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‘M.T. Routes in Persia. Volume 1 – Main Routes. 1942’ [165r] (334/498)
The record is made up of 1 volume (245 folios). It was created in 1942. It was written in English. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .
Transcription
This transcription is created automatically. It may contain errors.
Route IX—Section A— c ontd.
construction was undertaken. The country is open and treeless,
but on account of numerous watercuts and nullahs cover from view
and fire can often be obtained. The nullah features are the princi
pal obstacle to movement of wheels off the road. Cover from
air is not good on the whole, and aircraft following the well-
defined line of the road would probably spot troop movements.
Camps could not be concealed easily. The shortage of water,
which is a nearly universal feature of the whole Iranian Plateau,
would be a decisive factor in military operations.
4. Climatic conditions— Summer—May till August-maxi
mum day temperatures rarely go over 100 degrees except in the
desert areas. Shade is very scarce. Nights are good.
Winter .—Very severe, snow may be expected between
December and April. Temperatures fall below zero. Adequate
clothing, tentage, bedding and fuel are essentials. Fuel is not
plentiful everywhere.
Spring .—April and May—Heavy rainfalls in these months
and spates are frequent in the vicinity of the hills. These, though
severe, subside rapidly. Low-lying areas tend to flood, and this
together with snow on the higher passes forms the principal
climatic obstacle to troop movements.
5. Exceptional Features—O The TUTUQ river near
MESHED. This is unbridged, and after heavy rain is sometimes
impassable for two to three days.
(ii) The PUL-I-ABRASHAM near ABBASABAD. Alow
lying salt desert, which becomes flooded every spring for varying
periods. The soil being soft and road metal non-existent, this
section becomes impassable for M. T. and occasionally for all
arms, for varying periods which may extend up to 10 days. The
road which is well made with imported metal and embanked tends
to sink into mud and requires constant maintenance.
(iii) The hill system between MESHED and SHARIFABAD.
The road for about 12 miles is narrow and winding, traffic control
would be advisable if much M. T. was running. Gradients are
steep. Snow lies thickly on this sector in winter and it is occa
sionally closed for a few days at a time.
6 Repair Facilities. —Generally speaking road metal is
plentiful in" the vicinity of the road. Labour and tools are avail
able in all villages.
7 Supply Facilities—These are referred to in the detailed
rpnort ’ The onlv areas capable of producing supplies for any
Considerable quantity of troops are MESHED, SHARIFABAD,
KADAMGA NISHAPUR. SABZAWAR, MIAMAI, SHAHRUD.
Supplies consist of wheat, barley, bran. Meat on hoof. Fruit
About this item
- Content
The volume details motor transport (‘M.T.’) routes in Persia [Iran]. The volume, which is numbered I, covers the main routes in Persia, and was produced by the General Staff, India. It was printed by M Abdul Hameed Khan, Manager of the Feroz Printing Works, Lahore, in 1942. An introduction (folio 3) states that the volume has been updated on the basis of reports received in the wake of the Anglo-Soviet invasion of Persia in August 1941.
The volume comprises details of sixty-five routes, listed on the contents page, between various towns and cities in Persia. Details given for each route include:
- an overview (distance, number of stages, references to maps);
- a general report (classification of route, surface and grading, character of adjacent country, climatic effects, exceptional features, repair and supply facilities, water, fuel, fodder and grazing supplies);
- a detailed report (villages and other landmarks encountered, road classifications, distances).
A handwritten annotation on folio 5 (author unknown) states that ‘distances are somewhat overestimated throughout this report.’ The volume includes a map in a pocket attached to the inside back cover (folio 246).
- Extent and format
- 1 volume (245 folios)
- Arrangement
A contents list (f 4) and index (ff 240-245) reference the volume’s original pagination.
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 247; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio.
Pagination: the file also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
- Written in
- English in Latin script View the complete information for this record
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‘M.T. Routes in Persia. Volume 1 – Main Routes. 1942’ [165r] (334/498), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/MIL/17/15/13, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100040741223.0x000087> [accessed 4 June 2026]
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Copyright: How to use this content
- Reference
- IOR/L/MIL/17/15/13
- Title
- ‘M.T. Routes in Persia. Volume 1 – Main Routes. 1942’
- Pages
- front, back, spine, edge, head, tail, front-i, 2r:245r, 247v, back-i
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence