'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from January 1847 to May 1849. Edited by the Secretary. Volume VIII.' [‎315] (424/496)

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The present hamlet and khan of Harunabad stand on the debris of
some old ruins, said to occupy the site of a town founded by the Khalif
Harun-al-Rashid.* The district occupied by the Kahur tribe extends
as far north as this spot. The tribe is the most powerful in the
neighbourhood, and can bring a large body of men into the field. Their
features are handsome and manly, with a strong Jewish cast, and their
name, as Major Rawlinson believes, will also identify them as the des
cendants of the Samaritan captives who were placed in the Assyrian
city of Calah or Halah. They are now Mahomedans, and, when not
oppressed by the Government, are looked upon as a peaceful people.f
We experienced much civility from them, and the conversation of their
chiefs shewed a superior intelligence.
September Ylth .—Mounting at 5*30 A. m., a direction of 282° was
kept for fifteen minutes, and then changed to 304°, leaving the direct
road to Kirrind on our left. These courses skirted the east side of the
valley of Harunabad, at 6*55. The undulations bounding the valley
were ascended in a line of 349°, until 8h., when the road became very
winding and stony, over a higher range (a prolongation of the Larr) in
a general direction from 280° to 22°. For the bare and arid soil of the
lower ranges we now exchanged the oak-clad paths of the mountains.
At 9h., the road held to the latter direction through some magnificent
scenery, occasionally, as we turned some sequestered spot, pasing the rude
tents of a Guran family. Gradually ascending, we reached the pretty
hamlet of Bireyeh Khassim at 9*45, and at 10*10 the southern bend
of the Zemkan R. crossed our course. From this time we skirted its
east bank on a course of FT. E., through a valley abounding with the
willow, poplar, and oleander, until 10*55, when we arrived at our former
abode at Gahwarah, in company with Shabas Khan and a numerous
retinue, who on descrying us had hastened to welcome us in the usual
way.
By a return to this place, we are again enabled to place a value on
the performances of the Chronometer. An absence of eighteen days
* The Kurds term it Harunyeh. It stands on the east side of an extensive and
Well cultivated plain, that is bounded on the West by the Band-i-Noah and Kukan
ranges. The latitude of the Khan is 34° 08' 3G" N. It is East of Baghdad
2° 2' 14*.
t The numerical strength of the tribe is represented as 7000 families. The
rnost part are nomade, and in the winter reside in the neighbourhood of Mendalee.
The name should properly be spelt Kalhur.