'Military Report on (S.-W.) Persia, Volume V. Luristan' [‎39r] (82/152)

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Route No. 4 — contd.
Tayln stream is crossed, 30' wide, 2J' deep, stony bottom, rapid current: difficult in
spring. The low hills in the valley are of gypsum and red clay, with conglomerates.
The track then skirts the Kuh-i-Ghazil by a stony track, afterwards descending to a
valley under the mountain. Camp at the foot of the Chimashk gorge : water from
stream, fuel and grazing plentiful. Chimashk is occupied by Judeki, but Dlrakwand
also camp in vicinity. The Tayln valley belongs to the Dirakwand (Baharwand). A
short cut over the Kuh-i-Gird by a route known as the Takht-i-Simi track hortens this
stage by 3 m. but involves a climb of 1,800': it is preferred, however, by nomads and
is not particularly difficult. The Tayin stream is 4,900' where crossed.
9
Dadabad
(plateau).
9
130
i BBS
count ta
Genl. dir. N. E. through the Chimashk gorge
(5,000'), or alternatively round the end of
the hill (h. p. 5,300'), both roads easy.
On theN. side of the gorge stands the
Chimashk caramnserai, in good condition, at the junction of the Ab-i-Kabgan and Ab-i-
Raikhan. A track diverges here E. S. W. up the Kabgan valley and thence on to
Didibad and the spurs of Kuh Hashtad Pahlu. The Kabgan stream is very rapid, with
a fall over several hundred feet in a mill in a narrow valley. Three m. above its junction
with the Chimashk stream, it passes through Tang-i-Bawileh (5,700'): here are some
remarkable caves cut in the solid limestone rock (strata here vertical) and only approach
able with great difficulty. There are three stories all connected with each other by difficult
ledges 12 ' high: the upper story contains the remains of a gach dome and a ruined partition
wall. Traces of recent habitation by Lurs, and by wild animals. This track is an easier
one than that via Nal Shikandeh, and can be recommended as an alternative. It rejoins
the main track at the S. foot of Kuh-i-BawwI.
The main road crosses Raikhan stream or else the Kabgan stream beyond the gorge
and winds up the Raikhan valley, which is cultivated and fairly open. At 6 m. the Nal
Shikandeh pass is ascended : top 5,900 : last portion difficult. Descent on far side easy :
camp anywhere near water which is plentiful. Wood in plenty.
10
Shah-in-Shah.
11
143
Gen. dir. N. E. the track is generally good
crossing a few small streams: there are,
however, a few difficult ascents and des
cents. At 2 m. cross valley ofTaiyil, a
stream in a deep valley (5,390'): at 5 m. the Shurab stream is crossed in a deep valley
(4,700'). The road now winds up a tributary stream with undulations, ground stony and
bad going. At 8 m. summit of Kuh-i-BawwI is reached, from which there is a difficult
descent over boulders to the bottom of the valley N • to Khurramabad : the road to
Shah-in-Shah keeps along the top of the hill and is easier but about 2 miles longer. At 11
m. the road leaves the ravine and crossing a rapid brook descends into the plain
(4,100'). Shah-in-Shah itself is on a low spur above the plain and is distinguished by
a white dome from which Khurramabad bears 32°. A few houses, but no supplies can be
reckoned on : grazing good, water from stream.
An alternative route to Khurramabad from Dadabad is shown on the map ; it runs
up the Shurab stream,which is 6,000' where the track touches it, for 3 m. to the Tang-i-
Jamal-i-Kal (in which are the ruins of an ancient fort) and then turning north again ascends
the Kuh-i-Bawwi by an easy valley track to Qalb-’Ali Khani, whence a track leads (near
Ab-i-Siwak) direct to the plains below : the descents on the track are difficult, but it seema
shorter, and the Ab-i-Taiyil is avoided altogether.
Khurramabad
19
153
Genl. dir N. N. E. The road crosses
a valley which is swampy, and then crosses
the Dar-i-Rud just above its junction with
the Ab-i-Khurramabad, which is generally
fordable, but swift and difficult to cross when in flood ; it is unnecessary to do so, however,
the road keeping to the east of the river and its groves of poplars is followed to the north end
of the town, where a fine bridge spans the stream. At 7 miles a ruined bridge, supposed |to
be Sassanian indicates the old road now o longer in use. The soil of the valley is clayey*