'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' [‎113r] (230/312)

Some Martini rifles v^ere seen, but flintlocks of a very ancient pattern
are mostly in use. . . , , . ,, >.
The spear is occasionally seen, but a Martini is looked upon as the perlee-
tioD of a weapon for a tribesman to possess.
Houtes from Sliernakb.
To Zakho .—This is two btages or about 12, hours. The Hazir valley is
followed as far as the Christian village of Wasit [see Route X), which is the
intermediate stage. i
It is said to be a good track for mules, but the country looks rocky and diiii-
cult, and it would probably take three days.
To SatuH —This is four stages :
(1) Hundukh, a Kur tish village.
(2) Deh, a large Nestorian village of 200 houses, where a Kaimmakam is
stationed.
(3) Terah, a Kurdish village.
(4) Saird t.
This is the best route for mules or caravans, said to be easier than our
route through the Tang-i-G belli. The stages were given from 7 to S hours
each, which would make the distance about 80 miles.
This is easier than the road through Derguleh from Jazirah [see Routes
from Jazirah). . . A ,, m- .
To Jazirah .—A road to Jazirah leads through Derguleh and into the iigns
valley by the Tang-i-Kasrghelli. It is said to be not much easier tin-a
through Shakh or Serau. In all these routes the passes through the outer
most range overlook’ng the Zakho and Jazirah plains are the most dirticult ;
and once these are passed, the roads are fairly easy for pack animals.
2 k f an _—This is a very hilly, difficult track. A Kurd on f< ofc could reach
Van in five days. A mule caravan would take.at least 10, but no one knew the
stages. The route passes through Shattak district, and Shokh or Menks.
3 rd July General direction E. by N. Loft Shernakh ascending gradually
a small path through stone walls supporting the terraces on the hillside. _
Throuo-h some level terraces of rich soil containing numerous springs,
and at 2 & miles turned up east through a gap in the Shernakh Dagh to the
'Shernakh Pas *.—At 3 miles reached the summit of the Shernakh pass
(5,180'), from which an extensive view,is obtained of the basin of the upper
waters of the Hazil, about 30 miles broad. < , .
From 87° to 91° is a mass of rounded summits thickly covered with snow
called the Shostheh Dagh, which we skirled later on. _
Follow the course of a small stream down a ravine ; the slopes thickly
wooded with “balud ” oaks, on which grew a kind of mistletoe, and a stunted
pear, iuniper, pistachio, and hawthorn trees. Wild vines and other shrubs in
the valleys. From the berry of the pistachio an oil used for making soap is
extracted. The whole hillside was scored with deep ravines in the shale soil.
Passed some well grown oaks, 2 feet to 3 feet diameter, in the stieam
vallejr. Several kinds of wild pea and vetch also seen. The track was fairly
easy for mules, with some narrow places and steep giadients.
At 9? miles turned over a low spur to the left (4,270'). The soil of these
spurs is a soft, finely disintegrated shale of a light grey colour with no vege
tation, not even grass. In the valleys and in patclies along the hillsides is a