'ROUTES IN PERSIA, Section 1.' [‎96r] (196/416)

H7
No. 29.
~ Dizful to Bukujird.
No. of
stage.
Distance, in
MILKS.
Names of stages.
Inter
mediate.
Total.
Rbmakks.
path into a valley, cross the stream which waters it, and ascend the other side by a similar
path (elevation 1,060'). Hoad now fairly level and good, crossing several small streams.
At 11 miles descend by a difficult path into the deep bed of the Husaina stream. The fort
is a small one. Water from river and good pasturage dose by. Preeoe made this stage 10
miles.
Ab-i-Zal
1 , 200 '.
17
45
At 1 mile cross the deep valley of the Tiktik
Ah by difficult rocky path ; then over the Waran
Tushmal mountains and through several ravines.
The valley of the Tiktik is a pleasant site for a
camp, with good water and splendiu grazing. At 7 miles reach the Bidruze plain, from wkh-h
there is a direct but difficult path to Khtiramabad aid Kirab and the Kuh-i-Gird, which is
described by Rawlinson ; but he gives no distances ; and as it crosses several rocky ranges
and is only a footpath quite unfit for troops, further reference to it appears unnecessary. It
is the most easterly and perhaps the shortest route between Dizful and Khuramabad. The
road now improves and rises gradually through intricate rocky hills. At 13 miles traverse
the Kala-Reza valley (1,560'). Water from streams, forage plentiful, and room for a large
camp. At 14. pass the ruined Kala l\eza. A deserted telegiaph office close by. At the
northern end of the valley runs the Ab-i-Zal. Camp on the left or near bank. I he Zal is
here a rapid stream 20' to 60' wide in a deep valley between perpendicular cliffs 100' high in
places. The river is quite unfordable after rain, and there is no bridging material at hand.
The valley in which it Hows is 2 or 3 miles wide.
4
Jaokau
15
60
4 miles
Cross the river, and over the stony bed of the
valley ; then by a bad bit of road into the stony
Theodor valley, which is watered by a small
stream (3 miles). Up its stony bed for about
then by an easy but rocky gradient over a spur (1,950'), descend gently and cross
another spur ; another mile brings one to a small stream with good grazing. Ascend a stony
hill and skirt the almost perpendicular sides of the Kialah or Keolan range (2,060').
Descend into the rich pasture valley of Jaokar (1,840') watered by a clear brook. The
gradients over the spurs of the Keolan are easy enough, but the rocks and stones render the
march difficult. The valley is very suitable for a camp. The Karkbah river is about 2
miles to the left and any part of its valley, (here called Saimarra), is fit for both matching
and camping. Near Pul-i-Tang (4 or 5 miles distant), the Karkhah contracts from 80 yards
to 5 or 6, and is bridged by a single arch. The best road to Z«>hab and Karmanshah leads
up the right bank of the Saimarrah valley, as well as that by the Kashgan river to
Khuramabad. The latter is described below, at page 150. From the Pul-i-Taug there is
also a road over the Kailnn Pass to Khuramabad, which rejoins this route at Nasarabad
(stage 11 below), but it is little more than a footpath and is most dangerous for pack
animals and so quite useless for troops.
Descend the Jaokar valley, and turn up the
Saimarrah valley, here 1 mile wide ; at 2 or 3
miles some low undulations narrow the valley
to 400 yards. Cross a couple of streams with
difficult descents and ascents ; then over a grassy plateau to the foot of the Kailun range. At
7 miles low undulating hills with easy gradients, then up a long valley to the Lailun stream,
a tributary of the Saimarrah. This fine valley is about 1,000 yards wide, and well suited for a
camping ground. Good pasture.
Tang-i-Lailun
10
70
1,560'.
o 2