Kirman (anc. Carasaniana), a province of Persia, lying between N. Lat. 25° 30. and 31° 20., and E. Long. 54° 30. and 60° 20., having N. Khorassan, E. Afghanistan and Beloochistan, S. the Persian Gulf, and W. Laristan and Fars. It is about 380 miles in length from N. to S. by 250 in extreme breadth, and has an estimated area of 65,000 square miles. Kerman is represented as being a generally mountainous territory, but the greater part of it is comparatively unknown. A mountain chain, the Djebel Ahad, intersects the province from E. to W., and sends off numerous ramifications southward towards the coast. N. of this chain, the country is in general a barren, dreary waste, without a single river to irrigate the land. Almost the only exception to this is the district of Nurmansheer, about 90 miles in length by from 20 to 30 miles in breadth, and which is tolerably well watered by mountain streams, and has a good soil. A few productive spots are also to be found in the neighbourhood of mountain springs, or where subterraneous reservoirs have been made for irrigation. S. of the Djebel Ahad, the country is very mountainous. Many of the plains and valleys are of great fertility, but here too are large tracts of barren waste. The principal river here is the Rad Shur, which flows southward into the Persian Gulf. The climate of Kerman is said to be less healthy than that of other parts of Persia. The chief productions are wheat, maize, barley, cotton, tobacco, saffron, madder, gums, and various kinds of fruits. The dates and grapes of particular parts are said to be very fine, but the other fruits are of inferior quality. White roses are extensively cultivated, the attar of these being highly esteemed. The mulberry tree is also largely cultivated for the breeding of silkworms. The rearing of cattle, sheep, goats, and camels, receives much attention. The inhabitants on the coast are chiefly engaged in fishing, but the pearl fishery, once so famous, has now been abandoned. The mineral wealth of the province is said to be considerable, but iron, copper, and sulphur, are the only products hitherto obtained. The manufactures comprise fine woollen fabrics, carpets, goats' and camels' hair shawls, coarse linens, and matchlocks. The southern part of Kerman, called Mogostan, is subject to the Imam of Muscat. Pop. about 600,000.

Sergan, the capital of the above province, is situate at the western extremity of an extensive plain, and commanded by two old forts on the neighbouring hills, N. Lat. 29° 56., E. Long. 56° 25. It is surrounded by a mud wall and dry ditch, and is entered by four gates. It has a citadel, in which the governor resides, a well furnished bazaar, several large caravansaries, and numerous baths and mosques. Kerman was once the most important city in the empire, being the great centre of trade between the Persian Gulf and the countries to the N.E. and W. It has frequently suffered from hostile attacks, particularly in 1794, when it was taken by Aga Mahomet Khan, its walls and public buildings levelled to the ground, many of its inhabitants put to death, and 30,000 driven into exile. The rise of Bushire as a trading port has also taken away a great part of the trade of Kerman, which, however, is still considerable. It has also important manufactures of goats' and camels' hair shawls, carpets, and matchlocks. Pop. about 30,000.