1849.] Notes on the Geography of Western Afghanistan. 583 



times including Zumeen deewar, lies an unexplored but often mentioned 

 country, Ghoor — described as a series of strong hills and narrow vallies, 

 giving rise to the several rivers running into the lake of Seestan ; it was 

 once the stronghold of a warlike nation, which conquering eastward 

 became celebrated as rulers of Guznee. The chiefs claim descent 

 rom Zoohak, others again contend they are descended from the lost 

 tribes of Israel, but allow that they embraced Eslamism at a very early 

 date in the days of Ulee ; whose firman they possessed till the days of 

 Buhram Shah, son of Sultan Musood. 



The fort of Kheesar is celebrated for its strength, and for its resist- 

 ance to the armies of Chungeez Khan ; this king granted the district 

 to the chief in possession, Roknoldeen, who thus became the founder of 

 the Kord dynasty in Herat ; and a firm ally of the Moghuls. 



The following streams flow South from Ghoor : The Moosa Kula 

 Khashnahr, Furah and Guz, besides many famous canals, as the 

 Ebraheemjoee. 



Ahunguran, Khurshut, and Urmaj are mentioned as forts of this 

 country. 



Below the range of hills bounding the valley of Herat to the 

 South, lies a large district usually considered a dependency of the city ; 

 it is called Esfezar, and is watered by a river of the same name. On the 

 banks of the stream are the ruins of what was once a fort of the greatest 

 strength of position and art, called Mozuifer Koh, and built by Ulup- 

 tugeen. 



The fort was situated on the very top of a rock, the sides impervious 

 to horsemen, infantry, or almost even birds ; there was one winding 

 entrance towards the river, the walls were nearly 30 feet broad ; so that 

 eight horsemen could ride abreast ; a stream of water also flowed from 

 the top of the rock. Another strong fort was Sharestan, on the other 

 side of the river, also celebrated for its strength, and said to have been 

 built by Balkuees. 



Budrabad and Furumgan were also strong castles, now in ruins. 

 The two rivers of Udruskeen and Guz unite in this district, near 

 the town of Subzwar. This word Esfezar is considered a play on the 

 term Sepurzur ; and may be the position of the country to which one 

 of the silver shielded Regiments of Alexander was banished by his suc- 

 cessor for mutinous conduct. Declining southward in altitude, this 



