MERV, mere (sometimes written Meru), Russia, an oasis in Central Asia, in the south of Western Turkestan, and about 120 miles north of the frontier of Afghanistan, now tra versed by the railroad from the Caspian to Samarkand. It has an area of 1,900 square miles, and is crossed by the 37th meridian and 62d parallel. One-fourth of this area is arti ficially irrigated. It is watered by the Mur ghab and produces wheat, cotton, sugar, silk, etc. In the midst of the oasis are the ruins of the ancient town of Merv, founded by Alex ander the Great, and subsequently held by Syri ans, Arabs, Mongols and Persians. A new town New Merv, has grown up on the Murghab, where the Trans-Caspian Railway crosses the river, with a citadel; it has been made the capi tal and its population is about 15,000. The oasis generally is the principal seat of the Tekke Turcomans, who from this centre used to make predatory incursions into Persia and Afghanistan. In 1815 the oasis was subjugated
by the Khan of Khiva, to whom it remained tributary for about 20 years. Subsequently Persia attempted to make good the claims which it had long made to this district, and in 1860 fitted out an expedition for the purpose, which, however, miscarried completely, as did another expedition in 1876. In 1881 General Skobeleff led a Russian expedition against the Tekke Turcomans, captured their stronghold of Geok-Tepe, and received the submission of their principal leader. The district of Mery subsequently came under the power of Russia. Mery is of great strategical importance, and considerable interest was attached to it in con nection with the advances made by Russia in the direction of India. Pop. 250,000.