1857.] Kohdn and other places in Central Asia. 259 



gardens, for which it is celebrated throughout Turkestan. The 

 city has considerably increased under the rule of the present Khan, 

 Muhammad Omar, # son of Muhammad Alx Khan, during whose 

 reign the city of Khojend became depopulated. 



The houses of the city are generally built of wood, of several 

 stories in height, with a foundation of burnt bricks, There are 

 several large and well supplied bazars, many of which, according to 

 the general fashion in oriental cities, are covered in. It has one 

 college, and several large Karawanserais for merchants. 



The Arg or citadel, in which the Khan resides, a small city in 

 itself, is situated west of the city, being divided by a large rivulet, 

 a feeder of the Sirr, Jihiin or Jaxartes river, which divides the two 

 from north to south. The city is therefore amply supplied with 

 water, which is considered to be one of the principal causes of its 

 prosperity, its present population being at present computed to be 

 about 100,000, half of whom dwell in houses, the remainder are 

 nomades who dwell in tents. 



The ruler, Muhammad Omar Khan is very popular. He hears 

 all the complaints of his subjects, and administers justice to them 

 in person every day, and settles their disputes. 



This city is remarkable for the number of its public women, called 

 in the Kattai (Northern China) language, Aghchha. They amount 

 to about 4,000 ; and may be seen driving about the city, in carriages 

 drawn by horses, at all times of the day. 



Great quantities of opium, chirs, an intoxicating drug made from 

 hemp flowers, and a decoction made from poppy-heads (different 

 from opium), are made here. In every bazar numbers of people 

 may be seen in all states and degrees of intoxication, and no one 

 interferes with them ; indeed people may do just as they choose 

 here, with the exception of acting tyrannically, such are the Khan's 

 commands. Tyranny and oppression in this city will not answer. 



The ruler is on friendly terms with the Khan -of Khwarazm, but 

 no intercourse takes place with the Eussians, Bokharaiaus, or 

 Chinese. He has a standing army of about 55,000 men, with thirty 



* Said to have been dethroned since the above was written. His son Khuda 

 Yar, is the present ruler. 



