'Report on the Preliminary Survey of the Route for the Central Persia Telegraph Line' [‎70v] (145/300)

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miles, and the track suddenly bears due south here, through low jungle, in the
direction of Arjeman, which we reach at 10 676 miles. Clearing Arjeman and
the strip of jungle contiguous to it, the bearing is again east-south-east, over
an open gravelly plain. The villages of Ahmedabad, Deh Nao and Abdulabad
are consecutively noted some 600 yards to the right at the 11th, 12th and Idtn
miles, while Chakee, 400 yards to the left, is seen at 15*75 miles, and Turkabad
lies on the right at 16*64 miles. After passing some cultivation and a strip
of low jungle, the road crosses an open plain towards Bourj Agha Mohomined,
which can be seen some 2 miles ahead. The mill of Bourj Agha Mohommed we
leave on the right at 19*45 miles, and the village is reached a few yards further
on. Owing to the jungle, the track is not sufficiently broad for wheels, but it
could very easily be made so. The country is flat and easy.
Bouhj Agha Mohommed to Began.
Date.
No. of
March.
Route.
Intermediate
Miles.
Total
Miles.
3rd December 1898
c*
O
Began 2,290 feet.
15*33
53*11
The track lav through low jungle for a mile and a quarter from Bourj
A oka Mohommed, at which point we emerged on to a level gravelly clearing and,
keeping in a south-easterly direction, traversed an excellent road. Just before
this open space, viz., at 1*05 miles, we passed the Bourj or tower of Kon er,
which formed a splendid land-mark. The plain lasted till 674 miles, when
the low jungle and scrub again started, being at times very dense and at others
more open. Continuing through this, we reached a bifurcation of the road at
9*11, the right path leading to tfosseinabad, while we kept straight on. To
our left, some 3 miles distant, the village of Aliabad could be seen at 9*915,
and on the same side, also about 3 miles off, some peculiar shaped sand drifts
were passed at 10*945. A stream of sweet water was crossed flowing north
east at 11*95, and at 13*18 a second stream, with a brick kiln, lay to our im
mediate left, while yet another stream crossed our path at 14*63 miles, and the
ground was under'cultivation. The first glimpse of the B,egan fort was
obtained at the 15th mile, and, keeping round the west side, we camped near a
stream of good water, close to the town. In such places as there was 110
jungle, the read was excellent; but in the jungle, owing to the trees and under
growth, mere bridle paths prevail. A few axes would soon make the road
passable to wheel traffic. Water is plentiful, villages are seen in every direc
tion, where supplies are procurable, and there is an abundance of fuel.