'ROUTES IN PERSIA. SECTION II.' [‎69] (94/122)

69
R oute N o. 38— conUL
No.
D istances in
miles.
of
stage.
Names of stages.
Inter
mediate.
Total.
E emabks.
10
A gantz
99
11
12
13
14
15
P ebe'gri
B ayazid A gha
K achan
20
15
G uljezin
S abai
10
10
119
134
144
154
15
169
Agantz. This route is generally practicable for
arahas, but at certain points guns might find it
difficult. The country is, however, generally easy
and the road could often be left. Supplies fairly
plentiful, and fuel is to be found on the Nimrud
Dagh. Near Adeljivas, where the slopes of the
Sipan Dagh in places rise direct from the lake, is
the worst part of the route. This report is taUen
from a reconnaissance by Colonel M. S. Bell,
R.E., 1884.
The route, turning off north at Akhlat, is that
most usually followed from Bitlis to Erzerum,
meeting as it does the Erzerum-Van route at
Kara Choban. The distance is somewhat less than
the route by Mush and Khinis Kala. Moreover,
this route from Akblat as far as Gop would
generally be followed going from Bitlis to Alash-
kert ; beyond Gop the route would be by Melas-
gird and the Murad Su Valley. Going from
Bitlis to Bayazid on to Igdir the lake shore
would probably be followed to Agantz ; and
summer the difficult track to Diadin would
taken, otherwise it would be necessary to go
Peregri.
in
be
to
From Peregri the route is the same as No. 29
Bayazid. Agha. Near this village it turns off in
a direction W.S.W. and fords the Bend-i-mahi
after 3 miles at a difficult place ; the water
is generally over 2 feet deep and over 50 yards
wide. The route then skirts the Abagha plain,
passing some mineral springs and some cultiva
tion, with a few scattered villages to
Kaehan, a well-built village at the foot of a detach
ed hill. All this district is occupied by sedentary
Haideranli Kurds ; from here two routes pass
into Persia. Then over some swampy meadows
to Selakhana village ; then ascend for 5 miles in
direction south-west over bare rolling hills, which
are traversed, to
Guljezin, a hamlet of the Takuri Kurds, in a
boggy depression. Then over undulating country
passing at some distance Nursha and Chibukli,
descending gradually to the level country at the
head of the Mermid Su Valley, a stream is crossed
after 7 miles. The route now runs due south,
and, crossing the gentle hills between the vari
ous affluents of the Upper Mermid Su, reaches
Sarai, where it crosses the route from Van to Kotur.
Ascent gently in a southerly direction and cross
into the head of the Kotur Chai Valley at Top,
cross the valley, and ascend to