'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' [‎57v] (119/312)

8G
The river runs in a pebbly bed 150 yards wide, and about a mile up stream
emerges from a narrow rift in the hills called the Dukhan gorge.
The stream was in high water now, with a rapid current; with easy shelv
ing banks; the valley itself is not more than from 400 to 500 yards wide,
bordered by steep spurs from the ridges on either bank.
The ferry is a small raft of a dozen sheep skins, capable of taking about
500 lbs. The crossing is assisted by thecuri'ent forming a double backwater.
The animals swam without any trouble. Total time taken crossing the
party 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Some timber rafts about 20' square were moored close by on this way to
Baghdad.
On the right bank the road bifurcated. So far we followed the principal
route through Kui Sanjak to Mosul, but from here our route to Rawanduz
branches off.
The road to Kui Sanjak leads north-west, rising steeply over the rounded
ridge on the right bank. ^
The stages are—
Miles.
(1) Bogut ... ... ... ... ... 11
(2) Kui Sanjak ... ... ... ... ... 24
The total distance 35 miles, and to Mosul 134 miles. [See Colonel Bell’s
Turkey in Asia.)
Our track turned N.N.W. over a grassy spur (1,750') jutting from a high
rounded range called the Kotsrut Dagh, which lies immediately to our front.
The river forces its way through this spur by the Dukhan gorge. A short
steep zigzag descent led us into a narrow stream valley, where, 3f miles
from the ferry, we halted at the little Kurdish village of Gulnari (1,265').
Gulnari .—The hill slope descending from the spur w^as 55°, and over slip
pery rock in places and difficult travelling. The soil is Soft disintegrated
shale, so that a good road could be improvised without much trouble. The
southern end of the Kotsrut Dagh bears 329° over Gulnari, and is 4 miles
distant. The summit of the ridge is about 4,500'.
Alongside the little stream were some fig and pomegranate orchards and
vineyards on the slopes. These streams swarm with fish, a kind of carp.
There is plenty of good grass on the slopes of these hills at this season.
A zaptiyah here explained that for three years back he had received no
regular pay ; he usually mortgaged his chance of getting any for 20 krans
ready money from the Kaimmakam of Sardasht, who pockets all he can
get.
Fewer rifles were seen in the hands of the Kurds in these districts, although
every tribes-man possesses one round Sulaimaniah and in the Hamawand
country.
The men are armed with long flintlocks of local manufacture, with a
curious hexagonal shaped bore. A waist belt, generally of embroidered leather
work, carries the powder horn, bullet bag, &c., and a long dagger stuck in the
belt completes the equipment.
A few mounted men were met armed with the lance, but much more faith
is placed now in the possession of a Martini rifle.
The rifles are American Martini Peabody pattern, and either have been
bought from Turkish regular soldiers, or were served out in the 1878 cam
paign to the irregular troops.
A few Sniders were seen, and further north some Winchester repeaters.