The adjoining district, Kubâ, has likewise but one town,
which bears the same name : it is fortified, and contains 654
ill-constructed houses ;1 but it is in a picturesque situation, being
surrounded by mountains, and overlooking the river Koudial.
Derbend, the most important city of Daghestan, is at the
extremity of one of the great arms already noticed as branching
from the Caucasus ; and, by its position on a steep and
almost inaccessible ridge, overhanging the Caspian Sea, it at
once commands the coast, road, and the Albanian pass. The
town contains 1795 well built stone houses,2 inclosed by a
substantial parapet wall, and it has the additional defence of
the citadel of Narini Kal’ah, the supposed work of Alexander,
which stands a little higher than the rest of the town, and
communicates with the latter through a single gate.
Rose-water and opium are prepared by the inhabitants of
Derbend, in addition to copper and iron vessels, and the
manufacture of silk and woollen stuffs : but a shallow and
defective harbour greatly restricts their commerce.
The Portæ Albaniæ bear the name of the Iron Gates
among the Arabs3 and Turks.4 By the Persians they are
called Siril Alsaghabe, or the Golden Throne: the words
Der and bend, in Persian, signify a narrow closed passage.5
Derbend, which, according to D’Anville, represents ancient
Albania, had the additional security of the wall of Kitaï,
which, like many other extraordinary works, is attributed to
Alexander, though constructed at a period later than that of
the Macedonian king, as a defence against the inroads of the
Scythians, who occupied the country towards the north.
This massive work was 21 feet high by 7 wide, and extended
from Derbend to the river Irkisohe ; or, according to
tradition, to the pass of Dâriyel itself. The existing remains
are those of the third wall, which was constructed by Shah
Nushiravân, in the sixth century.6
Tarku, the last city to be noticed, is between the rivers
Manasse and Ozene, at 2±- miles from the Caspian Sea ; and
1 There are 3572 Tartars.—Aperçu, &c., Tome IV., p. 141.
a There are 8543 Tartars, 225 Armenians, and 461 Jews.
Bab el Hadid. 4 Demir Capi.—-Ogilby’s Asia, p. 11.
5 Aperçu, &c., Tome IV., pp. 151 to 187, &c. 6 Ibid.
it occupies the slope, of a mountain, on the crest of which is
the Russian fortress of Bournu ;i and, though it contains
but 9000 inhabitants, it is still considered as the capital.
The people call themselves mountain Tartars, and their
long drinking cups, made of cows’-horns, with a disposition
to be boisterous while they indulge in the inebriating liquor
called brega,2 favour this opinion ; while the use of low tables,
and some other customs, seem to indicate that they are of the
Median or Babylonian race.
The Lezgi, Trousc, Tatte, and other dialects of the Tartar
tongue being, in Daghestan, mixed with the Armenian, Persian,
and Hebrew,3 it is probable that settlers from each of
the nations speaking those languages were the immediate
ancestors of the people of that country.
Their religion is that of Muhammed, and they are divided
into Shi’ahs and Sunnies t among them are many Armenian
and Greek Christians, with a very limited number of Jews.4
The people of the towns and plains are of middle size,
strong, and active. They are careful agriculturists and industrious
fishermen ; and, in character, they much resemble
the Persians, particularly in a disregard of truth, and a
disposition for theft and intrigue.5 The mountaineers and
nomadic tribes have a Tartar physiognomy ; they are also
taller and more active than the people of the plains.
In general, they are brave ; and, being always armed, they
are ready to prove their courage by engaging in fatal combats
on the slightest occasions. Taking revenge for injuries, and
the practice of hospitality, are held to be imperative duties.
Like the Jews, the husband can at pleasure give the talagh,
or writing of divorce, to his wife, who is then obliged to quit
his roof, leaving her children behind.
The most laborious work falls to the women, whilst the
men are occupied in the sturgeon fishery, in rearing horses,
camels, &c.,, and in making occasional forays on the lands of
1 Aperçu, &c., Tome IV., p. 187, &c.
! Made of barley, and resembling mead.
3 Aperçu, &c., Tome IV., pp. I l l to 129, and p-p. 151 to 187.
» Ibid. 5 Ibid., pp. 36 to 38.