'Reconnaissances in Mesopotamia, Kurdistan, North-West Persia, and Luristan from April to October 1888. By Lt F R Maunsell, Intelligence Branch. In Two Volumes. Volume I: narrative report, description of larger towns and routes leading from them. Simla: Intelligence Branch, Quarter Master General's Dept, 1890' [‎40v] (85/312)

6 a
north-west. About miles up the gorge is a large spring from which the
water-supply is brought for the town and into several orchards and vineyards.
The stream runs south across the valley and forms the principal source
of the Ab-i-Karind, a large tributary of the Kerkhah {see Route II).
The principal portion of Karind village is clustered round the mouth of the
gorge, and the remainder on the main road | mile lower down.
There are the two serais,—one a fine brick building of ancient date now
in a very bad state of repair, and another a modern one with plenty of accom
modation but of a poor sort. A few houses and a small bazar are clustered
round the serais, and several caravans encamp in the orchards. There is a
large space for camping a large body of troops in the grassy valley to
the south. The water-supply is at all seasons very abundant. Somp steep
limestone cliffs 500 / to 600 / high, bordering the Tang-i-Enus, overlook the
town. A track led through the gorge and over some steep rounded hills into
Gauwara, 4 farsakhs distant. It looked a well used track. Jones gives the
following description of this road :
August 29th, 1844. —Left 2-15 A.sr. going due north up a very steep ascent over rough loose
stones and rock ascending the range behind Karind.
At 3-10 reached the summit from which was a very extensive view. To the north-west at a
short distance was the flat-topped summits of the Kuh-i-Dela.hu extending 325° to 339°. The
solitary hamlet of Bowanij in the plain of the same name lay immediately underneath and
distant about 10 miles; bearing 330°.
Bearing 78° is a peak of the Kala Kazi Range seen through a break through which the Ab-i-
Zemkan forces its way.
rtauwara bears 83° from here. Commenced descent on foot at 3-30 finding it as abrupt and
difficult as the west face. Crossed the plain of Bowanij over several undulating ridgesand abrupt
acclivities. After leaving this plain, the road gradually ascends over the lower spurs running
south-east from the Kuh-i-Delahu. These slopes are thickly covered with dwarf oak.
Forded the Zemkan river whose source is in the Bowanij plain at 5-35; at 6-35 reached
Gauwara. Total four hours’ marching.
^ Bearing 24-7° to 2S7° is the Bend-i-Nua Kuh, a bare rounded summit
still streaked with snow. It is 8,250 feet above sea level, and is the highest
summit in the immediate neighbourhood. Its lower slopes are bare, and
along the foot were large number of iliat encampments, mostly Kalhur Kurds,
moving up from the plains.
The tribes in the neighbourhood of the Bend-i-Nua have a very had reputa
tion as robbers. Sirtip Ali Murad Khan, the chief of the Karindi Kurds, has a
good house here. He owns most of the land round here and as far as the
Bishewa valley near Sir-i-Pul
Most of these Karindi Kurds belong to the sect of Ali Allahis, though
they outwardly profess to be Shiahs.
From the ridge above Karind, Manisht Kuh bears 165°, and Gatcha
Kuh 160°; also a snowy peak in the Gatcha Kuh beyond Kub-i-Milao-awan
bears 151°, and the Cachar Kuh 186°.
2nd May—General direction N.W. Started from Karind (5,410') in
a direction west-north-west along the plain. Passed Harila and Khalata
villages similarly situated to Karind at the mouth of small gorges in the
range to the north.
Two ruined causeways over small streams were passed which mark the line
of the ancient highroad. At 7 miles the watershed of the Ab-i-Karind, a low
undulation, was crossed and the head of the Tak-i-Girra pass entered.
Sir Mil.—There are the ruins of an old fort called Sir Mil at the top of the
descent (5,400), and the position is a good one for a post barring the upper exit
trom the Pass. '
, Tak-t-Guira Pass. The upper portion of the Pass is a narrow valley
shut in by steep rocky ridges, from 200 to 300 yards wide. The slopes are