'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' [‎139r] (282/312)

SUJ-BULAK.
This is a place of 2,500 houses on the banks of a small stream flowing 1
towards Urmia lake, sunk in a sort of basin bounded by bare rounded hills.
There are some 20 Christian houses and a few Armenian ; the remainder
of the inhabitants are Sunnis. Turkish and Kermanji are generally spoken,
with a little Persian. The houses are on the right bank of the stream, on the
left being a belt of orchards and gardens extending for about miles.
Most of the water from the stream is led away for irrigation and for drink
ing purposes. The best water comes from some springs along the river bank
at the foot of the hill to the east of the place.
There are some 400 soldiers quartered here, recruited variously from Urmia,
Sulduz and Tabriz. They are armed with percussion muskets,. with a few
Werndls and Chassepots, and are dressed in a blue cotton tunic and trousers
with red facings. They have a band!
Trade is a good deal in the hands of Christian and Armenian merchants.
Mr. Rassam, brother of the English Agent in Mosul, is one of the largest
merchants of the place. He complains very much of the robberies and
exactions of the governor, whose action quite paralyses trade.
The governor is a man of about 25, recently arrived from Tehran, speaks
French fluently, and was most hospitable. Four soldiers were sent by day to
prevent people crowding round my tent, and no less than 18 townsmen to
guard it at night. The telegraph runs from here to Tabriz through Miandab.
Routes from Suj-Bulak.
To Rawanduz and Mosul .— {See Mosul and Rawanduz). Through Lahi-
jan it is 95 miles to Rawanduz and 188 miles to Mosul.
To Tabriz .—A caravan route leads to Tabriz through Miandab. The
stages are {Routes in Persia No. 372) :
Miles.
(1) Miandab
(2) Binab
(3) Ajabsbir
(4) Gugan
(5) Sardarud
( 6 ) Tabriz
... 29
... 24
... 121
... 21 £
... 26
...
Total ... 119£
Route No. XV—Suj-Bulak to Sakiz.
Distance,
IN MILES.
Rate per diem, in
miles per hour.
Stages.
marching.
Intermediate.
Total,
Karakend ... ...
7-50
26
26
3-46
Sakiz ... ...
7-80
27
53
3-46