'ROUTES IN PERSIA, Section 1.' [‎169v] (343/416)

292
No. 55A.
Mthammarah to Djzful, via Shnslar by Itivers Karun and Diz.
No. of
stage.
Distance, in
milks.
Names of stages.
Inter
mediate.
Total.
Rbmabks.
Shustar (i)
36g
199|
410'.
Shustar (ii)
48
211
to the W. of the “ Ab-i-Shateit ” which is therefore the centre of the three. The village is
on the tongue of land between (i) and (iij and on the right bank of the latter. It is sur
rounded by ruins of a large and important city, the bricks of which were being used,
(Curzon, 1890), to construct a fort and telegraph station, on the banks of the Shateit (i).
By (i) Ab-i-Shateit, 22| miles by river to Char-
ding*, thence 14 miles by road. This stream is
navigable by light draught steamers from January
to August up to Chardinga. Above that point
navigation becomes dangerous owing to shingle bed of stream, shallow water and very
strong current. About 1 mile N. of Band-i-Kir, a reef of rocks extends across the river
and prevents navigation during September, October, November and December. The^ princi
pal village passed is Arab-Husen, where the road (western one followed by Curzon in 1890)
touches the river ; distance by this road being 32 miles from Band-i-Kir to Shustar. This
village contains 200 inhabitants; 50 to 60 horses; 50 to 60 mules; 70 to 80 donkeys;
harvest about 800 tons.
By (ii) Ab-i-Gerger, 42 miles by river to Shelai-
lieh, thence 6 miles to Shustar. The stream is nar
row and winding, about 50 or 60 yards broad, some
turns are so sharp that a boat of over 100' length
would be unable to get round them. Navigation open from January to August for small
light draught steamers. During the low season a good sized steam launch could proceed.
Bevond Shelailieh navigation is impossible at any season owing to^ rocks and shingle.
Village passed, Kut Sayad Hassan, 150 men, 40 horses, 20 to 30 mules, 50 to 60 donkeys.
Dizfitl (iii) . ... ... By the river Diz from Band-i-Kir. During
60' the spring rises of the river, navigation is possible
for a large light draught steamer as far as Deh-i-
Nao, about 100 miles by river, and 20 miles from
Dizful by land, but there is no surveyed route, on record, between these points.
As far as Kut Bandar, the river is navigable throughout the year for small steamers ;
distance from Band-i-Kir between 70 and 80 miles. The course of the river is very tortuous,
through flat uncultivated plains, and extensive jungles. The Arabs on the banks muster
about 2,000 strong ; about half are armed with M.-H. rifles. Provisions, such as meat,
wheat and barley and perhaps some mules might be obtained at Sayad Ahmad Tafik s encamp
ment on the right bank. At present no native boats trade on the river.^ On March 18th,
1893, the stern-wheel steamer “ Shushan ” ascended the Diz as far as Jisir, about 14 miles
from Dizful, in a direct line. The river is from 100 to 250 yards wide. The current runs
at 3 knots below and 5 knots above Kut Bandar. (Plant.)
The following is Commander Plant’s report on the passage of the Diz from Band-i-Kir
up to Jisir:—
Berate Island. —Channels intricate, snags at top end of islands.
Sayad Ahmed Tafik. —Channels intricate. t , ,
Kut Bandar. — Rocks extend across river. Good channel on 8. side. Shingle bed
from here up stream ; no holding for anchors. Good landing place for troops,
covered by series of mounds.
Kut Lavi or Kut Kalawi. —Bend in river very sharp and small; current very strong.
High mounds to S.-W., running N. W., afford commanding position on right bank.
Tiytaka Island and Kut Gastir. —Numerous snags in river and shallow water a
both places.
ZTm-o-Ne/K—Shingle bank stretching across river. Channel very narrow and watei
extremely powerful. ,
Ab-o-brais and Jisir. — Rapids extend across the river at these two places an
navigation very difficult and dangerous.