"الطرق في بلاد فارس. (المجلد I.) (خراسان وسيستان.)" [و‎‎٩‎٦] (٥٣٦/١٩٦)

Route No. VII — contd.
5 RAMlAN .. '20£ m. From Gumbad-i-
— Kabus, the route
88 | most usually fol
lowed by messengers runs down the right bank of the Gurgan
to Ak Kila, whence it is about 10 miles into Astarabad. The
route Sykes followed would be that used by caravans as a rule,
although sometimes the Fidarisk district is made for a direct
way. Direction due S., passing the extensive ruins of the
ancient city of Gurgan at 2 miles. Just beyond, a second Kara
Su, termed the Sumbar by Colonel Yate, is crossed by a wooden
bridge. At 4 miles, the Purta Su is crossed by a ford. Both
flow between high banks, as the alluvial soil is very soft. At
8 miles, the forest is again entered. Ramian, a large village of
200 houses, is situated in a clearing up valley. A route leads
across the hills to Shahrud.
The telegraph line from Gumbad-i-Kabus to Astarabad was
festooned along the route, and the Russians who work via Chat-i-
Atrak make no efforts to have it mended. There are telegraph
offices at Gumbad-i-Kabus, Ramian and ’Aliabad (Katul).
Supplies. —Abundant.
6 SAR-I-CHASH- 10 m. From Ramian, Kila
MEH Maran, a very fine,
98J (250')- flat-topped moun
tain, bears 195° ; it lies some 15 miles up the valley. For 1£
miles, direction is NW. until the forest is re-entered, when the
track swings W., and thence WSW., parallel to the range.
Owing to heavy rain Sykes stopped at the picturesque village of
Sar-i-Chashmeh. The forest is thicker in this district, with
wild vines and other creepers. At the same time there is not
much undergrowth.
Supplies. —Abundant.
7 ’ALIABAD .. 15J m. General direction
(Kattjl) WSW. Ride through
114 (350')- beautiful forest and
cross a brook at 3 miles. To the S. of track is Shirabad, the
home of Saiyid-Ullah-Khan, the Governor of the district. He
is termed the Ilkhani, and is supposed to incite the Turkoman
to make raids and to indulge in cattle-lifting, etc. At 4^ miles,
a low spur, termed Gardaneh-i-\ alaman (350 ), is crossed.