'GAZETTEER OF PERSIA. VOLUME II' [‎83r] (170/706)

hamlets, lying in the picturesque fertile valley of the two streams, Kan-
garshah and Jan-Nisar which unite at the defile called Tang-i-Dmavar.
The Chief estimates the surplus grain produce at about 6,000 kharwdrs
or 2,300 tons. It now finds its way chiefly to Hamadan. Rabino says
that in 1902, owing to drought during the last 3 years, the cultivation
of rice had been much reduced. A considerable number of horses and
mules might be found in the district, and fuel and forage in large quantities.
The plain is entered from the north by the Gardaneh-i-Millehmas Pass, t he
easiest between Sunqur and Kirmanshah. Napier says, “ though rugged,
this pass is by no means a serious obstacle : guns might cross it in its pre
sent state, and a little labour would render it easily practicable.” At
the foot of this pass lies the little valley of Dinavar, and opposite to it
frowns a precipitous impracticable-looking range of mountains, which
however is pierced by the drainage of many hundred square miles of
country. From the plain of Dinavar flow two considerable streams which
find an exit through the “ Tang ”, or defile of DinaVar. The road winds
for 7 miles between towering precipices, and would be difficult to traverse
in the face of any determined opposition, its flanks for many miles being
inaccessible, and, when accessible, so flanked by steep scarps as to be nearly
impracticable to direct assa ult. A detour of about 20 to 30 miles from Dina
var east over a low pass, crossed with ease by horsemen and laden camels
to Sinneh, a station on the high road, turns the defile. For a list of
villages in the district see Rabino’s “ Gazetteer of Kirmanshah ”.—
('Napier, 1876.)
DIRAKHTAK—
A small village in the Faridan division of the Isfahan province, 3 miles
from Nimagird (q.v.). — (Schindler.)
DIRAN—
A village in Azarbaijan, situated on the north shore of Lake Urumieh,
west of Tasuj.— (Stuart.)
DIREH—Kalhur.
Half of Direh belongs to the Hajizadehs, the other half to Vakll-ud-Dauleh.
The mail at for half the property is Krdns 814-744 dinars cash. It has now
(1913) bought by‘Baud Khan, Kalhur and is Kalhur property.
Direh is the Garmslr of the Khammam, Shehrik and Varmaziar Kalhurs.
“A track of country watered by the Direh river in Kirmanshah, some
14 miles south-west of Zuhab on the road to Shushtar.”
“In the narrow valley, which opens into the plain of Direh, were the
pasture grounds of the Kirmanshah stud. This spot has been selected
on account of its position ; it is shut in between the hills on one side and
the river on the other, the horses reared in it were celebrated throughout
Persia. The plain is about 4 miles in length and 2 miles in breadth. It
was formerly included in the Pashaliq of Zuhab, but after the conquest of
that district by the Persians, it was purchased by the Kalhur chiefs from
its Turkish owners. There are 150 resident families of Kalhur at Direh,
and it also affords winter quarters for 400 more, who are nomads. ” —
(Rabino, 1902.)