The Delichai and Qazanchai
rivers in Damavand
From
Jaj-rud to Demavend, a distance of twenty-five miles, the road is crossed by
several small streams, upon each of which is situated a village surrounded by
cultivation. A range of hills sprinkled with snow bounds the view to the south,
at the distance of about ten miles. Demavend is a large village pleasantly
situated in a high, rich, and well-watered valley, the streams flowing to the
southward.1 From Demavend to Serbendan2 fifteen miles:
the road passes through several well-supplied villages; but from that place to
Firuz-kuh3 no supplies are to be bad, except in small quantities at
the wretched huts which are called the caravanserais of Aru, Dali-chai4,
and Amin-abad5. At ru the road gradually inclines towards the range
of hills to the south. The Dali-chai river is a rapid mountain-stream flowing
from the north-west, in a deep ravine, through a mountainous, broken country.
To the east of the ford is a steep and rocky ascent over hills sprinkled with
juniper. From Amin-abad to Ghazan-chai, also called the Arjamand (from a
village of that name up the stream, the residence of the Governor of
Firuz-kuh), the road is good, except at the descent to the river, which is
abrupt and rocky. The Ghazan-chai flows from the north; it is a considerable
stream, but fordable at all seasons. The range of mountains, along the southern
skirt of which the road runs from Demavend, here terminates; and a few miles
beyond the river the peak of Demavend is seen bearing N. 66° W.
1Demavend
village is found by late observations to be 6,000 feet above the sea.
2Head
of the dams or embankments.
3Mount
Victorious, or Blue Mountains.
4Mad
stream.
5Ruler’s
Town, or Peaceful Abode.
E. D'Arcy Todd — Memoranda to Accompany a Sketch of
Part of Mázanderán, &c., in April, 1836 (1838)
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