'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from January 1847 to May 1849. Edited by the Secretary. Volume VIII.' [‎267] (376/496)

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suppression of rebellious subjects induced them to quit the genial climate
of royal Eebatana for a descent on the more fertile, but more sultry,
plains of Babylonia and Assyria. It was then, as it is now, the main
pass on the high road between those provinces and the royal city, and
formed the boundary between Media and Assyria; and in the subsequent
dynasties of the Seleucidm, the Parthians, and the Sassanians, it undoubt
edly held a conspicuous place in the boundary compacts entered into by
the successive monarchs that have ruled over these disturbed tracts : and,
strictly speaking, at the present time forms the line of demarcation be
tween the Ottoman and the Persian empires.
The ascent of the most difficult part of the pass occupied us exactly
an hour from the Bishiweh plain, and in this short time the temperature
had varied some 25°. The oppressive heats of the plains were exchang
ed for the bracing air of the mountains, and the wearied spirits of the
party rose in the same proportion: even the very mules, notwithstand
ing the labor they had undergone in the ascent, seemed to gain renew
ed vigour, and now trudged lightly along with their heavy loads at a
quickened pace.
Half way up the pass stands a venerable arch of white marble, from
whence its name Taki Girrah.* It is no doubt of very great antiquity,
but bears neither inscription or design. The architecture, though not
of a superior order, is massive and well-defined. It was, however, view
ed with interest from the historical associations probably connected with
it, contrasting vividly with its present bleached and time-worn appearance.
Quitting the short angular turns that we had been compelled to take
on the ascent of the pass, at 11*20 we entered the narrow defde, or gorge,
which severs the higher range of Mount Zagros from the lofty crest of the
Band-i-Noah Chain. This chain is the most westerly of the Persian moun
tains, and forms the great barrier between the alluvial plains of Assyria
east of the Tigris, now termed Irak Arabia, and the mountainous dis
tricts of Persia.
The scenery at this time became very grand. On either hand the
dark foliage of the oak, overspreading the sides and summits of the
mountains, was here and there relieved by a bare abutting crag. A
brilliant moon over head reflected its beams on the pale “ arch holding
the road,” now left honoured in its solitude a thousand feet below us.
The road continued to ascend through, the gorge in a general direction
* See Major Rawlinson's Notes ia Royal Geographical Journal, before quoted.