'Military Report on South-West Persia, Including the Provinces of Khuzistan (Arabistan), Luristan, and Part of Fars' [‎185] (186/466)

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I. —Can be taken in reverse by fire from the right bank of the river, and
can be readily outflanked on the left bank.
II.—The crest of this ridge, rising 50' to 100', faced on the south by low,
open undulations, with slopes of 2° and 3°, forms a strong position facing in
that direction. The hills, however, have no depth, and their northern slopes are
steep, and beyond them lies a flat cultivated plain, both of which can be taken
in reverse by fire from the right bank. The hills break off: on the left bank of
the river, and do not again rise until about 4 or 5 miles beyond its right bank.
III.—The fort occupies the high ground abreast of No. 1 falls. It is a rect
angular work of no strength, and practically unflanked, of 200' side, and com-
p ort> mand of 15' to 18'. Its walls are of stone and mud, and
constitute the front walls of a series of barracks built
round an open courtyard. The total depth of the barracks is 20' ; their
roofs are flat, and round them runs a low parapet wall capable of being manned
by infantry^ The entrance is to the north, and is closed by gates of no strength.
For remarks on the political and commercial value of the Karun river, see
Part III.
The river at this season between Ahwaz and Muhammerah is said to carry
Kal'un rivers
nothing under 12/ In the dry season it does not carry
in places over 3' or 4', the minimum depth of 3' being
met with in the autumn at Ismailiyah. Beilams (ballams), small boats, 15' to
20' long, 3' wide, and flat bottomed, carrying one to two tons of merchandise.
Can be tracked up stream in March from Muhammerah to Ahwaz in four or
five days; provided with a large sail, they ply down-stream.
From the Karun, below Shustar, to the Bahmeh-Slnr, its mouth, numerous
canals and water-courses have been drawn. Their beds are now elevated above
the river, even when the stream is highest. All seen were dry. The principal
part of the waters o£ the Karun (three-fourths) discharge into the Shat-al-Arab
by the Haffar canal, 3 miles long, 300 to 400 yards broad, with a depth of 20
to 30'. Both banks are lined with date trees. Muhammerah stands on its
right bank, half a mile up it {see pages 41,178).
The Bahmeh-Shir carries T over its worst shallows at low tide, and is about
Bahmeh-SMr. a m ^ e wide. It is now little used, and appears
to be becoming shallower yearly^
The rise of tide varies between 8' and lO'. A couple of miles above Gisbah or
Kusbeh, on the left bank, is the entrance to the Dorak canal, connecting the
rivers Karun and Jarrahi, now'navigable only by beilams {see page 47). &
Dorak or Felahiyah is one of the chief towns of the Shaikhs of the Chab Arabs
(Ka^b). At Idnsiyah is a small town and fort on the left bank.
Ismailiyah carries on a small trade. At Samayni, 2 farsakhs above Mu-
hammerah, on the right bank, is a village and ferry.
R oute N o. I — conid.
From Muhammerah to Tehran, fyc. —contd.
o .
5h fer
Time.
Names of towns, villages, &c.
Distances iir
miles.
gcc
a
55
Interme
diate.
Total.
Remarks.
5
i -.M.
8-5
29th March 1884.
Anwiz
...
82
The road skirts the river and passes the
low range of hills rising out of the level