'Military Report on Russian Turkistan or Central Asia' [‎28r] (60/168)

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Oxus, and that of theivunduz river on tlie opposite
bank, which are about 3 miles apart. There is
only one ferry boat under normal conditions.
Kanda Guzar, or Sarai, is a ferry only during the
summer months. The river is forded here in
winter.
Near Samti Bala the Oxus may be said to enter the
plains, and is there crossed by means of “ gupsars,”
or inflated skins. The width is about 500 yards,
the current rapid, and the water at lowest is waist-
deep. The bed of the river is sandy.
'I he following routes are far from being of equal
importance, as compared with those enumerated above:
not only are they further removed from the railway, but
the country through which they pass becomes more
mountainous and difficult:—
(23.) From Darband a continuation of the road from
Bokhara via Karshi* forms a lateral communi
cation running eastward via Baisun, Denau,
ivaratagh and Ilissar to Faizabad, a distance of
179 miles, and thence to (farm (Harm) on the
Kizil Su river, a distance of 271 miles from
Darband, or some 180 miles from Bokhara.
Though difficult, with steep gradients in places,
and as a whole unfit for wheels, this route is
not without importance, passing through the
heart of this populous and cultivated part of
Bokharan territory.
(«.) From Faizabad to the Oxus vide
( 20 ).'
(/>.) From (farm to Kala Khum, &c.,
vide route (28) below.
(24.) Another route, approximately parallel to the
last, lying to the north of the Hissar range
and running up the course of the Zerafshan
river, is that from Samarkand to Garm, via
Penjakent, Urmitan, Varsaminar, Oburdan,
and Paldorak, a distance of 240 miles. Though
difficult in places, and presumably suitable for
* Vide Routes 15 and 19 above.