'ROUTES IN PERSIA, Section 1.' [‎85v] (175/416)

126
No. 22A.
Jahrum to Firuzabad. [Alternative Route.)
Distance, in
mii.es.
No. of
stage.
Names of stages.
Inter
mediate.
Total.
Rbmabks.
S. E., but extending in a general direction of N. E. across the hill for a distance of about
3 miles. This is a very difficult pass, the road leading generally over bare, slippery rock,
on which the cattle scarcely maintain a footing, and where ledges of rock crossing the path,
or steep rises and falls, add to the difficulty.
We descended towards the end of the 6 th mile. Close by our left was a broad and mag
nificent chasm, through which the Piruzabad stream flows southward, the sides of tiie
gulf in some parts several hundred feet in perpendicular height. The scenery, as we descend
ed, increased in grandeur, and the path, leading constantly over bare, slippery rock and
dangerous inequalities, made it frequently necessary to dismount. Towards the 11th mile
we reached the termination of the descent, where the Firuzabad stream enters the deep
chasm. This is a fine, clear rivulet, pretty at this part, and perhaps 30 paces wide, and is
here joined by a streamlet from the N. W.
All the country we had passed thus far to-day was more or less sprinkled with hushes.
We made a slight ascent, and then got into the vale through which the stream flows, and
ascended by it.
The vale itself is under cultivation. The 20th mile brought ns to a small ravine fall
of trees and myrtle bushes, close to which is the small village of Rudbar. We then proceeded
through a fine and very remarkable mountain pass, some 250 yards in breadth, the rocks
on either side rising to an elevation probably of 500 feet, and for the most part nearly
perpendicular. This led into the vale of Tidasht, at the 22| mile It is I 5 to 2 miles in
breadth, runs from N. W. to S. E., and is for the most part under cultivation. The district
of Maiman lay between N and N. E. of this, beyond high mountains. The vale is
interrupted towards its N. W. extremity by a line of hills running a short distance through
its centre longitudinally ; and at the 27mile we came abreast of a high rock rising at the
extremity of the vale, to the N. E. of which, at a mile distant, is the small village of Tidasht,
lying under the hills. Then about 2 miles across the plain to Firuzabad.
No. 22B.
Darab to Jahrum.
Authority .— Abbott, March IK
No. of
stage.
Distance, in
milks.
Names of stages.
Inter
mediate.
Total.
Remarks.
1
Madawan
17
At the 3f mile pass village Bargan ; and at 8 f
that of Dihakistan. Thence onto ruined bridge
over small, but deep stream flowing from the north.
At the 183 mile village Kiasi, where no forage was
procurable.
Nasirabad . 28 45 Immediately on starting, pass through low
rocky hills into a small plain clothed with tufts
and bushes. Subsequently enter amongst low
bills by a bad road, leading in a general direction
of 295°. Country now becomes more open and a tract is traversed where fossil shells are
found. Subsequently the road led through ravines, into a fine plain belonging to the district
of Fasa, extending in length some 15 miles from north-west to south-east, by about 5 miles in
breadth. It is covered with fine turf, in which sand-grouse abound in the season.