'GAZETTEER OF PERSIA. VOL. III.' [‎53v] (111/982)

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BAK—BAK
i
undrinkable ; and the brackish streams considerably outnumber the sweet
waters. Commencing from the northern end of the country, in which as
is natural, the moi.e important rivers have their birth, and taking them in
this order from the map we find—
(1) The Zindeh Bud. This river has several sources; the principal
being those from the Zardeh Kuh and the Galgushak ; the Chash-
meh-i-Jaihun or Kuh-i-Rang ; the Ab-i-Zarm and the Ab-i-Cha-
man-dar. It runs north-east through the Tang-i-Gaz, dividing
Faiidan, a district in the Isfahan province, from the Chebar
Mahal : still flowing north-east it receives from the north-west
a considerable stream in the Khursang, after a course of some 50
miles and near totheKuh-i-Mashzad. It then flows due east, till at
80 miles it alters its course almost due south and later south-east,
and waters the broad valley of upper Linjan. The point where
it bends north-east to leave the valley, after a course of some 160
miles, may be taken to be its limit on the border of the Bakhtiari
territory; which has never extended beyond its right bank.
(For description of the river’s farther course, vide Gazetteer of
Persia, Vol. II.)
During this 160 miles of its course, it is crossed by four bridges—
{i) Wooden bridge, only erected in spring, a few miles above Darsu-
vadjan in Faridan.
(i ) Pul-i-Zaman Khan, a stone bridge at 110 miles.
(Hi) Pul-i-Bagh Badran, a wooden bridge.
(iv) Pul-i-Kaleh, at the village of Madraseh at 140 miles. A stone
bridge of eight arches, broken in the middle and replaced by
ricketty piles.
The river has a sluggish stream for the greater part of the year, owing to
the comparatively slight drop in elevation from its rise until it disappears
in the salt marsh of Gav-Khaneh, some 60 miles south-west of Isfahan. It
is fordable at most seasons and at most points in its course within this
district.
(2) The Ab-i-Behishtabad. This river, which is reckoned to be one of
the chief sources of the Karun river, represents the whole drainage of the
Chehar Mahal. The several streams flowing through the plateau unite
near its south-west corner, and leave it through the defile of the Tang-i-
Darkash Warkash. Near the south exit of this gorge is situated the village of
Behishtabad, from which it takes its name ; and 2 miles below that village
it runs into the Karun, after a course (of its longest feeder) of some 75
miles. [For full description see this Gazetteer, Behishtabad (Ab-i-).]
(3) The Kilrun. This river, which is one of the most remarkable natural
features of this region, has its origin at the north-west extremity of Bakhti
ari land, and within a very short distance of at least one of the sources of
the Zindeh Bud. In its strangely zigzag and impetuous course it either
traverses, or is conterminous with, nearly every portion of this territory.
(For full description see this Gazetteer, “Karun ”.)
(4) The Ab-i-Bazuft or Rudbar. This river, the most important and vol
uminous tributary of the Kerim, rises in close proximity to it. It runs into
the Karun, 12 miles below the Pul-i-’Amarat near the hamlet of Charkeh,