É. Apor (ed.): Stein, Aurel: Old Routes of Western Iran. (Budapest Oriental Reprints, Ser. B 2.)
Chapter I.—In Westernmost Färs
I O IN WESTERNMOST F ÄRS [Chap. I slopes on the opposite, southern side of the narrow valley. Down this the track wound in many steep zigzags, often difficult to recognize among the abundant growth of trees with which also low conifers mingled. After close on 2 miles of such progress it was somewhat of a surprise to come upon a considerable stretch of open, gently-sloping ground with fields cultivated in the summer by seminomadic Jäwls (Fig. 3). Neither people nor habitations could be seen. But our guides knew this stretch of cultivated open ground by the name of Mullah Süsan. I shall have occasion presently to refer to the significance of this open ground at the head of the valley which as a whole bears the appropriate name of Tang-i-khds, meaning ' the Special Narrows '. On the opposite side of the valley there was noticed again and again a straight line suggesting a properly aligned road. It could be readily recognized as the line followed by the ancient caravan route leading up from the plains of Susiana towards Persis. Another 2-mile descent along the slope on the northern side of the valley, now steadily narrowing again (Fig. 4), brought us to rocky ridges overlooking the junction of the fine Tang-i-khä§ stream with another descending from the height of Pasköhak to the north-west, and less than half a mile farther, after crossing the rock-bound beds of both, we reached the caravan track. From here onwards it ran along the left bank of the united stream, with many ups and downs where cliffs by its sides had to be surmounted. Fallen rocks encumbered the path in places. Elsewhere it was lined by fine oaks now thickly interspersed with high bushes of myrtle and wild almond. High up on the slopes above the left bank some huts and fields could be
