'Military Report on South-West Persia, Including the Provinces of Khuzistan (Arabistan), Luristan, and Part of Fars' [‎327] (372/466)

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Second stage. —The road then led west over very steep hills, partly barren
and partly clothed with oak and kuh-nar. An hour sufficed to reach the valley
of Murda-Fil, where the Jamki cultivate some patches of ground. At three
hours from start another valley was reached with a spring 1 of fresh water, and
also a mineral spring. There are the remains of a cemetery here.
The road kept to the right of the Kuh-i-Asmari, crossing the Duruo or
Murda-Fil river, a brackish stream, several times. Two hours more lead to its
north -west extremity, where is a hot sulphurous spring. The Kuh-i-Asmari is
of slate, and 22 miles long. To its north lies a plain bounded by lofty moun
tains. On turning the angle of the Kuh-i-Asmari, the plain of Gugird or
Gurgir is reached, where are the remains of freestone buildings and a small town.
The soil of the plain is clayey; wheat is sown in December and reaped in
March. At the extremity of the plain, 7 miles broad, the road from Taulah
joins in. Crossing the Kuh-i-Gach, a continuation of the range to the south of
Manjanik, the plain of Khar-i-Shutar-Zar is reached.
Third stage, —From Khar-i-Shutar-Zar, 22 miles north-west of Taulah,
the road to Baitawand, distant 26 miles, goes at first west and then north-west.
An liour^s ride leads to the Shustar country. To the right of the road lies
a
chain of gypsum hills, and to its left the Kuh-i-Siah. Behind the latter dwell
the Arabs. Passing the cultivation of Shakar-Ab, the Ab-i-Shurish is forded
several times. The country is undulating. The road thence goes along an
elevated ground covered with kuh-nar. Baitawand lies at the foot of gypsum
hills, surrounded by green meadows watered by a brackish stream. It consists
of 100 houses.
Fourth stage. —From Baitawand to Shustar is 15 miles. For the first
hour the road runs south-west by west through cultivation. After crossing the
Shurish-Ab, the road goes west over broken hills of sandstone. After another
hour the road takes a west-north-west course to Shustar, passing ruined villages
and dykes. Nearing Shustar, the country becomes more level and better
cultivated.
After a journey of four hours, the Karun is seen issuing from the hills to
the right and taking a south-south-west course to Shustar. The Ab-i-Shurish,
flowing north-north-west, joins it at the village of Akili. At 6^ hours
Shustar is entered after passing the river at the band. ^
Stage 9, November 18th. —From Rud-Zard to Gurgir, about 6 farsakhs,
Rud-Zard to Gurgir, there is a slight rise through the low hills of roughish
20niilesof easy country; gatch, through which we are now marching, somewhat
road at present rough, nor tli by east. To the south the country is ahummocky
but could be made very / i -n ttt ,, J ^
good. Direction north- mass of gypsum hills, vv e cross the upper courses or
east. Supplies very several streams draining down from the watershed of
sca^ce • the Kuh-i-Asmari, which from Gurgir extends to Rud-
Zard, though it is only near the former place that the hill gains the elevation,
which makes it a landmark all over the southern country.
Fuel is very scarce along the road, and no villages were met with.
The streams are sluggish with deep pools cut in their gypsum beds,^ in
which are fish 14 inches long. The road was not bad to the highest point,
but beyond this to Gurgir it is stony and terribly rough. Altitude 1,480
feet.
^ From Kalga there is a choice of two roads to Shakar-Ab [see majo). The
poisonous oleander grows in the vicinity.
9 (a). The road taken by Schindler from Rud-Zard or Tund-Ab (Kalga) to
Shakar-Ab passed south of that taken by Captain Wells. The river takes a south
west direction to Ram-Hormuz. At Kalga, a poor village o£ 19 huts, are the