a khanat of Independent Turkistan, lying between N. Lat. 35° 38', E. Long. 68° 72', and having N. the territories of Hissar, Durwaz, &c., E. the Bolor Mountains, S. Afghanistan, and W. Bokhara. The greater part of the surface is mountainous, but a considerable portion of it is also marshy, so that in many parts the roads are obliged to be constructed on piles of wood. The marshy parts produce excellent crops of rice, while wheat and barley are largely cultivated in the drier tracts. Fruits are abundant, as are also generally all the necessaries of life. Silk is an important product. The climate, however, is very unhealthy, arising partly from the marshy character of the surface, and partly from the great variety of temperature. The heat in summer is frequently excessive, while in winter the snow lies for three months in the year. The indigenous inhabitants are Tanjiks, but the khan and his dominant party are Usbeks. An active trade is carried on with the Chinese province of Yarkad, and with Bokhara. Slaves constitute a large article of export from Koondooz.

capital of the above khanat, is situated in a wide valley near the confluence of two rivers, about N. Lat. 36° 48', E. Long. 69° 20'. It is a wretched place, of some 500 mud hovels. It has a fortress, surrounded by a mud wall and dry ditch, and a citadel, the winter residence of the khan.