Sang-e Surakh, Chahardeh

Various descriptions

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

What appears to be a natural tunnel cave (súrâkh / surakh or aperture) noticed Charles MASSON (1842-1844, 3: 168-169) while travelling along a path from Basawul westwards to Jalalabad (N34°25'49”: E70°27'10”): We left Bassowal [note 1]… crossed a marsh full of reeds, and then, by a short and open passage through the hill Már Koh [note 2], we arrived at Ambhár Khâna [note 3], a small village on the river [Kabul rud]. Hence we traversed the plain of Chahár Déh (four villages) for four or five miles, and again approached hills… The path from Chahár Déh [note 4] winds around the hills, overlooking the fine stream [note 5]. Practicable to footmen, it is difficult to horsemen, who in some places are compelled to dismount. At one spot, there is a súrâkh [note 6], or aperture, for some distance through the rock, whence the whole of the hills are often called Koh Sang Súrâkh (the hill of the perforated rock), and the same name is applied to the path (MASSON 1842-1844, 3: 169).