'Military Report on S.-W. Persia, Vol. I. Bakhtiari Garmsir' [‎38v] (81/168)

64
Route No. 7.
Shushtar to DizfOl via Gotwand.
Epitome.
General .—A main caravan route between the ’AqilT plain and Shushtar, and between
Gotwand and Ab-Bid, but not a main through route, fit for camels or mules.
The road .—Difficult in places across the Kiih-i-Fidalak, and in the Tang-i-’AqilT,
where the road is narrow, and accidents w ould no doubt occur if large caravans met in the
middle of the Tang. Camels cannot pass each other on the track in many places.
Supplies .—Very abundant all along the road, the district traversed being the most
fertile part of the Garmsir, and extensively irrigated. See Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. Gazetteer.
Transport .—See Nos. 1 and 5.
Physical obstacles. —Tang-i-’Aqilx is about 3 miles long and in places so narrow that
two loaded animals cannot pass. The road has been cut out of the solid rock to a depth
of several yards in places, and here passes below under-cut cliffs. It would take a Pioneer
regiment a fortnight to effect substantial improvement.
Gotwand ferry offers no special difficulty ; additional rafts can be obtained if requir-
AUernative routes .—To Gotwand via Jalakan, crossing the Shatait at Sh 6 «htar.
Alternative stages .—The river may be ferried near Jalakan in which village rafts
are always obtainable.
Miscellaneous .—The Tang-i-’Aqili is a favourite place for robbers, and in consequence
of this a road guard is stationed at the north entrance : they exact toll from caravans
passing.
ei.
Distances.
Inter
media t3.
Total.
15
15
Karnes ot stags*.
Gotwakd .. 15 15 General direction north by west. North-
north-east over the low ranges which form
the foothills of Kuh-i-Fidalak : at 2\ miles
ascend the highest of these ranges : at this
point the road passes through short cutting excavated to a depth of 5 feet or 6 feet in the
solid rock. Numerous traces of the kind are seen in the Tang. At 4 miles enter the
Tang-i-’Aqili, a narrow and steep sided defile through which the Karim runs through the
Kuh-i-Fidalak. There is only one possible track for man or beast, and this has been con
structed and kept in repair with some care, as were the retaining walls to fall, the road
would be entirely closed. At 6 miles reach north entrance, and emerge on to, plain of
’Aqlli. The river bends westwards, and the track leads across the plain, which is much
intersected by water-cuts. Numerous villages are passed. See Gazetteer and Map.
Sar-i-BIsheh 12 27 General direction north-west up a broad
flat valley, bounded by low hills. At 7
miles reach village of Ab-Bid : 50 houses:
fruit trees and gardens. One of the head
quarters of the Bakhtiari Khans during the cold weather. At 12 miles village of Sar-i-
Bisheh, 40 ’Arab and 40 Lur houses ; headman (1907) an ’Arab. A few buffaloes ; supplies
limited.