'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' [‎140v] (285/312)

SAKIZ.
Sakiz is situated on some low spurs of a steep range of hills which rises
immediately to the north-west. It overlooks the left bank of a small river,
the Sakiz Chai a tributary of the Jaghatu.
It is a place of nearly 1,500 houses, and is somewhat smaller than Suj-Bulak
(one estimate gave only 1,000). The inhabitants are Kurds, with about 80
houses of Jews. The houses are built for the most part of sundried bricks,
resting on a lower foundation of stones and mud.
The bazar is a very poor, straggling place : raisins, dried fruits, curdled
milk, and the usual Kurdish articles of equipment were for sale. Pack saddles,
saddles, &c., were obtainable also.
Persian is more understood here, and Turkish is less spoken as we get
further south. Kermanji is the language of the common people.
The governor’s house is a dilapidated building on a knoll in the town.
The governor had only a week previously arrived from Tehran to take up
his appointment. He received me in the most hospitable manner, and posted
a guard of 20 men at my tent. These were Kurds from the surrounding dis
tricts, and were strong built, very willing fellows.
They were without uniforms, but were armed with JVerndls, and carried
some 30 rounds slung in a bandolier.
Sakiz is situated at the junction of two wide valleys, coming down 85°
and 255° respectively; both were cultivated and dotted with villages. They
are from 3 to 4 miles wide, bounded by rounded hills. Millet, tobacco, cotton
and sesame are also grown.
The water-supply is from the Sakiz-Chai, and some streams behind the
town which are led through the streets in small channels. There is very little
water in the river now, most being used for irrigation. It flows in a direction
50° down a narrow valley bordered by steep hills.
The hillsides are quite bare of trees, but the river valley had a thick green
fringe of fruit orchards.
Firewood is scarce. Cowdung cakes (tezik) used chiefly.
Routes from Sakiz.
Several caravan roads lead through here.
Mules and yabus are the pack animals and no camels can be used in this
district. Carts were last seen in the Sulduz plain.
Strings of mules brought loads of chopped straw into Sakiz from the
surrounding districts. The straw is carried in large nets slung on each side of
the animal. Donkeys are largely used by the villagers carrying firewood, &c.
. Route to Sainkala and Tabriz .—The principal road to Tabriz lies through
Sainkala, Miandab, and Binab to Tabriz.
To Sainkala is two days by caravan. The stages are—-
(1) Tekan Tapa,
(2) Sainkala,
and the total distance is about 40 miles.
This is said to be an easy road crossing a country similar to that from
Suj-Bulak here.
From Sainkala tp Tabriz the main route is joined and is an easy road
throughout. J