Kerman, or KARMAN (anc. Carmania), one of the eastern provinces of Persia, lying south from Khorassan, and having an area of about 59,000 sq. m. The north and north-east are occupied by a frightful salt waste called the Desert of Kerman, which forms a part of the great central desert of Iran. On this extensive tract not a blade of grass is to be seen. The southern portion, although mountainous, is equally arid and barren with the north, except the small tract of Nūrmanshir, towards the east, which is fertile and well watered. Roses are cultivated for the manufacture of otto of roses; silk and various gums are exported. The inhabitants, who number about 300,000, are chiefly Persians proper; the rest are Guebres or Parsees, Beluchis, and other wandering tribes.
Kerman, the chief town, is situated near the middle of the province, in the central mountain-range, and contains a population estimated at 30,000. The trade, though still considerable, is very small compared with what it was during the 18th century, when Kerman was the great emporium for the trade by the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean. 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. But the chief cause of the decline of its trade was the fall of Gombroon (q.v.), its port, before the rising prosperity of Bushire. At present Kerman is only noted for the manufacture of the famous Kerman carpets (a sort of woollen rugs), felts, and brass cups.