'GAZETTEER OF PERSIA. VOLUME I' [‎280v] (577/820)

538
MES-MES
Russian
compared.
and Indian trade
Ten to fifteen years ago, the volume of British and Indian trade with
Khorasan, though appreciably less than that
of Russia, approximated more nearly to it.
During the last decade, however, Russia
has with success made strenuous efforts to increase her lead : nor can this
success be considered in any way extraordinary, for even given equal
fiscal conditions, the proximity to the Khorasan frontier of the Central
Asian Railway, now supplemented by the Tashkent-Orenburg line,
contrasted with the long and expensive routes by which British and
Indian goods must necessarily be conveyed, gives Russia, frirnd facie,
an incalculable advantage.
Secondly, north Persia is able to supply Russia wuth many articles which
are too bulky to repay transport to India (e.g., dried fruits, rice, cotton
and wool) in return for Russian goods ; hence exports to Russia to some
extent approximate to imports, wdiereas imports from India very con
siderably exceed the exports. Apart from the broader issues involved,
the Indian merchant must thus frequently pay the hire of his transport
both ways for a single freight.
Thirdly, fiscal conditions are by no means equal, owing to the artificial
stimulus applied by Russia’s very favourable tariff for exports from
Persia.
There are, however, certain commodities, e.g., tea, indigo, and spices
in which Indian trade should always maintain a monopoly, while surren
dering to Russia those goods, in the supply of which the latter’s favour
able geographical and fiscal position defies successful competition.
The principal industries practised in the
city are :—
Carpet-weaving. Four hundred frames exist in Meshed itself.
The products are mainly exported via Batum to Cons
tantinople.
Shawl-weaving. Sixty to seventy frames. Also exported to
Constantinople for country use. Neither carpets nor shawls
can compare with the exquisite fabrics produced in Kirn an.
Silk-weaving. The number of frames has fallen from 700 to 150
or 200. The articles produced are somewhat rough and crude
in colour. The larger trade is with India, but a small amount
is still exported to the Caucasus.
Stone-working. Close to Meshed a very soft, greyish stone is quar
ried. The greater portion of this is used for tomb-stones and
for building purposes, but there is also a distinctly artistic manu
facture of vases, jars and stands of this material, on which
various designs are incised.
Other industries are designed to supply the wants of the • inhabitants
and not for export.
In 1891, a branch of the Imperial Bank of Persia was established at Meshed,
Banks and commercial the normal establishment consisting of three
houses. Europeans and a subordinate Persian staff.
Subsequently, the Russian Banque d’Escompte de Perse, a branrh of
the Russian State Bank, commenced operations. The staff now consists
Industries.
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