'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' [‎48v] (101/312)

11th to 14th May.
Stages.
Hours
marching.
Miles.
Rate per diem
in
miles per hour.
Intermediate.
Total.
Ibrahim Khanji
9‘25
34-50
34"50
3-73
Gck Tapa
6-50
23 00
57-50
3-52
Temar
(>'7o
17-50
75-00
2-60
Sulaimaniah
5 - 00
IS’oO
88-50
2-70
11th May—General direction, N.N.E. Left Kifri (760') and crossed
the broad bed of the Chechapan and followed a narrow track through the
gap in the hills to the north of the town.
For the first 6 miles the road led through mounds of gravel and loose stones,
crossed at intervals by low sandstone ridges, running north-west to south-east.
The track was abroad easy one, and led through occasional gaps in these
ridges.
The Chechapan river to the left could be seen between the mounds as it
flows in a narrow valley, shut in by the hills, bordered by fruit gardens. A
little cultivation and a few huts were noticed on the bank. The road
emerges from these sandstone ridges into an open undulating country, dotted
with gijpvelly mounds, which gave the appearance of the waves of a sea from
the distance.
We crossed several small streams in the ravines flowing into the Checha
pan, and some good patches of wheat in the ravines.
Kohmurmil .—At 8 miles passed the small village of Kohmurmil. The
inhabitants, as soon as we came in sight, collected, mounted and armed, on a small
mound, apparently thinking we were a party of Hamawands. Two boys were
discovered crouching under a bush in a great state of terror. The country
is almost depopulated from the fear of these raiders, and the villagers have
constantly to be on the alert.
Kochachapan Plain .—The Kochachapan plain (1,200'), a broad undulating
plateau looking bare and burnt up now,‘lies immediately to the north-west of
Kohmurmil.
Paoudiyeh Plain. — On the other bank of the Chechapan, and about 3 miles
distant, was a similar plateau called Daoudiyeh. No villages were visible; as
their usual position was out of sight in some deep ravine.
At 13j miles the head-waters of the Gok Su were seen again to the right,
and a wide plain stretches down towards the Diala.
At 15 miles crossed some vertical sandstone strata which cropped up
here and there. This soft gravelly soil is cut up by small ravines with very steep
sides. Some green grass still remains in the hollows.
Khan Surkhali .—At 16 miles we passed Khan Surkhali (1,440'), a ruined
serai, once used as the first halting-place on the caravan road from Kifri.
At 19| miles crossed a large stream, the head-waters of the Chechapan
river. The road is rough and steep in places owing to the numerous small
ravines. A little cutting and levelling, would soon make a road passable for
guns.
Not a single village was seen or any one met along the road, and the country
seemed absolutely deserted. •