On the Shores of the Caspian: Commerce and Culture in Nineteenth Century Persia

by William Richard Holmes, Morris Rossabi (Introduction)

Overview

Sketches on the Shores of the Caspian is the product of the author's journey through the Caspian region as part of an expedition headed by his cousin James Brant, the British Consul at Erzeroum. Holmes provides a wonderfully intimate portrait of the country. Written in a very accessible style it nonetheless provides a wealth of detail on the towns, the climate, trade, military, people and culture as well as valuable information on the Russian presence in the region at the time. This very scarce volume is here published with a new Introduction by leading scholar of Asia, Morris Rossabi, Professor of Inner Asian History, Weatherhead East Asian Institute, Columbia University and Distinguished Professor of History, Queens College, The City University of New York.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781838608941
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date:	07/25/2019
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	440
File size:	5 MB

About the Author

Sir William Richard Holmes (1822-82) was born in Northern Ireland in 1822. In 1841 he was appointed to the consulate at Erzeroum in Turkey, in 1846 he became Vice Consul at Samsoon, and by 1860 was British Consul in Bosnia. He was part of the commission that settled the boundary with Herzegovina and was knighted in 1877.
William Richard Holmes (1822-1882) was appointed to the British Consulate in Turkey, Samsoon and Bosnia and eventually knighted in 1877 for his services to the crown.
Morris Rossabi is Senior Scholar and Adjunct Professor at Columbia University, and also Distinguished Professor of History at Queens College, both in the USA.

Table of Contents

Introduction by Morris Rossabi

Chapter 1
Departure from Tabreez – Our party – Borringe – Character of the mountains – The Adgee Chai – Khodjeh – Departure from Khodjeh – Position of Villages – Kuzi Kapan – The inhabitants – Ke-khoda – Mountains of Karadaugh – Old caravanserai – The roads – Ahar – Mines of Urghurt – Copper mines – Seyeed Khan – Tomb of Shahaub-u-deen – Superstition

Chapter 2
Departure from Ahar – Gheun-deughdee – Kaleh-bashee – Game – Arrival at Meezaum – Shah-sevens – Robbery – Savalaun Daugh – Mishkeen – Arrival at Loree – Dismal weather – Leave Loree – Soomaree – Ruined castle – The Shah-seven tribe – Their numbers in Mishkeen – Ardebeel – The Vekeel

Chapter 3
Visit to the Vekeel – Tombs of the Sheikh Suffee-u-deen and Shah Ismael – The fortress – Turkish and Persian manners – Prisoners in the fort – Legend – Description of Ardebeel – Departure – Arrive at Nemeen – A proincess – Description of Nemeen – Shinghian Kaleh – Descend the mountains – Tent dwelling tibes – Scenery – Kishveh – Nightfall - Reach Astara

Chapter 4
Astara – The river – Cutting iron – Ghileh-keran – Revenue of Meer Caussim Khan's district – Fishing – The Caspian – Costume of the peasantry – Difficulty of obtaining information – Departure from Astara – Shells – Scenery of the coast – Arrival at Hehvee – Wild hog – Names of rivers – The Kerghanagh-rood – Village of Kerghanagh – A kind invitation – Ferrajoollah Beg – Civility – Persian dinner – Persian appetite – Royal tiger – Wild beasts inhabiting Gheelaun – Persian manner of eating – Leave Kerghanagh – A Tauliah house – Mode of collecting attendants – The Kummer – Rivers forded during the day

Chapter 5
Approach Enzellee – Present from the governor – Receive visits – Persian window – An invitation – Mohamed Ameen Khan – Soldiery – Military resources of Gheelaun – Calling the muster roll – The Admiral of the Caspian – Review – Cannon and foundry at Enzellee – Bust – Visit to the Admiral – A satisfactory conclusion – The lake at Enzellee – Fishes – Boats – Pelicans – Rain – Pheasanr shooting – Enzellee – Its trade – Its revenue – Price of provisions – Departure from Peree Bazar – Horses – The road to Resht – The Mongodeh River

Chapter 6
Hadgee Mohamed Allee – Hadgee Meer Ismael – A Persian Connoisseur in drawing – Superstition regarding the pig – Resht – Its population – Bazar – Style of the buildings – Revenue – Silk – Mulberry plantations – Annual amount of silk – Manner of exportation – Obtain a bath – A wild beast – Eclipse of the moon

Chapter 7
Departure from Resht – Nature of the country – The Sefeed rood – Kesoun – My white hat – Mahomed Allee Khan – Lahijan – Estimates of population – Revenue – Visit the governor – Leave Lahijan – The old causeway – Scenery – Arrival at Langarood – Meer Aboo Talib Khan's summer house – Revenue – The Langarood river – Wild duck catchers – A predicament – Colony of Russian fisherman – Particulars of the fishery – Caviars – Dried fish – Isinglass – Rent of the fishery – Geography of the coast – Rising and falling of the Caspian – Picturesque bridge – Remains of Elton's ship

Chapter 8
Arrival ar Rood-i-air – An accident – Hidden treasure – Description of Gheelaun – Scenery of the coast – Gipsies –Arrive at Surimroo Curious patten – Precautions against wild beasts – Aub-i-gherm – Rivers – Azad-mahee fishery –Zuvvar – Curious fireplace – Uzzuf Sultaun – Reach Abbasabad – Wild boar – Rivers along the coast – A bear – Arrive at Kerparoo – Districts of Tennacorben, Kellauristauk and Koojoor – Scenery – Serrodin Kellau – Method of stacking rice

Chapter 9
Continue our route – Rivers along the coast – Noor – Reach Izzut-eh – Sugar – Marshy forest – The Allem-rood – The Harrauz – Swimming the horses over – A scene of confusion – Talligi-air – A merry Christmas! – Wintry appearance of the country – Road to Aumil – The district of Aumil – Brisge – Mausoleum of Sey Ghwaum-u-deen – Iron mines of Allisherood – Shah A