‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [‎183r] (364/949)

Examining the last sections of the line from a military point of view, we
see that from Kirman to Rigan it is perfectly safe, as it lies among peaceful
nomad Persian tribes. From Rigan to Chahbar the line passes through Belu-
chistan, and presents greater danger, particularly from Bampur to the ocean
that is, the last 300 versts. But bearing in mind that the total population o
Beluchistan is 131,000 to 100 , 000 , and maintaining a certain policy, it is pos
sible to keep on good terms with them; I hold that the ronte at this point will
not offer any special danger. But, of course, the protection here must be
stronger — say from 1,500 to 2,000 men for the whole of Beluchistan. Ihe
whole of this section from Bam to Chahbar will participate in transit trade,
as also in the transport of troops to Chahbar to occupy that point and the coast,
and for operations from this sea position against India.
The Bay of Chahbar will hold a very large war fleet, and well-disposed
batteries will completely secure it from fire from the sea and the danger of a
landing.
Railway Reconnoitering from the Caspian to the Indian Ocean
From Resht the projected lines take the direction of the existing
“ chaussee ” valley of the Persian Province of Gillan to the Settlement of
Kudum, where it enters the valley of the Sefid-rud, proceeding along the left
bank to the place of junction of the Rivers of Kizyluzen and Shahrud, forming
the River Sefid-rud. Hence along the left bank of the Shahrud the line
proceeds to the point where the Mulla-Ali falls into the Shahrud (at the Laushum
Bridge), along the valley of the latter proceeds to the station of Yuzvashichai.
It then turns off into the valley of the Abgar-rud, a territory of the Mulla-Ali,
by which it comes out into a spacious hollow, intersected by several small
streams composing the River Abgar-rud, and bounded on the south-east by
the ridge of Elburz. Making several loops the line enters the great Rliabad
Valley, along the right slope of which it proceeds to the pass leading to the
Kasvin plateau, cutting through the Elburz range by a tunnel of a verst and
a half. Further, winding as it passes from valley to valley, the line descends
by a comparatively little intersected and gentle south-east slope of the Elburz
range to Kasvin valley near the settlement of Bairam to the town of Kasvin.
In regard to the topographical character of the ^ locality, the line from
Resht to the pass through the Elburz Range is divided into five sections.
The first lying in the plain t from Resht to the settlement of Nefid-Kitale, 60 versts
in extent, with falls amounting to *002; the second along the valley of the
Sefid-rud to the Menjil Bridge, with falls of '004, 30 versts m length; the
third alon^ the valley of the Shakhrud to the mouth of Mulla-Ah, 2o. versts m
extent, with falls of *006 ; the fourth along the valley of the Mulla-Ali to the
station of the Yuzvashichai, 30 versts in extent, with falls of ’02 ; and the fittn
along the valley of the Abgar-rud to the pass through the Elburz ridge, with a
fall of ’028.
Between Resht and Sefid-Kitale there is a valley covered with thick virgin
forest, intersected by only two rivers, the Pir Bazar, or Gilian-rud, and the
Siavash, a tributary of the Pir Bazar. The station of Resht it is proposed to
place on the southern side of the town. Ihe line will pass from it in a south
easterly direction, keeping to the existing “chaussee, and as far as the post
station of Kudum takes an almost straight course, with falls not exceeding
•005. Further, having on its left the Gilian-rud and on the right mountain
spurs gradually approaching this river, with a fall also not exceeding 005, ant
curves of not less than 300 sagenes (700 yards) it approaches the Settlement of
Imamzade, the entry to the valley of the Setid-rud.
The left bank of the Sefid-rud from the Settlement of Imamzade-gashim
to the Meniil Bridge presents mountain slopes descending to the river, except
ing only localities at Rustam-Abad, Gianja, and Rud Bar, where the mountains
retiring from the river leave terraces a half to a verst in breadth As far as
Rustam Abad the mountains are covered with forest (azat, walnut, cypress,
samshit, karazach, domiragaoh, etc.)> and have for the most part an earth cover
2 to 3 sagenes thick. Further on rocky projections are met with more fre-
ouentlv, and from End Bar to the River Kizyl Uzin the slopes present con
tinuous rocks. The rocks are principally of argillaceous slate and limestone.
The fall of the valley of the Sefid-rud is on an average '0025, but the valley m