of raids and robberies, maintenance of peace and
increased facilities of traffic with foreign
countries,the trade of Khorasan has expand
ed considerably during the past 15 years. An idea of the amount of ex
pansion may be obtained from the fact that the customs-dues of Khorasan,
which were farmed in the year 1868 j for tumans 7,000, have gradually
increased to tumans 100,000 in 1898,
The imports from foreign countries are as follows :—
Manufactures.
Trade and commerce.
From India.
Tea, indigo, coffee, spices, piece-goods, muslin, cotton, yarn, twist, cop^
per, tin, glass, books, cutlery and pans.
From Russian territory.
Tea, sugar, candles, kerosine oil, paper, piece-goods, iron, steel, brassy
lead, tin, matches, furniture, glassware, chinaware, gold lace, cutlery,
haberdashery, fancy goods, cotton, yarn, twist and tobacco, Merv and
Bukharan carpets, camel-hair cloth, hides, skins, leather, and saddlery.
From Germany, Austria, and France..
Broad-cloth, matches, cutlery, and fancy goods.