Azdha of Bihsud

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

What appears to represent one of the few true fossil caves of the world, is Azdha of Besud, the petrified dragon slain by Hazrat Ali (note 1), a volcanic formation stretching its white length 170 yards [155 m], exhaling sulphurous odours (HOLDICH 1910 edited 2002: 379). SITUATION: Near the sources of the Logar in Besud (HOLDICH 1910 edited 2002: 379). This location is a bit puzzling insofar as the Logar Rud (note 2) rises not near but 120 km in a direct line east of Besud (note 3). HOLDICH (1910 edited 2002: 379) reached the Azdha of Besud by following MASSON (ubi?) and by leaving Kabul across the lovely plain of Chardeh and the well-known route to Argandi [note 4] and over the Safed Khak Pass [note 5] to the foot of the divide which is crossed by the Unai [note 6] … Instead of striking straight across the Helmund [Helmand] at Gardandiwal [note 7] by the direct route to Bamian, the party followed the course of the Helmund, then fringed with rose bushes and willows, passing through a dlightfully picturesque country […] after much wandering in unknown parts on the banks of the Helmund, at a point which is difficult to identify. […] At a place called Shaitana [note 8] they were still south of the Helmund, and in the course of their progress through Besud visited the sources of the Logar. Near these sources is the Azdha of Besud … The only -Azd…- or -Azhd…- falling on AIMS sheet PI42-06 (AMS sheet NI42-06) is the stream Sela-i- Azdar N34°11': E067°55' about 50 km in a direct line north-west of Gardan Dival (also: Hesah-e Awal Behsud, Hisah-i- Awali Bihsud).What appears to represent one of the few true fossil caves of the world, is Azdha of Besud, the petrified dragon slain by Hazrat Ali (note 1), a volcanic formation stretching its white length 170 yards [155 m], exhaling sulphurous odours (HOLDICH 1910 edited 2002: 379). SITUATION: Near the sources of the Logar in Besud (HOLDICH 1910 edited 2002: 379). This location is a bit puzzling insofar as the Logar Rud (note 2) rises not near but 120 km in a direct line east of Besud (note 3). HOLDICH (1910 edited 2002: 379) reached the Azdha of Besud by following MASSON (ubi?) and by leaving Kabul across the lovely plain of Chardeh and the well-known route to Argandi [note 4] and over the Safed Khak Pass [note 5] to the foot of the divide which is crossed by the Unai [note 6] … Instead of striking straight across the Helmund [Helmand] at Gardandiwal [note 7] by the direct route to Bamian, the party followed the course of the Helmund, then fringed with rose bushes and willows, passing through a dlightfully picturesque country […] after much wandering in unknown parts on the banks of the Helmund, at a point which is difficult to identify. […] At a place called Shaitana [note 8] they were still south of the Helmund, and in the course of their progress through Besud visited the sources of the Logar. Near these sources is the Azdha of Besud … The only -Azd…- or -Azhd…- falling on AIMS sheet PI42-06 (AMS sheet NI42-06) is the stream Sela-i- Azdar N34°11': E067°55' about 50 km in a direct line north-west of Gardan Dival (also: Hesah-e Awal Behsud, Hisah-i- Awali Bihsud).