'GAZETTEER OF PERSIA. VOL. III.' [‎130v] (265/982)

250
DEH—DEH
to attem^. The valley is igrriated from springs at the foot of the
mountain, and grows abundant maize crops. Supplies of rice and wheat
are usually brought up from the plains. Large numbers of mules are bred
here by the Eaili Lurs.— (Maunsell, August 1888.)
DEH BALA (2)— Lat. 31°30'N. Long. 54° 10 E. Elev.
A valley, and a village of the same name, in the Yazd district. It
lies at the foot of the highest peak of the Shir Kuh to the south-west
of Yazd town. The valley is about 6 miles in length and 4 miles in
breadth at its south-west or broadest end. It is triangle-shaped, the
apex pointing to the north-east. It is a bright valley with terraced fields
on either side of a full sparkling stream, and overshadowed with all manner
of goodly fruit trees. There is abundant grazing in the valley and an ample
supply of fresh water all the year round. Firewood is procurable from the
surronding hills. The centre of the valley is full of villages which are
surrouunded by gardens, fields and trees. The names of the villages com
mencing from the lowest, are :—
1 Baghistun,
2 Tu Deh,
3 Bir Bagh-i-Shah,
4. Mazraeh’-i-Shah ’All, 6. Jumbarazun,
5. Gurukh, 7. Deh Bala.
The valley has a permanent population of 2,000 inhabitants, which swell'
to 5,000 during the summer months. The flocks and herds number 100
cows and 3,000 sheep ; and the transport animals comprise 250 mules and
300 donkeys.
The valley is bounded on the north-west by the Shir Kuh, which rises
abruptly for the last 700 or 800 feet in a sheer wall of rock. To the south
east lies an impassable spur thrown out by the Kuh Tizarjun, and to the
south-west is an impassable off shoot of the Shir Kuh. There is only one
road through the valley. This enters the valley at Baghistan through
a defile, 200 or 300 yards in breadth, which passes under lofty cliffs. The
road leaves the valley by the Gudar-i-Nil Pass, with an elevation of 11,257
feet. This forms a strong position. There are about 50 yards of open
ground on the pass, along which is a granite breastwork about 5 or 6 feet
thick, through which the road runs. A clear view is obtained of the whole
of the narrow valley ahead for 4 or 5 miles. On either side of the pass
rise lofty inaccessible hills, rendering it quite unturnable.
If the entrances to the pass were forced the defenders would be compelled
to retire. There is a good position 1|- miles farther up the valley, where
it again narrows ; and there is a precipitous rock, on which is a ruined fort,
jutting out into the passable space and reducing it to a couple of dry water
courses and a few yards of hilly ground.
The valley altogether forms a strong, natural fortress, which contains
its own supplies. A post of observation on the Shir Kuh, an outwork to
command the track up to it, and men flanking the heights on either side
of the lower entrance, would, if the north pass were properly held, render
the valley quite impregnable. The mean height of the valley is about 8,000
feet, and any enterprising body of men holding it, might sally out