'Military Report on S.-W. Persia, Vol. I. Bakhtiari Garmsir' [‎34r] (72/168)

( *5 )
Route No. 1.
Ahwaz to Isfahan via Kaleh Tul (as far as MalamJr).
Epitome.
General. —The main caravan route of the district built by the Bakhtiari Khans
in 1898—1903 through Messrs. Lynch Bros, (now “The Persian Transport Co.”).
Used both in summer and winter, but partially blocked by snow and closed to camels
during the winter months. A mule track, and in places difficult even for mules, but
nevertheless used to some extent by camels.
The road. —(1) To Salmioh : fit for all arms, across flat barren desert plain ; sandhills
at Nihairieh offer no serious obstacle, and the Concessions Syndicate ran carts regularly
to Mamatain via Wais and this place. No other portions fit for wheels.
(2) North of Salmieh : a mule track, difficult in places, but never impassable except
for a few hours after heavy rain. The track goes from valley to valley, never rising
above 3,000 feet.
Climate .—Good in winter and spring ; no snow. Frost at night in winter ; in summer,
great and continuous hbat by day, but fairly cool nights : atmosphere very dry: the heat
would make it most undesirable to conduct military operations in the district during? the
summer : during which time, moreover, the country is almost deserted, and largely waterless.
Supplies. —At Ahwaz for 1,000 men at 15 days’ notice, 200 at once.
Stage 1& 2 „
10 „
„ once.
Jaru ,,
100 „
„ „ 600 at 4 days’ notice.
Stage 5 „
20 „
»> »
»> *»
200 „
,, „ 1,000 at week’s notice.
Malamlr „
200 „
The above figures are for autumn to spring of a normal year, each district being con
sidered self-suffi cient for the number of troops, with tranport, noted above: but see
tabulated resources of districts, Appendix III.
Crops are cut in May, threshed by sedentary tribes in May, by nomads in November
or December. Latter outnumber former by about 4 to 1. Livestock throughout the
whole area very numerous indeed, particularly during the cold weather.
Water —
Stages 1 & 2 from wells for 20 men in summer, 200 in winter
»» 3 & 4 ,, springs ad lib.
& 6,6, & 7 from river ad lib.
Regiments should have the usual proportion of “ tanks, water,” but one extra canvas
bucket per 10 men for storing in camp or some other receptacle holding water in the pro
portion of % gallon per head should be supplied.
Grazing .—Poor and scarce, never sufficient of itself for mules, not particularly
favourable for camels, but enough for donkeys during the spring in a normal year. In
summer insufficient for any transport animal: a full ration of bhusa and grain should in
any case be arranged for. No special poisonous plants are common. No regular fodder
stores, bhusa is as often as not left to rot on the ground.