'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' [‎45v] (95/312)

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From Juanro to Silina (q.v.) is three stages.
Also along a very hilly mountainous road, but less difficult than the first
portion.
To Gauwara. —The following is precis of Jones’ route from Zohab to
Gauwara in September 1844 :
1st Stage, Mir Khussar (3£ hours). —The road leads north by east at first np a stream valley,
and then commences a very rough zigzag ascent of the Kuh-i-Delahu in a direction east-south-east,
the slopes becoming wooded near the summit. Mir Khassar is a small plain just under the west
brow of Dclahu.
2nd Stage, Bihian {4 hours). —Proceeded in an easterly direction to Palan, a Jaf encampment,
the road being less steep now.
We rounded the most northern brow of the Kuh-i-Delabu, and after | hour of very steep diffi
cult descent reach Kila Zanjir.
Bitween Palan and Kala Zanjir crossed the valleys of Kam Kowih and Girdi-Kaukureh.
The peak of Pir Omar Gudrun near Suleimaniah bore326£° from here.
Kala Zanjir is a ruined fort occupying a strong isolated position on the summit of a naturally
scarped projection from the north-east brow of Delahu. Bibian is 1-^ miles distant; the road
passes along a narrow footpath in a general direction south-south-east through a tangled oak forest
quite impassable for loaded mules, who had to ascend by a longer but less difficult road farther
down the slope.
Bibian is a camp-ground on a small plain under the north-east brow of Delahu. The whole
valley of the Zemkan river, 6 miles distant, is visible at our feet.
4th Stage, Gauwara {8 hours). — Hoad a continued descent the whole way over hill ravine
torrent and brake through an oak forest round several abrupt projections from the east face
of the Delahu crest.
Also passed through several rich valleys, the principal of which are Nerijeh, Darawais, Girga-
wan, Bindar, Biyamah, and Dasht-i-Mort.
Route to Sulaimaniah —
The stages were given thus to SulaimaDiab—
(1) Sherkala, 4 to 5 hours.
(2) Hourin or Shaikhan, 6 hours p.. , p,. ,, .
w > Gross Lhala Kiver on this stage.
(3) Hallebji, 7 „ ■> °
(4) Shahr Azul, 8 „
(5) Sulaimaniah, 9 „
The Jaf Kurds who had come this way said there were no villages or
supplies obtainable this side of the Diala, and that the river was difficult to
cross this season. 4rom Hallebji to Sulaimaniah were several villages, and
supplies obtainable. Hourin is a very small village.
This country has been entirely depopulated by Hamawand raiders, and
now may be said to have no settled population. Nomad Kurds pasture in the
plains in the winter.
r ihe climate of Zohab plain was said to be very unhealthy in the summer
months.
5th May.—General direction W. Leaving Zohab (2,100') we started
south-west across the grassy plain following the left bank of the Chemisahu.
A few clusters of reed huts were passed and some fields of wheat and
barley. The wheat crop will be ripe in another month. The stream runs in a
broad gravelly bed bordered by oleanders, and at 2^ miles the ruins of a large
village called Kufi Zohab were passed on the banks.
The path led through splendid grass and clover, which reached up to the
horse’s knees.
At 5 miles entered a gap in the low rounded hills which skirt the plain to
the south-west, and followed a small stream. The Chemisahu passes a similar
gap 1 k miles farther to the north, and flows into the Diala.