'Military Report on S.-W. Persia, Vol. I. Bakhtiari Garmsir' [‎35v] (75/168)

58
Route No. 2.
Ahwaz to Ramuz via Salmieh (upper route).
Epitome.
General. —A main caravan route from Ahwaz, and vice versa : mainly used when the
lower tracks (see No. 3) are unfit for use owing to rain. A cart track all the way, made
and used by the Concessions Syndicate, Limited, from Shikareh and Ahwaz to Mamatain.
The road is over flat barren desert, stage 1 ; sandhills and undulating ground, stage 2 ;
flat plain at foot of gach hills, stages 3 and 4. Passable always except for a few hours
after heavy rain.
Supplies. —Plentiful at Ahwaz: and at Ramrz for 1,000 men. at a fortnight’s notice
at the former, at once at the latter. For 20 men only at the intermediate stages, and
perhaps not even this in the hot weather. Livestock very numerous in the cold weather,
less so in the hot season.
Water. —From wells stage 1 and 2 ; scarce in summer. See No. 1.
From river, stages 3 and 4 ; scarce in summer. See No. 1.
Transport. —At Ahwaz see No. 1, at Ramuz say 500 donkeys and 300 mules
available on hire under favourable circumstances at a week’s notice. See No. 1.
Physical obstacles. —Kindik river banks may need ramping for carts: sandhills
at Nihairieh : cartsjmay need man handling (note that cart road from Umm-ul-Gharaibeh
keeps to west of the caravan track).
Alternative stages. —Raghaiweh near Salmieh.
Alternative routes. —(1) via Kut-i-Shaikh ; (2) via Shaikh Rashid.
These are much favoured by muleteers, who use the one or the other according to the
season. After rain, the route here described is used: in dry weather either of the al
ternative routes are used. They are not suitable for troops owing to the marshy and
unhealthy nature of the ground and the prevalence of mosquitoes, etc.
<6
Distaxcss.
c;
o
6
Nuuicb of stages.
Inter
mediate.
Total.
i
Umm-ul-Gharai-
BEH,
22
22
( Vide Route No. 1, stages 1 and 2.
2
Salmieh
20
42
i
3
MamCuyeh
21
63
General direction south-west. Leaving
Route No. 1, which runs over hills to north,
strike south-west along foot of hills, pass
ing Kindik river, which cute hills to north
at 4 miles. At 9 milei.
pass a heap of stones known as Imam-i-Safid. At 17 miles cross small stream.
At 18 miles cross ShTfeh river, fordable except for a few hours, after heavy rain.
At 21 miles I'each date grove and shrine of Mamuiyeh, on south bank of Gopal river,
near which ’Arabs are always encamped. Supplies scanty: grazing always obtainable.
Water from Gopal.
RiMUZ .. 8 71 General direction south-west. Striking some
what north to avoid irrigation, follow
hills. (The cart road to Ramuz keeps 2
miles north of Ramcz.) At 5 miles cross
irrigated fields, reaching RamuZ at 8 miles ; supplies from town in abundance, and in fair
quantity from numerous little hamlets in the vicinity. See Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. Gazetteer.
Water from numerous irrigation cute.
(Note. —In dry weather a direct track can be taken from Mamhiyeh to Ramuz
7 miles.)