'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' [‎32r] (68/312)

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The soil is very fertile, and grows good wheat crops. The plain is quite
treeless, as is also the range south of Karmanshah.
The Kuh-i-Lanawan, bounding the plain to the south-east, is covered
with low trees and shrubs. Most of the firewood for Karmanshah is brought
from it and the Vardalan Range further south.
These ridges were probably well wooded once, but a process of reckless
denudation has been going on for years, and consequently the steepest and
most inaccessible portions of the ridges are the best wooded.
Large herds of cattle and sheep were grazing on what they could pick
up. Crops of maize, melons, and vegetables are grown in the irrigated land
along the stream banks.
Weather clear and bright. Temperature 55° at 4 a.m. and 87 ° at noon in
the orchard.
A considerable difference of temperature is noticeable in these districts, the
nights being much cooler than the days. Marching was pleasant, except for
the glare on the plain at midday.
21 st August — General direction S.S.W. Left at 4 a.m. Cross the
Murad-Su and some deep irrigation cuts on either hunk, which had only foot
bridges.
Road is a broad track heading towards the rounded ridge, bounding the plain
to the south. This is the Kuh-i-Lanawan, and 10 miles along it to the
north-west is a high rounded summit known as the Khurkhur Kuh.
Khurlchur Pass .—The Khurkhur pass, by which we ascend the ridge, is an
eas y gradient, cut up in places by small ravines eaten into the soft shaley soil.
Ibis is a well frequented route. Several mule and donkey caravans were
met, carrying firewood or charcoal into the town from the Yardalan Kuh;
and the finer kind of lime (getch) used for the decoration of Persian houses.
Several springs in the hillside and a little water in the ravines.
At 81 miles reach the head of the pass (8,50(b), and a small spring is
passed.
Kilandasht Valley .—Descend into head of the small valley of Kilandashfc,
and pass a little village of that name hidden away in a rocky ravine, 4 mile
to the north. It is said to be a nest of robbers. Descend sharply to a lower
terrace of the valley near Angiruk (5,230'), a cluster of huts near a shallow
pool with water bubbling up through the gravelly soil.
The track is a series of narrow zigzags, descending for 330 feet over white
limestone much cut up by the action of the weather.
Several paths bifurcate from the Tang-i-Khurkhur, one going direct over
a stony ridge to Harassan, a village passed later on. It is a shorter, but
rougher, route than that we take.
Tang-i-Shani .—The road follows a narrow cultivated valley until at 15
miles a defile in the ridge to the south is reached, called the Tang-i-Shani
(4,900 ). The track is rough and narrow between shelving rocky sides,
partly in a small stream bed between boulders and large stones. It is level,
and the bad portions might easily be improved. There is a spring at the
southern end of the defile, from which runs a large stream which turns two
water-mills. Two miles after leaving the pass, Shani village can be seen to
the east at the foot of a tumulus, with the ruins of a square mud fort.
Shani Valley .—The road is now a broad level track, skirting the east side
of the Shani valley 2 to 3 miles wide.
Several villages were seen, and the district is a fertile one, producing
wheat, barley, maize, hemp and various fruits in the orchards. This district
is part of Hassan Agha’s property, and his vakil Elected representative or attorney, acting in legal matters such as contracting marriage, inheritance, or business; a high-ranking legal official; could also refer to a custodian or administrator. with us was sufficient to