'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' [‎51v] (107/312)

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On leaving the Tang-i-Kalakh, entered a broad valley filled with low
gravelly hills, which run eastward as far as the Gilzerda Dagh.
Looking back at the northern slope of the Karadagh, the summit was
a series of enormous cliffs, cut up by deep wooded ravines. Except at the pass,
there is no path on the right or left.
The low hills we are now crossing form the watershed of the streams
draining north into the head-waters of the Adhaim river through the Derbend-i-
Bazirra, and those to south into the Diala. The road winds up and down
over these gravel hills, and at If | miles descends steeply into the Risholan
and Temar valley. At 17^ miles Temar village was reached, where
we halted.
Extending W.N.W. lay a fertile valley 3 to 4 miles wide, which we had
skirted during the latter part of the stage. A large stream ran down the
centre towards the Dei’bend-i-Bazirra.
To the north of the valley was a line of low rounded hills, spurs from the
higher range of the Gilzerda Dagh, which lay to the east, and separated us
from the Sulaimaniah plain.
The lower slopes of these hills were grassy and thickly wooded, and a few
Kurd encampments were along the foot of them.
ftisholan and Temar were the only villages visible. The district, although
fertile has a very deserted appearance owing to the disturbed state of the
country. No one was seen or met the whole of this stage.
Temar is a small village of flat-roofed huts, with the tops thickly covered
with grass, so that, until close, the village was invisible against the green hill
side. The walls are of sun-dried brick or stones set in mud. It is hidden away
in a small side valley of great fertility; the slopes are covered with vineyards
and fruit orchards, growing pears, apples, mulberry, peaches, apricots, and
plums; wheat, rice, and tobacco also. Only sufficient ground was culti
vated to supply the bare necessities of the village. Some large herds of cattle
and sheep grazed on the hills near.
This valley would make a good camp ground for a large body of troops.
Water and grass abundant now. Supplies of sheep and cattle would be
obtainable from the nomads.
Opthalmia was very prevalent ; otherwise these Kurds were a very fine
stamp of men.
14th May.—General direction, N. Left Temar (2,945') and started up the
head of the valley along a rough track, crossing several small clay
ravines.
Gilzerda Dagh .—At 2 miles commenced the ascent of the Gilzerda
Dagh, a range parallel to the Kara Dagh, but not so high, and more rounded
along the summit which bounds the Sulaimaniah plain to the south-west, and
runs 296° and 150°.
The road in the ascent makes a bend to the south round the head of a
small ravine. It is a 10' ledge, and is an easy gradient.
At the summit (3,670') it passes through a broad dip in the range, and a
steep rough track descends by Gilzerda village, going in a direct line to
Sulaimaniah.
We took an easier route, making along incline parallel to the range to the
south-east. There is an easy gradient, except near the foot of the slope, where
for some 300 yards are some steep zigzags and portions of paved road were
met with, the remains of a former road.
To pass guns over this range there are several places where the road has
been worn away by the rain, but they are capable of being repaired.