'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' [‎49v] (103/312)

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is bordered by steep earth cliffs and there is an easy ascent to a wide grassy
plateau almost level, with a few flat-topped ridges of sandstone.
At 12 miles entered a wide gap in a bare sandstone range, which has been
visible for some time in front of us, and which rises 600' to 700' out of the plain,
running 320° for about 4 miles, and 140° for 1 5 miles. The gap is 200 yards wide,
and at the entrance is a tumulus and the site of what was once a large place
judging from the foundations of the houses and large stones strewn about.
There are also the ruins of a serai. We passed through the gap, and ascended
steeply a small ravine alongside a stream fed by numerous springs in the hill
side. The rock has now changed to a soft white limestone, very porous, and
seems full of cavities to absorb the water.
Kalachuk .—On a projecting spur to the right, we passed a ruined fort
called Kalachuk (1,985'). It was evidently built to command the gap in the
range, and is in a good position to do so.
Hatla Dagh .—The road ascends gradually a grassy plateau with a wide
ravine to the right. On the other side runs a steep rocky ridge called the
Hatla Dagh south-east direction towards the Diala. There is abundance of
fine grass and clover and this would form a good camping ground for troops.
Water obtainable from numerous small springs.
GoJc Tepe Ziarat .— At 19^ miles we reached the top of the incline (2,715'),
and passed the small ziarat of Gok Tepe on a mound to the left. There is a
sharp descent following the side of a narrow ravine, 340' deep, flowing into a
larger ravine, on the far side of which (2,400'), perched on the edge of a cliff,
stands Gok Tepe village (23 miles).
Gok Tepe .—Here again we were mistaken for a party of Hamawand rob
bers, as, on turning the end of a spur opposite the village, we found the cliff
lined with villagers, who opened fire as we came into sight.
On the mules arriving, the villagers became aware that we were not the
dreaded Hamawands, and the firing stopped. The headman came forward
with profuse apologies, and said the Hamawands had been raiding in the
district on the previous afternoon, hence they were on the alert. The Hama
wand method of attack is to advance at a gallop to close quarters, and then
commence firing, following up with a second rush, which usually carries the
village. Gok Tepe is a small village round a mosque, on the edge of a very
fertile grassy plateau, 2 to 3 miles wide, which runs south-east between the
Karadagh and the Hatladagh towards the Diala. On the north-west and west
is a rapid descent, broken by several very deep ravines, towards an undulating
plain in the direction of Kirkuk.
Karadagh Range .—Three miles distant to the north-west is the Karadagh,
a very steep, impassable ridge, which runs north-west and south-east in a
direction 130'’, and extends from the Diala almost to the Lesser Zab in one
unbroken line. The southern slope is a rocky wall rising abruptly out of the
plain.
There are three passes through this range—
( 1 ) The Sagirma, which we cross in tomorrow’s stage, and which goes
over the summit of the ridge.
(2) The Bazirra pass, 6 miles north-west of the Sagirma. This follows
a small stream through a deep rift in the range.
The streams from the Temar and Risholan districts flow through
this.
(3) The Bazian pass, ‘further to the north-west. This is the principal
dip in the range through which the Kirkuk-Sulaimaniah road
passes. This is the easiest of the three passes.