'Military Report on S. W. Persia, Volume II, Arabistan' [‎23r] (50/96)

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Route No. 4.
Ahwaz to Buzieh via FallahIeh.
Epitome- A regularly, but not largely, used route, available in summer only, and
alternative to that via Gharaibeh, which is about 6 m longer and used in winter to
avoid the flooded ground between Khaz’alleh and Fallahieh.
The roud.—Over flat easy desert to Khaz’alieh, thence over flat ground largely irri
gated, and intersected by canals, some of which are unfordable ; in the latter case boats
are always available.
Supplies.—-kt stages 2, 3 and 4 sufficient for 1,000 men and transport for a week at
least, and for an indefinite period if proper measures be taken to collect supplies from out
lying encampments.
Water .—At Ummanis, from wells 12 feet deep; good water sufficient always for 200
men and transport, elsewhere ad lib. from canals. In most parts of the desert, water, in
small quantities, is to be obtained by digging to a depth of about 16 feet.
Transport .—50 or 60 mules and 200 donkeys are usually to be found at Buzlek
or Fallahleh, and the nomad ’Arabs own large numbers of camels, which could be collected
in time from the encampments in the vicinity.
See article on Transport, Part I.
Distance.
No
of
stage.
Name of stage.
Inter
mediate.
Total.
BEMABE9.
Ummanis
19
Gen. dir. S. S. E. Leaving Ahwaz strike
19 S. along the Karon B. via Shikareh to
Kut ’Abdul ah 6 m. ; road throughout
flat, level, and fit for all arms. Leaving
the Kir on at Kut Saiyid Salih, strike E. across the plain ; at 7J m. a path strikes
S. S. E. to Khazlneh (Shaikh Moerid). At 8 m-, 10 m., 14 m., and 16|r m. pass mounds
of ancient canals. At 19 m. reach Ummanis ; water from wells all the year round.
Two hundred tents in summer, 5 or 6 tents and 10 mud huts in summer alone
inhabited owing to lack of water for flocks.
Supplies of barley, etc., in small quantities.
Chimba.
The surrounding district is known aa
Khaz’alibh ..
14
33
Gen. dir. S. by E. Leaving Ummanis.
strike across flat plain. At 3J m., strike
N. head of Khor full of brackish water
which extends S. to near Khaz’alieh,
where it receives surplus canal water. The track continues about m. to the N. of
its N. bank. The district now traversed is inhabited by Bawl ’Arabs, large camel
owners, who find good grazing near this Khor, both in summer and winter. At 10
miles approach the Khor again and cross several of its arms, which, when full, would
make wide detours necessary. The Khor is here about 20 yards broad, and from 5 feet
to 6 feet deep. After crossing wide rice fields reach Khaz’alieh, an encampment on the
banks of a modern canal of the same name, 10 feet wide, constructed about 1903 by one
Mulla ’Abdullah, the present kadkhudd, and ea;-vazlr of the Bam Turuf.
He was given this land some years ago by Shaikh Khaz’al, and has since collected
about 200 families of the Bani Turuf, who live peaceably on this land, returning occasion
ally across the Karan to prosecute hereditary feuds. Supplies plentiful.
E 2