'Routes in Arabia' [‎749] (780/852)

(v&)
749
R oute N o, ZOl—contd.
a water mill, the water from which goes down in a brawl-
in» stream by tho left side of the way on which we have been
travelling. The mill belongs to Agha Baigi, an officer of Gen
darmerie at Rowanduz. Near the mill is one house, also a ruin
called Kalatu Sor, which is said to have been the stronghold
of Sulaiman Baig, unoccupied since 40 or 50 years. Probably
he was a Kurdish chief whose power was brought down by the
extension of Turkish influence to the hills, as that of the Shaq-
lawah Amir will bo brought down ere long. The ruin consists
of square blocks of stone set in good mortar.
To the north-north-east, three-quarters of a mile or one mile
distant, is the village of Harir ; it lies just under the range of
hills to which it gives its name, and it boasts of about 100 houses
of Rowanduz Kurds. Our fcist station bears south-east or very
slightly south of south-east.
BATAS 4 hrs. 3 In 23 minutes, travel-
mts. ling along the south
west side of the ridge
we have ascended, just below its crest, we reach Bat as, the end
of this stage. It is a village of a hundred houses of Batas Surkhi
Kurds. From here Harir lies to the east by south ; on the other
side we overlook a fine valley descending and broadening as it
goes, to the north-west; and Rowanduz is said to lie about
north-east behind the Harir hills and other ranges. (Batas is
probably a little south-east of the place marked '' Sinsira
in the War Office map. Sheet 33.)
BATAS TO ROWANDUZ. This was a hard
day for men and
animals. We started
before dawn, yet the baggage did not reach Rowanduz till
dark. Observations were postponed to the return journey,
which is less difficult.
I shortened the way by climbing over the Harir range, while
the caravan went round by an easier route to the west. 1 he
top of Harir, where I crossed it, was a pleasant table and called
Morgah with pear trees in full bloom ; some hospitably disposed
Kurds encamped on it supplied my party with milk, cheese,
etc. On the other side I descended into a valley, parallel to the
range, at the bottom of which was a fine rushing stream, follow
ing which downwards I rejoined the baggage about the middle
of the dav at a flat halting-ground called Cham-i-Khalfan,