'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' [‎89r] (182/312)

To Sulaimaniah .—There are two routes from Mosul to Sulaimamah. e
most direct lies through Koi-Sanjak. It is 7 stages, the total distance being
17^ miles:
( 1 ) Kalak
(2) Erbil
(B) Ashkafsakka
(4) Koi-Sanjak
(5) Bogut
( 6 ) Khan-i-Miran
(7) Sulaimaniah
Miles.
... 33
... 22
... 21
... 25
... 24
... 25
... 24
This road passes some low hills between Koi-Sanjak and Khan-i-Miran;
otherwise it is an easy road. , „ „ , n
Bv this route Mosul to Kermanshah is 16 stages, a total distance ot
346 miles (see Sulaimaniah). The section south of the Diala Kiver is rough
flnci difficult. -r -TT • il i A. TT'
Through Kasr-i-Shirin and Kifri (Route 1Y) is another route to Kerman
shah, of *15 stages, a distance of 346 miles also. This latter is by far the
easiest route and passable all along for aitilleiy. _ , ^ • i /
For a description of the routes leading into Persia from Kui Sanjak {see
route VII) Rania. ,
Through Kui Sanjak Mosul to Sihna is miles and Kermanshah _ miles
by this route. It is rough and difficult, after passing the Persian frontier.
Another route to Sulaimaniah is through Kirkuk [ees Route V 1).
To Bawanduz and IFest Persia.—The principal trade route for goods from
Mosul into West Persia is through Rawanduz to Suj-Bulak and f a hriz.
Rawanduz is 95 miles distant, Suj-Bulak 188 miles, and Tabriz 307 2 miles
{see Routes from Rawanduz). ,, , , .. „ ,i - , ,7 ,
To Yon.—This route lies through Amadiyeh, the valley ot the breat Zab
and Bashkala (*e<? routes from Amadiyeh). ^ ^ 11 i a ^oq
Followino* Route IX to Amadiyeh, it is 289 miles to Bashkala and o39
to Van. From Bashkala, Urmia and Khoi in North-West Persia can be easily
X*C£lcl.Tt/d* •
Beyond Amadiyeh this road is rough and mountainous and practicable
only for pack animals. ^
Van can also be reached through Jazirah, Bitlis, Sairdt and the southern
shore of the lake. . . .
To Sairdi and Bitlis.—Th\s is an important strategic line and the princi
pal means of access from the Mesopotamian plain to the Armenian high
lands. After passing Bitlis the country is fairly easy towards Mush and Van
{see routes from Jazirah). Jazirah by Route X is 110 miles, to Sairdt by
the Tigris valley is 190^ miles, Bitlis 247i, and Mush 293 miles from Mosul.
To Diarbekr .—The most direct route lies across the desert to Nisibin.
This would be about 115 miles and on to Diarbekr by the post road 80 miles,
making the total of 195 miles. , .
Missionaries travelling to Mardin in spring usually take this route, but it
is not much used by caravans owing to raiding parties of the Shammar Arabs.
Travellers require letters to the Shaikh of the section of the tribe through
which they would pass. Except in winter and spring, there is no water 01
supplies, so that it could scarcely be used by troops.
The road along which the mails are carried to Diarbekr goes by Jazirah,
and supplies and water are found at all seasons.