'Persia and the Persian Question by the Hon. George Nathaniel Curzon, M.P.' [‎293] (334/714)

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FROM MESHED TO TEHERAN 293
specimens of abandoned, though not, as at Lasgird, re-inhabited,
citadels on the top of great artificial clay mounds. When origin
ally raised, and crowned with battlements and towers, these kalelos
must have been imposing structures. They are now in a sort of
intermediate stage between the recognisable fort and the indurated
are mound which I have discussed and explained in a preceding
paragraph. ^ Beyond Aradan an abundant stream descends from
t le mountains and separates into many channels, of which I must
have crossed twenty in the space of half a mile. Cultivation im
proves m the same ratio, and at Kishlak (lit. winter quarters), which
is khalisah, or Crown property, is responsible for the grain and fodder
with which the royal stables are supplied at Teheran. This is the
•district of Khar, so often mentioned in earlier history and travel,
and renowned as one of the granaries of North Persia. Here the
route turns towards the north-west, and, at a distance of eight miles
from Kishlak, enters a range of hills by a path which is commonly
identified with, and which therefore raises the question of the
famous Pyla3 Caspias (or Caspian Gates).
I do not here propose, and I have not the space at my command
to discuss that question at full length. Its essential points may be
said to have been argued, if not determined, by the labours
of previous writers; and I will, accordingly, refer my
leaders to the pages of Rennell, 1 Ouseley, 2 Morier, 3 Fraser 4
Ferrier, 5 Eastwick,« and Goldsmid.? The Pyte Caspian were the pass
through which Darius fled towards Bactria after the defeat of Arbela,
and through which he was pursued by the army of Alexander.'
Information that may help us to identify it is to be found principally
in the pages of Arrian and Pliny. The latter says that the pass itself
was eight miles in length, and that no fresh water is encountered in
a tract of twenty-eight miles; 8 the former reports that Alexander
reached it in one day's rapid march from Phages (Rhey). 9 Now
' The Geographical System of Herodotus, p. 174.
Travels in the East, vol. iii. appendix iii.
3 Second Journey (1814), pp. 364, 365.
4 Journey into Khorasan (1821), pp. 291-293.
5 Caravan Journeys (1845), pp. 59, 60.
6 Journal of a Diplomate (1862), vol. ii. p. 140.
Journal of the H.G.S., vol. xliv. p. 167 (1874).
Aat. Hist., lib. vi. cap. xiv.
9 Be Exped. Alex., lib. iii. cap. xx. I say 'rapid,' because Arrian, when
e describes the distance as ttdv rtMpas /iias iXavvovn is 'AX^avSpos fye, i.e. ' one
speed "' 0Urney t0 a man maiclling as Alexan derdid,' clearly predicates exceptional
The
Caspian
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