'GAZETTEER OF PERSIA. VOL. III. PART I: A to K' [‎592r] (1188/1278)

KtfH—KUH
585'
From Ahwaz to Isfahan straight lines via Ramuz and Ganduman are
218 miles against 275 by the Lynch road. A track exists via Tang-i-Chavil
and Dishmuk, which is almost exactly on these straight lines, and which
could be easily improved sufficiently to make it, at all events, better than
many parts of the Lynch road. Tribal feuds, however, prevent this road
being used for the present (1909), and Dishmuk must be reached either via
Tang-i-Saulak of via Bars. From Dishmuk to Lurdagan a reasonably good
track is said to exist via Bard-i-Kirm, and from Lurdagan to Isfahan the
road is known to be good. Such a road would be 25 per cent, shorter than
the Lynch road, and the fact that its existence and practicability was known
to us would be a valuable asset to us in dealing with the Bakhtiari Khans,
should difficulties arise regarding the road. The crossing of the Karun
would be avoided, and, as it appears that no streams not easily fordable
are met with, the construction of‘expensive bridges would be unneces
sary.
De Bode (1845) mentions an ancient paved way leading up the Tang-i-
Saulak to Isfahan, and he saw Parthian sculptures on rocks at the same place.
This might well have been an ancient route between Behbehan and
Isfahan.
KUHGALU (TRIBE).
History.
The Kuhgalu are sprung, in all probability, from the original Lur stock,
but who they were, and whence they came, is merely a matter of conjecture ;
for they are a people without history, literature, or education, and with
few tribal traditions. Baron C. A. De Bode in 1845 visited the country and
mentions among other things a spring with sacred fish at Tashan ; but in
1910 no trace of this could be found, though Tashan shows the remains of
what, probably at the time of the Atabegs, was a large town. There are also
ancient inscriptions and archaeological remains at Tang-i-Band, Tang-i-
Sarrak, Gurri and Siah Gul.
About 1882 the Kuhgalu were the object of a merciless visitation by
Farhad Mirza, who was Governor General of Fars up to that date. They,
however, soon recovered and resumed their predatory habits.
Circumstances have hitherto (1909) prevented His Britannic Majesty’s
Consul from opening up direct relations with any of the Kuhgalu Chiefs,
though it is admittedly desirable that this should be done. Captain Lorimer
in 1907 met Husain Khan Bahmai, brother of ’All Naqi, and received a
cordial invitation to visit the Kuhgalu country. This fact, added to the
favourable reception by ’Ali Murad Khan of Dishmuk of Lieutenant Wilson
in 1909, shows that the Kuhgalu chiefs were anxious to open friendly
intercourse.
Tribal dissensions make it impossible for the Kuhgalu to present a bold
front to an enemy. Some of the Bahmai have in consequence made a show
of submitting to the Bakhtiari, but the bitterness between the rank and file
of the Bakhtiari and Kuhgalu tribes is (1908) great, and not likely to