CANDAHA 11, or KM:DAKAR, the capital of a country of Asia of the same name, situated between Persia and Hindustan, and supposed to he a part of the Paropamisus of the ancients. The city of Canclabar, which is both populous and flourishing, is built of a square form, and is comprehended within an ordinary fortification of about three miles in circumference. From its favourable situa tion on the great road which connects India with Persia and Tartary, this city has long been a distinguished mart of trade. Many IIimloo families, principally of the Moultan and the Rajcpoot districts, have established themselves here. By their industry and mercantile knowledge, they have greatly increased the trade and opulence of Candahar ; and the extensive range of shops which they occupy, and the ease and contentment ex pressed in their deportment, is a sufficient testimony of the liberty and protection which they enjoy. This city is likewise frequented by the Turcuman merchants of Buck:16a and Samarkand, who carry away into their own country a great quantity of the indigo with which Can dahar is annually supplied from the various parts of up per India. Provisions arc here much cheaper than in most places on tie west side of the Indus, and the supply is also more abundant. Candahar stands in an extensive plain, intersected with numerous streams, and covered with fruit gardens and cultivated ground, which produces grapes and melons of the fittest flavour. This plain is
interspersed with hills near the site of the old fortress, lout they arc moderately high, and do not form a barrier of difficult access. This fortress, which is about two or three miles north of Candahar, stands on the summit of a rocky hill of moderate height, but abrupt elevation. It was destroyed by Nadir Shalt, who founded a new city called Nadirabad. This city was completed by Ahmed, who gave it the name of New Candahar, and intended it for the capital of Afghanistan. The road is here carried over a stony ascent of easy access, and is sheltered on each side with scattered hills and wide intervals of level land. On the road from Ghizni to Candahar, the general aspect of the country is barren, and the supply of wood and water is scanty. From this scarcity of water, the buildings are constructed, as in Cabul, of bricks burnt in the sun, and arc covered in with a flat arched roof of the same materials. The climate of Candahar is considera bly temperate, and neither equals the heat of India, not the cold of Ghizni.
A son of Timur Shah governs this city and a tract of the adjacent country, which is said to bring in an annual revenue of eighteen Ines of rupees. East Long. 65° 33', North Lat. 35°. Sec Forster's Journey from Bengal to England, vol. ii. Lett. xiv. p. 1 1 5 ; and De eouverte de ?Empire du Candahar, Paris 1730,12mo. (o)