'Military Report on Russian Turkistan or Central Asia' [‎25r] (54/168)

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(11.) From Merv to Kushk Post, via Yolatan,
Chorvak, Ak Tapa (Panjdeh), and Chaman-
i-Bod, a distance of 203 miles. This is a
post road, constructed by the Russian
Government.
(o.) From Ak Tapa (142 miles S. of
Merv) up the River Murghab to Maruchak
and Maimana (in Afghanistan), some
loO miles; a difficult route in times of
flood.
(/>.) From Ak Tapa to Herat the distance
is 160-19G miles according to variations of
alternative routes.
(c.) From Kushk Post to Herat, vid
Chahildukhteran the distance is 76 miles,
and offers no special difficulty.
(12.) From Merv to Meshed, via Shegitli (Shentli)
and Chaacha, a distance of 160 miles. An
indifferent route; the last part is difficult, over
mountains.
(a.) From Merv to Sarakhs, via Shegitli,
a distance of 92 miles. A good camel
route.
a rough rectangle, the sides of which are about 700-800 yards
long. It appears to be built of inferior brickwork. The railway
passes through a defensible portal, on the north face, furnished
with towers, machicoulis galleries, crenelated parapet, and plate
iron (? steel) gates.
The surrounding hills are crowned with fortifications which
appear to consist of enclosed earthworks with masonry revetment
walls and ditch. The barracks and quarters appear to be sub
stantially built on terraces cut in the hillsides, and are estimated
to accommodate about 4,000 men.
From Kushk Post a track leads to Chahildukhteran, about 14
miles to the south, which is the Frontier Guard Post and Customs
Station on the Afghan frontier. The neighbourhood is exceedingly
feverish, especially during the summer months, from May till
September. The maximum sickness from malaria occurs during
August, when (in 1903) the number of sick amounted to nearly
25 per cent, ol the strength of the garrison. The mean tempera
ture for the year is 57^° Fahr.; the maximum 109^° Fahr. ; and
^ the minimum — 0 - 4° Fahr. (* e., more than 32° of frost).