'Persia and the Persian Question by the Hon. George Nathaniel Curzon, M.P.' [‎40] (71/714)

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PERSIA
The second is the line taken by the Russian import and export
traffic, and also by a large number of travellers, which approaches
Tabriz from the direction of Tiflis, crossing the frontier
Tabn™ 18 ' between Russia and Persia at Julfa, on the Aras (Araxes).
route former times Tiflis was the starting-point of this route
for all travellers by road ; 1 but since the ( aucasian isthmus has
been crossed by a railroad the station of Akstafa, about 50 miles
east of Tiflis, is the usual point of departure where the train is
eft, 2 and where vehicles or horses are engaged for the journey. 3
(1862), Jjife and Adventures, caps, iv., v., vii.; and by J. Bassett (1^71), Persia, the
Land of the Imams, cap. ii. The list of caravan stations between Trebizond and
Tabriz, and the duration of the journey in hours between each (the Turkish hour
or measurement by time being the precise counterpart of the Persian farsakh or
measurement by distance—i .e. the marching pace of a baggage animal in the
hour) is as follows Trebizond-Djevizlik (6), Khamsikeui (5), Ardassa (8),
Gumushkhaneh (5), Murad Khan (5), Kadrak (5), Baiburt (6), Kop Dagh Khan
(6), Ash Kaleh (9), Ilidja (8), Erzerum (3), Hassan Kaleh (G), Amrakum (5), Deli
Baba (G), Tayar (5), Mullah Suleiman (7), Kara Kilissa (7), Tashlitchai (5),
Diadin (G), Kizildizeh (5), Ovadjik [Persian frontier] (5), Karaaineh (7), Zorova
(6), Pereh (G). Khoi (3), Seyid Haji (5). Tessieh (G), Diza Khalil (7), Mayana (6),
Tabriz (3). Total, 172 hours, or (at the normal calculation of three miles an hour)
51G miles. Colonel Stuart, in 1835, calculated the distance as 4 ( J0 miles.
1 The journey from Tiflis to Tabriz has been described by Sir J. Chardin
(1G71), Travels, pp. 238-252; J. P. Morier (1814), Second Journey, pp. 301-320;
Lieut.-Col. Stuart (1835), Journal of a Residence in N. Persia, pp. 145-169,
E. B. Eastwick (18G0), Journal of a Biplomate, vol. i. pp. 146-178; A. H.
Mounsey (1865), Journey through the Caucasus, pp. 50-90; A. H. Schindler (1881),
Zeit. d. Gesell. fur Erd. z. Berlin, vol. xviii.; Mme. Dieulafoy (1881), La Perse,
pp. 12-43 ; H. Binder (1884), Au Kurdistan, pp. 17-51. The last named gives an
accurate account of the journey as at present accomplished, by rail to Akstafa,
vehicle to Julfa, and chapar to Tabriz.
2 Duration of journey from Tiflis to Akstafa 3^ hours by quick train, 5 hours
by ordinary train ; tirst-class fare, 5 roubles.
3 A podorojna, or postal order, for the purpose must be procured at Titlis, and
entitles the holder to the hire of horses and use of the post-houses along the road.
A carriage (either a phaeton or a springless wooden troika) can be hired for the
entire distance from Akstafa to Julfa (but not beyond) for 30 to 40 roubles. The
hire of post-horses is at the rate of 3 kopecks per verst (f mile) per horse,
plus a regulation gratuity of 20 kopecks to the driver at each stage. Ihe stages
between Akstafa and Tabriz, and the distances in versts are as follows: Akstafa-
Uzuntali (22}), Caravanserai A roadside inn providing accommodation for caravans (groups of travellers). (17^), Tarsa Chai (18^), Dilijan (14,^), Semenofska
(18|), Helenofska (21|), Achti (160, Fontanka (12), Eilyar (19f), Erivan (15),
Agha Hamdali (13), Kamarlu (15), Davalu (18f), Sadarak (18|), Baschnuraschin
(22^), Tartshah (10), Kivrak (19), Bejukdusi (12}), Nakhchivan (21), Alinja
Chai (25), Julfa (13). Total, 363| versts, or 242i miles. Of the above stations
there are telegraph oflices and clerks of the Indo-European Telegraph Depart
ment at Akstafa, Dilijan (where the road to Kars branches off), Achti, Erivan,
Sadarak, and Nakhchivan.