"الطرق في بلاد فارس. القسم III" [و‎‎٢‎٤‎٨] (٧٣٩/٥٠٠)

487
No. 201— contd.
Tab as to Khap , via Gazik, Isfidin, Sfc.
Names of stages.
Dueuksh
DiaTANCES
IN MILES.
Interme
diate.
Total.
10^
52
Zehun
32
84
Bbuabxi.
Leave Gazik, bearing 5°, and descend a slightly ter
raced slope of cultivation and follow. Soil clay
and very bare where not cultivated; at IJ miles
cross a river with sloping banks; water at present
lo feet broad by 1 foot deep, with firm bottom.
From here ascend gradually over a well cultivat
ed plain, dependant on rain-water for its crops \
the surface soil is soft and spongy. Pass
villages of Afzalabad and Birkhus on left» of 10
and 20 houses respectively, and on right Khisrao-
bad (8 houses). Then crossing two small
streams, enter a tract of smooth detached hills.
From 7 miles road is very stony.
At 8 miles road passes up left side of a ravine in
which is a small stream and some cultivation.
At 9 miles path very narrow passing village of
Asiaban in the ravine, but could be easily widened.
Here and there are snow drifts. Just above
village is a large good spring and a rapid stream
flows past village. Reach Duruksh, a little fur
ther up ravine, at lOj miles.
Duruksh is a large village in the huluh of Shakhin
and contains orchards; very little room for culti-
vation, situated as it is in the centre of a stony
_ ravine with bare steep hill slopes on either side.
Inhabitants are Tajiks. Trade causes Europeans
to be welcomed here. Duruksh, Asiaban and
Baghistan, all close together, contain a total of
1 ,000 houses and own 150 yoke of oxen, 3,000
sheep, 500 asses, 80 camels, 50 horses, 3 Jcanats
of water. Maliyat 1,500 tomans. Thermo
meter 41°, March 4^ at 9 p.m.
Leave Duruksh, bearing 70°, by stony path leading
out of ravine and going up and down over a hilly
country. J
Pass some cultivation at 18| miles and a stream.
Follow up ravine past Icalata of Balandut.
At 16-j miles cross a plain to west of Ahingaran
range. Again cross heavy undulations at 17i
miles.
From 23 miles descend and pass the Jcalata of
Mazar.
Down a ravine at 25| miles with rocky sides; boul
ders, stones and gravel all firmly welded into one
mass, are seen: here and there.
Enter a narrow rocky glen at 29 miles, and follow
down its watercourse passing good gardens and
houses here and there, generally grouped round a
watermill.