'ROUTES IN PERSIA, Section 1.' [‎123v] (251/416)

2U2
No. 38A.
Isfahan to Shustar, via Ardal and Hilisat.
Distancb, in
*
No. of
stage.
MILES.
Names of stages.
Inter
mediate.
Total.
Remabks.
altitude 6,900'. Its southern slope is then descended to the valley of the Rudbar stream.
The top of this offshoot was of rolling country covered with fine oaks. The road good and
open.
The springs here were brackish. The view looking S. and W. was very fine. On the left
the Karun, deep down in precipitous gorges ; here and there are seen tributaries coming into
it from the W. from the Kashgai country, which country showed more open vales than that
we were in. Far away N. W. is a snow-capped mountain, which it seems must be the Kuh-i-
Dinar of the Kashgais. Looking S. the Kuh-i-Mangasht, with its long ridge, snow-capped
and rugged, shows as yet no way out for us to the plains. On the right is Gara with its
massive head frowning on the Rudbar, which flows along its southern base. A few miles
farther and we are on the top of the almost precipitous cliff that forms the left bank of the
Rudbar.
The descent into the Rudbar valley was abominable ; nothing but mules and carefully
led Persian horses could accomplish it without accident. It is quite as bad as the Kamanj
kotal on the Bushire road, but fully twice as long. A road here would indeed be difficult,
and for wheel traffic impossible. It remains to be seen whether such a road could be made
further up the Rudbar at Shalil, where there is said to be a bridge. The Rudbar was easily
fordable, 150 yards in width and 2|' deep; it is a rapid and picturesque stream. We
encamped on its banks. Preece marched from Hilisat to Shalil. After crossing the above-
mentioned spur of the Garas the road descended gently through oak forests to Shalil.
9 Deh Diz . 12 150 General direction W. The road up is simply
terrible, it is rough, steep, and slippery. The Sha»
lilroad* must be better than the one we traversed,
as Mr. Mackenzie, who followed it, writes thus:—
“ Shalil to Deh Diz, altitude about 5,150', easy and gradual descent to a main feeder of the
Karun at about 3,250'; crossed by a wicker bridge across a fissure in the rocks; dangerous
crossing for animals ; old bridge above in ruins ; thence ascend to 3,850'.”
E vidently the route vid Shalil is the beaten track and is much better than the one rfd
Rudbar. On the high ground the road is good and descends by an easy gradient of 1,000' to
Deh Diz. At Deh Diz there is an old fort roughly built of unhewn stone with mortar.
Around are nomad huts and a few houses of poor people ; a large open upland is in front of
the village dotted, as usual, with oaks and patches of cultivation.
The village contains about a hundred houses.
Deh Diz
12
150
5,150'.
10
God-i-Balutak
2,960'.
10 ^
160i
General direction W. Easy road the whole way.
From Deh Diz descend steadily down a water
course to the banks of the Karun, through wooded
country. At 4 miles pass the village of KalaSard,
about 100 houses. About 2 miles further the Stream of Rekal. Thence continual descent
to the God-i-Balutak, a deserted village being passed on the way. The road not bad for
mules. The river here was deep and flowing, say, 5 miles an hour, and at this^ season it
is 40 yards in width. Its bank showed marks of a rise of 10' or 12' during spring floods
when the width would be 60 yards. Men and goods cross on inflated skin rafts, animals
are swum across. This situation of God-i-Balutak is admirably adapted for a flying bridge,
and there is nothing to prevent the working of such a bridge if a good stout boat were built
for the purpose. Laden mules could then make the passage in a few minutes. The left
bank requires a road made to the water’s edge, as it is precipitous for a height of 50'. A
bridge is being built about 20 miles lower down. Supplies scarce, except water and firewood.
General direction W. by N. The road rises
gently from the river bank and is good ; it makes
for a gorge, and passes through it, following a
valley between the S. E. end of the Mangasht
11
Mae AMIEf
24
1841
3,930'.
* Vide page 198. _ ...
t Preece travelled due west from Mai Amir making the following stages: Mal-Saidi (village $ mile iro
Imamzada of Shah Reuben) 14 miles, Gurgir 24 miles. Total 38 miles. He describes the road however as ve j
had indeed.