'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from January 1847 to May 1849. Edited by the Secretary. Volume VIII.' [‎274] (383/496)

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Media, or of Persia, ever saw displayed, at a single glance, as we do now,
the various provinces they so often traversed with their legions, or which
had been gained for them by the grasping ambition of their ancestors.
A round of bearings was taken from this point as follows:—North
brow of Dalahu, extending at 325|° to 339°; high part of the Band-i-
Noah range, 264° ; a high peak, supposed to be that of Manisht, 193^°;
brow of the Kebur Kuh, 165° ; another bluff remarkable point, 2°, open to
its right; peak of Parrow, over Kirmanshah, 84|- 0 ; peak of Kafeh Kazi
near the pass, 78° ; approximate direction of Gahwarah, 83° ; village of
Biw^anij, in the plain below, distant about 10 miles, 330° ; highest point
of the Shahu mountains, 17°.
At 3*30, leading our horses, we commenced the descent into the Bi-
wanij plain. The descent we found equally as abrupt as the western
face, and riding was therefore out of the question. On reaching the plain,
which from the summit of the range appeared quite level, but now ex
posed to us undulating ridges with abrupt acclivities, we mounted, and
took the direction of Gahwarah, as noted in the bearings. After leaving
the plain of Biwanij, the road gradually ascends over the lower slopes
abutting from the S. E. prong of the Dalahu heights. These slopes, as
well as the higher ranges, are thickly studded with the dwarf oak, in
pleasing contrast with the scrub-clothed soil of the intermediate plain.
Forded the Zemkan river, whose source is in the plain of Biwanij, at 5*35,
and 10 minutes after passed the hamlet of Gowraju. Traversing the
same kind of country, alternately over hill and dale, we reached Crah-
warah at 6*45, having been met at some distance from the town by the
Guran chief, with a numerous retinue, both mounted and on foot. The
presence of their old Colonel among them was hailed with universal de
light by these wild mountaineers, and was testified by wild shouts, sham
encounters, and firing of their matchlocks, until we reached the halting
place. The journey to-day, though made in the heat of the sun, was by
no means disagreeably warm; and an ample meal, furnished by the chief,
who partook of it with us, soon shewed, by its appearance, or rather by its
disappearance, that our appetites had been rendered keen by thebiacing
air of the mountains.
Gahwarah,* though scarcely deserving the name of a town,
capital of the Guran country. It may contain about 300 houses,
* Gahwarah is in latitude 34° 20' 35" N., by double altitudes of the
Mer. Alt. 34° 20' 13" N. ; and is east of Bagdad 1° 56' 05."
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