‘Military report on south-west Persia, including the provinces of Khúzistán (Arabistan), Luristán and part of Fars.’ [‎23v] (51/470)

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stages. The river passes or tangs and the staircases of rock are next to im
passable to mule artillery in their present state; but not altogether so; for a
test load, a mule laden with yek-dans, each 3' long x 2' deep x 1' 9" broad,
weight 3 maunds = 240 lbs., was brought safely through with but one
serious mishap {see page 143). A considerable amount of blasting will be
required to form them into good mule paths, although but little may be
necessary to enable a heavily laden mule to pass without accident. The
road Bushire to Shiraz is in places equally bad, indeed worse. Persian mules
can walk up and down staircases of rock and through bouldery ravines better
than most men can. Taken as a whole, therefore, the road is by no means an
impracticable military one to an army supplied with good mule carriage.
Provided with sappers and pioneers, its difficulties would soon cease to exist
{see page 169).
With reference to the difficulty of passing through a ‘'tang,” it may be as
well to recall first impressions, and this is my excuse for recording here the
following entries from my note book :—
On passing through the Tang-i-Nali—
“A more desolate bit of rock scenery never seen; most awful bed of
boulders ever heard of;” and on leaving the Tang-i-Na-Khuda “emerge
out of the worst inferno I hope to enter.”
Stocqueler traversed this road from Behbahan to Isfahan in June 1831.
Leaving Behbahan on the 11th June he reached Isfahan in 12 marches (one of
18 hours' duration). His descriptions of localities are very inaccurate, and of
scenery exaggerated. References to perilous ascents and awful acclivities are
misleading. He was robbed on the Isfahan side of Simarun and writes : “ We
reached Isfahan weary, sick, impoverished ; in short, we had little left us but
our souls.” The difficulties of the journey had engendered fever and this no
doubt fully accounts for his loose statements.
^ The distance to Isfahan from Bushire via, Shiraz is 456 miles of 24 stages
vrd Kazran and 538 miles via Firuzabad, the most practicable route. From
Behbahan to Shiraz is 171 miles of 7 stages. From Behbahan to Ahwaz is
121 miles of 6 stages.
Behbahan is 2 marches or 48 miles distant from Bandar-Dilam {see
page 309 ).
1 he importance of the line Behbahan-Isfahan, with good branch roads from
Behbahan to both Shustar and Shiraz, from a military point of view, is consid
erable {seepart III). Its importance is however quite eclipsed by that of
Muhammerah, Shustar, Isfahan, 6/ miles longer, 187 of which can be
accomplished by river. Commercially much- cannot be expected of it as yet •
the Zil-ul-Sultan has perhaps been perstladed that the Kuhgehlu have greatly
improved it, but the mere fact of no caravan taking it should tell him the
truth if he were desirous of knowing-it. Bushire and Shiraz are of too o-reat
an importance to allow of trade taking any other road not affordin'* crater
advantages than shortness; it must be secure as well; provisions must be
obtainable and the difficulties connected with traversing the passes, staircases of
rock and streams must be lessened {seepage 23and Strategical and Commercial
Consideration*, Part III, page 170).
1 he tribes of Kuhgehlu are closely allied to the Bakhtiari and occupy the
Kuhgehlu tribes. mountains to their south, i.e., from the Kuh-i-Dina to
. Behbahan and the plain of Ram Hormuz. The moun
tains here rise to a greater height than to the westward, and the enclosed valleys
are less rich in pasture than those within the Bakhtiari hills. These tribes now