'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' [‎128r] (260/312)

and we emerged into the Baradost plain. At 351 miles we halted at
Gangachin, a small village in the centre of it (5,495').
Baradost Plain .—The plain of Baradost is 6 to 8 miles long (and 3 to 4r
broad, surrounded by low rounded hills.
The Nazlu Chai, which we have followed down the valley from the head
of the pass, turns down the centre of the plain in a direction 140°, and some 7
miles down disappears between some high spurs in a deep rocky gorge.
North of Baradost is a similar plain divided from this by a few undula
tions. A stream, a tributary of Nazlu Chai, flows from it through Gangachin.
The plain contains a very fertile gravelly soil, and grows fine wheat
crops, one crop standing ripe, and ready to cut, with another by the side of it
green, 4 inches to 6 inches high, and not fit to cut for another 3 months.
Notwithstanding its fertility, there are only a few small poor looking
villages to be seen on the plain. This is chiefly due to the disturbed state of
these frontier districts and constant raids of the Herki and Shekak Kurds.
During the night a caravan was entirely looted on the road close by.
Near the village is a square fort with mud walls 3 feet to 4 feet thick and
10 feet high, of about 200 yards side, situated on a small mound. It was
begun as a defence against Kurdish raids in 1851, but has never been finished.
The inhabitants of the village are chiefly Armenians with some Kurds.
This Baradost plain is very likely to be confused with Baranduz, another
plain to the south of Urmia.
17th July.—General direction E. Left camp, and started along a broad
track down the plain, rejoining the main road from Diza after 3 miles.
The road turns east, leaving the plain and ascending the line of low undu
lations, bounding it in that direction. The hills are quite bare, the grass
being withered up now, with no trees except a few stray pear and willow.
At 8 miles descended into the valley of a small stream flowing south to
join the Nazlu Chai.
Shortly after ascended a rounded ridge by an easy path, and again
descended into the Zangachin valley, also with a stream flowing towards the
Naziu Chai.
From Zangachin crossed another ridge, and entered a broad flat basin in
which the Kurdish village of Ishkasu is situated. Some “ arabas ” or country
carts were seen here for the first time. In Baradost were sledges drawn
by two pairs of bullocks carrying corn down the hills. There is a small
garden growing beans, cucumbers, melons, and potatoes near the village,
watered from springs close by.
At 12 miles reached the edge of the plateau (elevation 6,030'), and
opened out an extensive view of the country to the east. At our feet was the
fertile plain of Urmia, dotted with numerous large villages qnd dense
orchards, looking a perfect paradise tons, who had scarcely seen a tree since
leaving Shernakh on the 3rd July. Beyond the plain extended, till
lost in the haze, the glimmering blue sheet of water forming Urmia
lake.
Descend a broad easy track, until, at the foot of a long spur, we reach the
village of Hassan, where we halted (4,840'j.
Hassan .—Near the village was a fruit garden surrounded by a strong
mud wall 15 feet high, forming a square enclosure 600 yards side, with round
flanking towers at the corners.
This belongs to Sir Agha Mir Panj, commanding the troops in Urmia,
who has a large house with extensive stables here. We found him encamped
in the garden, and were received in the most hospitable manner. He drives