204 
VALE OF MAHADESHT. 
its influence two of the most ancient capitals of the Persian 
empire ; Ecbatana of. the Medes, and Susa of Elam, or Susiana. 
Besides, from the numerous rivers which flow through the ex¬ 
tensive valleys of these numerous districts, this may be esteemed 
the most productive government in the kingdom ; fruitful in 
every aliment of life, and abundant in life itself, by producing 
multitudes of warlike tribes, Courdish, Bactiari, Fielly, &c., who 
are by turns, husbandmen, soldiers, or robbers. In the hands of 
such a prince as Mahmoud Ali, these are formidable resources. 
On leaving the environs of the city, whose chief has led me 
into this long digression, we entered the great road direct to 
Bagdad ; and ascending the mountain in a direction south 85° 
west, journeyed up the gradually sloping side, on a track between 
numerous low hills, whose intermediate little valleys were co¬ 
vered with grain of different kinds. Having thus mounted for 
nearly three farsangs, we began a descent into a vale of not less 
than eight miles in width, and running parallel with that of 
Kermanshah. We crossed it, and in about an hour, reached 
the village and large caravansary of Mahadesht, having travelled 
a distance of five farsangs. 
September 31st. — We left the caravansary at five o’clock this 
morning. Our way lay across the flat country, where we crossed 
a bridge over the river Mori. Thus we continued for nearly an 
hour, travelling over a good road towards the foot of the moun¬ 
tains, in a direction north 80° west. We then began their 
ascent over the usual stile of low hills, but here, instead of ver¬ 
dant glens, they were intersected by close and arid valleys. At 
the expiration of two hours, we reached a small solitary-looking 
plain, with a little lonely village called Severeh, at its eastern 
extremity. From thence, we began a second ascent of a very 
