Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1865 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XII. On the Commercial Prospects of Central Asia viewed in connexion with Russia. t The number of Turkmen, Kirghiz-Kaisaks and other nomad hordes in Central Asia is computed at three millions, and the settled population at more than five millions. The intercourse of the inhabitants of Central Asia with their neighbours on the other side of the mountains is very limited, partly on account of the impassable character of the roads, and partly from a similarity in their productions, which prevent their having anything to exchange with each other. From China, however, there is some traffic through Kuldja and Chuguchak, on one side, and Kashgar on the other, principally in tea, the use of which is widely spread in Central Asia, as also in China porcelain ware to a limited extent. Silver, in bars and ingots, used to be formerly imported by this route. Sugar, indigo, cotton stuffs (to a small extent), and cashmere shawls are imported from India. From Persia the chief item of trade, in addition to an inconsiderable amount of European goods, consists of Persian slaves, captured by the Turkmen. Of much greater importance is the internal trade of the Central-Asiatic countries, and their dealings with Russia. The Kirghizes and Turkmen are exclusively engaged in cattle-breeding, and, in exchange for the produce of their flocks and herds, procure all their manufactured articles of consumption from the Russians, Kokanians, Bokharians, and Khivans. Since a very distant period, the Asiatics have been supplied with iron, copper and hardware of every description from Russia. Towards the middle of the last century, when the treasures amassed by Nadir-Shah had become distributed in Asia, gold or silver was the medium of exchange for Russian...
