‘Military report on south-west Persia, including the provinces of Khúzistán (Arabistan), Luristán and part of Fars.’ [‎157r] (318/470)

277
Route No. 4 — contd.
From Isfahan to Behbahdn and Bandar- T)ildm—GoM.
o
Distances in
miles.
Js be
£ w
S5
Time.
Names of towns, villages, &c.
Interme
diate.
Total.
Remarks.
The
were ruined bv excessive taxation and the past dry season. Snow rarely falls here,
spring rains this year were excessive and had carried away the bridge, the ^ams of wluth
were seen about # mile up-stream. To cross the river, here 150 to 200 wide, b to
deep with a rapid current, it was necessary to pass up-stream about a mile and cross on
raft*manceuvred byVr<^)es and 5 men on either side of the stream The volume of water m the
J verTieSgreate than nearer Isfahan, much of it down-stream being expended m irrigation
O the left bank, barren rocky hills, 100 ' high, border the river; on the light
bal are low ( 3 'over the preoelt level of the water), ? nd 7 .»»d
and irrigated, poppies, corn, rice, , growing kminantly. The valley s under a mile
broad The river water is cool and pleasant to drink, but requires to be Idtered. it took
on. hour to pass the baggage over ,*6 trips, and J hour to swim the horse, and mules over
(1 ° during tte 'early spring the river, when in 4ood, ism places 600 to 700 yards wide and
probably 4 ' to 5 ' deeper than at present. /OA ^ ...
1 The Pul-i-Zaman Khan is distant 5 farsakhs (20 to 2o miles).
Barley here sold at the rate of 24 lbs. for the kran ^
Straw (chopped) sold at the rate of 60 lbs. for the kran.
The neighbouring villages contain numbers of circular pigeon towers (see page 2/0).
The rice crop ripens during November. _ • n u T*P.ilinn flip rhahar
The cultivation of opium throughout Persia, and especially about Isfahan, tt.e Uialiai
the cultivation i in {act wherever the soil ,s suitable and water is
Opium. abundant, is largely on the increase, and its sale gives to the
cultivators a large margin of profit, and to the Government a continually increasing revenue.
Its cultteiTtioni^encouraged, 'and by the villagers it is considered to be them most paytog
crop (see page 173). ... , i • i • i
At Shiraz an import duty of 11 4 krans per cnest is levied. a irr TUo
At Isfahan imi orted opium pays 16 shahis the Shah maund (^SlbOcjtomsduty.
local authorities exact Hi krans per chest, and the muleteer pays besides kian 11 / , shahis
‘’"'The' frop^evport duty is krAns 10 per chest; but the ta* is farmed, and the farmer has
r& ^ 8 At 'Bustdre "the charges are krans 24 per chest import duty and Wns 12 export duty.
Between Shiraz and Bushire 15 shahis per chest are levied for rahdan or road tax.
Whils* the cultivation and export of opium steadily increase, its qua i y imp
is in considerable favour with the Celestials.— (Administration Repor .)
A.M.
5-10
5-25
6-15
29tk May 1884.
BAGn-I-WAGAUUN
36 Barometer 24-2" ; thermometer 64.
Road skirts the rocky hill side border
ing the valley of the river, here 600
yards broad.
Ascends gently to cross the Gardan-i-
Rukh. To the north of the river valley
is seen a tumbled mass of low and barren
undulations known as the Sahra-i-Mus-
siabad. The river valley seems to run west and east for 6 or 7 miles before turning north.
Kal’a Alloyibi Descends to the gardens of the village,
down the steep conglomerate valley side ;
road a mule track, gradient jq to y 5 -,
difficult for 50 yards.