The Meaning Of The Name Is
Perhaps "Hill Of The Terebinths, Or Wild Pistachioes," "A Tree Which Grows
Abundantly In The Recesses Of Bleak, Stony, And Desert Mountains, E.G.
About Shamakhi, About Shiraz, And In The Deserts Of Luristan And Lar."
(Kaempfer, 409, 413.)
["It is strange that Marco Polo speaks of Kubenan only on his return
journey from Kerman; on the down journey
He must have been told that
Kubenan was in close proximity; it is even probable that he passed there,
as Persian travellers of those times, when going from Kerman to Yazd, and
vice versa, always called at Kubenan." (Houtum-Schindler, l.c. p.
490.) In all histories this name is written Kubenan, not Kuhbenan; the
pronunciation to-day is Kobenan and Kobenun. - H. C.]
I had thought my identification of Cobinan original, but a communication
from Mr. Abbott, and the opportunity which this procured me of seeing his
MS. Report already referred to, showed that he had anticipated me many
years ago. The following is an extract: "Districts of Kerman * * * Kooh
Benan. This is a hilly district abounding in fruits, such as grapes,
peaches, pomegranates, sinjid (sweet-willow), walnuts, melons. A great
deal of madder and some asafoetida is produced there. This is no doubt
the country alluded to by Marco Polo, under the name of Cobinam, as
producing iron, brass, and tutty, and which is still said to produce iron,
copper, and tootea." There appear to be lead mines also in the district,
as well as asbestos and sulphur.
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