'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' [‎17r] (38/312)

Caliphs is still a gorgeous sight with its line of white houses and gardens
along the river bank, the blue and gold dome of the Mosque of Suk-al-Ahazal
and the numerous slender minerets that pierce the sky.
It is 190 miles by river from Kut-d-Amara and 505 from Busra.
Our journey up stream in April took 70 hours, not including stoppages.
The Tigris above Baghdad.
The upper waters of the Tigris are divided into two branches—the eastern
and western. The western branch, retaining the original name, has its source
in lake Guldjik, 68 miles N.N.W. of Diarbekr. The watershed between the
lake and the eastern branch of the Euphrates is only a slight ridge, 18 miles
from Arghana Maden. ^ The general direction of the course of the stream is
S.S.E. to Diarbekr, during which it receives numerous tributaries from the
ranges to the east. At Diarbekr, the river has accumulated a considerable body
of water, and is 150 to 200 yards wide in November; while in the flood season
it uses 8 feet, and is about 4*00 yards wide. Below Diarbekr the river contains
several islands, and runs in a wide bed through a fertile valley about 1 mile wide.
Soon after passing through this level tract it becomes narrower and deeper,
enclosed between steep banks, and near the Mardin Gate is only about 100 yards
wide and is crossed by a fine bridge of ten arches. From Diarbekr the course is
nearly due east, and it receives several large tributaries on the left bank from
the ranges to the north.
The principal of these is the Hazru-Su, which comes from the Siluan and
Tirgil districts. The Chaklatis-Su, a large tributary from the direction of
Miafarakin. The Batman-Su, sometimes called the eastern branch of the
Tigris, rising in the mountains 30 miles south-west of Mush, and having a
course nearly due south from there. Only a few tributaries enter from on
the right bank.
, Ea'tern Branch —The eastern branch is made up of numerous streams, the
principal of which is the Bohtan-Su, which rises in the Arabi Dagh, S.W. of
Bashkala, a lofty range which divides it from the Zab valley.
Its course is nearly due west through Nurduz and Shattak and through the
mountainous district to the south of lake Van to Sairdt, and on its way receives
some laige tributaries from the direction of Meuks and the snowy ranges in
the vicinity.
A shoit distance below Sairdt it is joined by the Bitlis-Su, a large stream
rising north of Bitlis, and on the right bank by numerous tributaries from the
Khandosh Dagh and the Modikan district; the Bohtan-Su, after passing
through a deep rocky valley, joins the Tigris near Til.
The Tigris to Jazirah-ibn-Omar flows in a norrow bed, about 400 yards
in width, bordered by steep rugged hills. The width of the actual channel
in January is 200 yards wide, but it covers the whole bed in floods, when the
rise is 5 to 6 feet. From Til to Jazirah the course is nearly south-east. On
the right bank are only a few small tributaries, but on the left are several
large streams, rising in the snow-covered ranges to the east.
Ihe principal of these is the Rohsur-Su, rising in the Halakur Dagh, 30
miles N.N.E. of Shernakh and flowing into the Tigris throifgh a gorcre at
the western end of the Derguleh valley.
After passing Jazirah the river finally leaves its rocky course and emero-es
into the plain, spreading over a broad gravelly bed.
At Jazirah is a bridge-of-boats, and the width of the stream was 140 yards
wide and 10 to 15 feet deep in July. The total width filled at the flood season
n 2