'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' [‎28r] (60/312)

Routes from Mend all .—From Mendali to Kbanikin is two stages of nine
hours each, the intermediate stage being Kala Nuft, a small frontier post.
Water is all brackish on the way.
To Bedrai is a caravan route of two stages of eight hours each, Ab-i-Tursak
being the intermediate one. No supplies available : water also brackish.
Some petroleum wells exist in the hills about 12 miles to the south-east
Petroleum a k ^ le a P rom i uen t peak called Jabal Gueb-
rian.
A few years ago petroleum from here was taken to Baghdad in skins on
camels, but as no attempt was made to refine it for lighting purposes, it
has been superseded by the imported article from America or Baku.
25th April.—General direction, N.E. Left Mendali and threaded
along a narrow track through the gardens for about a mile, emerging on an
open grassy plain crossed by several irrigation cuts, after which we headed
towards the line of hills to the N.E.
After 44 miles we reached the Tang-i-Sunmar, the gap in the low hills
through which the Gunjir River issues. It flows in a gravelly bed 400 to 500
yards wide in several straggling channels. The outer line of the hills runs
332° and 145°. Balad Ruz from here bears 258°.
Persian Frontier .—Passed the Persian frontier at the entrance of the
Tang-i-Sunmar ; marked by a heap of loose stones by the roadside.
A short way beyond forded the river, here a rapid stream 2 feet deep, and
then followed the right side of the river valley, 11 miles wide, bordered by low
bare hills, which increase in height as we ascend.
At Ilf miles pass a tumulus and small shrine on the opposite bank called
Imam-i-Sunmar (1,000').
The riverbed is here i mile wide, and strewn with branches and debris
brought down by the spring floods. People from Mendali were gathering
this for firewood.
Soil improves as we go on, and more grass is seen.
Kala Dubruleh .—At 17if miles pass Kala Dubruleh (1,270'), the ruins of
a fort built on a spur to defend the passage of the valley, beyond which we
entered the Vargatch valley | mile wide, having a steep rugged range of the
same name immediately to the south-east. A salt stream flows in here on the
left bank. Above this point the river water is quite sweet.
Pul-i-burrufsha .—At 21j miles pass Pul-i-Surrufsha, the ruins of a small
bridge. The river bed is now 60 yards wide and is bordered by low cliffs.
The old bridges, ruined forts, &c., passed on this route show it was once an
important road.
Forded the river again above the bridge 2' 6 V deep with a rapid stream.
There is plenty of rich grass, mostly clover, on the hill slopes and in the
valley. A few stray patches of Indian corn were passed just sprout
ing which the nomads sow in the early spring and then leave to take care
of themselves until they arrive in the summer. r i he valley has now narrowed
to 300 to 400 yards wide and the path is easy going along the river bank.
Muarenna Camp Ground.—At 25£ miles ford to left bank again and halt
m an open grassy basin among the hills called Muarenna Camp (1,615').
Immediately to the north-west rises the Jabal Daimuri, a long narrow ridge
topped by a cliff 300 to 500 feet high. This forms a good landmark, seen
across the desert from Balad Ruz.
No one was met at this stage and the country is quite deserted ; only the
remains of some of last year's camps were noticed. Good clover and grass
grew on the slopes now.