"دليل بلاد فارس، المجلد I ويشمل محافظات أستراباد، شاهرود-بوستان، خراسان، وسيستان" [و‎‎٢‎٠‎٠] (٧٢٢/٤٠٦)

Camels, horses, mules, and asses are at present the sole means of trans
port.
Horses are used in comparatively small numbers, for bat purposes, mostly
as leaders to mule caravans.
Asses are employed for village traffic, and the conveyance of certain
classes of goods, principally dates, grain, and raw sugar, from the coast of
the gulf.
In Western Persia camels are tolerably numerous, pai'ticularly in Azer
baijan ; but in the more southern and eastern regions all traffic is carried on
by their means.
Mules, more generally used in the west than camels, are seldom found
east of the Bushahr-Tihran road, except on the great pilgrim route from
the capital to Mashhad, and in Mazandaran.
Extract from Report by Major Probyn, regarding Mules, 31st August,
1S80.
Found hundreds of mules at Bushahr collected for his inspection. Of
24th October 1879 these, only 76 could be selected, owing to bad con
dition and sorehacks, prevalent among the mules of
Fats, in consequence of scarcity and heat. Says, regarding mules ascending
the Kotal Mahalu, between Bushahr and Shiraz : “ 1 doubt if laden
camels or elephants could ascend this pass ; and it was astonishing to see the
Persian mules, with their heavy burdens of 350 or 4 00 lbs., wending their
way up such a narrow and difficult path over projecting rocks and other
obstacles without a mistake/'’
Hills, which are almost bare, are being fast denuded of what tree-
growth there is ; and in a few 3 r ears there will be but little left. Shiraz,
being on highroad between Isfahan and Bushahr, is one of the best places
for purchasing mules in Persia; and the owners seem willing to sell, with a
certain profit, which is not unreasonable. Mules are not bred in any great
number in the vicinity of Shiraz : most of those purchased came from
districts near Isfahan. The mules obtainable at Shiraz are of a good
stamp; but there are not many of any great size—that is, 14 hands and
upwards.
No mules obtainable at Basrah. Shaikh Haji Jabar (or Jabar Khan) is
Basr’h all-powerful at Muhammarah and in that neighbour
hood. Has a steamer on the Karun. His authority
extends as far as Ahwaz. Mule-journey from Ahvvaz to Shustar.
Mules were brought for sale at all villages between Ahwaz and Shus
tar.
The Bakhtiari country to the north of Shustar is famous for mules.
This tribe breeds mules very largely.
“ The chief of the tribe is Husain Kuli Khan. One of his agents told me
that the tribe in general were possessed of as many as 15,0u0 mules of
different sizes and ages. They keep donkey stallions and mares of their
own for breeding mules. Other people entrust them with their mares also ;
and the family to which such mares are sent have a certain share of the
profit. If many mares are sent, the owners are required to send a donkey
stallion as well.
45