"ملحق بالطرق في بلاد فارس. القسم II" [و‎‎٩] (٨٦/١٧)

Route No. 1.
Baghdad lo Karmanshah via Khanakin.
1
Authority and date. —Burton ; June 1897.
Distaitcbs, nr
No. of
stage.
Names of stages.
MIL-KS.
Rbhabks.
Inter
mediate.
Total.
Khan Beni Said 18 18 Road quits Baghdad by the north gate or Bab-1-
or Aorta Wastani; close outside is a large sarai; directiou
Khan. north-east, curving gradually for 3 miles towards
the north-north-east, which direction is kept to
end of march ; till 3 miles road a broad level track over plain of alluvial soil shewing fre
quent signs of flood.
At 9 miles cross at right angles an irrigation canal—12' wide, depth below banks 3'—by
rickety wood and stone bridge of 12' way ; a tew crops.
At 11 miles pass through walled village, road 49 yards wide ; at 11} cross irrigation
canal same dimensions as last and reach staging place of dak Baghdad-Bakuba ; a few mud
huts. From here an irrigation canal runs parallel to the road to 12 miles, thence diverging
north.
At 16} miles cross line of mounds running north-east—south-west indicating former
largo canal; road from here again shews signs of flood, till at 18 miles reach Ivhan Beni
Said or Aorta Khan ; village with 2 sarais ; one 100 yards square of massive brick : accom
modation for 300 men and horses ; room for camping; water from canal 1 mile north-west;
forage and supplies ; fuel scanty ; a few wells ; villages in palms 4 miles to north-west.
Road throughout good, level and passable by all arms in all weathers except as men
tioned ; water as noted ; fuel, forage and supplies scanty.
Telegraph follows road ; single wire, 2 and occasionally 1 insinator, hollow iron poles,
good order.
2 Bakuba
13
31
Road a broad track over desert plain of alluvial
soil ; direction north-north-east; mounds of old
canals to either hand.
At 6 miles road to Mendali vid Bahriz to
north-east.
At 8 miles cultivation (corn) to either side.
At 9 miles cross at right angles irrigation canal, 6' wide, 3 below banks, by stone
bridge in bad repair, 12' roadway ; 1 mile to east village in palms.
At 10} miles cross deep narrow canal 6' wide, 10' below banks, running north and south.
At 12 miles reach right bank Diala river, sluggish stream, 60 yards wide, with deep
cut banks; gardens, dates and poplar to either hand. Follow up river bank, ground becoming
hillocky and broken. • _ , . ..... P
Passing a small sarai to left at 12} miles cross Diala river on swinging bridge of 12
boats-gradients to bridge descend steeply but fit for guns—way where permanent 16'; at
gaps for swinging 8' of rickety logs—the whole unfit for guns. River banks perpendicular ;
soil, right 15', left 30' above water. Passing east through high-walled gardens and date
groves, at 13 miles enter Bakuba ; fuel, forage and supplies abundant; Telegraph Olhee and
Post Office ; camp any where outside town. . ,
Road throughout good and passable to all arms except Diala bridge, as mentioned, and
signs of flood in places from 10 miles. .
Fuel and supplies procurable only from 9 miles on ; wire follows road same as last stage.
3 Abu-l-Jassar
h;
47
Road emerges from north entrance Bakuba
through walled gardens and, with general direction
east, winds through hillocky ground over numerous
irrigation channels, and would be deep and bad in
wet weather.