"دليل بلاد فارس، الجزء III، وهو يتضمن محافظة فارس، لورستان، عربستان، خوزستان، يزد، كرمانشاه، أردلان، كردستان" [و‎‎٣‎٤] (٦٨٦/٧٢)

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AHW—AHW
nearly in the centre of the river, is considerably smaller, but has about
the same depth of soundings. This ridge of rocks has been taken
advantage of in constructing the ‘ band' across the river, the inter
stices being filled up with massive masonry, much of which now
remains. The third ridge not traversing the river offers no obstacles
to the ascent of vessels, and the fourth is of the same description.
The river at Ahwaz is between a quarter and half a mile in breadth,
and has a continuous channel of above 8 feet deep in the driest
season of the year. Layard is of opinion that the ‘ band/ which
causes the chief obstruction in the river at Ahwaz, might easily be
removed to such an extent as to admit of the passage of steamers and
to diminish the velocity of the current.
The difficulties of passing this ‘ band * induced Major Estcourt,
with the steamer Euphrates, to desist from any further attempt to
ascend the river higher, but Lieutenant Selby, of the Indian Navy,
with the steamer Assyria, successfully ascended beyond it without
much difficulty.
There was once a large and flourishing city here, as the numerous
ruins in its vicinity testify, and, it is certain, it might again rival its
former glory, as, except the Government, nothing is changed. Of
the ruins of the ancient city the most worthy of attention are an
old bridge and the remains of a palace, on part of the site on which the
present village has been erected. That part of the wall of this palace
now standing is about 300 feet in length, in some parts 14 feet high,
and is built of hewn stone, many pieces being 6 feet long and 3 feet
in height. There are, in the vicinity of the ancient city, excavated to
a great extent on the west side, where the face of the hill is abrupt,
numerous hollows, some in the form of “ sardabs ” and probably used
by the former inhabitants as such, whilst others have exactly the
shape and dimensions of a coffin.
On the occasion of the advance of a British detachment up the
Karim in pursuit of the Persian troops from Muhammarah in the war of
1857, the Persians took up a position behind the ridge above the town,
but they did not defend it after all. Ahwaz during this war was
recommended as a favourable site for a depot in the case of an advance
towards Shustar, but it was never used as such in the war of 1857.
[Layard — Selby — Wray.)
Robertson says about the dam that, in its present condition, it is
nearly impassable, except perhaps at great risk for a few weeks in the
spring, but that there are so many ways of overcoming the difficulty
that it hardly constitutes one. After giving reasons for objecting to
the plan of having a channel cut through the soft sand in which the
dam is built, and to that of a canal, he concludes by considering the
dam enough, and transhipment with all its inconveniences to be the
only plan till such time as the trade improves.
Baring agrees with him, but considers that traffic could be paitly
facilitated by the construction of a steam or even horse tramway,
starting from a point below the third rapid, passing round the
village. Wells, in a careful report, recommends the digging of a