KURGAN, a district town of western Siberia, in the government of Tobolsk, 352 miles south-south-west of the capital of the province, on the left bank of the Tobol river. It has its name from a lofty tumulus (fcurgan) t close by which a wooden fort was erected in the 17 th century. It is situated in a wide steppe, covered with numerous lakes, the inhabitants of which are active in agriculture, cattle-breeding, and cattle grazing, cattle being purchased in the Kirghiz steppe. It is now the chief centre of the region for trade in cattle, tallow, skins, and salt. Population, 6500. F