1834.] the Ancient Ferghana in Central Asia. 373 



Wine and dancing women are most strictly prohibited. They are of the 

 Suni sect, and follow the observances of Abu Hanifeh. ; they detest 

 Shiahs, and call them -worshippers of An. Much smoking and drink- 

 ing of kimmiz* privately does take place. Horsef flesh is considered a 

 great luxury, and often sold in the bazars. 



The present Khan or king (for Khan is considered a very high title 

 in Tartary) is named Mahomed Ali : his father was Omar Khan ; 

 his uncle, who reigned conjointly with his father, was named A'lim 

 Khan ; their father was Naur Buteh Khan, whose grand-father was 

 Shurugh Be'g, who claimed his descent from Chengiz Khan. The 

 present Khan succeeded on his father's death, which happened about 

 twelve years ago. 



I shall now attempt to portray the political relation in which this 

 state stands with reference to its neighbours, and give an account of 

 them ; — and first of Chinese Tartary. That part which is contiguous to 

 Kokan is the government of Kiishgar, which has under it the pro- 

 vinces of Yarkend, Khoten, Auksii, and Turfan, (called by the Chinese 

 Sining ;) these are all Muhammedan countries, which became subject to 

 China in 1759, in the reign of the EmperorJ Kienlung. Hostilities 

 existed some years ago betwixt Kokan and China, but after a war of 

 some continuance, the cause of which I shall hereafter explain, peace 

 was concluded betwixt the Khan and the Chinese, and is likely to be 

 permanent. 



South of the Khan's territory is the extensive and mountainous 

 country of Karrategin, until of late ruled by sovereigns universally 

 believed by the tradition of the country to be descended from Alex- 

 ander the Great. On the death of the last Shah, or king, his sons 

 disputed and fought amongst themselves for the succession, and in 

 consequence, their kingdom fell an easy prey to the king of Derwaz, a 

 Tajik prince, and is still under his rule : these unfortunate descendants 

 of Alexander are said by my informants to be wandering about in 

 poverty, and subsisting on the charity of the surrounding princes. 

 Several were at Kokan, and others at Bokhara. 



Badakhshan, and the countries of Kunduz, Tash-kurghan, and Balkh 

 are under a powerful U'sbek chief called Murad Ali Be'g, who 

 lately acquired Balkh, &c. from the sons of Kilich Ali Khan. 

 With these states and the Khan of Kokan a good understanding exists. 



* A spirituous liquor made from mare's milk. 



t Horses having any defect, disabling them from work, are fattened for this 

 purpose. 



X The same Emperor to whose court Lord Macartney west as Ambassador. 



