'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' [‎55v] (115/312)

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Half mile from the spring (2,245'), the Khanjiru is forded, having come
through a gorge in the rounded hills to the right bearing 12° from here. The
stream from the Sirchinar spring flows to join the Khanjiru in the centre of
the plain.
At 5 miles a series of low rounded hills, the first beginning of tlm Pir-a-
Magdurin range, commences about 1 mile to the right. The valley is now
from 4 to 5 miles wide, and the track was undulating and easy. Several
Kurdish camps were passed, which will move from here in about a^fortnight^s
time to the hills.
At 12i miles a row of four low rocky mounds (2,700') extended across the
valley; forming the watershed between the upper waters of the Khanjiru,
which flows into the Diala, and the streams to the north-west, which flow in
the Lesser Zab.
The road skirts the foot of the hills 1 to 1| miles to the right, passing the
small villages of Narchu, Hiskani, Darberberu, each situated in a small ravine,
with a stream which crosses the road, and surrounded by little patches of fruit
orchards. The road is a broad easy track throughout.
Yerankoz .—At 18 miles halt at Yerankoz (2,745'), a village f mile to the
right, and almost underneath the peak of Pir-a-Magdurin. This summit was
still thickly streaked with snow, and was found to be 9,700 feet above sea
level and 6,900 feet above Yerankoz.
The name is a corruption of Pir Omar Gudrun.
This peak forms an important landmark, visible from Tuz Khurmatu, the
Gurmanjol pass north of Kania and from near Karind.
Several camps of Kurd iliats were passed today with large herds of cattle
and sheep. Some caravans with wool were met going into Sulaimaniah. There
is good clover and grass on the plain still; only a small portion of the cultur-
able ground is used, and the population is small owing to the unsettled state
of the country. Weather cloudy and overcast, with a few showers in the after
noon.
17tli May—General direction, N.W. Left Yerankoz, and kept north
west up the valley.
The hills on the south-west side are low and rounded. Several small hamlets,
surrounded by fruit orchards, were dotted on the slopes. The valley is here
5 miles broad; the track stony, but easy going.
A very steep rocky ridge continues to our right, formed by a long spur run
ning north-west from Pir-a-Magdurin. It gradually gets lower, but is im
passable all along.
Karachatan .—At 4^ miles we passed Karachatan (2,580'), a village with a
large orchard, growing fine figs. Water-supply is from some large springs
in the hillside. The inhabitants have the reputation of having successfully
resisted several Hamawand raids.
Sn Sai .—At 8^ miles pass Su Sai, a village, with a few orchards, on a
large stream from the range to the right. Soil rich and fertile, but only a
small fraction under cultivation.
Khan-i-Miran .—In the centre of the valley to the north-west is Khan-i-
Miran, composed of a few huts round a good house built by Kak Abdulla, a
Hamawand chief, who until two years ago lived here as Kaimmakam of this
district. He has now been imprisoned because of the numerous Hamawand
raids he instigated, and the district has been merged in the Kaimmakamlik of
Sardasht.
Tabin Stream. —At 13 miles we forded the Tabin river near a large spring
(2,420'), which supplies the greater portion of the stream.