'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' [‎108v] (221/312)

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We met here several small caravans of donkeys carrying- firewood into
Java rah.
There were a few groves of oaks and stray hawthorn trees, and the streams
were lined with oleanders, myrtle, and low shrubs.
IS nr clink Hirer .—At 9| miles again reached the valley of the Nurdush
river (1,450') previously crossed between Nahrawan and Jazirah. It here
emerges from a rocky gorge to the north, at the mouth of which Sh skh is
situated. Cross the stream on a stone bridge of an arch of 40 feet span,
and turned north-east up the valley towards Shakh.
llubla .—Some 4 miles further along the range on a* hearing of 11 i &
is Hubla, a Kurdish village, at the mouth of a smaller gorge, through which a
stream flows to join tbe Nurdush. It is a village of about 150 houses in a
large grove of fruit trees and orchard. On the slope of tbe rocky bill
between the Hubla valley and Shakh were extensive ruins and the line of an
old wall with towers at intervals.
From the bridge we turned up the left bank of the stream, following a
narrow track among small cultivated terraces and gardens, irrigated by small
streams from the hillside above.
In the gardens were almond, fig, walnut, mulberry, olives, vines and
pomegranates, and some large ash trees. The walnut and mulberry trees were
especially large, and the path in places was choked with trailing vines and
briar roses.
These terraces grew, besides fruit trees, wheat, Indian-corn, tobacco,
melons, bean, bamia, badinjan, and cotton on the higher slopes.
Flew scenes could he prettier than this winding path through large leafy
trees, hedgerows of roses, myrtle and pomegranate, with vines twining over head.
On the opposite bank of the Nurdush is a bare rocky cliff 1,501) feet high
dipping sheer into the water.
Shakh. —At II 3 miles at the top of the incline (1,960'') reach Shakh, a
place of 250 houses, on the end of a rocky spur ending in a cliff overhanging
the Nurdush, 400 feet below.
A large stream from the north flows through the village, and is used for
irrigating the terraces on the slope below. Fhgs and mulberries were just
ripe and grapes becoming sweet.
The inhabitauts are Hartoshi Kurds, among whom were 30 Nestorian
Christian houses with a priest.
There was also a Protestant pastor educated at the American Mission
School at Sairdt, who also visits the Christian villages Mansuriali and Hassan
in the plain. His wife and family live here.
Muhammad Beg, the Shaikh or “ Agha” of this village, is the eldest of
four brothers, nephews of Muhammad Aghaof Shernakh, the Hartoshi chief,
and when he goes into the plain he always has a following of 100 men about
him. He is a young man, very quiet and reserved; and shooting ibex is his
principal amusement. He is at present at variance with his uncle in Shernakh,
this man being more in Turkish hands. No one sits in the Agha's presence
until he has done so, and while eating no one is permitted to touch anything
after the Agha has finished.
Tribal organisation and respect for their headmen is kept up far more
ar o ig these mountain Kurds than those in the plains who have become
“rayah.” They looked upon the English as the future possessors of the
country when Turkish rule had been swept away.
Muhammad Beg, Bader Khan Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , Zala Beg, and Futha Beg are the
Agha’s four brothers, the last being a boy of about 10.