260 Kokan and other places in Central Asia. [No. 4. 



guns, the whole of which, however, are not mounted. The private 

 soldier's pay amounts to about ten tillahs, each tillah being worth 

 about fourteen shillings English. 



The country is small in extent, and surrounded by mountains on 

 all sides, with the exception of the south-west, in which direction 

 the city of Khojend is situated. Round about the city the country 

 is densely populated, and well cultivated and fruitful. All kinds of 

 grain, fruits, and other necessaries are plentiful and exceedingly 

 cheap. Flocks and herds are also numerous. 



The principal taxes levied from the agriculturists are ten per 

 cent, on grain ; on the value of sheep, goats, and cattle five per 

 cent. ; on the sale of a camel three tangas ; on a horse two ; on a 

 sheep one. Merchandize is subject to a duty of two and a half per 

 cent., and as the trade is very extensive, it yields a large revenue to 

 the Khan. The inhabitants have to pay a yearly tax of one tillah 

 on each house. 



The chief towns of the Khanat of Kokan are ; Murghelandasht, 

 distant about thirty-six miles ; Karsandasht, thirty-five miles ; Muan- 

 gandasht, about the same distance ; Takht-Suliman-dasht or Ush, 

 thirty -four miles ; Karghar-kohistan, sixty miles, and other places 

 of less size. 



The road lies through a desert tract of country, and no signs of 

 habitation or cultivation are seen except in the vicinity of the differ- 

 ent manzils or stages. The range of mountains, called the Takht 

 or throne of Suliman, lies to the west of the city of Kokan, distant 

 about one hundred miles. It has two peaks. 



On the arrival of a Karawan at the Ourtang or Custom-house, 

 the chief revenue officer who is stationed there, personally inspects 

 the merchandize, and makes out two lists of the contents. One 

 copy he transmits to Azim Khan, the Kattai chief, and retains the 

 other himself. After due examination of the goods he grants a 

 pass to the merchants, and they can then proceed on to Kashghar. 



On approaching any Ourtang or Custom-house, on a journey, it 

 is necessary for the Kafilah Bashf, or leader of the Karawan, to 

 proceed there on foot, and show his pass ; as it is considered 

 insulting to approach a government establishment on horseback 

 or mounted. 



