‘GAZETTEER OF PERSIA VOL. I Comprising the Provinces of ASTARÁBÁD, SHÁHRUD-BÚSTAN, KHÚRÁSÁN, AND SÍSTÁN’ [‎142v] (289/722)

the Atrak also one, which divides the Khushkhana valley from that of
Zaristan. .
From the point above Askabad noted the ridge changes its character to
the extent that, whereas west of that point the main spurs are thrown out
to the south, east of it they are thrown out to the north. The first of
these is a ridge, which runs parallel with the mnn range, and, bounding
the Durangar valley on the north, is known at its end, if not throughout
its whole length, as the Zarin Kuh.
Passing bv a minor spur, which goes from the Kuh-i-JDuz between the
drainage "of Durangar and Mahmudabad, a spur is met with, which, start-
incr from the head of the Zangalani river, runs east, parallel with the main
range, and then turns sharp to the north-west, enclosing the Daraghaz basin.
Over this range lies the Allah-u-Akbar pass j between Zangalani and
Daraghaz it is called the Kara-Jukhur.
We may now take up this northern range again from the Kuh-i-Tah-
masp, whence its course is east-south-east. On the north it throws
out steep spurs between the various rivers—as between the Zangalani and
Tirgann, the latter and the Lain ; and, again, between the Lain and Jyda-
lik. The next spur is one which is crossed at the Giuk Kotal, and
which runs to the north and then east round the west and north sides of
Kalat-i-Nadirl; while another comes from the main range west of
Wardih, encloses that valley on the north, is crossed by the Mirza
Gushti pass on the road to Kalat, and then twists round to the north, throw
ing out ramifications, which form the south and east sides of Ivalat. from
the Kotal Deve Burun* where the range is called the Kara Dagh (“ Black
mountains ”), the spurs on both sides become more and more insignificant; till
at Muzdaran the range forms a knife-like crest, with no offshoots at all;
and above Shurja it dies away in undulations, terminated by the Tajand.
Turning, now, to the main southern range at the point west of Mashhad,
where it is called Kuh-i-Mirabad, there is only one spur calling for notice.
This is one which runs out from about Sultan Maidan to the south, and,
dividing the drainage of the Kal Mura system from that^ of Nishapur,
then turns west, and forms the ridge known as the Juvain or Jagatai
ridge. This bounds Sabzawar on the north, and is connected by a ridge,
the crest of which is said to be 4/195 feet above the sea, and which
divides Nishapur from Sabzawar, with another ridge, called Kuh-i-Mesh,
which cuts off the Sabzawar plain from the great desert.
We now come to a point in the mam range, where to the south of Mash
had it gives a very decided dip; so much so that it may be almost said that
a new range commences south of Shanfabad. Still, as in going south-east
from Nishapur to say Farimun there is a distinct ascent over a ridge,
it may be considered that here is the link that connects the mountains
of northern Khurasan with those on the east.
From this watershed the Kuh-i-Surkh ridge runs off to the west, bound
ing Nishapur on the south ; and further south, either from the ridge
crossed north of Rabat-i-Safid, or from the Gudar-i-Rukh or Muham
mad Mirza, a ridge runs out to the east, dividing the drainage of Sar-i-
Jam from that of Jam. From this ridge originates the hills called
Kat-i-Shamshir or Kuh-i-Gughar and Kuh-i-Chihal Sang, which drain on
the one side to Mashhad and on the other to the Jam river.
From the Gudar-i-Rukh the range turns west, round the head of ^ the
Kalandarabad drainage to the Gudar-i-Baidar, where the ranges of Kuh-i-
Nasar to the west and Kuh-i-Burz to the east join.
* Vide “ Dawa Burneh.’