"كتيّب بلاد الرافدين. المجلد II. ١٩١٧" [‎٣‎١‎٠] (٥٤٢/٣١٩)

310
LAND ROUTES
Miles from
Bumjird
33
45
50
531
64i
66i
70
711
' i 2
77
824
841
country, with villages in the valleys. A low pass is
crossed on this stage, perhaps 4 m. from Ashtaranan.
Nihavand (pop. 10,000-12,000), a decayed town in a
valley nearly surrounded by hills. Water and supplies
plentiful.
General direction to Karez, NW., over a hill into a valley
and past villages.
Through some low hills and then by a stone bridge over
the Maltiya river, which is often in flood and unfordable.
(There is a ford, 3 ft. deep when practicable, about ^ m.
E. of the bridge.) According to one authority the
distance from Burujird to this bridge is only 33 m.
Through a cultivated valley to
Karez, the westernmost of three villages of that name.
Cross a river by a ford 3^- ft. deep in February, with rapid
current. Beyond the river is Eeruzabad village. Here
one track leads up to a saddle in the hills, while another
(the main road, but the longer) branches to r. Beyond
the saddle cross a marsh, and then over an open plain
with villages, where the road is marshy in places.
Eecross the river forded at m. 53^. (The main road
referred to above crosses the river some miles higher up
by a bridge.) From here cross the plain, over several
small streams to
Kangavar (pop. about 5,000), where the main road from
Hamadan to Kirmanshah is struck. Camping-ground
on fields and pastures E. of Kangavar. The district'is
fertile. Water abundant. On a hill overlooking the
town is a ruined brick fortress.
General direction to Sahneh, WSW. Before the war the
road was rough and stony for most of the way and in
places was impassable for carriages. Several water
courses are crossed in the first few miles.
Cross Eabntar I. ana, small river, by brick bridge.
After this point cross a low ridge by gradual inclines and
then begin a long steep ascent (good enough for guns
before the war).
Top of pass (over 700 ft. above Kangavar). Steep descent
into valley: then by defile through low hills.
Reach plain of Sahneh. Cross several small streams.
Sahneh., small town in well-watered and cultivated valley,
at the foot of rocky and precipitous hills to N. Gardens