'GAZETTEER OF PERSIA. VOLUME I' [‎235v] (487/820)

450
KUC-KUC
is in a favourable year the source of supply of everal of the towns of
Khorasan ; and so dependent are they upon this supply, that any dis-
curbance or accident of seasons occurring in Fuel an, likely to injure the
crops, at once affects the prices current in all the towns of the province.”
Save a small proportion of the town people and of the nomads, the
whole population is engaged in the production of com. The amount of
silk and cotton raised is small.
The average annual outturn of grain of the district is estimated at
Produce Of grain. 71,440 kharwars (566 280 Indian maunds). Of
this about 30,440 kharndrs are required for the
consumption of the people and the ba'ance 41,000 kharudrs (325.000 Indian
maunds) is the surplus available for export. About 30,000 kharudrs of
this are exported to Russian territory (Transcaspia) and the rest to Meshed
and Sabzawar, etc. This surplus may appear to be a very large amount
in proportion to the numbers of the population ; but it must be remem
bered that agriculture, and especially the cultivation of wheat, is the only
industry of the district, and that the unirrigated lands capable of bearing
crops are of great extent, and return ten and fifteen fold for the labour cf
ploughing to the depth of a few inches and sowing broadcast. On the
plateau the same land is never sown two sea on. in succession, each field
or hill slope being allowed a fallow of from one to two or three years.
The store? of corn of the Kuchan villages would prove an invaluable
resource to any fo*ce occupying Meshed. For even shouM the people be
hostile, the country is so open and e sy that a force of cavalry might reach
Kuchan in a few hours, without any fear of being entangled in mounta nous
or difficult ground.
Transport. . transport available for hire in the district
is as follows :—
Camels, about .. .. # 2
Mules and ponies, about .. .. j q^q
Donkeys, about .. .. # _ j 200
The enrolled or paid forces of Kuchan consist, in the first place, of a body
Irregular forces. horse, recruited among the Za’a^aianlu.
vi m , They are mounted and aimed by the Chief and
are thoroughly efficient for the work required of them. In fact, so good are
o orses and men, that a little, better discipline and better arms on’y
are required to make them thoroughly efficient light ho se, admirably fitted
to perform what a-e the most important dukes of mounted infantry. In
common with all the horsemen of this border, whethe Kurd or Turkoman,
ey are unused to charge home, as cavalry in Europe are expected to do,
with sword or lance. ^ Their weapon is the gun, wki h they use always if
possible at speed, either when circling round, or retreating from their
enemy. ®
Lach horseman receives from 10 to 15 tumdns in cash and an assignment
on a vi age for com to about the same value, making his pay up to about
10 rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. V er rmnsem. He lives also, save when at Kuchan, at free