'ROUTES IN PERSIA, Section 1.' [‎180r] (364/416)

309
No. 60.
Sttiiiaz to Bandar Abbas^ vid Darob and Fnrq.
No. of
stage.
Distance, in
milks.
Names of stages.
Inter
mediate,
Total.
Remabks.
7
Darakueh(DaBa-
kan)
4,570'.
13
121
To Akbarabad nearly due E. (2s miles) ; the
road then diverges to the S. E. until the Kala
Karabulak is reached (7 miles). This consists of
a large tower surrounded by four high walls
wells of good -water. It belongs to the Kawam-ul-Mulk. The plain has numerous water
courses, some dry, some with running water, also numbers of wells about this portion
of it. 'J he soil appears to be exceptionally good. At 2 miles pass a small open village called
Tangabad. This may be considered to he at the entrance of the defile called Tang-i-
Bulaghi. From this point the hills close in rapidly. Darakueh is a small and somewhat
dilapidated village. It contains 100 houses. ’
Dabab
4,045'.
24
145
Before reaching the top of a small kotal, the
road passes through some low hills, and over
somewhat stony ground. It then follows the
side of the hills on the left-hand for half a mile;
then a short turn to the S. S. E. of a quarter of a mile brings one to the top of the descent
into the Darab plain. Twenty-one minutes’ walking down an easy, hut in places somewhat
rocky, descent brings one on to the plain. This portion of the road would present some
difficulties to wheeled vehicles, but a little work would soon make it practicable, except at
the small kotal. Close to the foot of the descent into the Darab plain pass two conduits.
At 9 miles pass the village of Husenabad. The plain here is covered with kanar trees, and
also clumps of myrtles. The soil appears to he alluvial, giving crops of great richness. The
plain is well watered by numerous small streams of good water. Villages and gardens in
every direction. The hills on the left hand, along the bases of which the road runs, present
to the eye a succession of rugged crags with perpendicular sides. For the most part they
appear to be pure limestone. Along a road at times slightly stony near to the base of the
hills. At 13£ miles cross the Chashma Gulabi, a fine spring ; the water is beautifully clear
and limpid. Pass a hill which consists of fine salt. It is called Kuh-i-Nimak, it is a
very remarkable object in the landscape. At 16 miles pass another stream ; then the village
of Bakht-i-Gird on the right about a mile ; at 19 miles come in sight of the Kala Darab.
Soon afterwards, passing between two small hills, reach the town (23 miles), and passing
through the whole length of the town, at 24 miles reach the Kala. The garden is full of
date, orange, lemon, and rose trees. The plain of Darab generally resembles that of
Kazarun, but the trees are more fully grown. Owing to the mild temperature of the place,
lemons are found on the trees ripening all the year round. Iliats pitch their camps, and
remain here all through the year. From the foot of the pass the country again admits of
wheeled carriage being used. The hill above the town is called Kuh-i-Maadan, because of
the number of mines in it. It is said that copper, iron, and silver are all to he found here.
None are worked at present nor have they been for a great number of years. The popula
tion of the town is about 6,000. Supplies are plentiful. The climate is mild. Numerous
gardens producing various fruits surround the town. Abbott makes the total distance
only 141 miles, while Ouseley makes it 154, but the latter seems to have wandered off the
track and diverged S. during the last 50 miles and traversed some difficult country.
9 [ Deh Khaib .1 10 I 155 i Round the hills to the S. Pass the celebrated
3,810'. | I I £a.? re/ief known as the Naksh-i-Darab.
About an hour’s ride further on, along the same hills, which have many beautiful springs,
brings one to the place known as the caravansavai, a place cut out of the solid rock. The
stone quarried out has been used for building up portions of this place and for part of the
roof. It may have been used as a mosque, a house, or caravansarai, or perhaps a church.
Deh Khair is a prosperous place with many gardens, and also some signs about that once it
bod been a big place. Passed in the plain several remains of the water-course above
referred to. Population 500.