Kerman
or KARMAN (ancient Carmania), one of the E. provinces of Persia, S. of Khorasan, and having an area of about 59,000 square miles. The N. and N. E. are occupied by a frightful salt waste called the Desert of Kerman, which forms a part of the great central desert of Iran. The small tract of Nûrmanshir, toward the E., is fertile and well watered. Roses are cultivated for the manufacture of attar of roses; silk and various gums are exported.
The pop. of about 600,000 is chiefly Persian; the rest are Guebres or Parsees, Belûchis, and other wandering tribes.
Kerman, the chief town, is near the middle of the province, in the central mountain range. Pop. about 60,000.
In 1722 the town was destroyed by the Afghans; in 1794 it was taken and pillaged by Aga Mohammed, and 30,000 of the inhabitants made slaves. At present