'Persia and the Persian Question by the Hon. George Nathaniel Curzon, M.P.' [‎47] (78/714)

WAYS AND MEANS
47
subsequently narrate my own experiences, I will only add here
that it leads through the cities of Shiraz, Isfahan, Kashan, and
Kum, to Teheran, a total distance of just 770 miles. The first
170 miles, between Bushire and Shiraz, must be covered bv cara
van, there being no postal road over the precipitous ladders of the
southern mountains; but from Shiraz northwards the rider can
clatter along as fast as spur, bridle, and horse-hoof can forward
him.
The risks and desagrements ot this route, which are not incon
siderable, are likely before long to be obviated by the creation of
X. Moham- a liew avenue of entry into Persia from a point some
Teheran wliat fartlier to tlie west u Po n the southern coast line,
route Just as the aggrandisement of Russia upon the north
eastern borders of Persia has resulted in the construction of the
Ashkabad-Kuchan road, already alluded to, so the predominance
of British influence in the south is likely to lead to the construc
tion of a new road from the Karun River, via Ahwaz, Shushter,
Dizful, Khorremabad, and Burujird, to Teheran. A concession has
been procured by the Imperial Bank of Persia, for the authorised
execution of this enterprise, which was commenced in the autumn
of 1890; and, should it be successfully completed, we may find
that the stream of future travel is largely diverted from the Bushire
line to one that will possess the advantage of being shorter by 250
miles from the point of debarkation to the capital. More about
this, too, will be said elsewhere. For the present the line thus
sketched cannot be considered as practicable for travellers, nor be
recommended to the stranger.
The circuit which has already brought my readers to the
furthest extremity of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , and to the outlet of the
XI Bagh Tigris and Euphrates does not require to be greatly ex-
dad-Tehe- tended in order to land them at Baghdad, which, it may
surprise many at home to hear, is one of the most in
teresting points of departure for the Persian frontier and interior.
Not only is there a considerable movement of trade into and from
Persia in this direction, but some of the most notable Persian
cities and monuments of antiquity can be visited from this quarter,
and, it may almost be said, from this alone. Let me first state,
therefore, the various means of reaching Baghdad, and then briefly
sketch the route from thence across the Persian border.
Some years ago, when I was first contemplating a visit to