'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' [‎46r] (96/312)

The path was easy, over stony undulations; the soil becoming conglomerate
with occasional ledges of sandstone (1,920').
To the north the ridge gets high and rocky, and the ranges run in the
direction of the Diala.
At 10 miles emerge oh a barren undulating plain, crossed by several low
sandstone ledges, cut up by small ravines. The road is easy over this gravelly
soil.
A similar country extends northward to the Diala valley, which can be seen
in the distance.
At 14| miles rejoin the main road from Sir-i-Pul and follow it to Kasr-i-
Shirin.
The road is almost level and winds through gaps in the sandstone ridges,
which rise from 40 to 50 feet and cross the plain in all directions. From
2 to | mile to the left is the valley of the Alwand, bordered by gardens and a
few 1 rees. Patches of wheat were grown on these undulations, and it ripened
well in this light gravelly soil without irrigation. We passed several portions
of an old wall made of blocks of sandstone about 6 feet square, and an ac-
quoduct cut in the rock. Two miles before entering Kasr-i-Shirin (1,410 ), to
the north of the road, were the ruins of the palace of the Sassanian king,
Khosrau Parviz.
Kasr-i-Shirin.—K asr-i-Shirin is a place of 400 houses on the right
bank of the Alwand with a masonry fort or loopholed barrack on a spur over
looking the river, in which 100 Sarbaz were quartered.
On a spur at the other side of the village is a loopholed building
about 50 yards square which was built by Jan Mir, a Hamawand chief,
who two years ago had the guardianship of the frontier placed in his hands
by the Persians; he was a noted robber, and was placed there on the piinciple
of setting thief to catch a thief
He still kept on his evil practices, and committed several daring robberies,
while the frontier was always disturbed, so that an emissary was sent from
Tehran with a small force who invited Jan Mir to an interview, and then had
him treacherously murdered. His followers fought desperately, and were
dispersed with difficulty. His son is now said to be imprisoned at
Isfahan.
The frontier districts are at present fairly quiet. Sarbaz from the Guran
Kurds at Juanro and Gauwara are employed here, and in the watchtowers
along the road to Sir-i-Pul.
Jan Mir’s house is now unoccupied. The walls are some 4 feet thick at
the base with a banquette and loopholes along the top. Jan Mir intended
making a bazar in Kasr-i-Shirin covered with masonry arches like in Baghdad,
and had half completed it.
There are lar^e courtyards attached to the houses in which caravans
stop. On the left bank of the river are a row of .gardens and the ruins of a
large serai. Another new serai was being built of mud and stone opposite the
gate of the fort.
The Alwand is 40 to 50 yards wide and 2' to 3' deep with a rapid cur
rent. It can be forded by people wishing’ to cross to the gardens on the far
bank.
The main road keeps along the river bank to Khanikin, the next stage in
the Baghdad direction.
Weather sultry, with hot winds from the north-west. Temperature noon
92°. 4 p.m. 91°. 6 p.m. 82°, and 78° at 7 a.m.