National Institute of Informatics - Digital Silk Road Project
Digital Archive of Toyo Bunko Rare Books

north-west, local support for 'Alī Khān's cause was to be expected also on the
part of the settled population.

From 'Abbās Khān's information it became clear that no safe passage could be
assured for us by the direct route leading to Lār through the valleys of 'Alā-
marv-dasht and Khunj. It was hence considered necessary to prepare for a move
down from Galehdār via Warāwī to Ishkanān, whence Lār could be reached
through tracts farther away from the disturbed area to the north-west and hence
less likely to be affected by the trouble. Transport and needful protection for
that move had to be sought from the influential Khān of Warāwī, reported to be
well-disposed, and while awaiting his reply and the completion of the arrange-
ments required, I could profitably use the welcome opportunity offered for
surveying reported old sites about Galehdār.

Starting accordingly on the morning of January 23rd with a couple of men
from our escort and more of 'Abbās Khān's armed retainers, I first proceeded
to visit the remains indicated on the northern side of the valley. Passing for a
mile between fields intermittently cultivated with water from springs and now
covered with narcissus in bloom, we reached the low mounds of Kashkuk show-
ing much decayed remains of structures built with unhewn stones, as well as
tomb-stones with Kufic inscriptions. Numerous fragments of blue and green
glazed ware with relief ornamentation closely resembling that found at Sīrāf
(Kash. 16; Pl. XXVI), together with pieces of porcelain (Kash. 7; Pl. XXVI),
indicated medieval occupation. Proceeding north-eastwards to the large village
of Asīr at the foot of the Zālimī hill chain, I found it adjoined on the east by low
debris mounds stretching for about 800 yards from south-west to north-east
with an average width of some 250 yards. Amidst them rises a much-damaged
domed structure, obviously a Muhammadan tomb. Glazed green ware of the
Sīrāf type was to be picked up in plenty, also fragments of Chinese porcelain. Of
Persian decorated pottery the fragment Asir. 22 (Pl. XXVI) imitates Chinese
design, while others show remains of lustre. Judging from some indications,
including the absence of ribbed ware, occupation of the site down to late
Muhammadan times appeared likely. But here, as also at Fāl, to be described
farther on, the extent of the debris area suggested that the site had been one
of importance chiefly at the period when the great trade route to Sīrāf had
passed that way. The comparative abundance of the resources offered by the
Galehdār tract, both as regards food supplies and grazing, must in fact have
favoured the development and use of this old trade route.

The wide view obtained from the sloping ground of Asīr across the broad flat
bottom of the valley showed clearly the great extent of potentially fertile land
available here for cultivation, and the verdant look of the plain suggested
F f