'GAZETTEER OF PERSIA. VOLUME I' [‎81v] (167/820)

146
DAR—DAR
of Kirman and Khorasan. The DaHband hills, which run south-east from
the halting place mentioned above, and which attain an elevation of 8,200
feet, possess a mine of asbestos, and indeed are said to be full of mineral
wealth.
To the south of the caravanserai A roadside inn providing accommodation for caravans (groups of travellers). are two towers, the Burj-i-Dargha and
the Burj-i-Dukhtar, which close the road and give the place its name of
Darband. — \Wyatt, 1899 ; Sykes, 1902 ; Baggaley, 1909.)
DARBAND-I-AL—
A defile in Northern Khorasan between Qardeh and Bardeh on the
Meshed-Da^rch Gaz road. Starting from Qardeh, one enters the defile
almost immediately, the road going down the river-bed, and perpendi
cular cliffs rising up on either side without a break for 200_feet. This con
tinues without intermission for 4 miles to the village of Al, the roadway
being from 40 to 100 feet broad, and the path crossing continually from
! side to side, showing that the defile would be impracticable during floods,
and that it is extremely dangerous in the rainy season. On leaving Al
the defile becomes exceedingly narrow, and is commanded by an old fort
in a very commanding position on the left. (MacGregor.)
DARBAND-I-ANDARUKH—
A pass in Khorasan, 15| miles from Meshed, on the road to Kalat-i-
Nadiri. It is 1^ miles in length, and consists simply of the bed of the
stream, varying in breadth from 30 to 100 feet, including the space occu
pied by water. The cliffs on either side rise sheer out of the water to
I a height of 200 feet, and are quite impracticable ; while the bends
l of the defile present numerous excellent sites for forts. It can, however,
be easily turned by infantry going to right or left over the hills, which
are not difficult.— (MacGregor.)
DARBAND-I-ARGHAVAN SHAH—
A pass in Khorasan forming the southern entrance to the natural
fortress of Kalat-i-Nadiri. There is a guard here of Persian Infantry,
and there are a few villages perched on the ledge of the hill, mostly on
the west. The water of the stream here is said to be unwholesome.
In spite of a swift current, the gravel bed is-covered with a coating of loi g
weeds, by which the water is slightly coloured. From the gateway, which
has recently been erected, the road leads under the walls of a small, round
fort, showing a couple of guns, through the village of Arghavan Shah,;and
down a green, fertile valley with a good stretch of rice cultivation, to the
village of Guk Gumbad, in which is the residence of the Khan of Kalat.
(Napier ; MacGregor.)
DARBAND-I-CHUB BAST—
One of the entrances to the fortress of Kalat-i-Nadiri in Khorasan.
There is a guard of infantry stationed here.— (Napier.)
DARBAND-I-DIHCHI—
A pass in Kalat-i-Nadiri, Khorasan, forming one of the principal
entrances to this natural fortress on the north. There is a small fort
here defended by Persian Infantry.— (Napier ; MacGregor.)