'ROUTES IN PERSIA, Section 1.' [‎179r] (362/416)

2 a 2
307
No. 60*
Shiraz to Bandar Abbas, vid Darab and P"rg.
No. of
stage.
Distance, in
miles.
Names of stages.
Inter
mediate.
Total.
Rbmabkb.
From Pul-i.Fasa the road goes along a level plain skirting the outlying spurs of Mahal u
until a point of the hill, projecting into the plain, is reached (14 miles), llirection to this
point E., afterwards S.E. On the one hand, the road runs very close to the hills; and on the
other, to the salt lake. At 8 miles from the bridge, reach a second point. This is the one seen
from Shiraz. The road for some distance continues near to the hills, but afterwards the
plain opens out, the road following the line of the lake. About 8 miles from the village of
Mahalu passed a place which is known as Dobanah. There is no habitation, but several
disused wells and a couple of trees. About 5 miles before reaching the village, passed through
cultivation which continues up to the village. Just before entering it, there was a small
stream of water, clear and sweet. This stream is used to drive a mill. Mahalu gives its
name both to the lake and to the hills above it. These are fine bold limestone bluffs
standing some 4,000 feet above the plain of Shiraz. The village is in rather a tumble-down
condition, built on each side of a dry water-course. It consists of about 80 houses, built
of mud and stone, inhabited by some 350 people; revenue 11,500 krans. Wheat and barley
beyond that kept for home consumption, are sent into Shiraz for sale. No mules, but about
1,000 donkeys, 40 oxen for tillage, and some 2,000 sheep.
Sarvistan
Btmzu.
5,200'
or
25^
49i
For the first mile or two the road somewhat
stony. Just outside the village cross a small
stream, strongly impregnated with sulphur. At
3| miles pass a village under the hills to the right
about 2 miles off, called Pusht-i-Par, consisting of about 20 houses. Direction of road here
somewhat more easterly; pass a road on the right going to Kharanjan, a village in the plain,
Road now on a smooth plain, bearing S.-E. again. Going very easy. Pass a village and gar
den close to the road, called Bukat, about 100 inhabitants. At 7 miles end of the salt lake,
and shortly come on ground resembling the Bushahr Mashilah, but not quite so bad. Follow
this for 4 or 5 miles ; then a smooth plain with some little scrub. At 12 miles Khairabad.
The village consists of about 20 houses built of mud bricks, the whole surrounded by a high
wall, with towers at each corner; 100 inhabitants. From here the road leads over easy coun
try, covered with short brushwood. At 18 miles pass the small village of Kanao. Several
kanats of good water. At 20 miles village of Husenabad, then Kala Gumbaz. Here also
good water. After leaving this village, country well cultivated, a small canal of running
water running close beside the road the whole way up to Sarvistan. The whole road is per
fectly flat and easy-going, being part of the Shiraz plain. To this point wheeled carts could
be easily brought. Sarvistan is a thriving place, consisting of about 300 houses, with
a population of 1,000 people; 2,500 donkeys, no mules or camels, 52 oxen for tillage.
Maliyat, 1,500 tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. . Water good.
Road S.-E. through a level plain, somewhat stony
in places. At 4| miles a deep gully, with a small
stream of water at the bottom. After another
three-quarters of a mile pass a second stream, and
immediately enter some low hills, and gradually ascending for some 2f miles reach a tower
on the side of the Kuh-i-Siah, another tower being on the top of the spur. The whole of
this piece of country resembles the bit of road on the top of the gatch hills between Ka-
marij and Kazrun. A short, easy ascent to the top of the pass. Thence the road takes
a south-south-easterly direction, and, winding for some 4| miles among low hills, crosses
a small stream. The country between the road, which runs almost along the side of the
Kuh-i-Siah and the hill on the left, is completely seamed with gullies and water-courses, and
a very tumbled-about appearance.
A little pick and shovel work in places would make this portion of the road available for
wheeled traffic. It is, however, the roughest part yet crossed; it is on the whole fairly
level, and there are no abrupt ascents or descents. The hills are everywhere more or less
wooded, with wild almond and wild pistachio. After crossing the stream, the road passed
through a semi-sort of jungle of the above trees for 4 miles, until reaching Mian Jangal.
This is but a ruined caravansarai in the middle of the plain, as its name indicates.
Mian Jangal
5,710'.
16*
65 i