'ROUTES IN PERSIA, Section 1.' [‎70r] (144/416)

95
No. 20.
Bushahr to Bandar Abbas.
Distance, in
MILB8.
No. of
stage.
Names of stages.
Inter
mediate.
Total.
Remakes.
M. P.
M. F.
the bed of the nala, about 50 feet wide. The road now winds round the hill, and, at 2
miles 1 furlong, enters the mouth of a gorge or defile,which here cuts the range of Zalemi in
twain. The rate of travelling decreases to 2 miles 2*5 furlongs per hour. The mouth of tbo
pass is about J mile broad, but, as we ascend in a direction north by east, decreases to about
20 or 30 yards, the hills on either side sloping up very precipitously, or in cliff-like section.
The defile slopes gently upwards, and presents no difficulty, till, at 4 miles 3 furlongs, it is
barred by an abrupt rise of about 60 feet in 100 yards, giving a slope of about 30°. On
surmounting this slope we find a small level space, covered with good grass, from which we
can see down the gorge for some distance. At this point the rate decreases to 1 mile 6
furlongs per hour, and the pass becomes more difficult and rugged, and continues, for 6
furlongs, to rise by alternate ascents and descents. At 5 miles, looking southward down
the pass, a portion of the valley and the range of Haftchah is visible between the precipitous
sides of the gorge. Two furlongs further up, this vista is again afforded us. The pass, now,
becomes very steep and difficult, between huge jagged rocks, _ so close together as hardly to
afford room for loaded mules to pass. On nearing the summit of the pass called “ Gardana
Zalemi,” we ascend over smooth rocky strata, sloping gently upwards, and pass an uncovered
and empty cistern close to the east side of the road. At 5 miles 4 furlongs, the summit
of Gardana Zalemi. Altitude 4,430 feet. From this point, also, a portion of the
valley to south is visible between the walls of the gorge. To northward we have an
uninterrupted view down the northern slope of the range Zalemi, and across the valley
lying at its foot. The pass, called “ Zargozadun,” down the northern side of the range
for a short distance winds round the brink of a deep crevasse or chasm, which splits
this slope of the range almost from top to bottom. The path is both narrow and
steep at times, just leaving sufficient room for loaded mules to pass. At 6 miles 5
furlongs (1 hour 38 minutes occupied in the descent) we reach the foot of the pass,
called “ Demimansur,” a green grassy spot dotted with a few icanar and other bush, ground
undulating, with low hills round about. The pass over the range Zalemi is practicable for
infantry and mule batteries, but not so for wheel transport or field artillery.
This pass might be turned by marching round the S. E. extremity of the range
Zalemi, which route, I believe, presents no difficulties. The range on either side of the
pass is rocky and precipitous, and would be difficult for infantry to cross, at least for any
considerable body. The road, after leaving Demimansur, trends E. N. E., fairly easy going,
at 2| miles per hour, with a slight downward slope, between the low foot hills of the range
Zalemi. At 8 miles 1 furlong the road crosses a small rivulet, water brackish, flow to
N. W., and 5 furlongs in advance, enters a winding canon, varying from 12 to 20 feet wide,
with perpendicular sides of gravel, studded with huge water-worn stones. On either side
of the canon is undulating ground, and tumular hills clothed with grass, over which infantry
and pack animals might pass.
The canon continues for about 6 furlongs, when it merges in a green grassy valley,
thickly studded with Icanar trees. Usual rate of travelling now resumed. The ground
is of a limy stony clay, and slopes gently northward. At 11 miles 6 furlongs, we cross a
dry water-course, width 15 feet, and half a mile further on a stream, bed stony, water
very brackish, about 1 foot deep, and 20 feet wide, flow to N. E. At 13 miles the road
again crosses a water-course, and in the next mile two others, beds dry, flow to W.
The track then proceeds for a little more than half a mile, when it is crossed by a small
open irrigation ditch, in which good drinking water flows. Wardawan is situated about 1
mile from the foot of the range Zalemi, and consists of a large, but very dilapidated
square mud fort with towers at the comers, in which the villagers live. The valley,
at this point, roughly about 4 miles broad, presents a green grassy expanse, dotted with
Icanar bush, and is bounded on the north side by the range called, “ Kuh Hawa.” Inhabi
tants about 60. Supplies almost nil. Water good from a well, and an irrigation ditch. Fuel