Page:The Imperial Gazetteer of India - Volume 2 (2nd edition).pdf/25

 BALKH. those

who

are building in the

the citadel in the centre,

town.

It is

and

15

New Balkh is open, with an hour’s journey north from the old

modern town. lies

the residence of the governor.

The

population consists of

about 10,000 Afghans, and 5000 Uzbegs of the tribes of Kapchak and Sabu, with a few Hindus, and about 1000 families of Jews. The former are shopkeepers, the

latter

known by

The They

mark on the forehead, the Jews by wearing a black

a painted

The

sheepskin cap.

Both Hindus are

shopkeepers and mechanics.

are subject to the /V/afyi, or capitation tax on infidels; the

population of the old town does not exceed 2000.

people of Central Asia have a great veneration for this

city.

Amm-ul-Belad, mother of cities,’ and believe that it was one of the earliest peopled portions of the earth, and that its re-occupation will be one of the signs of the approaching end of the world. Outside the city is the grave of poor Moorcroft, who lies close to his comrade Guthrie. The Country Many well - peopled villages are included in the government of Balkh, which is bounded by the Oxus on the north, and on the south by the chain of mountains running east and west, 15 miles from the town ; in the other direction it extends from Bajar to Akchah. The territory of Balkh is noted for its fertility ; water is abundant, and it only requires a numerous population to render it the most fertile in Asia. Even in its present state it is one of the most call

‘

it

.

—

productive tracts in Turkistan, being able to furnish several Provinces with grain

The

when

their

of Balkh

own crops most

are insufficient for their consumption.

which are below value. When Burnes was there, 2000 were to be purchased fora rupee; with iced water they are indeed luxuries, though dangerous ones. Snow is brought in quantities from the mountains south of Balkh, about 20 miles distant, and sold at a cheap rate throughout the year. The climate of Balkh is very insalubrious, but not disagreeable. In June the thermometer does not rise above 80°, but July is the hottest month in the year. The unhealthiness is ascribed to the water, which is so mixed up with earth and clay as to look like a puddle after rain. The soil is of a greyish colour, like pipeclay, and very rich. The crops are good ; the wheat stalks grow as high as in England, and do not present the stunted stubble of India. The wheat ripens in July, which makes the harvest fifty days later than at Peshawar. In Balkh, the water has been distributed with great labour by aqueducts from the river ; of these there are said to be no less than 18, but many are not now discoverable. They frequently overflow, and leave marshes, which rapidly dry up under the sun’s rays. This seems to account for the fruit

nearly as

large

is

luscious, particularly the apricots,

as apples.

diseases of the place, for

it is

They

are almost

not situated in a country naturally marshy,

but on a gentle slope, about 1800 feet above the level of the

sea, sinking