'GAZETTEER OF PERSIA. VOL. III. PART I: A to K' [‎630r] (1264/1278)

KUT—KUT
623
In forcing the pass against opposition it would be necessary to seize both
sides, but especially the rocky side on the left (west). The seizure would not
be very difficult with the support of mountain guns. It could be turned by
following the course of the Shapur river to the west of the hills, but this
road is considerably longer.
The name Kutal-i-Malu, which means the “ cursed pass ” and was pro
bably given by reason of the epithets of ascending travellers, is not always
used : other names are sometimes substituted.— {Clerk — Monleitli—
M a cGregor—Curzon — Douglas — Hewlett .)
KUTAL-I-MUSHGUN— Lat. Long. Elev.
A pass in Ears crossed on the road from Shiraz to Kazarun between
Musghun and Garreh.* On the Shiraz side the pass itself is steep, but the
road is fairly good and lies nearly throughout on very soft lime. On the
Kazarun side the road is more stony perhaps than before, and the descent
is sharp and unpleasant.—(.Dwrawd.)
KUTAL-I-PlR ZAN— Lat. Long. Elev. 7 500'.
A pass in Ears between Abdul and Dasht-i-Arjan, on the Bushire-Shiraz
post road, about 50 miles from Shiraz. The ascent of the pass, which
commences from the Abdul plain about 6 miles after crossing the Kutal-i-
Dukhtar, is steep and stony, up a hillside covered with small trees but is
nowhere a defile. After about 2 miles of climb the cdravdvserai of Mian
Kutal is reached, which stands on a spur and cannot be seen till one is close
to it. If held, it would be difficult to tackle as, though commanded by the
hills above it, these could not be reached from the foot of the pass without
passing close to Mian Kutal. In case of it being held it would be an
advantage to camp the night at Kaluni, as it would be easier to attack from
there, and an opportunity would be gained of reconnoitring it. After Mian
Kutal the path continues to ascend, and follows the telegraph for a mile
when it bifurcates, the old road still following the telegraph line, and the
new road keeping to the north. The old road goes over a lower part of
the range, along the side of the hill and then down a valley to the plain. It
is longer, rougher, and less easy to traverse under opposition than the new
road. The latter crosses the range at a point 2 milps to the west of and
200' higher than, the old road. It is comparatively free from stones, in
fact after rain owing to the clayey nature of the soil, the descent, which is
steep becomes very slippery. The descent by the new^ road is made direct
to the Dasht-i-Arjan, and is commanded the whole way from the top of
the pass.
The pass which is about 6 miles long, is less arduous than the other passes
on this road, and it is thought that field artillery could be got .across wit h
the aid of drag ropes. The pass is covered with snow in winter which
increases the existing difficulties, but does not entirely block the road
Curzon mentions that “ the pass could be avoided by striking the hills 9
miles to the east, wiiere they dip into the Dasht-i-Arjan,” but this path is
not identifiable, unless it means to the west, and the Kaleh Abdul and Mulla
Nairu passes are indicated. These afford an alternative route.
Pt, I.
*In Jiret.
2 X