'GAZETTEER OF PERSIA. VOLUME II' [‎175v] (355/706)

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KIRMANSHAH
and valleys wliicli allow one to pass from the heights of Hamadan (elevation
1,870 metres) to the level of Mesopotamia (elevation of Baghdad 40 metres).
This descent is gradual, and covers about 50 farsakhs (300 kilometres.)
Frontiers .—The frontier of the province of Kirmanshah has never been
definitely delimited, and if it had, would only be of theoretical interest, on
account of the yearly migrations of the nomad tribes.
The Turkish Customs together with the “ Regieh ” have built from Hurin
and Shaikhan to Baghcheh, which is 3 farsakhs south of Kaleh Sabzi, eight
towers, from which the frontier can easily be controlled. These towers known
as “ kishleh ”, although placed at spots arbitrarily chosen, are accepted as
marking the frontier. South of Baghcheh there are no towers, and the fron
tier between Saumar and Mandali is formed by the Kumasang hills, but the
Turks contest this and lay claim to the whole plain of Saumar. The tribes
along the frontier are, from north to south, the Sharafbainis, Jafs, Muradis,
Bajlans, G irans, Ja-i-Fath Beg, Sinjabis, Ahmadavands, Kalhurs and
Aivanis.”—
The villages of the province of Kirmanshah are, as is the case all over
Persia either Khalisseh (Government property) or Tiul (Government pro
perty granted for life to private individuals in lieu of pension), or Milkiat
(belonging to private landlords), or Khurdeh Mdlek (belonging to the villagers
themselves and divid' d up in small portions).
Climate .—The climate is mild in summer, but very cold in winter; if the
summer is abnormally hot, the inhabitants largely migrate to the hills in the
neighbourhood.
“ In Kirmanshah itself there is comparatively little snow, the cold season
begins at the end of December and ends in March.
“ The valleys in summer preserve a beneficial humidity, on account of the
mountains which surround them. The heat is never too great, and the nights
remain cool.
“ In the Kalhur country and the mountains situated between the right
bank of the Gamasiab (Saidmarreh) and the plain of Mahidasht, the climate
is still milder, and the nomads find in the valleys well protected pasture
where snow seldom falls. In the summer, on the contrary, they climb the
highest mountain peaks in search of cooler atmosphere.
“ The district of Zuhab is very pleasant in winter, but very hot in summer.
The plains near the Turkish frontier are practically uninhabitable in sum
mer.
“ In the lower parts of the Kalhur country the heat is also very great, but
these regions being wooded, a certain coolness of atmosphere is maintain
ed. This applies also to the Hulailan, Balavand, Mahidasht and Gamasiab
valleys.”
In the mountains of Kurdistan the winter snows, and spring rains are so
plentiful that in many parts the necessity of irrigating crops is preclud
ed.
For “Health” see under Kirmanshah rown.
Population.
The population of the province of Kirmanshah, outside the town, con
sists of Kurds, who are both nomads and sedentary. They are broken up