/48 Lieut. I nvin's Memoir of Afghanistan. [Sept. 



possesses the port of Kirachee, which may be considered as locally 

 within Bulochistan. The country is thus included within the 25th 

 and 31st degrees of north latitude, and the 60th and 70th of east 

 longitude. 



4. We have already seen that Afghanistan embraces a part of 

 Khoorasan, an ancient geographical division which has been re- 

 cognized downwards from the earliest times, not merely in books but 

 in common conversation, and that with little variation, notwithstanding 

 the frequent changes of dominion and even of population in the 

 country. We are not concerned with its southern or western boun- 

 daries. To the east it extends in one point to Mookr, and in that 

 neighbourhood may be considered as ending where considerable 

 heights begin ; it thus includes the whole of the Dooranee country. 

 Seestan too is but a division of it. In more northern latitudes its 

 extent is more difficult to fix. The western part of the Paraparnisan 

 range of hills with the valleys contained and the neighbouring plains — 

 forming together the country of the Ymaks — both was and is considered 

 as part of Khoorasan ; but the eastern part of the same tract which 

 the Huzaras possess may more properly be stiled a broad boundary 

 between it and Hindoostan, in its largest sense, which includes Cabul 

 and even Ghuznee. Still more to the north Khoorasan in ancient 

 times extended to the confines of Budukhshan, thus including My- 

 muna, Undkho, Bulkh, Koonduz, Khoollum, Ghoree, and Talikan. 

 Perhaps Budukhshan itself, and whatever lies on the left of the Punj 

 or Upper Oxus, was formerly part of Khoorasan, while the country on 

 the right was coarsely distinguished as that lying beyond the river 

 (Mawaroolnahr.) But the usage of modern times is contrary to such 

 an extension of the term, and restricts Khoorasan in this quarter nearly 

 by the river Marghab. In Asia rivers seldom form boundaries, but 

 rather are themselves considered as included in certain countries on 

 both their banks, and thus Khoorasan may be allowed to comprehend 

 a certain distance to its right, especially during its upper course. 

 From where that stream empties itself into the Oxus, the Oxus is 

 perhaps for a certain distance the boundary of Toorkistan to the north 

 and Khoorasan to the south. In truth both banks of that great river, 

 but especially the left, are here so barren, that limits are little regarded 

 or understood. Towards the mouth of the river, Toorkistan extends 

 considerably to the left of it, unless we consider Khwaruzm as distinct 

 from either division. 



5. The term Toorkistan in its present sense is but modern, and liable 

 to some ambiguity. It may be said to contain the following provinces — 



