'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' [‎78v] (161/312)

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The descent from the ridge is no easier than the ascent, and at the foot of the slope we entered
another valley in which flowed a stream called the Belat Su, which flowed west to the Great Zab.
It was now noon, and we halted under a tree in the valley. Some 500 yards distant down the
valley on theria'ht bank of the torrent was a cliff of great heierht, along the face of which, for about
50 yards, ran the remains of an ancient acqueduct, of which 5 or 6 arches still remained. One is
tempted to ask on seeing these ruins when and by whom were they completed and why are
they now thus in ruins.
After resting a few minutes, we ascended the opposite slope of the valley, and after an hour’s
climb we reached the gardens which surrounded the village of Thai, a somewhat important centre
where was a kaimmakam and a small post of zaptiyahs.
We passed through the village composed of 50 miserable huts built one above the other on the
eastern slope of a hill which rises immediately to our right. The little courtyards of the houses
were filled with chopped straw at this season of the year. The inhabitants seemed inhospitable
and inclined to rob our baggage, so at 3 p.m. we pushed on again.
On leaving gardens we descended a bare rocky valley, passing a few low ash trees which
produced a kind of berry in great quantities which the inhabitants gather and eat. The valley
winds a good deal, and our track leads through a thicket of low shrubs dotted with junipers
and low oaks.
At last at a sudden turn of the road the waters of the Great Zab again broke into view. It
has now become an imposing stream with green, fertile banks, dotted with sycamore and low
shrubs.
At 5 p.m. (2 hours from Thai) we reached the river bank and turned along a path by the
waters edge for about a mile, when we arrived at a wooden bridge. The ends of the bridge
are a framework of timbers one projecting beyond the other, while the floor of the bridge
in the centre was only loose hurdles and these full of holes. The mules absolutely refused to
cross it, so they had to be unloaded, and the baggage passed over by hand.
_ river was too deep and the bed too rocky to ford, so a suitable place was found where the
animals were swum across. At 9-30 p.m. we encamped with some Kurds who had lit large fires
to keep the pigs and bears from eating up their crops.
4th October .— Left Camp at 7-0 a m., and forded an affluent on the right bank nearly as broad
as the Zab itself. We ascended the slope of the right bank of this through a wood of fine
oaks. Numerous traces of wild pig were seen who had come to eat the acorns. The highest trees
are only from 18 to 20 feet high.
There are several varieties of oaks, and on some was seen Manna, a kind of resinous deposit on
the leaves. The true “ rahat-l-lakum ” is made from this.
ihe road keeps through the wood for two hours, when the trees suddenly cease and a rocky hill
side commences, which the road ascends. Prom the top of this ridge a fine view was obtainable of
the plateau of Amadiyeh, this being the last ridge of the mountain district through which we have
been passing.
Immediately below us is a deep ravine down which a rough slippery path leads to the gardens
of Amadiyeh, which are at the mouth of it. Figs, pomegranates, and grapes were now ripe in the
gardens. The climate is much warmer now on leaving the mountains.
The following was Colonel Bell’s route from Bashkalato Amadiveh, March
1886 —
( 1 ) Mulla Kasim
Wiles.
... 16
( 2 ) Kassakha
...
... 20 |
(3) Rezan or Karmi
...
... 10
(4) Julamerk ,,,
• ••
...
... 22
(5) Tall
• ••
...
... 15
( 6 ) Zorawar
• ••
... 11
(7) Massowah ... ...
... 22
( 8 ) Baranola ...
...
... 12
(9) Gundukhta ... ...
• ••
... 20
(10) Terwanish
...
... 20
(11) Amadiyeh
• ••
...
... 14
Making a total distance of...
...
... 182^