376 
PALACE OF AGA MAHOMED KHAN. 
dearth and poverty is to be remarked, with few traces of the habitations of 
a richer class, except in the great palace of the King, which was built 
by his predecessor. 
Asterabad is called the Dar al Moumenin, or the gate of the faithful, 
from the number of Seyids who inhabit it. The Asterabadies have the 
reputation of being very courageous, a character which they have ac¬ 
quired perhaps more from the impenetrable nature of their country, 
than from real prowess. Almost every man is armed with a match¬ 
lock gun, which is a precaution .rendered necessary by the neigh¬ 
bourhood of the Turcomans, who in their inroads often surprize them, 
whilst they are labouring in the fields, and carry them away into 
servitude. 
The territory of Asterabad yields rice and corn, the former is the 
chief food of the people, the latter is made into bread, only for the richer 
sort. The soil yields ten for one, and almost the whole is watered by 
the deyim or natural irrigation. On the coast they have a fishery, which 
is frequented by the Russians only, who pay to the Governor of Aster¬ 
abad 100 tomauns annually for the liberty. Seven or eight small ships 
are employed in this fishery, which consists of sturgeon, from which 
they extract the caviar. 
We were lodged in the palace built by Aga Mahomed Khan, which 
considering the comparatively decayed state of the province is still an 
excellent building, even superior to the palaces of Teheran. It is 
entered as usual by a maidan or square, that leads to the principal gate, 
which is lofty, and well ornamented with gilding and paintings. Flere 
we remarked two or three old howitzers, and one long gun, bearing an 
inscription of Aurungzebe, all brought hither by Nadir Shah. From 
the gate we entered into a large well paved court, planted with orange 
trees, now loaded with fruit. The farthest end of the court is occu¬ 
pied by a very lofty Dexmn KhaneJi or hall of audience, supported by 
two immense wooden pillars, and painted all over with the portraits of 
the old Persian heroes. On the sides are large rooms, also very cu¬ 
riously painted, from which I copied the picture of a woman playing on 
