É. Apor (ed.): Stein, Aurel: Old Routes of Western Iran. (Budapest Oriental Reprints, Ser. B 2.)

Chapter I.—In Westernmost Färs

Sec. ii] AN ANCIENT MOUNTAIN ROUTE 49 surveillance. Enforced settlement of previously nomadic or semi-nomadic tribes forms an essential part of the system, by the steady application of which the strong regime of His Majesty Riza Shäh Pahlawí is gradually securing peace and order to the tried land of Iran. But it was not until this journey had carried me further westwards that I had opportunities of observing directly the measures used for this purpose and the positive results so far achieved by them. SECTION II—AN ANCIENT MOUNTAIN ROUTE On November 27th we started on the first of the marches that were to carry us back from Ardakän to the old caravan route forming the most direct connexion between Shlräz and the lowlands of Khüzistän. There was good reason to believe on geographical grounds alone that this route, still a mere caravan track as of old, had served also in ancient times as the chief line of communication between Susiana and Persis. There could be little doubt that it was this route which Alexander also had followed on his rapid advance from Susa to Persepolis, the ancient capital of Persis. Obviously this consideration added greatly to my interest in the route. It was enhanced by the fact that even the latest large-scale map then available, the quarterinch Sheet No. 10.n. of the Survey of India, corrected up to 1918, still showed most of the area crossed by it in the hills as practically unsurveyed. I was aware that when passing Dälin I had left the caravan track, which in the vicinity of that village turns off to the west from the Ardakän road. My intention was