'ROUTES IN PERSIA. SECTION II.' [‎53] (78/122)

53
R oute N o. 33—
Names of stages.
D istance ix
miles.
Inter
mediate.
B smabes.
Total.
N ukeddin
MUEAD STJ
K izilkaya
H asptstnek
A gantz
23
6
K ara K han
30
11
12
15
23
8
83
88
m
M ebek
S hahgueldi ...
B ridge ovee
M eemid Sr.
103
126
134
1611 165
13 i
10^
178s
189
Nureddin, a small village about 6 miles north
west of Melasgird. The route descends to the
Murad Su, which is here fordable, running in a nar
row valley from north to south. From here
the route ascends eastwards to Karakaja, an
Armenian village, and continues thence up the
valley of an affluent of the Murad Su, called the
Karajan Chai or Patnotz Su, to Mannuz, where
the Karajan Chai is crossed ; Patnotz lying some
5 miles north of the route, ascending gradually
to
Kizilkaya. From here the road runs eastwards
over easy country with some cultivation, descend
ing to cross the D^delu Su, and then crossing
another ridge before reaching Koz, descends to a
valley to
Haspisinek, whence to
Agantz. Here it meets the route along the shore
of Lake Van from the south-west. Agantz is the
point whence routes cross the Ala Dagh moun
tains to Kara Kilissa and Diadin. Beyond
Agantz there is a good carriage road, which runs
near the lake. At 6 miles village of Haidw
Bagh is passed, and a little further the stream
of the same name is crossed by a stone bridge of
one arch (stream fordable). The road continues
to Arm's, a miserable village, another close by.
From here the road crosses a plain for 2 miles to
Kara Khan, near the north-east corner of the lake,
a Turkish village of 40 houses ; the village of
Feregri is about 5 miles to north-east. The route
now runs south to the Bendi-mahi River, which
is crossed by a stone bridge 60 yards long of
two arches, 10 feet roadway; the river can
generally be forded in summer ; 3 miles further
the road passes Shukembul, beyond which the
country is level for 4 miles to a promontory at
the end of the Peregri plain keeping near the
lake. The road ascends somewhat to
Merek, a village some 600 feet above the lake:
from here there is a direct route to Van. The
route is at first not so good as from Agantz,
keeping along the hills leading from the lake.
After 6 miles Yanik is passed and the road is
better. Some villages and cultivation to
Shahgueldi, a small Christian village. The road
continues southwards over, undulating^ country
and descends after 7 miles to the plain of the
Mermid Su. Good 25 feet road. Cultivation
and villages. The route runs on to the
Bridge over the Mermid Su, 70 yards lon^, 4 feet
wide, stone piers and trestles, bad banks. Route
runs south-east, approaching the lake, cross