'Military Report on South-West Persia, Including the Provinces of Khuzistan (Arabistan), Luristan, and Part of Fars' [‎273] (318/466)

35
273
Route ETo. 4.
F eom I spahan to B ehbahan and B andab -D ilam throdgh the kungehltj
H ills.
ji
6
§-/2
Names of towns, villages, &c.
Distances in"
miles.
Time.
Interme
diate.
Total.
A .M.
27th May 18S4.
6-45
J ulfa (Armenian
suburb) of I sfahan,
(elevation 5,100').
• « t
...
Bemarks.
Temperature 70°.
The streets of Julfa are narrow, and
only admit of narrow mnle loads ; many
of its lanes are entered by narrow gate-
ii i o ways ' c ^ ose( i nisrht; naiTow canals
lined by poplars, mulberry shrubs, low elms, &c., run down the centre or sides of the
majority of them. The houses built round courtyards, into which they open, and many
of which are ornamented by gardens well stocked with flowers and well watered, are sur
rounded by high mud walls, which give the place a most uninviting appearance. The houses
are well built of mud bricks ; walls 4' to 5' thick ; they are commodious, and the plaster
ornamental work of many is in excellent taste. Drinking-water is obtained from wells • sup
plies, plentiful and cheap (see 'page 113). Plums, melons, grapes, peaches, cucumbers, lettuce
&g., are of excellent quality and abundant in season, so much so, that fruits form, at times'
a staple food of the population. The red and white wines made here are of excellent quality]
and grapes^ are so abundant and cheap that horses are fed upon them. The mulberry orows
about Isfahan, and silk is produced.
Leaving Julfa the road passes through fields of poppy, corn, barley, &c. ; it is 50'wide
and lined by high mud walls ; to its left are the ruins of a'city ; young willows grow by the
road side.
7-15
7-35
7-45
8-10
Passes the Prince's garden ; the river
valley is richly cultivated. The melons
grown about Isfahan are noted for their
excellent flavour.
Passes between two detached hills.
The ruined city extends to this point ;
barometer 24'7 // (5,400').
Pass a sphynx-like rock. The low hills
are close to the left; to the right they are
6 to 7 miles distant, and between them
' lies the flat river valley ; soil, gravelly ;
road, broad, and its surface hard. The line of the river, 1 mile distant, is marked by fruit gar
dens pigeon towers, &g. This cultivated belt is from 2 to 3 miles broad. The district is known
as that as the Lower Lanjun; it contains from 300 to 400 villages, and for Persia
may be considered to be well populated. The Lanjun district is 70 miles long by 40 miles
broad. The villages in size resemble those between Isfahan and Biirujird {see page 250),
8-20
# • •
...
8-30
• ••
8-40
• • •
...
The river is If miles distant, and its
general direction 245°. Water, in deep
narrow canals, is brought down from the
hills to the left.
The river is | a mile distant to the
right.
The belt of river cultivation is entered ;
fields of wheat, barley, and beans, &c.,
all well irrigated ; soil, clay ; swamps
occur, due to defective irrigation chan
nels.