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 fire-arms . Its coppersmiths turn out excellent work . Karshi was a favourite residence of Timur (Tamerlane) .