'GAZETTEER OF PERSIA. VOL. III. PART II: L to Z' [‎197v] (399/988)

817
Q1L—QIL
mmmw*
Within these limits lies the plain of Doruzanab, about two miles long by
one mile broad.
Water .—A permanent water-supply of the highest quality is assured by
the Ab-i-Mungerrah ; which issued straight from the limestone and is entire
ly free from gach.
Wood .—Is plentiful on the limestone hills in the vicinity.
Climate .—The height of Qilab above sea-level is about 1^500 feet, but the
heat in summer is probably much less than at Masjid-i-Sulaiman, owing to
the proximity of the high mountain ranges, on which the snow lies till June
or July. A height of 6,000 feet could be reached by a 15 miles march up the
Tang-i-Zardawar to the north. Ice could always be obtained from the hills.
Geological .—Whilst in no way qualified to offer any remarks on this
subject, I will endeavour to indicate what appeared to me from a cursory
examination to be the main geological features, they are illustrated by the
following rough sketch ;—
The conglomerate cap is precisely similar in composition, I should say, to
that found, in the neighbourhood of Maidan Manaftun, above Imamz Saiyid
Saleh, and on the top of Kuh-i-Landar.
The sandstones resemble closely those north of Maidan Manaftun. The
gypsum hills are lower and less straited than those at Maidan Manaftun;
there seems to be a fault about one mile of the springs, but I had no time
to ascertain whether this was really the case.
Political. M hilst dealings with the Dirakwand would be a matter of
some difficulty, owing to the fact that they are practically a republic, with
no recognised Khan or Khans, but a number of petty chief or Kadkhodas, I
do not think that the difficulties would be insuperable, nor that the expense
would be so heavy as that involved by dealing with the Bakhtiari Khans.
It would be possible to bring strong pressure to bear on the Dirakwand
through the hag wand, or Bakhtiari, and should at any future time Luristan
be reduced to order, I do not think that political difficulties need deter the
Oil Company from examining this field with a view to its development. On
the contrary, our position in dealing with the Dirakwand would be stronger
than with the Bakhtiari.
I speak with hesitation as to the Dirakwand’s character, having seen
but little of them as yet; but as far as I can see they differ little if at all
from the ordinary type of Bakhtiari or Lur, and are susceptible of ths same
treatment.
They are undoubtedly anxious from the Oil Company to operate in their
lands, and it should not be impossible, should it at any time become necessary,
to conclude an agreement with them enabling the Oil Company to commence
operations there on advantageous terms.— (Wilson, 1911.)