"الطرق في بلاد فارس. (المجلد I.) (خراسان وسيستان.)" [ظ‎‎١‎٠‎٥] (٥٣٦/٢١٥)

Route No. IX — contd.
although there are no regular supplies, a Cossack, Turkoman,
or Afghan regiment would probably find ample supplies for
themselves and grazing for their horses.
5 SADRABAD .. 23 m. General direction SE.
(Pul-i-Khatun). Ascend from the
98 Kashaf Rud from an
elevation of about 2,000 feet for 2 miles in an east-south-east
erly direction. The direction then changes to E. and the
ascent continues to 3 miles. Slopes easy and passable by guns-
At 3 miles the top of the kutal is reached, and is crossed with
ease, at an elevation of 3,600 feet. Then descend by easy grades
across stony hills with occasional bits of rolling down, and
with steep, rocky hills scattered about in a confused way on both
sides. At 9 miles reach the river down a stony valley. Then
E. along the river valley to the ruins of Kila-i-Shurijah at
10 miles, about 1,800 feet deserted except by Timuri nomads.
ENE. from the valley of the Kashaf Rud to an easy kutal at
11 miles. Here a road to Nauruzabad, stage 7, branshes off,
as does the telegraph line from Meshed to Sarakhs. This is an
ordinarily rough track and seems passable for field gunj. Des
cend E. by S. with steep country on the right and open on the
left, to a shallow, low lake, about \ mile long and 203 yards
broad. Then ascend after leaving the lake on the left E. by
S., to a slight kutal at 15 miles, ascent easy. Road thm runs
E. by easy, well-defined track down valley, with rolling hills
on the left, and precipitous rocks rising sheer over 100 feet on
the right. At 19£ miles reach the river again opposite the village
of Pishkaurar at an elevation of about 1,650 feet. Hsre the
road from Pishkaurar, Zulfikar, Zurabad, etc., cuts in br a ford
usually easily passable for all arms, with a gravel lottom.
Route No. H(q). In May 1906, however, it was impassable
except by a strong horse, as the river was about 4 feet deep and
running at 6 miles an hour. Ascent from the river E. byS. to
1,800 feet at 20| miles. Thence gradual descent SE. ova- the
hills on the left bank of the Kashaf Rud, overlooking the 'iver.
Fairly easy slopes, gradient not more than 1 in 6 anywhere.
Practicable for artillery, though not easy on account of con
tinual ascents and descents and the roughness of the tack.
The hill tops are undulating downs with no track, but pasiable
everywhere. The only camping grounds on this stage a:e at