'Military Report on Persian Seistan' [‎29r] (62/188)

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CHAPTER XL—STRATEGICAL POSITIONS.
For the defence of Seistan against a force advancing through Persia from
the north, if we were to advance beyond the confines of Seistan proper, would
appear to be along the line of the Kaleh Kuh, commanding the Isfizar Pass
and the plain of Isfidin from the village of Ahinjeran to Afih, thence south
west, guarding the passes to north of Birjand. Here the zone of inhabited
country through which an army would advance from Meshed to Seistan is
narrowest.—(//. B. Napier.)
v* To defend Seistan against an army coming from Herat, the position of
Lash Juwain seems to offer most advantages; it is thus described by
Peacceke :—
“ At miles from Takbt-i-Rustam the road ascends by several easy
gradients of 1 in 20 to 1 in 15 on to the open plateau of the Dasht-i-
Juwain, which is about 250 feet al ove the level of the Hamun. At eight
miles from Takht-i-Rustam it descends by gentle gradients down the
north-west edge of this plateau into the Juwain plain.
The edge of this plateau lies east by south and west by north and is
regular and little broken.
It consists of 2 steps, the lower step sloping gradually into the plain.
From the summit, and also from the lower step, an extensive view is
obtained over the whole of the Juwain plain. This latter plain is about 7
miles broad, north to south, and 9 miles long, east to west, and is bounded
by the Dusht-i-Panjdeh on north-west, by the Dasht-i Juwain on south and
east, and is open on south-west, to the Naizar lying west of the Hamun. The
southern portion of the Dasht-i-Juwain at its east end is separated by what
is apparently a small valley from the northern portion. A good position 5
miles in extent if required is afforded by the edge of the Dasht-i-Juwain
facing a little west of north. The position has a command of about 8U feet
over the Juwain plain from its summit, and of about 30 feet from the broad
lower terrace; it is not commanded by any high ground, and has good cover
for reserves in the plateau. The summit of the plateau affords a good
artillery position; the lower terrace affords a good infantry line of defence.
Soil of plateau is a light sandy clay with a little gravel. The ground to
the front for 7 miles is clear and open, and affords no cover except that fur-
nished by scanty camel scrub, or an occasional irrigation cut.
It directly covers the main line of retreat via the 'I'akht-i-Rustam—Ibrahima-
bad road. Another road, viz., Lash to Chalbagi and thence to Khash or
Chakansur, would also be available for retreat, and infantry and cavalry could
move over most of the intervening country.
The left flank of this position practically rests on the Hamun and cannot
be turned. The position closes any advance down the right bank of the
Helmand coming from Birjand, Zakin or Farah, through Panjdeh. It is,
however, liable to be turned by the road leading from Farah via Takht-i-
Rustam and Chalbagi, and if occupied, a force should be detached specially
to observe this road on the right flank. If turned by this flank, it would,
however, be possible to retreat by the west side of the Hamun, and gain the
south bank of the Helmand by Band-i-Kamal-Khan. "
The only good position in Seistan proper is the Kuh i-Kwaja, which
commands the road leading to Nasratubad, and is fully described in the
Gazetteer.