'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' [‎149r] (302/312)

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The climate of Karmanshah is very good, situated in an open plain at
an elevation of 4,760jfeet above sea level. Most of the disease from which
the town suffers is caused by absence of sanitary arrauge-
Chmate. ments and pollution of the water-supply.
The nights were cool, the custom being to sleep on the flat roofs of the
houses. The temperature at noon and in the afternoon in the house varied
from 87° to 89°. The day and night temperatures differ greatly throughout
West Persia.
Kurdish Tribes round Karmanshah.
The following are the principal tribes round Karmanshah. Some of the
larger ones have numerous subdivisions, which change from year to year.
Kalhw. —These are partly nomad and partly sedentary; the nomad por
tion numbers 5,000 tents, inhabiting the country east of Mendali as far as
Harunabad and Mahidasht, to the north as far as Zohab, and south to the
I wan plain. In winter quarters or “zerdsir” they occupy the low-lying
country of Zohab and Kala Shakin plains, and from Kasr-i-Shirin to the
Turkish frontier. In summer their u garmsir or summei quarters spread
over the mountainous country to the north-west of the Pusht-i-Kuh portion
of Luristan, and include the fertile valleys of Gilan, Zarna, Iwan, Guara,
Chilla, Kifraour, Tirao, and the valley of the Gunjir river [see Route I). _
They were just arriving at their a garmsir,” and leaving Zohab plain in
the end of April. There are ten subdivisions of the main tribe.
They are of the Ali Allahi sect of religion, although they profess to he
Muhammadans. .
Their chief is Reza Ghuli Khan, who lives at Harunabad now. He is a
Sartip in the Persian service. . ,
They furnish one regiment of infantry and some cavalry. I hey breed
large numbers of mules. Where met with, these Kurds were a frank, open
people, and very hospitable. . tv/tu-i i^
Sinjabi .—The Kurds number 1,500 families, and live in the Mahidasht
plain to the west of Karmanshah.
These are also of the Ali Allahi sect.
Quran .—This is a large tribe, numbering 5,000 families, partly sedentary
and partly nomad, extending all along the valley of the Upper Diala, t ie
Kuh-i-Shahu and Delahu, and the mountain districts drained by the Alwand.
They extend as far south as Sir-i-Pul and the Zohab plain, where they spend
To the north they extend along the Turkish frontier as far as the Kuh-i-
Chahil Chashmah, along the east slopes of which some villages were met with
^ Their Chief^or Sirtip is Wusain Khan, who lives in Gauwarra, some 20
miles north of Karind. They furnish a regiment of infantry.
They profess to be Shiah Muhammadans also, but are said to be All
A11 feS-Theseare partly nomads and partly sedentary, and number about
2,000 tents. In winter they encamp on the Bishewa plain at the of
Tak-i-Girra pass, and in summer along the northern slope of Bend-i-JNua Rm
and Karind valley. ...
Their Sirtip, Ali Murad Khan, has a large house in Karind. .
Bowanij and Jalalawand are-Kurd tribes under the Sirtip of the Kan
Kurds. They number about 1,000 tents together. Bowanij valley
15 miles north of Kariud.
2 i
VOL. T.