'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' [‎59r] (122/312)

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The Pishder plain looks about 8 miles long by 4 broad, and in a direction
2l0^ isb mnded by some low hills. The route from Kui Sanjak to Sardasht
lies in that direction.
The stages from Kni Sanjak are—
(1) Baba Derbend ... ... ,,, ,,, 9
( 2 ) Beid-i-Sir ... ... ... ... tti g
(3) Sardasbt ... ... ... tti _ 5
or about 62 miles.
This follows a direct line between Kui Sanjak and Sardasht, up the
Pishder valley; over an easy country, almost level, and after Pishder the
ascent of the range commences. The last 20 to 25 miles is a hilly, difficult
road. Another road, making a hend to the southward from Pishder, and
following the line of the Zab, also leads to Sardasht. From Sardasht toLahi-
jan, where the main road from Rawanduz to Suj-Rulak can be met, is an
easy track along the valley of the Zab.
Also from Sardasht to Banah is seven hours along an open road, with the
Zab to cross en route. From Banah the road may be taken either to Sakiz
(two stages of eight hours, halting at Miradeh), or through Panjwin to Sihna
(six stages or 130 miles).
The hills on the road from Rania to Sardasht are closed with snow from
the middle of December to the middle of March.
h rom Mosul to Kui Sanjak is four stages or 100 miles. This makes the total
distance from Mosul to Sakiz through Sardasht and Banah about 220 miles.
Although not much used as a trade route, it is an important line of communi
cation from Mesopotamia into Persia. Sardasht lies on the frontier, and was
bunit in a raid two years ago.
The Rania and Marga plains would form good camping-ground for a large
body of troops. The low ground might be avoided by camping on the lower
spurs of the adjoining hills. Fuel plentiful: grass and water is abundant.
A fair amount of supplies.
20th May..—General direction, N.N.W. Left Rania, and started in a
north-west direction, following a small valley, which gradually narrowed as
we went on. At 3 miles it is | mile wide, bordered by steep rocky ridges.
Sarkupkan Su. —At 4^ miles we passed a gap about 300 yards wide in
the range to the left (1,450'), through which flowed the Sarkupkan Su, a large
mountain stream from the head of the valley. It flows 214° across the
Rania plain to join the Khud ran.
Several donkey loads of firewood were going down towards Rania. In
the valley were some fine mulberry trees, this being a large silk-producing
district. The hill slopes become more wooded as we ascend, and are covered
with low oaks, ilex, and hawthorn.
A canal leads water for irrigation from the Sarkupkan down the valley to
the plain round Rania. We forded to the right bank and followed a rough
track by the bank.
Shawar Valley. —This is known as the Shawar valley and is 300 to 500
yards wide at the bottom, while several deep rocky gorges form the ranges
on either side.
At 12 miles the ridge to the right ceases abruptly ; the main valley of the
stream turns north towards a thickly-wooded basin 6 to 8 miles in diameter,
intersected by a network of deep ravines, and surrounded by high snow-
covered ridges. One route leads up the main stream valley, said to be tvvo
hours longer than that we take, which follows a side valley to the north-west.
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VOL. I.
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