Travels in Central Asia Part 26

5. Kilitchbay Arnasi separates Khitai and Gorlen, goes by Yillali, and disappears in the sand behind Koktcheg.

6. Khodjaili Arnasi. On the further bank are--

7. Shurakhan Arnasi, which commences from the place of the same name, and disappears to the northeast, after having watered Yapkenary and Akkamish.

8. Iltazar Khan Arnasi, which traverses the land of the Karakalpak.

_Divisions_.

The political divisions of Khiva correspond with the number of those cities having particular Bay, or governors, this ent.i.tling them to the name of separate districts. At this present moment the following {341} {342} divisions subsist, of which the most interesting are Khiva, the capital, Yenghi urghendj, the most manufacturing, Kohne urgendj, famous for having long been the capital of the Khanat, but now only a miserable village. There only remain of its former splendour (_a_) two ruins of towers, one more considerable, the other smaller, designed in the same ma.s.sive style as the other towers in Central Asia. The legend recounts that these owe their demolition to the fury of the Calmucks, because at a distance they seemed to be near, yet fly before the approaching a.s.sailants; (_b_) the Dome of the Torebegkhan, inlaid with tastefully enamelled bricks; (_c_) Mazlum Khan Solugu.

_Princ.i.p.al Towns or Divisions, with the Villages belonging to them, and their distance from the Oxus_.

Name Distance from Oxus Villages Tash or mile 1. Khiva 6 _To the West:_Bedrkhan, Kinik, Akyap, Khasian, Tashayak, Toyesitchti.

_To the South:_ Sirtcheli, s.h.i.+khlar, Rafenek Engerik, Pesckenik, Pernakaz Akmesdjid.

_To the East:_ Sayat, Kiat, s.h.i.+khbaghi, Kettebag.

_To the North:_ Gendumghiah, Perishe, Khalil, Neyzekhasz, Gauk, Tcharakhs.h.i.+k, Zirsheytan Ordumizan.

2. Hezaresp 1 Djengeti, s.h.i.+kharik, Khodjalar Himetbaba, Bitjaktchi, Ishanteshepe, Bagat, Nogman, Besharik.

3. Jenghi urgendj 1-1/4 Gaibulu Shabadboyu, Kutchilar, Oroslar, Sabundji, Akhonbaba, Karamaza Kiptchaklar.

4. Kungrat Bank Kiet, Nogai, Sarsar, Sakar.

5. Tash-haus 6 Kamishli Kuk, Kongrudlar, Karzalar Yarmish boyu, Bastirmali.

6. Gorlen 1 Djelair, Yonushkali, Es.h.i.+m, Vezir, Alchin, Bashkir, Tashkali, Kargali.

7. Khodja Ili 2 Ketmendji Ata, Djarnike Naymanlar (in the woods), Kamishtchali Dervish Khodja.

8. Tchimbay On the further bank

9. Shahbad 4 Khodjalar, Kefter Khane, Kokkamish.

10 Shurakhan On the opposite side

11. Kilidj bay 4-1/2 Klalimbeg Bagalan Alieliboyu, Bozj.a.pboyu.

12. Mangit 1/2 Permanatcha, Kiatlar, Kenegoz.

13. Kiptchak On bank Basuyapboyu, Nogai ishan Kandjirgali, Kanlilar.

14. Khitai 1-1/2 Akk.u.m, Yomurlutam, Kulaulu.

15. Ak derbendand 7 Djamli

16. Kiet 2

17. Khanka 1 Meder, G.o.dje, Khodjalar, s.h.a.gallar.

18. Fitnek 2

19. Shabaz Veli 2

20. Djagatai 4-1/2

21. Ambar 5 Bastirmali Veyenganka Peszi.

22. Yenghi ya Opposite bank Altchin, Vezir.

23. Noks

24. Koktcheg 9

25. Kohne Urgendj 6

26. Kiat Kungrat 2 [between Gorlen and Yenghi Urgendj]

27. Nokhasz 2 [between Khanka and Hezaresp]

28. Rahmetbirdi Opposite bank beg [near Oveisz Karaayne mountain]

29. Kangli 1

30. Yilali 8 [between Medemin and Tashhaus]

31. Koshkopur

32. Gazavat 6

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D. PRODUCTS, MANUFACTURES, AND TRADE OF KHIVA.

The fertility of the Khivan soil has already been several times mentioned; we must, however, allude to the following produce as especially excellent:--corn; rice, particularly that from Gorlen; silk, the finest of which is from Shahbad and Yenghi urgendj; cotton; Ruyan, a kind of root, prized for the red colour extracted from it; and fruits, the superior merit of which not Persia and Turkey alone, but even Europe itself, would find it difficult to contest. I particularly refer to the apples of Hezaresp, the peach and pomegranate of Khiva, but, above all, to the incomparable and delicious melons, renowned as far even as remote Pekin, so that the sovereign of the Celestial Empire never forgets, when presents flow to him from Chinese Tartary, to beg for some urkindji melons. Even in Russia they fetch a high price, for a load of winter melons exported thither brings in return a load of sugar.

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With respect to Khivan manufactures, in high repute is the urgendj Tchapani, or coat from urgendj; the material is a striped stuff of two colours (of wool or silk, often made of the two threads mingled), this is cut to the fas.h.i.+on of our dressing gowns. Khiva is also renowned for its articles in bra.s.s, Hezaresp for its gowns, and Tash-hauz for its linens.