‘Military report on south-west Persia, including the provinces of Khúzistán (Arabistan), Luristán and part of Fars.’ [‎165r] (334/470)

293
Route No. 4— contd.
From Isfahan to Behhahdn and Bandar-Dddm, §c. —ccntd.
^ =F
il
55
Time. Names of towns, villages, &e.
Distances in
miles.
Interme-
iliate.
Total.
Kemarks.
6t/t June 1884.
A.M.
Bassaki (elevation
7,850').
...
196
4-35
Stocqueler thus describes the crossing of the Rud Khana-i-garm (the Khersun) : “ So diffi
cult is the passage of the torrent, that each person bearing a load on his head was obliged
to he supported across the stream by 2 or 3 others, who could, with difficulty, keep their
legs, although the water only reached to their breasts.”
Sadat can be reached by a direct road across the mountains ; a journey of 10 hours leads
to the Khersun river. It is a journey of 18 hours’ duration thence to Sadat across a most
difficult hilly country.
A bearing of 170° cuts about the centre of the Kuh-i-Dina. which looks to he 4 or 5 miles
distant. The table of Miila Ali Khan was well supplied with ice from the hills above the
camp. His son is a non-commissioned officer in the Bakhtiari horse, said to number 200 horse
men {see page 25).
Barometer 22’S"; temperature 48°.
9 4-35 7,850'). Descends a grassy 7 valley, leading down
to the Kuh-i-Dina, in which many tents
were pitched ; soil, gravelly ; there is no
stream in it. The hills resemble those on the Dizful-Khoramabad line at Badamek and
those about the Tang-i-Dusabil, consisting of clays and gravels alternating with horizontal
layer’s of limestone rock of different thicknesses at varied intervals apart.
Enters the valley 7 under the Dina hill
(north end), here judged to be 12,000'
hi S h .-
Joins in with the track from Felat,
coming from a direction of 300°, and
traverses a grassy valley one mile w'ide.
The valley opens out to the left, into a
plain 3 or 4 miles broad and called
“ Charrah ” ; in it are pitched numerous
tents of the Kashkai; excellent barley is
grown ; its pasture is good; numerous flocks of sheep and cows were seen. Between the
plain and the Kuh-i-Dina, 2 miles to the right, lies a hill.
Descending a ravine pass Rudabad, a
small village built on an undulation over
looking the valley of the Malburr river.
Fords a small stream 50' wide, 2’ deep,
and soon after the Malburr river, 100'
to 150' wide, swift current, bouldery bed,
3' to 3' 6’' deep ; the ford at this season is a
most dangerous one, and should not be attempted unless it can be pointed out by one accustomed
to use it [see page 23). The general character of the valley is rocky and narrow. The stream,
icy cold, takes a westerly course, and falls into the Korund river (Karun river) ; barometer
23’85" (6,200'). The crossing occupied labours ( 6 loads and 4 horses). Were horse or mule
to lose his footing, there would be little or no chance of recovering him. A man would have
little chance unless a strong swimmer {see page 309, Bridging).
6-30
...
...
6-45
...
7
7-55
Rudabad
...
8-45
Malbubb River ...
10-30
is cultivation in the valley and shrubs grow there.
The mule path ascends a ravine towards
the Kuh-i-Dina, which is 1 to 2 miles
off, and by easy gradients winds round
the hill-side ; soil, a stony clay ; there