‘Military report on south-west Persia, including the provinces of Khúzistán (Arabistan), Luristán and part of Fars.’ [‎87r] (178/470)

181
Route No. 1 — contd.
From Muhammerah to Tehran, fyc .—contd
3®
'lime.
P.M.
12-30
3-40
Distances in
MILES.
Names of towns, villages, &c.
Interme-
date.
ISLi
Amiea
Kut Abdula
Ahwaz
(the ancient Aginis)
Elevation 220'.
Long. 48° 39' E.; Lat.
31° 14' N,
21
Total.
82
Remarks.
A small village in a bend of the river;
right bank of river 10 feet, and left bank
7 feet, over the present level of water.
Island and small village of Amira.
The plain bordering the left bank of
tbe river resembles that along its right
bank, and is well cultivated; excellent
wheat, barley, &c., are grown.
Several ponds to tbe east; pass several
mounds 20' high and skirt the river.
Tertiary gravels and sandstones now take
tbe place of the saliferous alluvium of
the lower plains.
(See (Revised Gazetteer of Persia.)
General Remarks. —The Arab encamp
ments met with along the right bank
of tbe Kanin were those of Shaikh
Mizal of Muhammerah and Mullah (Mula)
of Hawizah. The llyats grow corn and
barley sufficient for their own require
ments alone ; the capabilities of the soil are great, and the land on both hanks of the river for 40
miles below Ahwiiz, and for the same distance inland, is able to grow luxuriant crops of cereals.
Mr. Robertson, in a report dated May 1876, remarks :—“At the beginning of winter the
Mahaisen and other Arabs, who usually inhabit the date groves about Muhammerah, repair to
the Kanin, and, having scratched the surface of the soil with a wooden instrument made for
the purpose, sow grain. In the spring they return to reap the result, which may be a hundred
fold or nothing, according to the rainfall ” (see pacfe 16S).
The wealth of the wandering tribes consists in their flocks of sheep, which are numerous ;
of goats (less numerous), and of their herds of donkeys, very numerous; horses and marea
(not very plentiful). Cows are few; they and sheep are the most esteemed of their possessions
on account of the value of their wool and milk. The milk is churned into raughan or ghf,
and in this form exported.
Throughout Luristan, Khuzistan, and Ears sheep’s milk is the most highly prized of
all milk as being the richest. Lurs cannot understand an European’s preference for cow’s milk.
The village is a poor one, of about 300 to 400 inhabitants ; its houses, about 12 feet high,
are built of stone or mud, and surrounded by stone walls 5 feet to 10 feet high; the floors are
low and damp ; its roads or passages are narrow.
The ferry here musters one small boat.
The Bauwi tribe of Arabs encamp on the right bank, and the Zengam on the left bank.
It is 120 miles from Behbahan ( see page 332).
Supplies of grain and live-stock are procurable in small quantities ; the escort of tbe
prince, here encamped, say 500 men, drew their supplies of grain from Shustar (seepage 196).
Fire-wood is very scarce ; water obtained from the river is of excellent quality, but muddy
at times ; grazing good. Three boats, each carrying from 60 to 80 tons, were moored below
the river obstructions and laden with grain. Yery little traffic was seen on the river, which,
at this season of the year, carries a depth sufficient to take gunboats ; current rapid (March).