'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' [‎107r] (218/312)

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The telio-ioa o£ the Kurds furnishes a curious subject for enquiry. Tho
g^reat body of them m Persia as well as lurkey aie
Eeligion. Sunnis of the Shafei sect; but in the recesses of the
Pevsim to the north and of Zagros to the south, there are large half-pagan
communities, who are called indifferently Ali Allahi and Kizilbash, and whe
hold tenets of some obscurity. _ .
In Central Kurdistan and in Persia, where they come in contact with the
Shiahs the Kurds are most bigoted Sunnis, and hold strictly to the Koran
and the teachings of Muhammad. Mosques are, however, seldom seen in their
^^Turrli^ Mai/ch.—The Kurds have among them, generally one to each
tribe a Shaikh or religious head. They are different to the Arab Shaikhs,
who are the civil and religious head as well.
Shaikh Muhammad of Begil and the Shaikh of Bamurm are instances
They are learned in religious matters, and settle religious disputes, and
small differences among the tribes. , „ . . , , , ,
The Turks endeavour to keep all political influence out ot their hands, but
do not in all cases succeed. , . . .
They are rich and influential, and revered and looked up to by the tribes
men, and may be said to take the place of the old Begs to a certain extent.^
Their authority is acknowledged on all religious points. Shaikh Obeidullah of
Oramar had sufficient influence to raise the rebellion in 1880. His son now
lives at Neri in Nuteha.
As soldiers the Kurds have been of very little assistance at any time to the
Ottoman Government. . _ . . . . , • , i
They can scarcely be considered loyal to the Turkish rule, which t hey have
learned to detest. At the commencement of the war of 1878, they held aloof
from joining in the war against Russia, and seemed to desire to remain neutral.
When the tide of war seemed turning against the Russians, they joined
in considerable numbers; but, judging from the frightful excesses and looting-
that went on at Bayazid, they did so more with a desire to share the plunder
of victory rather than face the enemy. This may have been due to their leaders
and having no heart in the Turkish cause ; because the Kurds have natuially
some of the best characteristics of a soldier. ^ ^ _
The strategic importance of the district of Central Kurdistan renders it
very important to know what action the swarms of Kurdidi horsemen would
take. Properly led, paid, and organized by English officers, and their natural
spirit and love of fighting roused in a good cause, they would perhaps equal
the Cossack. .
Used for scouting and for light cavalry work, they are invaluable ; and from
what was seen of the independent Hakkiari tribes, they are absolutely obedient
and trained to the will of their chief if they know him to be just and firm.
With the Turkish army the great want of cavalry is a serious defect; the
scouting for Mukhtar Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. 's army in Armenia in the 1878-79 campaign was
entirely done by a small force of Kurds and Circassians; hut, owing to the
absence of any pay or sufficient food, they deserted before the close of the war.
Their scouting work and information about the enemy was always valu
able, but on the other hand they were a terror to peaceable villagers, and looted
whenever they had a chance.
A force of Arab Bedouin cavalry raised round Urfa also did very good work.
The Turkish Kurds are found in almost every possible stage from thorough
subjection to the Government (as in the villages round Diarbeki and Rizeium)