'GAZETTEER OF PERSIA. VOL. III.' [‎272r] (548/982)

Khurramabad is situated on the road between Tehran and Dizful, in a
narrow valley through which flows the Kashgan river. A range of rocky
hills, stretching across the plain in the usual direction of north-west and
south-east, has been suddenly broken off for the spac? of about f of a mile to
admit the passage of the Kashgan river, leaving in the centre of the open
space a solitary rock nearly 1,000 yards in circumference. The rock is
very steep and near its summit is a copious spring. On the summit the
Arabs built a fort, which was utilised and enlarged by the Persians.
Up to a few years ago it was kept in repair, but it is now in ruins.
There is a summer house belonging to the Governor at the foot of the
walls, and a large reservoir and a garden of some extent. The modern
town lies below the fort on its south-west side. It is badly built, the houses
being mostly of mud, with flat roofs, and the bazar is insignificant and ill-
supplied. It is divided into 4 parishes, has 4 masjids and two caravan
serais inside the town and 5 masjids outside. When Muzaffar-ul-Mulk
was Governor of Luristan as representative of the Zill-us-Sultan, he
partially dismantled the fort, and used the bricks and stone pillars in
building a large caravanserai A roadside inn providing accommodation for caravans (groups of travellers). on the other side of the river.
Although the chief town of Luristan, Khurramabad has practically no
industries. This is chiefly owing to the unsettled state of the country. It
is the chief market to which the Lurs bring their wool, which they exchange
for cartridges, etc. The only artisans seen are Persians from Malair, who are
engaged in making and repairing rifles and in manufacturing the necessary
articles of daily life. The surrounding plain is capable of giving great
returns if properly cultivated, but the Lurs cultivate scarcely enough to
provide for their own needs. As often as not, the grain which feeds them
comes from the Persian plateau. Rice in small quantities, wheat and barley
are cultivated round Khurramabad, and close to the town on the river banks
are many rich gardens. From June to September, fruits and vegetables of
all kinds and of excellent quality are in great abundance and scarcely
fetch a price. The river, a broad shallow stream, passes along to the south,
east of the town and is fordable everywhere. At times, it carries a large
volume of water.
The people are slothful and somewhat malgnant looking. Each seems
to view his neighbour askance, as if half expecting to get a knife or a shot
in his back as he passes.
In winter the cold is severe, with a considerable fall of snow, but the
transition to summer is very rapid. From the end of March the country
begins to be covered with flowers and verdure. The summer is torrid, and
during the months of June, July, August and September the inhabitants
move to the hills. In October the rain is heavy. The altitude of Khurram
abad has been given variously as 3,875 feet, 4,050 feet, 4,500 feet and 4,700.
The town is said to contain some 2,000 houses, and estimates of the
population range from 2,000 to 700 souls.
There is a Persian telegraph station here. The town and fort are
commanded from high ground to the eastward within easy rifle range. The
place is of no military strength. The camping-ground, suitable for a
brigade, lies to the west of the town.