'ROUTES IN PERSIA, Section 1.' [‎190v] (385/416)

323
No. 8.
Distance, in
No. of
stage.
MILBB.
Names of stages.
Inter
mediate.
Total.
Bbmabks.
3
Rayin
23
69
7,140'.
9.050 feet, is reached, from which a gradual descent brings the traveller into the Sardu plateau,
To the north, Kuh-i-Hezar is plainly visible, while to the east, lies the district of Gin.
The track which runs pretty well north passes a second caravanserai A roadside inn providing accommodation for caravans (groups of travellers). that is practicallym
ruins, below which the Rahbur road branches off. It then strikes a tributary ot the Bui
river that drains the southern portion of the platean. The road lies close to the river dmA
until, at 14| miles, it temporarily quits it just above its junction with the stream that drains
the western portion of the plain,' which two streams, when united, I have termed the baidu
river. A low pass 7,800' is crossed, and, at 20 miles, the river bank is again reached at the
hamlet of Tutch Gil. The passage is effected by a one-arched bridge, and Darreh Trosh, a
small village, is reached at 21 miles. It is situated on a tributary of the main stream.
Upon leaving camp we crossed the stream and,
for a short distance, kept parallel to the Sardn
river. At half a mile, a foot,track to Ravin branch
ed off and we swung north-east. At three miles
we crossed a spur 7 , 500 'and descended through masses of broken hills that formed part of
the Kuh-i-Hezar range. At four miles a spring of fresh water, a little to the east of the
track. We then descended into a valley and forded a tributary of the Sardu river near a
hamlet, that is termed Sinjid Buland. At 6 miles, we quitted the hills and crossed a plan
about a mile wide, after which we entered the last range of hills that lay between us and the
wide valley of the Bam river. At 7^ miles, we crossed another low pass 7,900 , and, shortly
afterwards, Rayin was visible on the far side of the valley, and still a considerable way oft.
We cleared the hills finally at 10| miles and began to cross the stony plain. At miles,a
track from Givr joined and at 23 miles we reached the considerable village or small town ot
Rayin (wrfe Gazetteer).
Ab-i-Gabm . 26 95 Upon leaving Rayin, the route first approached
Mazzafabad distant about a mile, and then trended
more to the west. At 4 miles, a dilapidated
caravanserai A roadside inn providing accommodation for caravans (groups of travellers). termed Ab-i-Gaz. The water is warm
and said to be medicinal, but we did not analyse it. Shortly afterwards the track runs
between two rather prominent hills. Beyond this the Band-i-Gudr is close to the trac ,
while the range above Rayin, the Kuh-i-Askaru, is left behind. At 12 miles, after a level
and monotonous section of desert, we saw a of good water running down from ie
range. We now commenced to march up a wide valley, until at 15 miles we crossed an easy
pass, 8,600', and descended, with the Jupa range to the west. At 19 miles, a second caravan
serai also in ruins at the hamlet of Sang, after passing which we kept more to the west,
and, passing a garden at 25 miles, reached the village of Ab-i-Garm at 26 miles. Supplies
and water fairly abundant.
Mahon - . 11 106 The day’s march consisted in skirting the hi?
6,210'. peaks of the range that we had crossed on tue
previous day, until we could find a valley tint
would take us down to Mahun. At 4| miles the
small village and garden of Pongi. A little further on Zarun, lying in a parallel vag
down which we rode until, at 8 miles, we cleared the hills and saw the Mahun shrine, wlm
At Mahun the main route is again struck and
followed to Karman.
Note. -The road from Dasht-i-Kuch to Karman tnd the Jamal or more correctly Jabal Bariz
•ange works out at 142* miles, while the above track is 125 miles. With regard to applies, tg
s the season of the year to be considered, and in the summer the Sarda route would proMj
>ffer more than the Jabal Bariz track. The latter route is certainly easier for transport. b
m Sardu way offers a better supply of water In conclusion, I ^^Id^ec^mend the S^
mte between the months of May and October. It is not open, as a rule, until the beginning
i Kabman .
. I 19 | 125 1
5,680'.
1 ' 1
Lpril.