‘Military report on south-west Persia, including the provinces of Khúzistán (Arabistan), Luristán and part of Fars.’ [‎51v] (107/470)

74
stone
hills.
Details of the hills of Luristdn (Bakhtiari and Kuhgehiu hills).
To the east of Ram-Hormuz is a range of sandstone and limestone
Outer range of sand- hills, abounding in gypsum * and containing the cele-
id limestone brated white naptha springs and the bitumen pits of
Mai- Dawud. Their western face is broken and precipi
tous. To the east they gradually subside into small plains and valleys. Their
forms are frequently picturesque, and they are much more serrated and irre
gular than the great range. To the south of the Ab-Ala, and between that
river and the plain of Behbahan, they are chiefly tabular. In these hills there
are numerous ruins of villages, castles, and mountain strongholds, all of the
Sasanian epoch (see page 329).
Crossing them, and following the Ab-Ala, we enter the rich valley of Mai-
, ,, Dawud.f Here are numerous remains of ancient villages,
and the country seems to have been once thickly peo
pled. Ascending the Ab-Ala, where it is closed in by the mountains of the
great chain, we come to the small village of Kalat-Ala; beyond is the lofty
range of Mungasht, whose face is without a particle of soil or vegetation. Cross
ing the low hills to the east of Mai-Dawud, we enter the small but fertile
plain of Mongenu, which is situated immediately at the foot of Mungasht.
Kuh-i-Mungasht and To the north-west of Mongenu, following the course
vicinity. of a small stream which falls into the Ab-i-Zard, is the
plain of Bagh-i-Malik, a beautiful and fertile district, grown over with camel
thorn and pistachio. Its chief produce is tobacco. To the east of the village
of Bagh-i-Malik are the ruins of Manjinik.
Descending the Ab-i-Zard, on either hand lies a rough waterless country,
until a series of low sandhills is met and Sarasia reached. The sandhills are
rough and stony with exposed slabs of slippery rock. Myrtle and tamarisk
grow near the river. Where the road fords the river, its altitude is 2,UoO'
(Baring). It is 20 feet wide and 3 feet deep.
To the south-south-west of Mai-Dawud are the plains of Baiza and Patek,
^ . , , „ ^ , , . watered by the Alai or Teseng and the Allar or Ab-i-
aizaan a t - p am. falkh, from 14 to 15 miles long and 4 to 7 miles broad.
They are considered to be very productive, and grow both wheat and barley.
In this direction the Janiki Bakhtfans occupy the villages of Patek and
Daltin, and the Zangana family (originally a Kurdish tribe from Karmanshah,
now numbering about 300 families) the reed village of Sarila (l)e Bode).
Ascending the Ab-i-Zard, which passes through a narrow gorge formed by
the great range, we enter the pleasant valley of Malaga!, thickly wooded
with gigantic walnut trees. Beyond it is the vast barrier of Mungasht.
Leaving Bagh-i-Malik to the north-west, a small ridge of hills, branchin g
from the low limestone chain, is crossed to the plain of Tub The plain is of
Maidan-i-Tul. a ^ uv i a ^ s °il> fit for the cultivation of corn and barley %
It is covered with brushwood. The kaba is built on
an eminence, and is capable of holding 300 men. The walls are solidly built and
provided with towers; the entrance, recessed, is well protected. The Chief of
the Chahar Lang, holding jurisdiction under the Ilkhani The paramount chief of certain tribes in south west Iran. , resides here. Bricks
are burnt near the fort (Baring). Two roads lead from the plain to Shustar,
one via Gurgir, the other via Kuh Khar-i-Shutur (see Revised (Jazetleer of
Persia ; Routes and Appendix page 326).
* Many parts cf these hills have distinct names, but the hills themselves from Behbahan
to the Kanin are called by the Bakhtxarfs giyuch, and distinguished by the names of the places
to which they are near, as Giyach-i-Ilamuz, Giyach-i-Mai-Uawud.
f David’s wine.