'ROUTES IN PERSIA, Section 1.' [‎83v] (171/416)

122
No. 22.
Bushahr to Nihiz, via Jahrum and Fasta.
No. of
stage.
Distance, in
MILKS.
Names of stages.
Inter
mediate.
Total.
Remabks.
which is very extensive, quite flat, barren, and rather stony, but quite fit for all arms
to move freely about it. Good road. Leads up to west gate of Jahrum. From Firuzabad
the road presents no great difficulties, but in its present state it is not to be recommended
for field guns, as it is in many places so narrow as to barely permit -of a single loaded
mule passing. Only very moderate supplies can be depended on. Stages are long, but
water-supply good throughout, except in last stage into Jahrum. All the gradients,
however, are so very slight that the road might easily be made a good one. Jahrura,
situated in an extensive plain close under northern slope of Kuh Bafra, enclosed in mud walls
in a very dilapidated condition. The numbers of date gardens inside the town walls give it
a green appearance from a distance, and also make it appear larger than it really is. It
is very hot and dusty here during the summer months, and even in winter no snow
remains on the hills around it. Population said to be 10.000. Considerable supplies could
be collected here. Cattle, sheep, goats, grain, bhusa, dates, and vegetables ; firewood scarce
in the immediate vicinity, but procurable at moderate distances. Good camping ground for
a force of any size. Water here requires care, as, though there is a fair supply of good water,
there are several wells which contain very bad water. Post office here, with Postmaster,
native of Tehran. Two posts weekly—one to northern and another to southern places.
A Persian garrison here of 50 infantry soldiers under the command of a captain. Two
large caravansarais—one outside the town walls; the other in the centre of the town.
Bazaar fairly good, but not so extensive as might be expected in so large a place. Por
transport there are numbers of donkeys available here, but very few mules. There were
a few ponies also of the right stamp employed in caravan work.
13
Bab Abab
13
204|
Leaving Jahrum, road to Fasa and Niriz branch*
es off immediately from road to Shiraz, and leads
up the plain in north-east direction. Condition
good. Rate of marching quick. Troops could
move on broad front. Village of Haidarabad at 3J miles about one mile to west of route.
Large gardens and date groves near it. At miles road turns east and crosses small ridge,
leaving small village of Dasir about 3 miles to north. Half a mile further small stream of
fresh water flows across road into large circular huoz. Country still open. Track level and
good going. Ci'oss large stream of brackish water at 9f miles. A small stream, which joins
it here on the left bank, is, however, fresh water. Leaving this stream, country improves.
There is a fair amount of cultivation and a system of surface irrigation channels used for
rice cultivation, also appeared to have been grown in places. Village of Bab Arab
enclosed in a square of high mud walls, about 100 yards to a face with small turrets at
intervals. Small date grove to east of village. Water here in plenty from stream, slightly
brackish, but drinkable. Water mill in good order near the date grove. Fair supplies
of grain here. Rice, barley, bhusa, znijutvari. A few cows and sheep. Kelat Tawa, with
a garrison of 100 Persian soldiers, is about 11 miles to the south-east.
14
Zahbdeh
13i
218
Road very good. Slight upward gradient.
Direction at first east. Passes north of small
village of Kamshi and Chahartagh. Direction
gradually changes to north, and track passes
through low range of hills, and enters another broad plain, stretching away to south-east.
Perfectly open and fit for all arms to move anywhere over it- At Gy miles village of
Khusk, situated about 1| miles to east, with ruins of a former village close by. At 8 miles
an outlying spur is crossed, ascent quite practicable for field guns, which could be got
in position here so as to command the low lying ground descending from here. At 9| miles
a stream of water crossed which comes right down from Fasa. Road here bifurcates, the
most direct track passing straight over the hills ; but this is rough and little used, though
4 miles shorter, except in the wet season, when the other track becomes very swampy. This
latter takes a westerly direction, leaving villages of Kasirabad and Miandeh to north.