'Central Asia. Part V. A contribution towards the better knowledge of the History, Ethnography, Topography, and resources of part of Asiatic Turkey and Caucasia' [‎79] (94/360)

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BAS—BAT
All who cannot, take to their " Sardabs," a species of dark cellars under
ground. But the great cause of its unhealthiness is the inundations of the
river. These are not of long duration, and it is said that as long as the
dyke along the river was kept in order they did not cause much harm, but
since the repair has been discontinued the place has become more and more
unhealthy, till now it is regarded as a veritable pest-house.
The British Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. at Basrah is situated at the south of Ma J11, three
miles above the town, on the right bank of the river. It is a large building
with plenty of accommodation and some commissariat godowns, surrounded
by a thick date grove.
Basrah formerly belonged to the Arabs, but was conquered by the Turks
in 1868, and since that time has witnessed many revolutions. After a siege
of eight months, it was taken by the Persians, under Sadik Khan, in 1777.
This Prince held it about a year, when aspiring to the throne of Persia, on
the death of his brother, Karim Khan, he evacuated the city and retired
with his troops to Shiraz, where he was shortly afterwards put to death.
The Turks were again deprived of Basrah in 1787 by the Shekh of the
Montefik Arabs: but the town was soon recovered by Suliman Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. ,
who, in the October following, encountered the Shekh on the banks of the
Euphrates, and put him to flight. The Musalim or Governor has ever
since been sent from Baghdad, and is in general an officer of high rank.
(Fontanier— Winchester—Felly— Wray—Klnneir.)
BASTORAH CHAL—Lat. ' Long. Elev.
A river of KQrdistan which joins the Zab River, near the village of
Kasroki. {Chesney.)
BATAN KOI.—Lat. Long. Elev.
A village in the Province of Arzrum, Asiatic Turkey, on the left bank of the
Aras, 40 miles east of that place. {Brant.)
BATIL.—Lat. Long. Elev.
A village in the Province of Diarbakr, Asiatic Turkey, on right bank of Bitlis
Sfi, where it joins the Bohtan Su. It is situated on a mound on angles
formed by the junction of the two rivers, and is built of stone from some
old massive buildings in the centre of the mound, portions of which are seen
protruding from the ground all round its base and for some way up the
slope. [Taylor.)
BATMAN SU.— Lat. Long. Elev.
A river of Province Diarbakr, Asiatic Turkey, which rises in the
monntains of Darkush Tagh, in about latitude 38 0 45 / , longitude 41 0 1U /
and formed from the lesser streams of the Kulp, Kanshan, and Sarum Sii,
and flowing south five miles east of Miafarkeyn, falls into the Tigris
opposite Zewa village. On the road between Miafarkeyn and Arzen it is
crossed by a fine old bridge of a single arch, 40 feet high. The river is here
easily fordable in October, being not more than three feet, but like all
these streams is subject to considerable rises after rain in mountains.
{Taylor.)
BATNAIA.—Lat. Long. Elev.
A village in the Province of Musal, Asiatic Turkey, situated to the north of
Musal on the road to Alkosh. It is inhabited by Chaldeans. {Rich.)
BATtM—Lat. 41° 39' Long. 41° 37' Elev.
A seaport town in the Province of Kars, Asiatic Turkey, on the east shore of
the Black Sea, and four miles north from the mouth of the Chorak River.