'Military Report on South-West Persia, Including the Provinces of Khuzistan (Arabistan), Luristan, and Part of Fars' [‎45] (74/466)

45
The plain to the eastward of Rustamabad is inhabited by the Kuhgehlu
Lurs^ and extends to the sandstone hills, 1,180' high, overlooking the Behbahan
plain; it is in parts well covered with camel thorn and konar*" trees; its soil is
fertile, but a settled population is required to cultivate it. The banks of the
Jarrahi are well wooded and picturesque (small shrubs and trees) ; it is from
4 to 5 miles broad. Several small streams run down from the hills into the
river.
To the eastward of Jaizoun (Jaizan) the plain gets drier and stony. The
Kuhgehlu of the Agha Jeri section inhabit it.
Between Jaizoun and Behbahan the Jarrahi is forded at Chahar Asia, the
plain being broken only by the sandstone hills already referred to.
The road from Ahwaz to Behbahan is practically level. To Ram-Hormuz
water is scarce and of bad quality.
From Ahwaz to Rustamabad is 64 miles, and thence to Behbahan 57 miles :
in all 121 miles.
Eastward of Behbahan the plain extends to within a short distance of Du-
Eastward of Behbahan. Gambazan in the low hills} 43 miles from Behbahan,
elevation 2,480 . The plain is uninhabited and stony ; it
is watered by the two arms of the Hindiyan river, the Khairabad river and
the Shams-al-Arab, both fordable; the banks of the former are well grown
over with willow and tamarisk. The extensive plain of Sahra-i-Lishter lies
4 miles to its east; it measures 12 miles by 4 miles, and is covered with
konar*" trees; at times it affords good pasture to the lliyats, who encamp upon
it {Baring),—see pages 332 to 337,
Silly country, Bu-Gambazdn to SMrdz [Baring and Wells).
In the direction of Basht, distant 25 miles, the country is undulating,
the hills rising to a height of 3,350 feet. Ibex are plentiful. To the north
lies the Kuh-i-Dil, elevated about 10,000 feet. Oaks are here seen, and to
the east of Du-Gambazan the ruins of kanats and villages indicate a
decadence from a former prosperity, due to Government exactions. Basht
consists of a square fortress with high walls and reed huts outside ; elevation
2,730 feet; water is plentiful. In its broad valley the myrtle grows, and rice
and carraway seeds are extensively cultivated. A Bawi Kuhgehlu chief usually
resides in the village.
Between Basht and Talesbid, 18 miles, lies an undulating hilly country
interspersed with wide plains and valleys. That in which the Chal-i-Moureh
a small stream runs, is elevated 2,850 feet. It is joined by the Sar-Ab-
i-Siah. Its valley is well cultivated. Talesbid, lying in a plain beyond it (ele
vation 2,830 feet), is a small village of reed huts, surrounded by rice fields and
occupied by the Mamasenni [see page 337).
The descent over the Gazinjun range (2,780 feet), the first real obstacle
to wheeled vehicles on the road from Ahwaz into the valley of the Chal-i-
Moureh, is stony and difficult.
The following are the stages between Talesbid and Mian Kotal by an
alternative route [see page 338) :—
Nurabad
Nodiin
Kazran or to
Mian Kotal
3 farsakhs.
7
6 „ C" 3 stages from Shiraz ),
6 „ 1 4 ditto ] tlie P ost road -
# Kuli-nar, or ber tree.