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‘Military report on south-west Persia, including the provinces of Khúzistán (Arabistan), Luristán and part of Fars.’ [‎187v] (379/470)

The record is made up of 1 volume (231 folios). It was created in 1885. It was written in English. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .

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330
wide, and in flood would be at least 6 feet deep. It is a rapid stream, and even
now,’when only 45 yards wide, is only fordable by strong men, being up to the
horses' girths. In spring it would be a nasty flood to pass. Fine cover of
tamarisk and oleander marks its course, whilst beyond palm groves, villages,
and cultivated ground present an unwonted scene of prosperity and security
for this part of Persia. Wild cabbage is the ordinary weed of the plain.
The Governor of Behbahan, the “ Nasir-ul-Mulk," welcomed us most
kindly through his young commandant of horse, a Shirazi gentleman, who
spoke" a little English. We were comfortably housed in a garden worthy of
Shiraz itself. However, palms, which are here plentiful, are great rarities in
the capital of Ears. The Nasir-ul-Mulk is fond of gardening and building;
the narcissuses are m full bloom ; castor oil plants, orange trees, and a tew
sickly plantains, with jessamine in bloom, are amongst the rarities.
The town has practically no walls; the population is between four and
five thousand; it seems thinly peopled and tumble-down, yet delightfully
clean compared with Dizful and Shustar. The water-supply is poor; water
has to be stored in ab-umbars or subterranean chambers for summer use.
There is a regiment of infantry and a few guns here.
December 9th .—We halted and called on the Governor.
December 10th. —The Nasir-ul-Mulk came in person to bid us goodbye.
He gave us a large escort, and seut some treasure to Shiraz in our company
[tee page 306).
For road to Isfahan, see Road Report No. 4.
Stage 7, December 11th. —Our road goes east across the plain of Behbahan,
l ■ ' and into the low hills that divide the basin of the
Md river 15 miles. Easy Khairabad river from that ot the Jarraln. We camp
road with slight ascent near the river, which is 30 yards wide and easily ford-
east with a httle south. abl Pj though in spring it would be a formidable obstacle,
being rapid with a stony bed. Good francolin shooting here, and lions are
occasionally found. No supplies obtainable. On the banks of the river is a
thick cover of willow and tamarisk, &c.
Stage 8, December 12th. — From Khairabad river to Dugumbazan, direction
south by east, the road commences well, gradually
ascends to the plain of Lishter, 4 miles wide by 10
miles long, a grand place for pasturing mares. Even at
this season there is grass, and the evergreen kuh-nars
give shade, whilst the Shams-al-Arab stream, which bounds it on the south
east, supplies good water. The above-named stream is small except in time
of flood. After crossing it we enter rounded gypsum hills, and are amongst
them for 4 miles of road, after which, crossing the water parting between
Shams-al-Arab and the Dugumbazan steam (altitude 2,480 feet), the road
becomes level with hills on either side; that of Shah-Ru on the right front^ is
remarkable in shape. The mountain on the left, marked on the map as Kuli-
f-Huma, but known as Kuh-i-Dil, must be at least 10,000 feet in height, and
looks well from the plain on which Dugumbazan stands. They say the stream
from this plain is lost in a marsh. The water from the snows of Kuh-i-Du
mostly goes down the Shams-al-Arab ($<?<?^b’). At Dugumbazan is a
ruined caravanserai A roadside inn providing accommodation for caravans (groups of travellers). and a small village, the first we have seen since Behbahan.
It possesses a much ruined fort with two towers. During the whole march
fuel was plentiful, but water scarce. Lions are said to be numerous in the
vicinity.
Khairabad river to
Dugumbazan,* 27f miles,
south by east.
* The two domes.

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Content

Report marked strictly confidential, prepared in the Intelligence Branch of the Quarter Master General’s Department in India, by the Assistant Quarter Master General, Major and Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Mark Sever Bell, Royal Engineers. The volume was published by the Government Central Branch Press, Simla, 1885.

The contents of the volume are as follows:

  • part I, a narrative description of a journey from India to Muhammerah [Khorramshahr], through to the Luristán [Lorestān] hills, to Kúm [Qom]; from Kúm to Gulpaigán [Golpāyegān ], Chaman-i-Sultán [Chaman Solţān], Ali-Gúdar [Alīgūdarz], Imámzádá-Ishmail [Emāmzādeh Esmā‘īl], and the Zaindarúd River [Zāyandeh Rūd] to Isfahán; from Isfahán through the Kúhgehlú [Kohgīlūyeh] hills to Behbahán and Bandar-Dilám [Bandar-e Deylam]; from Bandar-Dilám to Bushire
  • part II, a detailed account of southwest Persia, compiled from Sever’s own observations and other available sources
  • part III, commercial considerations. A further section in this chapter on strategic observations, which is mentioned on the contents page and marked as secret, is not present in the volume
  • part IV, detailed road reports
  • appendix A, road reports, Isfahan to Shústar [Shūshtar], Shústar to Shíráz [Shīrāz], compiled in 1881 by Captain Henry Lake Wells, Assistant Director of Persian Telegraphs, with additional annotations by Bell
  • appendix B, a list of plant specimens collected in Luristán during April and May 1884
  • appendix C, extracts of a paper on the geology of the Turko-Persian frontier, written by William Kennett Loftus, June 1854
  • appendix D, meteorological observations at Bushire, from 20 March to 20 June 1885

The volume includes eight maps, two photographic plates, and illustrations throughout (topographical, architectural, anthropological). The two photographic plates and some of the maps are of an earlier date than the volume’s publication date of 1885.

Extent and format
1 volume (231 folios)
Arrangement

A contents page (f 7) and index (ff 222-226) refer to the volume’s original printed pagination.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 233; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio.

Pagination: the file also contains an original printed pagination sequence.

Written in
English in Latin script
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‘Military report on south-west Persia, including the provinces of Khúzistán (Arabistan), Luristán and part of Fars.’ [‎187v] (379/470), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/MIL/17/15/9, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100048990083.0x0000b4> [accessed 29 March 2024]

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