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‘M.T. Routes in Persia. Volume 1 – Main Routes. 1942’ [175v] (355/498)
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 B.
SHAHRUD to TEHRAN.
Distance —255 miles.
No. of stages. —18.
Reference sheets. —15-P, 15-L, 16-1, 16-E, I6-A. 9-M.
GENERAL REPORT.
1. General Direction. —S. W. from SHAHRUD to SAM-
NAN (115 miles) and west from SAMNAN to TEHRAN (140
miles).
2. Classification. —B. 1 and in places C. 1.
3. Surface and Grading. —This road is soled with rough
hewn stone to depth of 4 inches and metalled with shingle to a
depth of 4 inches. The foundation consists of the hard soil of the
Iranian plateau. It is cambered and has a ditch on either side to
carry off surface water. In some places these ditches serve
a secondary purpose, i.e., that of irrigation channels conducting a
stream parallel to the road till a shallow depression permits it to
cross the road by an unpaved Irish bridge. When first put down
the shingle is rolled in with a steam or man drawn roller except in
the mountainous parts where rammers are used but for purposes
of subsequent repair the shingle is poured on loose by road gangs.
Thus, when badly in need of repair the Iranian road may present
a badly rutted appearance owing to the shingle having been piled
up in the centre or the sides by the action of the wheels of traffic.
4. Character of Adjacent Country. —This section divides
itself into four clearly defined portions, viz, the SHAHRUD—
DAM iHAN plain of 70 miles, a more or less mountainous strip
separating that plain and the SAMNAN plain 38 miles in length,
the SAMNAN plain of 17 miles and the intensely mountainous
portion from there to TEHRAN consisting of 130 miles. In the
two mountainous portions th^ road is commanded from hills on
the north and south for almost its entire length and is suitable
for air attack as there are few places where transport can get off
the road.
5. Climatic Effects. —In summer temperature of 110° may
be experienced on the DAMGHAN and SAMNAN plains. In
the mountainous portions it is cooler. The heat to be met with
on the old road via VERA MIN on the edge of the KAVIR was
reasons for the construction of the new road via
FIRUZKUH.
In winter, between December and February the road is
liable to be blocked periodically by snow for 4 or 5 days at a tima
on the two passes east and west of FIRUZKUH and also the three
high portions between the NIMRUD river and TEHRAN (it wa s
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’ [175v] (355/498), 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_100040741223.0x00009c> [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