'ROUTES IN PERSIA, Section 1.' [‎177r] (358/416)

* For road rom Abarguh to Ardakan (on the Kashan-Yazd road), see next page.
303
No. 58.
Shiraz to Yazd, via Abarguh.
No. of
stage.
Names of stages.
Hanashk
6,450'.
It is then level for 1
Distance, in
miles.
Inter
mediate,
Total.
14
133
Remakes.
The road leaves the sarai N.-N.-W., and continues
in this direction for 7 miles, over open easy
country practicable for cavalry and artillery, and
very gradually ascending to the Gardan-i-Goshti.
mile, and then descends by easy stony gradient to Goshti. Here
remains of an old sarai with water. No supplies. Forage and fuel scarce. From this
the road descends the defile of Tang-i-Hanashk by very easy gradient for 6 miles to Hanashk
where there is good water. Plenty of fuel from bushes; very little forage, and a good site
for camp of a force. No other water on road.
Haedi
18
151
The road goes N.-N.-W. for 4 miles to north
mouth of defile, which, however, it leaves at
Hanashk, going along the east side above. It is
good for artillery. From this is 5 miles to an
abambar, where there is water, and where a small party could halt. Road excellent.
Thence for 3 miles the road descends almost imperceptibly, and, after crossing a drainage
bed from the west, ascends as gradually to Hardi. Road excellent. Here water plentiful ;
. The road is quite level over plain due north
intersected by numerous old and new Icanats.
Here all supplies and water procurable. Fuel
scarce.
8
The road is over a level plain the whole way
on a bearing of 50°. At 4 miles pass village of
Shamsabad, which would be a better division,
as water-supplies are procurable. Then over a
barren plain tor 4miles to a ruined fort, empty, where water is procurable sometimes; then
for 18 miles over plain, salt in places, sandy in others, but generally gravel. Here is an old
fort, Kala Surkh, where a halt could be made, as there is a good abambar, but no supplies, and
it is an unsafe spot. Then on 4 miles to another abambar fed from the last. Here a little
coarse grass appears, and the road comes to commencement of the cultivation of JDeh-
i-Shir.
Ababguh*
8
159
Deh-i-Shie
36
195
10
Aliabad
tivation and gardens.
17
212
The road goes 29° for 4 miles, ascending imper-
ceptibly over gravel to ruined fort on east. Duct
of good water whole way by ridge of road; then
on for 11£ miles to hamlet of Shahnastun. Cul-
J £ “ilo beyond enter hills, turn 45°, ascent easy, gradually becom
ing more stony for 1§ miles, when there is a steepish ascent over shelving slippery rock, which
would have to be made for artillery ; then commences ascent, followed by 200 yards of level
Then ascend easily over gravel to commencement of cultivation of Darashk for £ mile. The
hills on either side open and practicable. Then the road winds round the hills, going up and
down by easy gradients for f mile to village of Darashk ; i mile after leaving this, the road
turns more north, and is pretty level for 1 mile, when the ascent of Gardan Aliabad com
mences and continues for 1§ miles ; the last a little steeper, but not difficult. There are
high, rugged’hills on both sides, which it would be difficult to crown. Then descend easily
for 300 yards, and then gradually winding round hills to Aliabad, 5 miles. J
The road descends the valley very gradually
the whole way, the general direction being
W. N. W. At 3f miles a hamlet close on ricffit
trees, water, and three small villages 2 miles on
At 9 miles a road to left over hill to Sanich. At 12 regular road from Sanich joins
n
left.
Taft
23
235
5,050'.