'GAZETTEER OF PERSIA. VOLUME II' [‎339r] (682/706)

ZIA—ZIL
665
zi An—
Generally pronounced Ziyun.
A dak System of postal communication used in Moghul India and later by the East India Company. bungalow on the new Qum-Tehran road, 78 miles from the former
and 27 from the latter. It is surrounded by many populous villages, and
supplies to any amount can be had here ; close to it is a bridge over a river
running parallel to the Karaj river.— (Taylor ; Schindler.)
ZIBIRl PLAIN— Elev. 5,000 / . - f ''
A level plain in the Kalhur Kurd district of Kirmanshah, lying along
the south-west slope of the Kurkur range, which divides it from the broad
valley of Mahidasht. The pla ; n is crossed by various roads and paths
leading from Harunabad to Kirmanshah. It is well watered by streams
along both its north-east and south-west sides, is well cultivated, and con
tains much grass. Many thousands of sheep and goats are pastured here
in summer, the property of the Kalhur Kurds whose encampments dot
the plain. The chief villages are Shian, Chulak and Tangi-i-Shuwan.
(Burton.) The valley on the < astern side of the N’alshikan pass on the road
from Qasr-i-Shirin to Kirmanshah. The valley contains a plentiful stream
of water, and the village of Salarabad.— (Soane, 1911.)
ZIBIRl— Elev. about 5,075'
A village in Kirmanshah situated on the high road from Baghdad to
Kirmanshah. It is the half-way halting place between Harunabad and
Mabidasht. It contains 20 houses inhabited by Kalhur Kurds ; has no
trees ; contains 2 coffee shops and has some cultivation. Water plentiful
from a stream : troops could camp in the vicinity.— (Vaughan.)
ZIDAK— Lat. 37° 12' 0 ." Long. 49° 15' 0 °—( St . John.)
A village in Gllan, 8 miles north-west of Fuman, at the foot of the Masu-
leh pass.— (Monteith.)
ZILBIR CHAl—
A river of Azarbaijan, one of the main branches of the Agchai, commonly
called by mistake in maps Zunus Chai. The valley has a bad reputation
owing to the scarcity of supplies, and the presence of the Il at , who t. k
every opportunity of looting small parties. The district is reputed rich in
mineral wealth. Coal is plentiful, and the Cannel variety is found in parts
Salt is abundant. A spur projecting from the Mesho Dagh towards the
river opposite Valdian seemed to be one solid mass of rock salt.
(Picot.)
ZILtJ MOUNTAIN— f ’
A lofty, bare and rocky mountain north of Kirmanshah and south-west
of the Kailui pass, rising to the height of about 10,000 feet: its ravines hold
snow till late in July. During the summer large flocks of sheep are pastur
ed on its upper slope.