'Lord Curzon's Notes on Persia: About 1889-1890' [‎673r] (1366/1486)

GEOGRAPHY OF SOUTH-WEST PERSIA.—DISCUSSION.
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remarks by way of supplement or suggestion. Mr. Curzon had dwelt on the import
ance of the Bahmeshir Channel as an alternative entrance to the Karun. It was the
opinion of those who had recently explored that channel that it was navigable for a
distance of 30 miles by the large ocean steamers which now plied to Busrah. At
that point the river steamers could meet the ocean steamers, and although the banks
were low and muddy he was informed that it would be possible to erect a depot upon
them. At Bund-i-Kir, as Mr. Curzon had told them, the two branches of the Karun
and the river of Dizful converged and met. With regard to the river of Dizful, he
had found it in August exceedingly shallow, and a long bank of sand extended
almost across its entrance. In the month of May it was a river of broad and ample
volume, and he noticed the contrast between its red and loam-charged stream and
the white waters of the Karun. While on the subject of the Dizful river, he might
mention that he saw no reason why, as had been suggested to him by an Indian
officer last summer, who had carefully travelled through the country between the
Kerkhah and Diz, the Kerkhah should not Ire turned into the Diz, and so give a
good navigable channel. The river Kerkhah lost itself in a marsh. But such schemes
belonged to a future which might be distant, and those who in spring and after rain
had traversed those tracks, when from the rich soil a fairy growth of grass and flower
tinged the white flanks of the rider’s Arab, and again in summer, beneath the fierce
sun, had struggled over the bleak expanse of endless desert, with noble rivers every
where and a parched plain around, could best realise what this wonderful country
might produce, what blessings it might enjoy, were only an ordered system of
irrigation and navigation introduced—or, in honour of the great past, he would say
restored. He had followed the Karun proper for many miles on horseback from
Shushter. He thought the river might be rendered navigable by opening up the main
channel, and conveying smaller channels into it. With regard to the Ab-i-Gargar,
it might be navigated with luxury to 21 miles from Shushter and beyond Shelailieh.
He had followed the river from Shelailieh to Shushter, and found no obstacle of any
imi>ortance, and his little party had marked a place 21 miles from Shushter, which
would, he hoped, be the terminus of the new line. He would now pass on to a con
sideration of the trade routes which led from Shushter into the interior. He was glad
to see present Mr. George de Reuter, to whoso energy and success in Teheran the
Imperial Bank of Persia mainly owed its origin. It might be within the knowledge
of those present that a group connected with that bank was now engaged in making
a road from Shushter to Teheran. The main obstacle they would have to contend
with was the ruinous condition of the noble bridge of Shushter. The Sassanian
builders had no successors in Persia. A well-ordered ferry would, he had no doubt,
soon be made, but while he sincerely admired that great project which brought
many towns of Persia into direct contact with the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , he must express
surprise that nothing had yet been projected to improve and develop the direct
road from Shushter to Ispahan. There they had no broad river to cross, and at their
limit they had the populous town of Ispahan, the former capital of Persia; there
they were in touch with the fertile districts of Yezd and Kerman, and some present
might live to see the day when Ispahan might be restored to her former condition
and her walls and avenues to their ancient beauty. The modern Ispahan was a con
siderable city, whose population numbered some 80,000 souls. He had traversed
the mountainous country from Shushter to Ispahan via Malamir, but by a short
route, and he estimated the total distance as under 250 miles. The ascent to the
Persian plateau, wherever it was commenced, was arduous, and any one who in
midwinter had seen the caravans plodding their way through the deep snow over
the Kharzan Pass on the best known road in Persia, would not be inclined to over
estimate the difficulties which those high altitudes undoubtedly presented. His