'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' [‎139v] (283/312)

2nd August—General direction, S.S.E. Started throug-h the narrow
dirty streets of the town (4,575'), and at the east side ascended a valley ^ mile
wide, following a well-defined track.
The valley gets narrower as we ascend, bounded by steep rounded hills; the
lower slopes of clay with rocky strata along the summit. At 4 miles turned
up a steep slope to the north by some short zigzags in the clay soil.
This is the steepest gradient all the way to Sakiz, but by making some
longer zigzags, might easily be made passable for artillery.
At the summit of the ascent (5,535') we crossed a small col, rounded the
head of a wide basin running north, and the base of some high-rounded hills to
the south. We got a fine view here of the Sulduz plain with the Urmia lake
in the distance.
Met some caravans composed partly of mules and partly of vabus. A few
strings of camels also seen. Skirt the head of another valley running north
and growing fine wheat crops. People from the villages lower down the
valley had encamped up here, and were harvesting the crops.
This hilly country of rich soil and numerous streams extends almost the
whole way to Sakiz. Wheat and barley are the chief crops. Cotton, castor
oil, hemp, and bajra also grown. Sunflowers are grown in small patches by
the villages, the seeds being roasted and eaten.
The snow lies deep in winter, and, unless the drifts are well trodden by
caravans, the roads become impassable.
At 8 miles cross a low ridge (5,905') and open up a wide flat valley running
137°, 2 to 3 miles wide, draining towards the north-east, bounded by hare
rounded hills. The hills to the north-west are higher and rocky near the
summit, there are several small streams, dry for the most part now, the water
being led over the adjacent crops in small irrigation channels. A few karez
weie noticed; but, as a rule, the water from streams or spring's was
sufficient. ^
Burhan.—W, 15| miles passed through Burhan (5,655'), a large village
on the side of a ravine with a small stream.
On either side extends an open cultivated plain, some 6 to 8 miles wide
here.
^ By the stream is a large fruit orchard, the property of the governor of
Suj-Bulak.
The size of a stream is measured by the number of mills it is capable of
turning. It is either a ct two stone ” stream or a “three stone 3> stream, accord
ing to the number of mills turned.
The road continues along the plain going south-east, and at 19 miles we
passed Sakendi, and at 26 miles halted in Karakend (4,510'), a village of 150
houses on the banks of a small stream, and surrounded by a fruit orchard.
Drinking-water is from a huge spring close by.
The general level of this country is from 4,500' to 5,000' above sea
level, ttie hills rising to 6,000' or 6,500'.
The temperature at noon today and the glare in such a treeless country
were trying, but the nights were cool (temperature 57°) with a heavy dew.
3rd August.—General direction, S.E. A party of the Kurds from this
village came some distance with us. They had a small band of drums and
pipes, and later on showed me some coursing with greyhounds and hawking
partridges. o 0 j &
They were a very hospitable set, well mounted, armed for the most part
p A, . M artini-Peabody rifles. Altogether about 50 mounted men turned out
ot this little village alone.