DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.15174#0151
chap. i. divisions. -physical geography. 135
Kutta Koorghan; 5. Samarcand, which has five
tomuns ; 6. Juzzak ; 7. Kurshee ; 8. Lubiab, or banks
of the Oxus ; and, 9. Balkh, and the provinces south
of that river. The first six of these divisions occupy
the valley of the river of Samarcand, known by the
name of Kohik and Zurufshan, the gold-shedding
river. This is the ancient valley of the Sogd, which
has elicited the praises of all ages, from the time of
Alexander. It was considered a paradise on earth
by the Arabian conquerors; but much of its fame
must be attributed to the surrounding desolation,
its beauty captivating the eyes of those who had
long travelled in oceans of sand. It is, however, a
beautiful valley. Kurshee, which lies sixty miles
to the south of Samarcand, is an oasis, formed by a
river from the neighbouring province of Shuhr Subz,
which exhausts itself in fertilising the district. The
territory on the banks of the Oxus is also highly
favoured by nature ; but the strip of cultivation is
narrow, and much of it lies neglected. Balkh, and
the countries south of the Oxus, likewise owe their
fertility to the abundant supply of water, which was
once divided among a multiplicity of villages ; but
rapine has desolated this fruitful land. These can-
tons, though considered tributary to Bokhara, render
but nominal allegiance ; which consists in sending
a few horses yearly to the king. Their names are
as follows : — Akchu, Shibbergaum, Andkhoee,
Maimuna, and Sirepool; all, except the last, to the
north of the mountains.
The geological structure and general conform-
ation of an extended plain is not less interesting
k 4
Kutta Koorghan; 5. Samarcand, which has five
tomuns ; 6. Juzzak ; 7. Kurshee ; 8. Lubiab, or banks
of the Oxus ; and, 9. Balkh, and the provinces south
of that river. The first six of these divisions occupy
the valley of the river of Samarcand, known by the
name of Kohik and Zurufshan, the gold-shedding
river. This is the ancient valley of the Sogd, which
has elicited the praises of all ages, from the time of
Alexander. It was considered a paradise on earth
by the Arabian conquerors; but much of its fame
must be attributed to the surrounding desolation,
its beauty captivating the eyes of those who had
long travelled in oceans of sand. It is, however, a
beautiful valley. Kurshee, which lies sixty miles
to the south of Samarcand, is an oasis, formed by a
river from the neighbouring province of Shuhr Subz,
which exhausts itself in fertilising the district. The
territory on the banks of the Oxus is also highly
favoured by nature ; but the strip of cultivation is
narrow, and much of it lies neglected. Balkh, and
the countries south of the Oxus, likewise owe their
fertility to the abundant supply of water, which was
once divided among a multiplicity of villages ; but
rapine has desolated this fruitful land. These can-
tons, though considered tributary to Bokhara, render
but nominal allegiance ; which consists in sending
a few horses yearly to the king. Their names are
as follows : — Akchu, Shibbergaum, Andkhoee,
Maimuna, and Sirepool; all, except the last, to the
north of the mountains.
The geological structure and general conform-
ation of an extended plain is not less interesting
k 4