'Report on the Preliminary Survey of the Route for the Central Persia Telegraph Line' [‎41v] (87/300)

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routes Nos. (1) and (2) running along the valley. I therefore decided to proceed
to Yezd, and, after a day’s halt, to chapoar back alon<: route No. (3), and return
to Yezd again by route No. (4). The result was most satisfactory. Boute 1 3),
although almost free of sand, is at the same time almost destitute of villages
and water, and to avoid the sand drifts the Persian Telegraph line is kept at
some distance from the track to the south-west, and finally swings round into
Maitjut, and thence goes due north into Ardakan. The following day I posted
back to Yezd. Crossing the valley in a north-easterly direction from Maibut
to Roknabad, I joined a good road near the Parsee village of Kalantar. Thence,
the going is excellent to ilosseiuabad, which lies miles north-north-east of
Hujatabad. From Hosseinabad, the road is again good, and joins the Yozd-
Hujatabad track at 9 miles from Yezd. This last-mentioned route, No. (4), is
absolutely free of sand drifts ; it is open to wheeled traffic and passes through
the villages of Kalantar, Kareeraabad, Aliabad, Hussanabad and Hosseinabad,
where supplies in fair quantities are obtainable, and the water is sweet. Un
fortunately, there are no caravanserais ; otherwise, it would become the main
caravan road, muleteers at present preferring the Hujatabad route on account
of the fine caravanserai A roadside inn providing accommodation for caravans (groups of travellers). at that place, although most camel caravans use the
northern route. From what has been written, it would therefore appear that
route No. (4) possesses greatly superior advantages from every point of view.
The two days that were spent at fezd, after returning from my post ride, were
not unprofitably occupied in collecting general information and in examining
the surrounding country with a view to selecting a Telegraph garden. We
were fortunate enough to fiud in the Bagh-i-Khan the advantages of a good
climate and excellent water, and I have recommended that our office should be
located here.
The Ce