Digital Archive of Toyo Bunko Rare Books

 

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and Arghd 400. On the plain to the east—Beshkirim 800 houses, Daulat , Bagh 600, Yangabad. 600, and Fyzabad 600. On the plain to the south—Kizil 800 houses, Khanarik 800, and Tazglyan 500. And all other lesser settlements 1,500. Total 16,000 houses.

The general character of the country is level plain quite up to the foot of the hills, where it becomes broken by low ridges of clay and conglomerate. The soil is mostly sandy and charged with salts, but it is said to be more productive than that of the other divisions already described. It is watered by several streams from the hills to the north, and from springs at the foot of those to the west. They are the Tirikti or Stightin river on the banks of which are Kirghiz pasture grounds ; the Artosh river on which is the populous settlement of that name ; the Tnman river on which stands Kashghar city with the settlements of Sarman, Beshkirim, and Daulat Bagh ; the Kizil river on which are the market town of Fyzabad, the southern suburbs of the city, and the Mushi settlement ; the Yamanyar, and its great canal of Khanarik with their settlements ; and the Tazghdn, and its canals, and their settlements. Those to the north of the city unite to form the Artosh river, and those to the south to form the Fyzabad river ; and the two unite near Kol Taylak to form the Kashghar river.

Kashghar is the present capital of the country, the seat of its government, and the most active centre of its trade, which is exclusively with Russia by the caravan route to Almati. It consists of the Kuhna Shahr, or " Old City," on the right bank of the Tiiman river, and Yalig,rishahr, or " New City," on the plain five miles to the south of it. Between the two flows the Kizil river on which are several fortified barracks, and small farms, with the conspicuous shrines of Sayyid Jalaluddin Bughdadi and Hazrat Padshah, and the ruins of Aski Shahr or the " Ancient City ;" and the communication is by a wood bridge across the river.

Kuhna Shahr is a small fortified city on high ground overlooking the river. Its walls are lofty and supported by buttress bastions with loopholed turrets at intervals. The glacis is protected by a covered way, and the whole is surrounded by a deep ditch, which is crossed by a timber bridge leading to each of the two gates, viz., the " Kum Darwaza or " Sand Gate" on the south, and the Su Darwaza or " Water Gate" on the north. The fortifications are all of hard clay, and much out of repair. The eastern quarter of the city is occupied by the palace of the Dadkhwah or " Governor," and near it is a substantial new built sarae ; and the main line of bazar passes between the two from one gate to the other. The city covers about half the area of Yarkand, and may contain probably 2,500 houses, if as many. But its shops are better stocked with merchandise, and there is altogether an air of brisker activity in the place. The people too are physically far superior, and one is only reminded of goitre by an occasional bulbous throat here and there in the crowd. Their general appearance too is far more prosperous, and, though the strange diversity and blending of race types is as noticeable here as at Yarkand, a more pleasing feature in the contrast are the fair complexions, rosy cheeks, and look of robust health that pervade the crowd, in place of the sallow complexion and sickly looks of the citizens of the older capital.

This city, as has been mentioned in the history, was built in 1513 A.D. by .Mirza, Abaakar when he destroyed the ancient capital or Aski Shahr on the approach of Sultan Sa'id's invading army. In its interior arrangement and general appearance of the houses and bazars it no way differs from Yarkand. The gates however are double, and the outer one to the south is plated with sheet iron studded with boss headed nails. Between the two at each side is a small row of barracks and gun-sheds for the guards of Tungani troops ; about thirty men at each gate.

About two miles to the north of the city, beyond the Taman river which is crossed by bridge, is the shrine of Hazrat Afak-, the Saint King of the country who died and was buried here in 1693 A.D. It is a well kept and handsome mausoleum faced with blue and white glazed tiles, and stands under the peaceful shade of some magnificent silver poplars called tdrik. About it are a commodious college, and mosque, and monastery. These have all been recently built by the Amir, and are the most substantial and superior structures in the country. The whole stand on their own rent-free grounds and are surrounded by rich orchards, fruit gardens, and vineyards. Beyond these again, down to the river in the direction of the city, is a vast cemetery of neatly kept tombs. Many of them are covered with dome vaulted chambers open