'Additions to Gazetteer of Persia, Volumes II to IV.' [‎165r] (329/370)

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exported into surrounding country, and fruits and rose-water to Buehahr.
There are about 50 horses and a few ponies, but some thousands of donkeys
could be collected here, as there are large numbers employed on the
caravan routes, mules being very rarely seen in these parts. There is
excellent camping-ground for a very large force here, and abundance of
good water for men and animals. Firewood in large quantities could be
procured from Maiman, where they say there is any amount of wood of all
sorts. The ruling Khan of the district resides here in a large walled house
on the outskirts of the town. The whole of the plain around the town
is extremely fertile, and for Persia well inhabited.
Total value of exports annually does not exceed Rs. 4,000. Altogether
this is the best place along this route. The heat is never excessive, and
climate general healthy. The people are civil and disposed to be friendly.
Its chief importance from a military point of view would be that it is
admirably suited for a halting place and supply depOt.
Most direct route to Jahrum leads south-east down broad vallev, open
country, easy going; long ridges of hills on either hand.
Near here are the ruins of ancient building mis-called Ateshgah (Atish-
kerda) or fire temple, but in reality the remains of an ancient j^alace
situated on river nearly a farsakh north of Firuzabad. Two of the laro- e
chambers are still in a very good state of preservation, built entirely of stone
on a square with a side of about 15 yards, and surmounted by a domed roof,
in centre of which is a large circular orifice through which the sky can be
seen.
I estimated the height roughly at 40'. The walls had evidently
once been covered with ornamented plaster, but most of this has fallen away.
As far as could be judged from the heaps of stones, there must have been
four of these large chambers or halls connected by narrow passages. Flio-hts
of rough steps in the dividing walls lead up to the roof of ”the building,
and small chambers constructed inside the massive walls. There were also
some smaller ruins which the natives told me were the remains of baths.
The site of the ancient Zoroastrian city is marked by a high obelisk built
of blocks of stone, which is commonly believed to be the real Ateshgah or
fire altar. This is situated nearer Firuzabad and out in the plain. The old
burying ground of the city also remains. These are about the only traces
left here of a former race, and the present inhabitants seem neither to know
nor care anything about the matter.— ( Stolherd, May 1893.)
ARAB.—Vol. Ill, page 60.
A village, four miles east of Firuzabad, situated on the right bank of the
river, about 200' above it on the hill side. The chief cultivation is rice.
Small supplies of cows, sheep and rice are to be had, plenty of water and
a moderate amount of firewood. There are some 40 families in the village.
—(Sloikerd, June 1893.)