'Military Report on South-West Persia, Including the Provinces of Khuzistan (Arabistan), Luristan, and Part of Fars' [‎332] (377/466)

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Promtlie river to Deh-Diz the present track is too steep for wheels.
From Deh-Diz, which has an altitude of 5^221 feet J the road rises to an
altitude of 6,400 feet in 4 miles. Descending-to the Rudbar stream in 6 miles
to altitude 3,080 feet. Ascending above Hillisat 6^900 feet; and descending
to Hillisat to altitude 4,850 feet in 4 miles.
From Hillisat it has to rise over altitude 7,850 feet, to descend to Dupulan
altitude 4,950 feet. Here at Dupulan a 1,000 feet gorge has to be managed^
and the road carried thence over the ravine-cut plateau of Ardal through the
mountain Chokahor, and thence down into Chahar Mahal, altitude 6,700 feet.
Mr. Mackenzie crossed from Ardal via Chokahor, and made the altitude of the
pass 8,850 feet. To follow the Karun would be twice as long and just as
difficult. These altitudes are relatively, though not absolutely, correct
Fart III and page 309).
Comparison of the routes Shusiar -KJioramdhdd and Shustar-Isfahdn via Mdl-i-Mir
[Schindler)
The journey from Burujird via Khoramabad to Dizful was made by
Mr. Schindler at the command of the Shah with the object of discover
ing the best line for a system of telegraphs to follow. Finding it a diffi
cult route, and hearing that a line could be more easily laid between Shustar
and Isfahan, he made the latter journey in 1877, but found it to be much
more difficult than the former. Eventually the line was constructed along
the former route (Road Report No. 1).
Report l)y Captain Wells of a journey made hy him from Ahwdz to SMrdz, 1881.
Refer to pages 44 to 46.
Stage 1, December Srd. —We left Ahwaz, population 300, elevation 200
Ahwaz to east side The weather was bitterly cold, and a
of Shaahkhe marsh, 27 dank fog lay over the country. There is a marked coolness
miles. Level plain with in the climate at Ahwaz as compared with that of the
no road, east by soath. surrounding country. This is remarked by the natives,
who, like ourselves, are at a loss to account for it. We travelled across the
trackless plain of Ram-Hormuz in a direction a little south of east, and fol
lowed for many miles the base of the sandstone hills that trend away in that
direction, as described in my Ahwaz report [see page 182). The country
here is very fertile. No artificial irrigation is required. The Arabs till
soil enough for their own wants and no more. Sugar was grown here at one
time, though, I believe, with doubtful success. Millstones for crushing the
sugar are shown at Ahwaz to this day, and a strange story is told to account
for the disappearance of the trade. It is this. The sugar trade was doing
wonders at Ahwaz, and the sound of busy mills was heard on all sides, when
two wicked faringhis arrived from India. They saw the thriving place, and
with their knowledge of magic determined, in the interests of India, to de
stroy this rival business. They bought up all the sugar, stored it in a vast
warehouse in Ahwaz, and then sailed away. Strange to say, people were more
trustworthy in those days at Ahwaz than they are now, for, despite the con
tinued absence of the faringhis, the store of sugar was untouched for a year ' f
but when it was opened, terrible to relate^ all the sugar was gone, and in its^
place were crawling crowds of scorpions.