'ROUTES IN PERSIA, Section 1.' [‎55r] (114/416)

Routes in Persia, Section I. Route No. 17-E.
from Karman to Bandar Abbas.
Vli Saidabad, Hushun and Tang-i Zindan.
Authority and date — G. F. Napier, December 1899.
Epitome -—This is the post route, by which lettei’s are carried between Bandar Abbas,
Karman and Yazd. The first 13 stages are passable by the 3 arms. The road then dips
down from the Persian plateau to the low coast country by a series of rocky defiles, of which
the Tang-i-Zindan (stage 17) is especially difficult. A few caravans follow this route, but the
bulk prefer the more direct roads by the Tang-i-Zagh and Saidabad (No. 17-D)
or by the Tangi-i-Zindan and Baft (No. 18), along both of which the road
described below partly runs. Supplies abundant in the Sirzan plain (stages 4 and 6)
and in the Dashtab plain (stage 9); water bad at stage 13 ; camel-grazing according to
altitude and almost non-existent at the first 8 stages during the winter months.
No.
Disiakces.
of
stage.
Names of stages.
Inter
mediate.
Total.
6
Saidabad
114£
114|
8
Hushun
(Elkt. 7,760').
45
159i
9
Vakilabad
(Elev. 6,980')
23
182|
Remarks.
Vide No. 17-1)., stages 1 to 5.
Vide No. 17-A-2, stages 1 to 3.
Road over a broad level plateau at least 3
miles wide, rising slightly towards the north
and south. At 3J miles a rise of 6° for
200 yards to the watershed The boundary between adjacent drainage basins. (Elev. 7,910'),
after which the road continues over a similar broad plateau, with an almost imperceptible
fall to the east. After another mile the plateau becomes slightly undulating, and there ia
a spring of good water beside a solitary tree. Road now continues along a little brook,
having^ts source in the above spring. At 10 miles the fall increases to 1°. A fine range
of snow peaks now visible Named from north to south they are : Kuh-i-Shah, Kuh-i-Mirak,
Kuh-i-Sehcha, Kuh-i-Khabr. At 18£ miles enter dry river bed for f of a mile, road stony,
but nowhere bad. Passable by the 3 arms throughout. Vakilabad is a small village in
the Dashtab plain. Considerable supplies could be collected from the surrounding villages.
Good water from a Kanat- Camel-
10
Skh Chah
(VULG. SAICHU)
(Elev. 7,140').
grazing scarce m winter.
Good road over the level sandy plain. At 3
18| miles ruined mud fort of Daulatabad 200
201J yards to the left. At 3^ miles a short cut
to Deh-i-Sard, over the Gudar-i-Mazar, goes
off to the right. It is difficult at all times
and impassable in winter, on occount of the deep snow, but the distance is only 16 miles as
against 27 by the road. At 13£ miles strike the main road from Karman to Bandar Abbas,
by the Tang-i-Zindan and Baft, and turn south up a narrow valley between steep hills.
At 14£ miles a scanty spring of indifferent water to left of road. Atl7£ miles reach a
water parting within the valley, and the drainage, which was hitherto to the north, is now to
the south. At Seh Chah there are the ruins of a few houses and a tower, a little cul-
tivation and 2 orchards ; good water from an irrigation channel in the centre of the dry
water-course ; camel-grazing scarce in winter. There is a village of 4 houses, with 2 or
3 wells, higher up to the west and not visible,