'ROUTES IN PERSIA, Section 1.' [‎181r] (366/416)

No. 60.
Shiraz to Bandar Abbas, viil Darab and Burg,
No. of
stage.
Names of stages.
Inter
mediate.
Total.
Remakes.
There is another road from Furg somewhat to the S. The two roads bifurcate at the
entrance to the hills. The southern one is level and not stony. It is, however, about a
farsakh longer. By the road described, it would be nearly impossible to take wheeled
transport.
13 SaidJaudab . 26 242|- The road now only a track across a plain covered
2,390'. with low scrubs. At 2 miles some low hills, and
passing through them for half a mile, reach
the Dasht-i-Taskat. A long level plain, about
50 miles in length and some 15 broad. At the far end (N. N. W ) is the Baluk-i-Fardanin ;
7 miles off, somewhat more northerly is the village of Dasht-i-Konar; opposite, nearly
due S., a long range of hills called Galagah. This range seemed to bound the southern
side of the plain for its whole length. Follow the plain along the base of some low
hills on the left hand. Distance 19 miles. The plain is covered in nearly every direction
with salt efflorescence, and in some parts the going is very soft, but easy. Carts could be
used without difficulty, except during rainy weather. Just before turning to the N. E.,
around a point of the hills, is the direct road to Furg. After passing this point, the plain
opened out to the N. Going then for 7 miles further reach Said Jaudar, a poorish village
No provisions of any sort to be got, thewater, however, good, and
with a good date grove,
plenty of it.
14
Sadatabad
2,360'.
131
255|
Across the same plain, quite level, with a great
deal of salt incrustations about. After riding
for an hour passed the small village of Rafiabad
with the village of Karkun about 2 miles to
the N. E., both with good date plantations. About the plain, date topes seen in every
direction. At 6 miles passed the road from Tarun to Lar; then the direct road from
Furg to Bandar Abbas. At 9 miles cross a small stream; then a larger branch of the
same river, both quite salt; the latter about 10 feet wide with a depth of 6 or 7 inches.
The plain is all more or less salt, very soft, and after heavy rains would be very bad going
indeed. It is cut up by several water-courses. The Kala of Sadatabad is completely in
ruins, the people all living in date huts. There is a very fine stream of water running
through the place. The latter part of the plain within some 2 miles of the village, is covered
with a semi-sort of jungle of gaz trees. Here the most direct route between Saidabad, (stage
11, Route No. 17,) and Bandar Abbas is entered upon and followed onwards.
15
Ghabah
Gttba.
2,000'.
33!
289§
The road for the first 2 miles somewhat up hill
slightly stony; then enter the Tang-i-Lambi
winding for about some 20 minutes among low
hills, and then out on to a small plain about 6
miles long by 4 wide. The Tang in no place difficult; in some places a bit stony, but other
wise good. Crossing the plain, by the side of the road on the left hand, is a small canal of
water called Khunab (bloodwater). At the end of the plain the road makes a short sharp
descent into the dry bed of a river, and then upon mounting the other side immediately
enters the Tang-i-Zagh. This is a difficult place; the windings of the defile very consider
able ; the hills on each side often nearly perpendicular, exhibiting at times most wonderful
colouring and queer shapes. After getting through the defiles, the road bends to the S. W.,
and gradually ascends; highest point by aneroid 26‘30. Then giadually descending, it
enters the dry bed of a river, and, following this for some 5 miles, passes the village of
Abmah, about a mile to the left. For some way the road runs between highish hills, and no
distant view is to be got. The whole of the latter part of the way is stony, and by far the
worst going yet experienced. It would be difficult to get vehicles through either pass or
over some parts of these river beds, but not by any means an impossibility. A very little
labour would render the whole route quite practicable. The hills hereabouts are more like
mud heaps than hills. Many flourishing date topes about. Gharab has no proper village oi
houses. The houses or huts of date palm leaves are erected all over the place under the date
trees, which are very numerous. There are 350 such huts.