'Report on the Preliminary Survey of the Route for the Central Persia Telegraph Line' [‎45v] (95/300)

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and Rahmatabad forming a continuous line about 1^ to 2 miles off on our left
between 16 95 and 21*35 miles. Leaving Kassimabad to our right at 21*50
miles, we camp near a stream and opposite the town of Bahramabad.
The road is level, but there are parts liable to inundation and parts sandy
and heavy. Luring very wet weather, it would be impassable to wheels.
Our line will not follow the main road for the first 6 miles but will keep on
the south-western side of the valley to Lafeh, to avoid the part liable to floods.
The Persian line runs through the worst place, and apparently does not sustain
any damage. The Gkolams, however, find it hard work riding through the
wet ground.
Bahramabai) to Kabootar Khan.
Date.
No. of
Route.
Intermediate
Total
March.
Miles.
Miles.
28th October 1898
10
o'*-
Kabootar Khan, 5,217 ft.
24*17
172-90
Skirting the large and important town of Bahramabad on its siiuth-western
side, and keeping in an east-south-easterly direction, we are clear of the houses
and gardens at 1*46 mile'!, and at 1-6*2 miles see Kamalabad, where the Persian
Telegraph Office is located, lying about a mile to our left. Eaizabad 200 yards
to the right, Aliabad 600 yards to the left and Sadatabad 200 yards to the right
are respectively passed at 2'86, 3*74, and 4*50 miles. Up to the last-mentioned
point, the road is much intersected by Kanats and by the over-flow of the
irrigation water of the cultivation on both sides Taking a more easterly
direction, Mohommedabad is passed at 5 56 miles, ^ a mile to the left, while
at 5*86 miles we pass through Abdulabad, which has a stream of clear sweet
water and a caravanserai A roadside inn providing accommodation for caravans (groups of travellers). . At 6*20 miles, Kassimabad is seen 1 mile off on the
left. The road is now excellent, gradually ascending a linn gravelly plain, with
a line, of Kanats running along our right. A track from Knssimabad joins iu
at 8*86 miles, and we here turn to the south-east. The hamlet of Nasireah is
passed at 10-10 miles lying some |th of a mile to the right. The line of Kanats
which has accompanied us so far ceases at 11-99 miles, while we again
turn due east, continuing over bare, firm gravel desert and, gradually
rising, we reach an ah ambai* with sweet water at 15 75 miles. There is
again a barren stretch till 19'74 miles, when a rich growth of high botch
appears, and from this and the nature of the soil it is apparent the country is at
times submerged. The flood line ceases at 20*37 miles. I am inclined to
think this must he the over-flow of the Lalezar. The road now becomes very
sandy and heavy, with high shrub on both sides. At 22-flO, the three hamlets
of Galu Salar, Kakh, and Khanmun are seen some 8 miles off, lying at the
foot of the mountains. Continuing through heavy sand, the cultivation of
Kabootar Khan is reached at 24 miles and, crossing a stream of sweet water,
we camp near the Post house.
The road, though cut up to begin with, is quite fit for wheels. The
greater portion of it is exceptionally good.
Kabootar Khan to PiObat.
Date.
No. of
March.
Route.
Intermedi
ate Miles,
Total Miles.
29tU October 1898 ...
11
Pobat, 5,566 feet. ...
13 27
186-17