"كتيّب بلاد الرافدين. المجلد III. ١٩١٧" [‎١‎٨‎٦] (٤٣٢/١٩٥)

LAND ROUTES
200 men and horses. This is not a usual halting-place
for caravans, which generally go right through. Fuel
scarce.
From Abu Jezreh to Shahraban the general direction is
NE. The road is passable in dry weather for all arms
but is deep and heavy and impracticable for wheels
in wet weather. Many culverts, ramps, and bridges
would be required. Supplies could be collected from
neighbouring villages. There are quantities of cattle
sheep, and goats. Water good but muddy from canals!
G-ood grazing. Fuel scarce.
Leaving Abu Jezreh caravanserai the road runs over uneven
hillocky ground liable to flood. On the r. is a deep, high-
banked irrigation canal. Numerous irrigation channels
cross the road which is somewhat confined with banked
canals on either side up to Shahraban (see m. 57 below).
Eoad passes the high-walled caravanserai, 100 yds.
square, of the village of Jellali; there are gardens and
date-palms. Emerging from the village the road crosses
a canal 30 ft. broad, running swiftly SE. ; the bridge
consists of one 12-ft. arch of stone, strong, and in good
repair.
Sliahrabau. T., P.O., several caravanserais, and a roofed
bazaar. There are walled gardens and date-groves. No
camels. About 20 other transport animals could be
collected daily. Supplies plentiful in normal times.
Water good and abundant from wells and canals. Fuel
scarce.
From Shahraban to Qizil Eibat the general direction is NE.
The track generally has been described as a carriage-
road, but a very bad one, both over the hills where it is
very stony and the gradients are apparently steep, and
over the plain where it is very soft. For the first m.
from Shahraban the road is heavy in wet weather and
impracticable for wheels. Numerous culverts and small
bridges are required.
Passing through the roofed bazaar and walled gardens
of Shahraban the road emerges over undulating ground
liable to flood. There are numerous irrigation channels
in all directions, some deep and narrow with few and bad
foot bridges.
Two canals, each about 12 ft. broad, crossed by masonry