‘Military report on south-west Persia, including the provinces of Khúzistán (Arabistan), Luristán and part of Fars.’ [‎51r] (106/470)

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epoch. Belo'.v them the valley narrows^ and paved roads of great antiquity
are carried along each bank. Still descending the river, the valley again
widens, and artificial mounds and ruins again occur; and on the right bank is
the tomb of Daniel, held in much veneration by the Lurs (a mean mud hut).
Beyond these the river is again confined between tremendous precipices.
A paved road,* * * § very slippery and bad going for horses, is carried along its
banks, and ruins of roughly hewn stone, called by the Lurs Masjid-i-Suleiman,
occur. Below these are the ruins of a very fine bridge (the bridge of Jirzad),
the arches of which must have spanned the river at an elevation of 1 Ou feet.
The kiln-burnt bricks of which it was constructed resemble those found in
ruins of the Kayanian era.
On leaving Susan, the Karun approaches Susan Surkh-Ab and Andaku,
both ancient sites. On the Talak, which falls into the river below Andaku,
are the remains of a city called Boneiwar, probably of the time of the
Atabegs, and inhabited, according to Lur tradition, 250 years ago. Tim
remains of the Sasanian Castle at Akili, protecting the road as it enters the
mountains, have already been referred to on page 72.
For descriptions of the—
Ab-i-Zal, see page 204.
Bala-Rud, see page 203.
Ao-i-Leylum, see page 207.
Ab-i-Fani see page 208.
Tayin, Chemesk, A,c., see pages 214, 215.
Khers&n and its tributaries, see page 71.
History.
From time immemorial the hills of Luristan have been inhabited by war
like and hardy tribes of hillmen, who have set at defiance the strength of the
successive ancient empires of the Old World. Yet the memorial remains of
cities and cemeteries, such as those existing at Mal-Amir, Susan, Sad'at, within
their intricate mountains, and at Patek, Tashun, Ahwaz, Shustar, &c., in the
plains at their feet, as well as at Tang-i-Saulek, Deh-dasht, &c., at or near the
mouths of the gorges leading into them, seem to point to the facts that not
only have they been conquered, but that their hills have been the favoured
residences of monarchs, and the centres of civilization and prosperity of such
extent and magnitude as to lead to the conclusion that they, as well as the
plains to their south, were occupied by a teeming population, producing in
abundance both agriculturists and artisans. In its mountain fastnesses it is
conjectured lay the strength of the Elamites, and in the plains below
Abraham pastured his flocks [see page 47). Its architectural remains refer
back to the age of Alexander the Great;f the Sasanianj: era; that of the Ata
begs, who flourished here in the 12th, 13th, and 14th centuries, and who are
supposed to be Salgurian§ Turkomans.
Ahwaz and Shustar were then centres of commerce, merchandise being
brought up to them by the Karun. Now the rout # e is closed not only to com
merce, but to travellers from preventable causes. A ruined commerce and
ruined cities point to the inferiority of the Persian monarchy to its enlightened
predecessors.
* This ancient road is now called the Jadah-i-Atabeg, see page 77.
t Alexander the (.ireat ended the Kaianian dynasty, and lived in the 4th century b. c.
I The Saeanidoe, a dynasty of Persian kings founded by Ardeshir (Artaxerxes), flourished
between 125 and 650. Ainonsrst its kings were Shapur, Khusru, and Yezdegerd.
§ The Salur Turkomans are from Mangishlak, now a district of the Russian Trans-Caspian
region.
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