"دليل بلاد فارس. مجلد II" [و‎‎١‎٨‎٨] (٧٠٦/٣٨٠)

EIZIL UZUN
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general direction of north-east. After this its line is more direct for about
50 miles and then it turns abruptly north-north- west, and runs for 40 miles
between high precipitous banks through the district of Kizil Gachllar, near
the extremity of which it receives a tributary on the east side. Two and a
quarter miles from Karagul the river is fordable at times, but it is exceedingly
difficult and dangerous owing to the rapidity of the current and the great
masses of rock that are brought down in the bed of the stream, causing the
ford to constantly change. It is only in November, when the water is at
its lowest, that the river is fordable ; in the spring there is no possibility of
passing it anywhere in this neighbourhood, except on rafts. The Kizil
Uzun now breaks through a terrific chasm in the Anguran mountains, and
afterwards runs north about 10 miles to the extremity of the strong defile
called Darband, where it inclines a little to the east, for 8 miles, and passes
the village of Kara Buteh. Proceeding in the same direction 6 miles beyond
this place, it receives the Zinjan river, which arrives by a north-west course
of about 70 miles from the plain of Sultanleh, passing the town of that n ime.
The river then runs nearly north, along the deep valley east of Mlaneh
and is crossed eight miles south-east of that town by the Qaplan Kuh
bridge (6 arches, 160 paces long, built in the 15th century). At about six
miles north-east of Mianeh it receives the Karangu river, also called Mianoh
river, formed by the junction near Mianeh of the Shahrl Chai, Qarangu, and
Aidghamish. Soon after receiving the Mianeh, the main branch forces a
passage through the west branch of the Talesh range. At about 3 miles
below Maman, which is below Mianeh, the river runs through a very steep
defile, and for two miles- and a half the road along it is very difficult and
dangerous ; 3 miles from Maman there is an easy ford over the river, forming
a defile barely practicable for loaded cattle. It is here only a shallow and
narrow river ; but in the spring, from April to July, the melting of the snow
renders it passable only where bridges and ferries are established. The road
is here confined by high mountains, which some times oblige it to quit jts
banks, but it is generally practicable for troops, and a carriage road could
easily be made. The water at this point is rather brackish, though used by
the inhabitants; the river then takes a south-easterly course along the
plain lying between these mountains and the east branch of the some name.
After this the river runs through a broad valley, covered with brushwood, and
divides into many shallow branches. At 8 miles above Alvar it is crossed
by a fine bridge of 6 arches. One mile below the bridge the mountains
recede, leaving a small space of table-land which ends precipitately at the
river on both sides. Three miles further the river is again shut in by
high rocks, and the road has only been made practicable by blasting.
The Sukuz Chai joins it about 5 miles above Alvar on the left, and the
Kabak Chai 2 miles below it. At Darram the river is only fordable when
very low, and even then not without difficulty. It has here a velocity of
about 2 miles an hour. Near Manjll the trunk formed by the west afflu
ents receives the Shah Rud, or east branch, which comes from the borders
of Mazandaran. The Kizil Uzun is crossed by a bridge at Manjll; 5 miles
above the village of Kankand there is a very difficult, dangerous and con
stantly changing ford in the dry season. The meeting of these -arms gives
a new direction to the Kizil Uziin, which nearly forms a right ande with