'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' [‎144v] (293/312)

M iff
SIHNA.
This is a town of 5,000 houses and some 25,000 inhabitants, sunk in
a basin about 5 miles diameter, shut in by steep rounded hills, and overlookino-
the valley of a stream, which forms the upper waters of the Ab-i-Sirwan or
Diala river. The surroundiug hills so enclose it that it is shut out from
view until quite close.
It is a flourishing place and the houses are built of sundried bricks, for the
most part with some larger ones of burnt brick. There are 300 houses of
Jews and SO of Papal Chaldeans under a Bishop appointed from Mosul.
A Roman Catholic Mission has flourished here for some time conducted by
priests from Mosul. J
The governor at present is Farhand Mirza, a cousin of the Shah, who has
considerable influence in the district, and suppresses lawlessness well. A
Turkish Consul resides here also. The governor's palace is a fine building,
situated on a knoll overlooking the town, Two regiments are quartered here
with foui guns, numbering about 800 men. The barracks are on some risiuo'
ground to the north-west of the town.
Ihe water-supply is from springs and karezes in the valley above the town.
. re place is surrounded by gardens and orchards, irrigated by numerous canals,
an glowing pear, apricot, plum, peach, apple and cherry trees abundantly,
-the streets are narrow and winding, paved with rough stones, but the bazar
is a well supplied one._ The carpets here are considered to be the best in West
1 ersia, and are the principal local product. They are exported through Kar-
manshah to Baghdad, and thence to England. Wool, gum tragacanth, and
gall nuts are collected from the mountainous districts to the west.
. both for riding and pack animals, Kurdish felt caps, various des
criptions of dried fruits and raisins, curdled milk, shoes and belts made in
embroidered coloured leather work were also among the articles in the bazar,
l^rom the numbers seen, this would be an excellent place for collecting both
riding horses and pack animals.
flhe officials talk Persian here, but the language of the common people is
Jvermanji. they are Sunis like the majority of Kurds.
There are two pretty mosques at the west end of the town; one built over
a large spring.
The altitude above sea level varies from 5,100 to 5,300 feet, and the
Climate. climate is a very good one, and the district healthy.
It is looked upon as a sort of sanitarium from Baghdad, and people come
here to spend the summer.
L T1 J e of the day was found hot, but not oppressive, the noon temper-
auure being 92 . The nights were very cool, and the morning from 55° to 60°.
Routes from Sihna.
Several caravan routes converge on this point, the principal being the
follows Xs* 0 ^ al ° ng WhlCil ^ P ° St h ° rSeS £ ° r travellers * Tlie telegraph
Route to .ZZhwzatfow,—-The stages are—
(1) Dehgulan.
( 2 ) Kurbah.
(3) Hamakasi.
(4) Hamadan.
Each stage is said to be 6 farsakhs, and the total distance is 90 miles.