'Military Report on Persia' [‎23r] (50/134)

27
The Eastern Provinces include the large province Eastern
of Khorasan, with its smaller dependencies of Astrabad Provinces,
and Sistan.
Khorasan is the largest province of Persia, its area Khorasan,
being estimated at between 150,000 and 200,000 square
miles. Its northern boundary is identical with the
Russo-Persian frontier east of the Caspian (see page 13).
Its eastern boundary coincides with the eastern frontier
of Persia (see page 13). Towards the south it extends
to the desert of Kerman, and in the west to the 56th
degree of longitude.
The northern portion is occupied by various mountain
ranges which connect the Elburz system with the Hindu
Kush. The central and southern portions are completely
taken up by the two great deserts, the Dasht-i*Kavir
and the Dasht i-Lut (see page 12). Cultivation is re
stricted principally to the valleys, which intersect the
northern portion, and these are, fortunately, extremely'
fertile. The country round Meshed produces some of
the finest crops in Persia, and, wherever irrigation can
be carried out, even the plains can be cultivated with
advantage. The population is composed largely of the
descendants of the various races which from time to time
have overrun the district.
For centuries Khorasan was a constant source of
trouble to Persia, until some 25 years ago it was reduced
to a state of comparative order by the late Shah.
The principal towns of Khorasan are :—
Meshed or Mash-Had .—The capital. Population
about 70,000- The shrine of Reza, the eighth
of the twelve Imams, brings thousands of pilgrims
to this city every year, and constitutes the chief
source of its prosperity (see p. 91). Situated at
the junction of several roads, it is also an
important strategical point, and a great centre
for commerce. It contains both a British and %
a Russian Consulate. The principal industries
are the manufacture of sword-blades, and the
weaving of carpets and silk-stuffs.