'Military Report on Persian Seistan' [‎16v] (37/188)

22
No. 16.
No.
16A.
No.
16B.
No.
16C.
stages and 454 miles. The route is apparently not difficult and is suitable
from a military point of view for a few thousand men. This is the route
given by Maula Bakhsh, 1898. -
The distances to Meshed from Nasratabad by the above route vary from
459 miles to 505 miles, so if we take the average distance to Meshed by
eastern route as 480 miles we shall have a very fair average.
Western Routes —Nasratabad to Meshed vid Neh Bu jand Ram lurbat-i-
Haideri 30 or 31 stages, 513 or 538 miles. Up to Neh, 95 miles, no
difficulties except in wet weather, road fit for all arms, supplies and water
procurable for small parties, though later reports state that water and supplies
are plentiful. . ,, „ v ,
From Neh to Birjand, 120 miles, practicable for all arms, supplies and
water procurable. .. ii r
From Birjand to Kain, 66 miles, the road, though hilly, is practicable tor
all arms, with the exception of the piece between Rum and Rain, which would
require some work. Supplies and water procurable.
From Kain to Bajistan, 93 miles. The Gudar i-God apparently presents
no difficulties, though the pass between Dasht-i-Piaz and Kakli would
require worlc, for a short distance, at 2 places, to render it passable for all
arms. Between Zihbud and Bajistan the road is bad and would require
work. Supplies and water procurable.
From Bajistan to Turbat-i-Haideri, 87 miles, apparently no impediments
to passage of all arms.
From Turbat-i-Haideri to Meshed, 82 miles. Hoad hilly but good; the
Gudar Baidar, however, presents difficulties for artillery, but there is a longer
road turning it; supplies and water procurable. As notes to this route are
given, alternative routes to Neh from Nasratabad and from Ledhi-Chah
or Shela to Aliabad vid Palang Koh, these routes require no further
mention.
Gives an alternative route between Neh and Birjand, 9 stages, 118 miles.
For the first-half of this distance a good deal of work would be required,
and supplies and water are scarce as far as Sarbisha, 62 miles. From Birjand
to Kain, 63 miles as before.
From Kain to Turbat-i-Haideri, 137 miles to Kakh as before ; from here
on to Miandeh road level and easy though supplies scarce; thence on to
Turbat-i-Haideri, no difficulty, supplies plentiful; from Turbat-i-Haideri to
Meshed, 77 miles as before : 16 and 16A should be read together. Total
distance 490 miles, 36 stages.
Nasratabad, Bandan, Tark, Muktarun, Birjand, Muhammadabad, Kakh
Imrani, Tarbat i-IIaider and Meshed, thence on as in 16.
This is described in great detail in route; only small bodies of troops could
take this road; total distance 522i miles.
Neh, Khur, Tun, Bajistan, Meshed.—
Nasratabud to Neh
Neh to Bajistan
Bajistan to Meshed
95 miles.
372 „
169
Total
636 miles.
This route is not well known and is apparently unexplored between Khur
and Tun; small bodies should only march by this route until something more
definite is known about it.