'GAZETTEER OF PERSIA. VOLUME I' [‎371r] (766/820)

the town, by the end of the Turslilz range. Between the last-named hills
and Turbat-i-Haidari the valley is traversed from north to south by
a broad and shallow stony river-bed, in which a thin stream of water
occurs. Cultivation extends on all sides up to the walls, and numerous
villages are situated close to the city.
The importance of Turbat-i-Haidari as a trade-centre is derived from the
Communications. fact ofit bein 8 tlie meetin g P^ce of numerous
routes, leading from south and south-western
Persia, northern Khorasan and Afghanistan. A narrow gap at the south-west
corner of the valley gives access to the main trade-route from Sistan to
Meshed, and by the same opening the road from Turshiz, the continua
tion of a little-used and somewhat waterless road from Tehran, reaches
the town. A little farther to the east, the road to Khaf crosses the south
ern barrier by a low and easy col, while the route to Kaiiz and Herat
runs almost due east down the Julgah-i-Zava. At the north-west corner
of the valley the road to Meshed crosses the northern range either by the
Baidar pass, or, a short distance to the west, by the lower and easier
Khamari pass. From the latter a road branches to Nishapur, and there
joins the Meshed-Tehian road.
Turbat-i-Haidari, or, as it is sometimes called, Turbat-i-Is-haq Khan
The cit derives its name from the tomb of a renowned
Darvish Qutub-ud-Din Haidar (1156-1231 A.D.)
His tomb is marked by a red-brick mausoleum on a mound to the
north-west of the city, and it is commonly believed that the site
formed the centre of an old town which was destroyed by a severe
flood.
The present town is surrounded by a weak and dilapidated mud wall,
with ruined bastions every 70 ya’ds, affording
Defences. hut little protection, and beyond this has no
other defences.
The town, moreover, has outgrown its walls, the better quarters, in par
ticular the southern quarter, known as the Bagh-i-Sultan, being situated
outside. At the north-east corner of the walls are the ruins of an old fort,
the Ark of Is-haq Khan.
The principal feature of the interior of the town is the bazar formed of
g- zdr f° ur streets radiating north and south, and
east and west, from a central dome ; the whole
of the bazar being covered in by domed roofs. No buildings of note
exist. There are 210 shops.
There are 5 caravanserais and 3 robots, capable of accommodating some
2,000 persons, 7 baths, 3 mosques and a madraseh or college, and about 5 0
shops. A new caravanserai A roadside inn providing accommodation for caravans (groups of travellers). to accommodate 500 persons is under con
struction.
A British Consulate was established in 1903. The establishment con
sists of a Consul, a British telegraphist and
Consulate. a ]y[ ec p ca i Officer, with subordinate staff and
an escort of 25 Indian savdrs.
4x2