348 
Overland Journey to India. 
[Nov. 
in every direction, herds of oxen, horses, and camels, and large flocks of 
sheep and goats, were choosing their pasture. The banks of the river were 
dotted with neat black tents, in camps of from 30 to 80 families. Orauz Kouli 
led us to his oubeh* on the bank of the river, and hospitably entertained us till 
wc quitted it. 
The Gurgdn measures 60 yards from bank to bank : its bed is deep, and in 
spring, when the snows of the Elborz melt, there is much water in it ; but in sum- 
mer it is shallow ; the water, though not clear, is sweet, and very drinkable. Three 
miles’ breadth on either side is cultivated with the finest wheat and barley; the 
ground is just turned up with a wooden share, (to which is yoked a horse, bullock, 
or camel,) and gives an increase, it was said, of from 70 to 100-fold. 
The Turkmans now to be noticed, range from this river northward to the 
parallel of Khiva, and eastward to the banks of the Oxus, divided into large 
tribes, which have so lost regard for their common origin, that many of them are 
at variance with each other. 
The large tribe of “ Yimut” occupy the banks of the Gfirg6n 50 miles east 
from the sea, and extend up the right coast of the Caspian to above Balkan bay, 
when meeting with the small tribe of “ Attah,” they turn and range the desart 
eastward to near Khiva 3 . 
The “ GOklans” are a smaller tribe. A few miles of neutral ground are left on 
Gfirgdn between them and their enemies the “ Yimuts,” and they then possess 
the banks of that river for about 90 miles till they meet another enemy in the 
“ K »irds,” who were removed from the Turkish frontier by Shah Abbds, that 
they might be between the Turkmans and his people, The “ Gdklans” do not 
at most range more than 40 miles north ; at enmity both with the “Tekkahs 
and the limfits, they are obliged to keep back upon Persian Khorassin, 
and may be considered as subservient to the Shah : living a more settled hie 
than other tribes, and having fine lands, they raise much grain, and have great 
herds and flocks. 
The “ Tekkahs” range from north of the “ GOklans” up to Khiva, and beyond 
the parallel of Merve, are found upon the banks of the Oxus. They render feud 3 
allegiance to the Khan of Khiva, and are the most powerful tribe we know*. 1 lS 
chiefly the “ Tekkah” Turkmans, who make inroads into Persia ; they either make • 
descent upon a village, or lay wait for akafila; kill the old and useless, and can) o 
captive those who are strong or handsome. Slaves are sold in the markets o 
Khiva and Bokhara twice a week. 
The Turkmans rove the desart in parties proportioned to its fertility in 
ent parts. They prefer a wandering life, and though they may settle tbeinse v 
on any fertile spot, they keep up connection with the rovers in the d l!>ar ’ 
anc generally return to it. The rovers possess many camels, and also 
° S Lep and 8'°ats, which manage to thrive upon the scanty vegetation oi 
* Turkish word for camp. 
J A tribe of Yi “'“' s called Ogarjeli, are settled on the east coast 
*? ’ h " ve boa,s a “d catch fish, which they salt and sell in P«*>- ] _ 
n so reap much profit from Naphtha, which rises in wells, dug for the pnrpo*' ‘ 
Za r " hb ‘ be »““*'■», -re said to be more friendly » ** 
than their inland brethren are. 
off flT V! ! Ie r e tiU lhey meet t!,e Usbe 8fS, are found small tribes, chiefly 
Serruxes ^ '* ^ Cal,efl “ Salour.” These are generally known by the apP'^ ,l fc. 
deracy L,] aCC ° Unt ° f their being thickly seated about Serrux : they f° riT,a 
occasionally take part iu the quarrels of the Khorassan chieftain®' 
