KARSHI

karshi, a town of bokhara, in central asia, situated 96 m. s.e. of the city of bokhara, in a plain at the junction of two main confluents of the kashka-darya. it is a large and straggling place, with a citadel, and the population amounts to 25,000. there are three colleges, and the biki mosque is a fine building inlaid with blue and white tiles. along the river stretches a fine promenade sheltered by poplars. poppies and tobacco are largely grown, the tobacco being deemed the best in central asia. there is a considerable trade in grain; but the commercial prosperity of karshi is mainly due to its being a meeting-point for the roads from samarkand, bokhara, hissar, balkh and maimana, and serves as the market where the turkomans and uzbegs dispose of their carpets, knives and firearms. its coppersmiths turn out excellent work. karshi was a favourite residence of timur (tamerlane).