"تقرير عسكري عن جنوب غرب بلاد فارس، يتضمن أقاليم خوزستان (عربستان)، لورستان، وجزءًا من فارس" [‎٤‎٦] (٤٦٦/٧٥)

46
Beyond the plain o£ Talesbid, and separated from it by an elevation of
3 ; 950 feet, is the valley of the Ab-i-Shashpir or Shapur or Shul; the KalVi,
Safid, a f diz 9 commands the valley. The river generally runs in a deep
gorge receiving several affluents from the lofty range of mountains to its north •
it flows past Nurabad and Kazran [see page 338 ). Its hill sides are thinly
wooded; its watershed is elevated 6,950 feet, and from it is obtained a view
of the Kuh-i-Firuz. From the Pul-i-Murt ("3,630 feet),a bridge over one of its
affluents, 16 miles from Talesbid, a road leads to Ardekan, distant one stage.
There are no villages between Talesbid and Tang-i-Rudryan, elevated 5 ,250
feet, and 40 miles distant from it. Tang-i-Rudiyan is the head-quarters of the
Dushman-Ziari Lurs [see page 107),
Between the watershed of the Shul river and Shiraz, a distance of 45 miles,
lies a hilly country. The greatest elevation crossed, of 7,350 feet, lies to
the east of the village of Shul. The descent from it is easy past KaFa
Kasim to Guyun. To the west of Shul oaks are abundant, vines grow on
the hill sides, and with a settled government the district could become
a rich one.
The grapes of which the noted Shiraz wine is made come from the
plains of Ardekan, Guyun, and Shiraz.
The ascent out of the Tang-i-Rudiyan is by steep zigzags to a height of
6,000 feet.
The road presents no great difficulties ; its worst stony and narrow parts
occur within a distance of SO miles from Shiraz.
The total distance of Shiraz from Behbahan is 171 miles, and from
Ahwaz '292 miles. This is the line that was taken by Alexander in his
advance upon Persepolis [see pages 337 to 340),
Rivers in South-West Persia.
River Kdrun [see page 42). —This is the only navigable river in
Persia.
Zoreh or Tah or Hindiyan river. —The Zoreh or river of Hinrliyan
is formed by the united waters of the Ab-i-Shur and Ab-i-Shmn (also
called the Khairabad river and Shams-al-Arab), which have their sources
in the mountains of the Mamasenni. Their junction takes place in the
vicinity of Chham; it contains a considerable body of water, and was with
difficulty forded on the 14th June 1884 [see page 308). After traversing
the outer low range of sandstone hills [page 42) falls into the gulf a
few miles from Hindiyan, to which village it is navigable for vessels of
small burden (20 tons) [pages 40, 307, 336). Hindiyan is a town of 300 to
400 inhabitants.
It can be forded 9 miles above the town. In passing through the low
hills south of Zeitun, its water becomes tainted and bitter, and is scarcely
drinkable at Hindiyan. At the town its breadth is 80 yards in February, and
unfordable.
Ruhalla stream. —The Ruhalla or Rud-hillah stream or Shat -ban -i-Letnini
rises in the vicinity of KaFa Safid, and traverses Shapur [see page 338),
In the plains it is fordable only at times near the village of Kal^a Sirhan.
It is there a sluggish stream, 100 yards wide, 3' 6" deep, with a firm sandy
bottom, flowing between banks 12 feet high [see page 313).