'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' [‎119r] (242/312)

From the top of the pass we descended giadually over a broad spur
circling round the west end of the Awlamar. Dagb, going north-east,
At 11 miles we reached a level grassy badn (8,500 ), from which a stream
flows in a deep narrow valley to the right. We crossed two more similar basms
with streams flowing in the same direction. _ . .
At the bottom of the valley is the Nestorian village of Awlamar, and in it
are the first houses we have seen since leaving Shernakh seven days ago. _ _
The hillside is a rich black loam with several patches of cultivation irri
gated from the small streams. , i ji
Ploughing was now in progress by the villagers from Awlamar, and bundles
of the long grass and clover were being gathered for winter fodder. Short clover
o-rew by the stream banks, affording splendid grazing for cattle and sheep.
^ The road continues over these grassy spurs, skirting a deep narrow valley
fivm 2 to 3 miles to the north, in which runs a stream flowing towards t le
upper waters of the Bohtan Su at Meuks. , . .
11 Merwanen.—A t 22 miles we reached Merwanen (8,09o ), the residence
of a Kaimmakam, where we again came under regular Turkish authority, and
left the independent country of the Hartoshi Kurds.
Merwanen is a village with a population of about 600, situated on a small
plateau at the head of a narrow valley running 280° bordered by a succession
of cultivated terraces. The bill slopes are well cultivated, and there is no snow
here now. The population is chiefly Nestorian with a few Kurds and some oO
Armenians. A post of 20 Zaptiyahs is quartered here.
The houses are flat-roofed, with walls of stoneand mud, one house contain
ing several others like a rabbit warren. „ n T » , ■ , . i i • 1 1 i.
“ Gavvan 33 and cowdung are used chiefly for f.uel. A little wood is brought
over the hills from the Zab valley near Julamerk. ™ t tv . ■ ^
Nubduz.— To the north-east and east lies the Nurduz and Meuks District,
containing several Nestorian and Armenian villages fairly prosperous and well
•cultivated. . . , i • £ j •
It is two days from here to Julamerk, the intervening stage being found in
a Kurdish camp. A high range, the Arabi Dagh, has to be crossed en route.
The road was said to be unsafe now because of raiding parties irom the 8he-
kak Kurds from over the Persian border. , , TT , , ,
Our Hartoshi guides and Muhammad Agha s Vakil Elected representative or attorney, acting in legal matters such as contracting marriage, inheritance, or business; a high-ranking legal official; could also refer to a custodian or administrator. from Shernakh now
left us They would not come any further, or come in the Julamerk direction,
as they were afraid of being attacked on the return journey by tribes they were
at feud with, or have to pay toll to the Kaimmakam. f hey would on no
account go near the Kaimmakam of Julamerk.
Van to Julamerk.
The following is a precis of the account given by Layard of the journey
from Van to Julamerk through Merwanen :
10th August. —Left Van, and struck across a fine undulating corn country abounding in Chris
tian villnges. The soil is well cultivated by dint of much labour. . .
Reached at sunset a deep bay hemmed in by orchards and gardens and sheltered by an amphi
theatre of low rocky hills. Halted about a mile from Anukh near a transparent spring m a small
rrlade shelving to the water’s edge. . . „ v ,.
11th August—Rode across the country in a direct line to the large Armenian convent of Yedi
Klissia (seven churches), whose gardens on the side of the lofty mountain of Varak are visible
from most parts of the plain. It is situated near the mouth of a wooded ravine, half way up a
hold mountain which ends in snowy peaks. . . j i. j. ^ ^
12th August-Left gates of the convent of Yedi Klissia in the afternoon, and started down a
winding path in the hillside, and made a short journey of 3i hours to the village of Artamit or
Adremit, and encamped beneath the fruit trees in a garden near the lake.