"كتيّب بلاد الرافدين. المجلد III. ١٩١٧" [‎١‎٨‎٩] (٤٣٢/١٩٨)

EOUTE 28 a
189
Miles from
BagMad
Miles
65
the Danavishk mountain into the Qarah-i-Shahin plain,
which it crosses to a pass between theJ^arah-i-Shahln and
Enzal mountains. After crossing the Ab-i-Dereh the main
Baghdad—Kirmanshah road is joined 2| m. from Pai-Taq.
Pai-Taq (see m. 143, below).
From Qizil Eibat to Khanikin the general direction is NE.
The road throughout is good and passable to all arms
in dry weather. The first 4 m. from Qizil Eibat would
be in wet weather very heavy and impracticable for
wheels. No water or supplies between m. 80 and m. 90.
Leaving Qizil Eibat the road runs past walled gardens and
houses, crosses a canal by a massive bridge, 26-ft. roadway,
and traverses a cultivated plain. Irrigation channels
run across the road, which gives signs of flood in places.
Two canals crossed in succession by bridges of strong
masonry. The road is now gravelly over undulating
country.
Low, bare hills are entered, the road, a broad, stony track,
ascending some 150 ft. gently to a (pass or col).
Emerging from the hills, the road crosses the stony plain
for about 4 m.
Nuqtdh passed on E.
Another range is now traversed.
Level plain of alluvial soil begins, bounded on all sides
by low hills. There are villages some 3 m. to NW. with
flocks and wheat fields.
Low gravel ridge is crossed and Khanikin comes in sight.
Stream ; the road passes between and over stony streets.
Khanikin. T., P.O. Situated on both banks of the
Alvand among gardens. One authority gives the distance
from Qizil Eibat to Khanikin as 22 m. Supplies are
plentiful and water abundant. No camels. About 20-30
other transport animals could be collected daily.
Bridge over the Alvand, a rapid stream ; river bed 100 yds.
wide ; bridge is solid brick and stone 164 yds. long,
20 ft. above water in a low river, 10 ft. in flood season,
with 10 arches, roadway 24 ft. The stream is 60 yds.
wide, and fordable in l.w.
Alternative route from Khanikin to Ser-i-Pul (see m. 132, below)
via Imam Hasan (30 m.). See Corrections to Routes in Persia,
vol. iii, 1914, Eoute 96, Alternative (E) : a report-of 1912.
According to the authority from which this description is taken,
the route described here cuts off 4 m. of road. The estimate of