'GAZETTEER OF PERSIA. VOL. III.' [‎246r] (496/982)

KARKHEH-
One of the most important of the rivers of Western Persia. Its sources
and its upper courses, before it takes the name of Karkheh, are described
under the various headings Gamasil, Kara Su and Saimarreh in this Gazet
teer. From the junction of the Ab-i-Zal with the last named, at a point
some 30 miles north-north-west of Dizful, these streams continue their
joint course as the Karkheh. This course is almost due south from the
po.nt of junction, the river thence skirting the south-eastern slopes of the
Kabir Kuh, and winding through the hummocky hills which divide the great
mountain ranges of La listen from the plains of ’Arabistan. At 20 miles
it receives a brackish affluent on its right bank called the Siagu, and some
8 mi'es lower down and on the same bank, another nameless brackish stream.
Twelve miles farther on, or at 40 miles of its course, it enters the plains
of ’Arabistan, about 15 miles to the west of the Ab-i Diz.
Near its exit from the hills, where it is still a rapid mountain stream
of whitish water, it was formerly spanned by a bridge, the remains of which
bear the name of Pa i-Pul. Immediately below Pa-i-Pul the river is ford
able in summer, but not without difficulty, the fords both he e and a Aivan-
i-Karkheh and Susa being shifting and dangerous ; on the left bank name
less mounds marking the site of a town, and remains of large canals, adjoin
this ford. About 4 miles south-west of Pa-i-Pul, to the right of the river
and half a mile from it, are the Sassanian ruins of Aivan-i-Kasra or Asiran-
i-Karkheh. At Aivan-i-Karkheh the river flows in several arms divided by
low islands. Being little below the level of the adjacen country, it is
immediately available for irrigation, and a number of cana 1 s diverge;
from its left bank and water the lands of the Sagwand Lurs, and of the tribe;
of Karim Khan, west of Dizful.
Below Aivan-i-Kasra, 60years ago, the banks were thickly wooded, and
the river then appeared to be navigable for vessels of light draught. Leav
ing Shush, the ruins of Susa, at 56 miles and some distance from its left
bank, and in some places approaching, it is said, within a short distance
of the Diz river, the Karkheh pursues its course with numberless windings
in a general south-south-east or south by east direc ion o a place at 120
miles and abou 25 miles west of Band-i Qir, where it swings suddenly to-,
the south-west and so runs for about 20 miles, passing in this stage between
the hil s which form the north-eastern boundary of the Hawizeh district;
and the low range which form their prolongation and crosses the Karuna
river at Ahwaz. This bend of the Karkheh to the south-westwards appears-?
to be a recent feature ; there is reason to think th t the river fell into the
Karun a few miles below Ahwaz,. and it is believed that at the present day
this condition of affairs could be restored by artificial means. At the end
of this reach,, or at say 150 miles.the Karkheh reaches Nahr Hashim in the
Hawizeh district, the site formerly of a massive dam by which the whole
irrigation of the district was regulated. When this dam was in existence the
farther course of the river lay first southwards and then through Hawizeh
town ; but since the. dam gave way in 1837, the main stream of the river
has taken a north-westerly course from Nahr Hashim, and its waters, dis
sipated in streams and marshes, have submerged and ruined the district.
At the western extremity of the district the river gradually re-assembles
112 IB. 3 P