'Military Report on Persia' [‎21r] (46/134)

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For convenience of description, the various provinces
which compose the Persian Empire may be grouped as
follows :—
(1.) North-Western Provinces..
(2.) Northern and North-Central Provinces.
(3.) Eastern Provinces.
(4.) Southern and South-Western Provinces.
(5.) Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. Provinces.
'The province of Azerbaijan is under the governorship North-
of the Vali Ahd, or Crown Prince of Persia. It is a Western
mountainous region, intersected by deep ravines, with Provinces,
plateaux at intervals. Parts of it, notably the plain of Az e r -
Urumiah, are exceedingly fertile, and produce quantities bai J an ’
of tobacco and cotton, besides grain, and fruits of many
kinds. The inhabitants are chiefly Kurds and Turks, but
a considerable proportion of Armenians and Nestorian
Christians are to be found in the neighbourhoods of
Tabriz and Urumiah. The Turks of this district
supply most of the recruits for the Persian artillery
and infantry.
The principal towns in Azerbaijan are :—
Tabriz .—The capital. Population 180,000. One
of the largest commercial centres in Persia.
Ardebil. — Population about 3,000. A once
populous city, but now half ruined.
Urumiah .—Population about 40,000, composed of
Afshar Turks, Nestorians, and Jews.
Khoi .—Population about 00,000. A walled town
situated in a fertile and cultivated valley.
Maragha .—Population about 15,000. Noted for
its marble quarries.
Mahu .—A village of about 400 houses, and the
stronghold of Timur Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. Khan, a semi
independent Kurdish chief.
Sujbulah .—Population 5,000.
The province of Kurdistan covers a large area, and Kurdistan,
is bounded on the north by the province of Azerbaijan,
on the west by Turkish territory, on the south by
Kermanshah, and on the east by the province of
Hamadan. It includes the former small province of
Ardelan.