'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from January 1847 to May 1849. Edited by the Secretary. Volume VIII.' [‎313] (422/496)

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somewhat sinuous road. At 7*30 attained the summit of the Nal-Shekan
Pass, ascending over a very difficult ridge of sheet rock and broken stones,
ill adapted for the passage of loaded mules, and, indeed, from its steep
ness, affording but a precarious footing even to the unhampered beasts.
Between the Char-Zabar * and JSTal-Shekan Passes a fine plain (Plain of
Zobeideh) is crossed, of no very great extent, and encircled by an
amphitheatre of hills, the range here being hollowed out in the form of
a basin. The pass over the Char-Zabar bears from the Nal-Shekan 17°,
and the road onwards through the Calhur country 237°. Proceeded in
the latter direction until 9h. over some undulating hills, bearing, in some
places, recent furrows of the plough. At this time the road swept
abruptly round a low tongue (a continuity of the Dalahu chain, bound
ing the plain of Harunabad to the eastward) in a direction of 285° ; and
at 9*35 reached the Khan of Harunabad—one of the most wretched
halting-places w^e have as yet met with. A body of Calhur horsemen
met us a short distance from the caravanserai A roadside inn providing accommodation for caravans (groups of travellers). , and escorted us as far as
its walls. A miserable village, capable of affording a few scanty supplies
to the caravans that stop here, surrounds the Khan ; but, affording no
better accommodation, we were compelled to seek, in the filthy recesses
of the “ hostelerie” of the caravans, a shelter from the noon-day sun,
which had become very oppressive.
The spot is, however, one of some interest, as connected with the
inscription, which we had heard so much of, and which w^e were not
long in finding.
Laying on the platform of one of the vaults, a loose slab, on which a
pilgrim was kneading some dough for his evening meal, was pointed out
as the coveted relic. On cleaning, it proved to be the half of a tomb
stone, bearing, in Greek characters, the epitaph of one Eumenes
Demetrius.
The four first lines were legible enough, but the remainder, apparently
.i ' ^ 10r f ed Mirza, late prince of Kirmanshah, fortified this pass, and defeated
6 urkish army here, on its invading the Kirmanshah territory during the Go
vernment of Daua, Pacha of Baghdad. It forms an admirable position for defence,
a no invading army should be allowed to advance thus far into the Persian
onnnions; as the passes in the western Zagros, even if occupied by an inferior
orce (jtter almost insurmountable obstacles to hostile encroachments. The Thake
air™' h le Nal-Shekan, and the Char-Zabar, passes may be pronounced as
IT |° S , lnsu } ,rr l oun ^ a ^^ e by artillery in their present state. The pass of Derbendi
’ymg between the Band-i-Noah and Kukan ranges, is, however, repre-
it ^ a com P ara bvely easy one for the passage of guns, and should be used if
ere intended to assail Persia from the neighbourhood of Baghdad.