'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from January 1847 to May 1849. Edited by the Secretary. Volume VIII.' [‎325] (434/496)

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the Abi-Shirwan, to refresh the cattle, and to give some rest to Major
Rawlinson, who is now again prostrated with the fever caught at Zoliab.
The Abi-Shirwan, or Upper Diyaleli, breaks through a defile in the
high range to the N. E., and pursues a west course to the north of
Semiram, through a deep and precipitous gorge, which is represented* as
capable of being defended by a handful of men against any numbers.
The ford at this time has only about eighteen inches water on it, but is
rapid and impetuous, and in the winter must be wholly impassable.
Eight piers of a substantial brick bridge,f that formerly spanned the river
on the high road leading from Sulimaniyeh to Kirmanshah, along the
valley of the Zemkan, are visible about one mile east of the present
ford; and that small tributary itself joins the Abi-Shirwan about a
hundred yards above the bridge. The river from this point to the Tigris
is said to be navigable for rafts, and timber from the mountainous ranges
of this part of Kurdistan is frequently floated on its stream to the Tigris
and Baghdad. Both it and the Holwan, indeed, would prove valuable
water communications with the low country in the hands of a good Go
vernment ; and the gums, galls, and extensive rice produce of this part of
Kurdistan, might be thus conveyed at a very cheap rate, instead of by
the expensive caravan routes as at present adopted. When, howevei,
we see the advantages that offer from such noble rivers as the Tigris and
Euphrates, that pursue a course of several hundred miles through a
country which formerly yielded four-hundred-fold to the agriculturist,
lost sight of by the present imbecile ministers of Turkish policy, we
cease to deplore the ruin that has gradually crept over the classic soil, in
astonishment at the apathy that has caused it. In the hands, of an
European power,—its decreased population strengthened by emigrants
from Europe, and its ancient canals restored even to a tithe ot then-
former usefulness,-it would again become what it was in the time of
Cyrus the elder. Pregnant as it then was with great events, and over
run since by successive dynasties that led to its present impoverishment
it is I believe yet destined to be the theatre of further strife,, that will
eventually elevate it from its abased condition to the splendour it enjoyed
in the days of '* the beauty of the Chaldees excellency.
At 1-15 we forded the Abi-Shirwan, which is now about thirty yards
broad., and are once again in Turkish Territory.
* In the pages of the Journal referred to in the previous nolu
t Zohab-barra.