CANDAHAR, or KANDAHAR, an extensive province of Afghanistan, situated between the 31st and 34th degrees of north latitude, and between the 64th and 68th degrees of east longitude. To the north it is bounded by the country of Balk, to the south by Beloochistan, and on the east it has Sinde and Beloochistan; and on the west a sandy desert of various breadth divides it from the province of Seistan, in Persia. Part of this province consists of mountains, and part of arid and uncultivated plains, crossed by ranges of hills running westward from the Paropamisan Mountains. But though the general appearance of the country be waste and barren, most parts of it supply water and forage to the pastoral hordes by whom it is frequented; and it is not destitute of many well-watered and pleasant valleys, and some fertile plains, surrounded by mountains. The western part of this tract is by no means so mountainous as the northern; and in former times it was a fertile and well-inhabited region, as appears from many magnificent ruins that are scattered over it. From Candahara tract of very considerable extent stretches westward for upwards of two hundred miles. Its general breadth is a hundred miles. This tract is very imperfectly defined, the hills on the north sometimes running into the plain, and the southern parts of the inhabited country not being easily distinguished from the desert on which they border. The aspect of this country approaches to that of a desert. Scarce a tree is to be found in the whole region; the plains are covered merely with low bushes. Through this arid region many various streams diffuse occasional fertility. The banks of the Furrab, the Khaush, and other streams, are well cultivated, and produce wheat, barley, pulse, and abundance of excellent melons. Even at a distance from the streams some patches of cultivation are to be found, which are artificially watered. There are villages among the cultivated lands; but the mass of the inhabitants are scattered over the face of the country in tents. The banks of the Helmund must, however, be excepted from the general unproductive character of the country, along which a fertile strip extends about two miles in breadth, beyond which the sandy desert begins, and stretches out for many days journey. To the northward of this desert tract is a hilly region, dependent on the Paropamisan range, which includes fertile plains, that are well watered, and produce abundance of wheat, barley, and rice, together with madder and artificial grasses. On these plains grow the tamarisk and the mulberry, and a few willows and poplars; and the orchards contain all the fruit trees of Europe. The country around the city of Candahar is level, of tolerable fertility, irriga-
Candahar. ted both by water courses from the rivers and springs, and most industriously cultivated. It abounds in grain, good vegetables, excellent fruit; in madder, assafoetida, lucern, clover, and tobacco, which is in great repute.
The wild animals of this country are leopards, bears, wolves, hyenas, jackals, foxes, deer, hares, boars, and the wild ass. The tame animals are camels, horses, cattle, mules, asses, sheep, goats, dogs, &c. They have also a few buffaloes. The country produces no metals, nor has it any peculiar manufactures. But as the road between India and Persia passes through it, it has a considerable transit trade. Besides the Dooraunees, one of the chief tribes of the Afghan country, there are in Candahar Hindus, Persians, Belooches, and Taujiks. The Taujiks generally inhabit towns, and follow different trades. The bankers and shop-keepers are all Hindus.