'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' [‎145r] (294/312)

This is the usual time taken by caravans. Another account gives three
stages by post horses, the first half being among some Kurds at Chibukli;
the second being at the village of Kamkas, and the third day is 6 farsakhs
across a level plain in a south-east direction into Hamadan. The road is
easy for pack animals, and the Hamadan plain is not less than 6,000 feet
above sea level. The entire country is a succession of very high rounded
ranges, the summits of two of which are 6,500 and 6,500 feet respectively.
There are two main trade routes from Hamadan to Urmia—one through
Sihna, Sakiz and Suj-Bulak, and another through Bijar, Sainkala and
Salmas. Caravans take from 15 to 18 days from Hamadan to Urmia by
either of them. From Karmanshah to Urmia by the route through Sihna,
Sakiz, Suj-Bulak and Salmas they would take about 18 days also.
Between Sihna and Urmia, Sakiz and Suj-Bulak, are the only towns of
importance, and these are no more than large villages.
All the other places are clusters of flat-roofed huts, inhabited in common
by human beings, sheep and cattle. There is no post north of Sihna.
Route to Sulaimaniah .—The caravan route to Sulaimaniah is through
Panjwin, a large village on the Turkish frontier {see Sulaimaniah).
Route to Zohab .—This is a rough hilly road, following the Karmanshah
road for first stage {see Route XV II), and then turning west through Juanro
to Zohab {see Zohab).
This road is only practicable for pack animals, and could scarcely be used
for troops and guns.
The best line for wheeled transport to reach Sihna from Zohab and
Baghdad would be through Karind, Harunabad and Karmanshah {see Routes
I if and IV).
Route No. XVII —Sihna to Karmanshali.
Stages.
Hours
marching.
Distaitce,
Intermediate.
IN MILES.
Total.
Rate per diem, in
miles per hour.
Zamiran
616
19-5
19*5
316
K amir an
816
26'5
46-0
3 24
Kaklassan
5-50
23-5
69-5
4-27
Karmanshali
4-66
18-5
88-0
3*97
llth August—General direction, S.W. Left the town (5,090), winding
through vineyards and orchards, and commenced a gradual descent over
some low spurs from the range to the north-west towards the valley of the
Sirwan. The valley is from 4 to 5 miles wide, bounded on the south by a
steep range, with rocky summit, called the Kuh-i-Lailagh. Seveial small
villages are scattered about the valley, each surrounded by a few poplais and
a vineyard or orchard. . . , ,
Karadia .—At 2| miles passed Karadia, surrounded by an irrigated patch
of wheat, barley, and melon crops. _ .
Ab-i-Sirwan.— At 4 miles forded the Sirwan river, here called the Kukma,
a rapid stream in a gravelly bed 150 to 200 yards wide (4,725 ). It is now
only 20 yards wide and 8 inches deep, the water being led away into large
irrigation canals.
2 H
VOL. i.