'GAZETTEER OF PERSIA. VOL. III.' [‎369v] (743/982)

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PUL—PITS'
- generally south and south-west. The caravan route from Shiraz to Isfahan
crosses it by a broad masonry bridge of 5 arches, near the old serai of
Khan-i-Kargian between D h Bid and Mashad-i-Murghab.
The river on its way waters the plains of Murghab, Marvdasht and Haji-
abad. Turning south-south-west the river and road coincide through the
Tang-i-Bulakai (q.v.),. It is crossed again by the road between Quvvamabad
and Savand, 64 miles from Shiraz. An old masonry bridge, which formerly
spanned the river here, is now in ruins ; and a ford, barely passable by infan
try replaces it; Newcomen reports the river as running strong and reaching
to his saddle flaps when he crossed. The Pulvar finally falls into the Band
Amir at Pul-i-Khan, about 30 miles north of Shiraz. In the valley of the
Pulvar, between 80 and 90 miles north of Shiraz, are extensive ruins reputed
to be those of the ancient city of Pasargadae and, on an adjoining plain, the
tomb of Cyrus.— (Curzon, 1889 — Newcomen, 1905 — Arbuihnot, 1905.)
PURDGHAR vide PULGHAR.
PUSHT-I-KUH (1)—
A division of the tribe of Fail! Lurs, who inhabit the district of Lur-i-
Kuchak in the north of Luristan.
They are said to number 15,000 families. While the Pish Kuh have been
brought under the Government of Isfahan, the Pusht-i-Kuh are still nomi
nally under the Vali. They are less united than the Bakhtiari, but similar
in race and religion. They are said to be able to muster 5,000 horse and
20,000 foot.
The Pusht-i-Kuh tribes are divided as follows :—
Families.
Kurd tribes .. .. .. .. .. .. 4.000
MihakI .. .. .. .. .. .. 5,000
Shahun .. .. .. .. .. ., 400
Panj Situn .. .. .. .. .. .. 200
Dlnarwand .. .. .. .. .. .. 200
Lurt •• .. .. .. .. .. 150
HandamanI .. .. .. .. .. .. 159
see also “Fail!” “ Luristan.”— (Lajard.)
Local conditions of the Pusht-i-Kuh region.
^ Charduvar, situated in the valley at the foot of the Vardalan Pass, con
sists of a few huts, where N, i Khuda dwells, on whom devolves the duty of
dispensing hosp'tality to the Khans’ visitors.
This valley although fertile and watered by small streams is but little
cultivated and at first sight would seem to be uninhabited 5 only by the
gorges are scattered small groups of the various Luristan tribes, who live
here from springs until autumn and then migrate for the winter to the
lowlands to the south-west, on the Turkish frontier.
The steep slopes of the lofty ridges of this region are covered with thin
oak forest. In the valleys there is no vegetation. The rivers are all ford
able, with stony beds. The roads are awful, in fact they are not roads but
paths, difficult both for pack animals and pedestrians.
The Vardalan Pass is impracticable for wheeled traffic or field artillery.
From Charduyur a track ascends a fairly considerable ridge; at a distance
of one geographical mile from the ddf|| of Nianun it descends into the
valley. Passing the defile it ascends the slopes of the Manisht Mountain,