"دليل بلاد فارس. مجلد III. جزء I: من A إلى K" [و‎‎٣‎٢‎٦] (١٢٧٨/٦٥٦)

by Boir Afimadi. as the Qashqai were in the vicinity, but the exactions
of the latter have more recently neutralized this advantage. It is with
out sarais and for commercial purposes is in every way inferior to the main
road. Except in very exceptional seasons, the telegraph route is open all
the year round, except for a few days, whereas the sarJiadd road may be
closed by snow for as much as two months at a time.
The Shtraz-Isfahan road is now used very little by wheeled traffic : it
could undoubtedly be converted into a good commercial cart track, but
it seems unlikely that expenditure in this direction would prove remunera
tive. From Abadeh to Isfahan it is regularly used and post horses will
be found at every stage : south of Abadeh there are no post horses and.
the mails are carried on foot.
The following are the only other roads of any commercial import
ance :—
( 1 ) No. 37, Flruzabad-Shiraz, easily adaptable to wheeled traffic.
( 2 ) No. 29 and Yol. 3, part 2,13, Jahrum-Shiraz, easily adaptable to
wheeled traffic : passes through well-populated country.
(3) Nos. nil and 29, Lingeh-Lar-Jahrum, a difficult track as far as
Lar, but no account of it seems to be extant beyond that.
(4) No. 29 Bandar ’Abbas-Iar-Jahrum, very little used now; badly
off for supplies and water as far as Lar, but physically easy.
(5) Nos. 27 and 44, Fasa-Sarvistan-Shiraz, could be easily adapted
to wheels.
( 6 ) Nos. 54 and 66 , Shiraz-Bawanat-Yazd ; alternative to routes from.
Bandar ’Abbas via Kirman or direct.
(7) Nos. 64 and 59, Shiraz-Abr Kuh-Yazd ; alternative to routes from.
Bandar ’Abbas, via Kirman or direct.
Military considerations.—A. detailed account of each road will be found-
in the Routes in Persia, Volume III : all that will be attempted here is-
a brief summary of the advantages and disadvantages of the various
roue's leading northwards from the Gulf.
There can be no doubt that were the inhabitants to offer any organized
resistance to the movement of a force up the telegraph route, it would be
extremely difficult to force a passage up the series of kutals between Bushire
and Kazarun and the Jirreh route would be just as bad. The Firuzabad
route is less objectionable, from a purely tactical point of view, and the
lack of water and supplies would tell less against it in spring when water
and grazing are ample.
It becomes therefore ? matter for considerafapn whether Bandar ’Abbas
could not be used as a base from which to despatch a force in case of necesdty.
It has certain notable advantages : (I) the country passed through is
generally fairly open ; ( 2 ) as far as Lar at all events it is wholly beyond
the sphere of the Qashqai; and (3) very few nomads will be found in the
vicinity as far as Jahrum ; (4) camels if used could find fair grazing all
the way. Disadvantages are: ( 1 ) lack of supplies and scanty water at
several stages beyond Bandar ’Abbas ; (2). absence of telegraph line along,
the route.