'Military report on Tehran and adjacent Provinces of North-West Persia (including the Caspian Littoral)' [‎78v] (161/610)

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Communications —1. By sea. See Chapter X, para, (a)'?
pp. 412-3.
2. Mule and pony track to Barfarush and
Tehran see Chapter X, para, (c), Elburz,
routes No. 1. It is good in dry weather.
2Wegrap&.-—Terminus of Persian Telegraph Administration’s
C Meshed
line, Mazandaran—Astarabad—Shahrud
Water. —Water is drawn from wells and is of fair quality.
Camping Grounds. —-Extensive on sandhills or meadows.
Administration. —It is a Deputy Governorship under the
Governor of Mazandaran. A Belgian Customs official lives at
Meshed-i-Sar and controls the smaller Customs’ offices along the
Mazandaran coast.
6. Amol.
Population about 8,000 in winter and 5,000 or less in
summer.
General .—It is situated near the Western end of the plain
of Mazandaran, 20 miles West South West of Barfarush on the
river Haraz, about 16 miles above its mouth at Mahmudabad.
It is in the middle of a big rice producing district and the
summer climate and mosquitoes drive away a large proportion
of the population to the “ yailaq ” of Larijan. AmSlwas almost
destroyed by fire a few years ago, and has been only partly
rebuilt, and is more like a large village than a town. The
streets are narrow and bad and the bazaars small.
Inhabitants. —They resemble those of Sari (q. v.) but the
people who spend the summer in the hills are healthier. Amir
Mukarram is the most influential man of the district.
Supplies. —Wheat can be imported from Larijan, but owing
to the large number of local animals, Larijan has little surplus
of barley. Wheat and barley can also be fetched from Kujur
district. About 200 B. O. R., 500 I. O. R.and 600 animals
could be maintained.
Transport. —5,000 to 6,000 mules are said to be engaged in
carrying trade along Amol—Larijan—-Tehran road (see Chapter
X, para, (c), Elburz Routes No. 2), and all villages own ponies
for local work in the plain.
Communications. —To Tehran via Haraz valley and Larijan.
See Chapter X, para, (c), Elburz routes No. 2. East to Barfarush
Sari, Ashraf and Astarabad. West to Khurramabad
Tunakabun), Rudisar Langarud, Lahijan, Rasht.