"الطرق في بلاد فارس. القسم III" [ظ‎‎٨‎٣] (٧٣٩/١٧١)

113
No. 70— conkl,
Ghurian to Karman, via Yazdan, 8fc,
No.
of
ftage.
Names of stages.
D istakcbs
in miles.
Interme
diate.
Total.
17
Dabband
3,050'.
23
354
B bmabiis»
cliff to cliff. The cliffs on either hand were very
like the Karez Elias and Zulfikar ones, being
formed by a limestone cap overlying nnconform-
ably blue clay bed, interspersed with strata of
shale. It is a very curious place. Bed, up which
road went, gradually narrowed, cliffs approaching
one another more closely. Passed an impercep
tible watershed, and then descended through a
similar nala to Chehel Pai. Here three little stone
huts for travellers, a dry haoz and the well, all
situated in the bed of this curious nala, here per
haps half mile wide, with cliffs on either hand.
The road the whole way was very well marked,,
being greatly used by pilgrims. There- were
generally five or six well-worn tracks abreast.
From the Naiband kotal to Ohehel Pai it is per
fectly easy for guns.
Well at Chehel Pai is 87 feet below surface. It is
approached by an inclined tunnel, down which
steps are cut in the rock, more or less rough. It
is very troublesome to water animals from, as the-
water has to be carried up these steps. Watering
36 mules aud 6 horses about dried it out, but it
filled up fairly well again in about six hours.
The Lut on this western side of the Naiband range
appears to be much more hilly than to the east
ward, ridges of detached hills being scattered oyer
it, with next to no vegetation. All supplies^,
etc., must be carried.
For 3 miles road continues down the same nala-bed
with cliffs on either side; then emerges into open
plain, and makes straight across for Darband hill
on the other side. It is a most desolate " dasht
of sandy gravel; surface a little soft at first, but
firm enough below : not a bush to be seen. Small
stone pillars built by side of road about every 2
miles, presumably to mark it. At 22 mues
reach foot of hills and road goes up for 1 mile
along a nala-bed among low outer hills to Dar
band. ^ .
Here is a newly-built caravansarai, a very small
spring of water and some date trees. A post ot
a couple of men is kept here. .
Road good for guns all the way, though a htt e
heavy here and there. ^ ,
In the valley passed over in this inarch lowest
point was 1,930 feet. This valley drains eastwards