"استطلاعات في بلاد الرافدين وكردستان وشمال غرب بلاد فارس ولرستان في الفترة من أبريل إلى أكتوبر ١٨٨٨، كتبها المقدم ف. ر. مونسيل، فرع الاستخبارات. يوجد مجلدان. المجلد الأول: تقرير سردي ووصف للمدن الكبرى والطرق المؤدية منها. شيملا: فرع الاستخبارات، إدارة قائد الإمداد والتموين، ١٨٩٠" [و‎‎٥‎٤] (٣١٢/١١٢)

This road can be seen winding over the Azmir Dagh on the east side of the
Sulaimaniah plain, passing through Khan-i-Bardina at the foot of the slope.
It is a very hilly, but fairly easy, road.
Route to Sakiz .—From Panjwin a road branches north to Banah, and from
there to Sakiz.
The stages are [Colonel Gerard) from Panjwin—
(1) Serambal
(2) Banah ...
(3) Kapura ... ...
(4) Miradeh ... ...
(5) Sakiz
Miles,
21
]3
15
9
17
Total ... 123
Caravans in summer time make two stages from Banah to Sakiz, halting
at Miradeh. During January, February, and March, the roads are difficult
through snow, though not impassable if kept open by constant caravan traffic.
The more direct road from Sulaimaniah to Banah is seldom taken by cara
vans. The following is a precis of Rich’s journey through this country in
1822 :
Banah to Sulaimaniah.
September lOtJi .—Left Banah at 12-30 P.M., crossing the plain in a north-west direction,
and entering a narrow valley, with the border hills thickly wooded with dwarf oaks.
At 1-45 ascended a small ridge off the road, and at 2-0 reached the small village of
Swearwea, where we halted.
September llth .—Left village at 7-30 A.M., rejoined yesterday’s road, and continued ascending
the valley till 9-0.
At 9-30, leaving main road, reached Nweizhgeh, a village on the hill that bounds the valley to
the west, where we halted. Road today mostly level and well wooded, principally dwarf oaks and
wild pear. Soil slaty and gypseous.
September 12th ,—Left at 7-30 A.M., and at 8-0 rejoined yesterday’s route. Soon after we
commenced to ascend through a forest of oaks a mountain called Blu which runs nearly north
and south. From Banah the slope is very gradual.
Not far to the left was Surkin Mountain, rising very abruptly, and running south-east from the
summit of the Blu Mountain. On the right and left was a sea of mountains broken and confused.
Followed a steep descent leading at once into a deep narrow valley. The country was
green and richly wooded, with many villages and patches of cultivation. The line of the
mountains was very broken. At 12-30 we reached foot of the descent, and crossed the Banah
stream, here joined by other mountain streams. This stream separates Persia from Turkey. It
runs north and a little west, and joins the Zab above the Karacholan river.
Ascended the far bank of this stream, and at 2-30 reached Merwa in the Aalan district, where
we halted. Through a cleft in the Blu Mountain called the Bri was visible Beitush, three hours off
by a difficult road. On the face of the mountain opposite Beitush is the Pishder District.
To the west of us is a line of hills called Kurkur, apparently running to join that I have just
described. On this side of the hill is Shinek, five hours off, and north of it is Ghellaleh. On the
other side of the range is Marga (see Route VII),
September 13th .—Left Merwa at 7-0 A.M., and immediately commenced ascending towards
a curious summit named Gimmo. These mountains abound in springs. At 8-15 reached Deira
among a grove of large walnut trees.
Left again at 9-10, and continuing the ascent reached the highest part of the ridge in half
an hour. On one side the streams ran north towards the Banah stream, and a little further on
south to the Shinek stream.
This spot is called the Hazir Kenian, or “ Thousand springs.” Above us were Grimo and another
peak, bare and stony. We continued travelling under them for some time. Running parallel to
us was the Surkin range, a branch of the range above Ahmed Kulwan. It sends a spur from the
Sirsir mountain, which sweeps round and joins that on which we now are.
South of this is the Kare Kazhav running south-east. The country between is broken hills
ascending to either range. Numerous villages are situated on terraces on the hillsides, and a
great number of springs.
At 2-0 p m. reached the Kenaru village in the Siwell district. Sirsir was due south of us,
about a mile off. Our road today lay along the ridge of the Si well Mountain.
VOL. I.
M