[284] Aktamar or Van Lake, so called from the island of Ak Tamar, where the Catholicos of the Armenians resides.
[285] Knolles says he fled into Hyrcania to Pyrcales. See Travels of a Merchant, [cap. 13], and [next page].
[286] The accounts of authors vary as to Ismael’s age (see Travels of a Merchant, [cap. 13]); but I believe this to be the correct statement.
[287] Kara Bagh, the country between the rivers Kur and Aras, the former river dividing it from Shirvan.
[288] Ghilan, a province along the south-west shore of the Caspian, is rich and populous, the soil exceedingly fertile, fruits, rice, and grain being cultivated with great success; but the cultivation of silk constitutes the principal trade, and quantities are exported annually to Astrakhan from Resht and Lankeroon, the two principal towns in the province. Its population amounts to about six hundred thousand.
[289] Followers of Ali, or rather of Sheikh Hyder, from the name of his ancestor Sheikh Suffee-u-deen Ishack. The family were lineally descended from Môossâh, the seventh Imaum.
[290] Also mentioned at [page 57].
[291] Mazenderan, part of ancient Hyrcania, is separated from Irak by the Elburz Mountains; in its soil and climate it resembles Ghilan, except in being more mountainous and wooded. Silk is not cultivated to so great an extent, though the commerce of the province is considerable. The inhabitants were regarded as the most warlike of the Persians, and even held out for a considerable time against the whole power of Tamerlane. The population is about one million five hundred thousand; the principal towns are Sari, the capital, Balfrush, with upwards of a hundred thousand inhabitants, Amol, Ferrabad, and Ashraff, famous for the palace of Shah Abbas the Great, who also executed that stupendous work named the Causeway of Mazenderan, which at present has been allowed to fall into disrepair.
[292] Alamur, or Eluan Beg, was not in sure possession of the throne, as he was engaged in a struggle with his brother Morad Khan, who ruled over Bagdad, Shiraz, etc. See [page 43].