. SAMARCAND' was in the 14th c. the capital of the great Tartar empire of Timur. It has since replanted the center of Mohammedan learning in Central Asia. It was till 1868 the second city of the khanate of Bokhara, and since that period annexed to the dominions of the czar, it has become one of the chief towns of Russian Turkestan. It is in let. 40° 2' n., and long. or 3' e., 4 English in. s. of the Zer-Afshan (a river which loses itself in the sands"), and 145 m. nearly c. by u. from Bokhara. It is situated at the foot of mount Chobanata, in a plain of exuberant fertility; and when seen from a distance, its glittering minarets, lofty domes, and prominent edifices and ruins, relieved by thc.brilliant green of the closely planted garden's interspersed within the walls, pre sent an imposing effect. The river for centuries has baen changing its course, and Samarcand has followed it—so that it consists of a "new city," and the ruins of those which preceded it. The " new city" is surrounded with walls, pierced with six gates, and is filled with narrow streets and lanes, which have, however, undergone many .improvements since the Russian occupation. The population, which in the 14th C. exceeded 100,000, has dwindled to 20,000. The inhabitants consist chiefly of Tajiks and Usbeks. They are chiefly employed in the manufacture of silk, wool, and leather. The old or " ruined city" is the portion most interesting to Europeans, as the capital of that mighty conqueror who wielded the scepter of Asia from China to the Hellespont. Many of the ruins belong to this epoch, among which are the Hazreti Shah Zinde, at one time supposed to have been a summer palace of Timur, but now shown to have consisted of tombs and chapels only. In the center of the city, separated from each other by a wide open space, stand three medresses, or sacred colleges. Each consists of a large quad rangular court, surrounded by a range of two-storied buildings, with chambers occupied by teachers and pupils, One of the objects of interest in Samarcand is the palace of the emirs of Bokhara, built within the citadel, where, before the Russian conquest, they were in the habit of spending the summer months with their harem suite. In one of
the courts is the famous Kuk-tash, or green-stone, which served as Timor's throne. The . palace has now been converted by the Russians into an hospital. Samarcand was the ancient 3Inracanda, the capital of Sogdiana. It was seized by the Arabs 707 A.D., and from this time belonged either to the caliphate or to some of the dynasties which were offshoots from it, till 1219, when it was taken by Genghiz Khan. In 1359 it was cap tured by Timur, and ten years afterward became the capital of his empire. It remained the chief town of Turkestan till 1468, when it declined in importance with the rise of the Usbeks. It retained, however, its position as the chief seat of Mohammedan learning in Asia. Until recently it had been visited b), only four Europeans—in 1404 by the Spaniard Clavijo, in 1841 by Lehmann and Cbanykow, and in 1863 by Vambery. But in May, 1868, the gates of Samarcand were opened to the Russians (see BOKIIABA), and they have since retained possession of the city. The inhabitants have manifested he antipathy to the rule of the infidel than might have been expected, from the reputation of Samarkand as a seat of Mohammedan fanaticism. The ..ews have prospered by the encouragement given to trade; and the Tajik population have shown, as in the other cities of Turkestanannexed by Russia, good-will toward their conquerors, and a desire to adopt European ideas.—See Vambery's Travels in, Central Asia (Loud. 1864), and paper on " Ruins of Samarkand," by Prof. Pedebenko, in Proceedings of Royal Geo graphical Society, Dee., 1871.