"كتيّب بلاد الرافدين. المجلد IV .١٩١٧" [ظ‎‎٢‎١‎٥] (٥٣٠/٤٣٥)

426
GAZETTEER OF TOWNS
BEHISNI (Besne). About v 40 m. WNW. of Samsat and T 55 m.
E. of Mar'ash. Pop. 8,000 (1,500 houses). T.L. (connexion with
Adiaman and thence with Malatiyeh and Kiakhta).
Routes.—
(i) To Samsat. (See Route 147.)
(ii) To Urfeh. via Kilik. (See 146, 122.)
(hi) To 'Aintab. No details: a somewhat rough track.
(iv) To Mar'ash via Belveren. (See Route 147.)
(v) To Malatiyeh. via Pelvereh. (See 151.)
(vi) To Adiaman. (See Boute 149 ; for continuation to Kiakhta
and Gerger see Boute 150.)
The town is situated in a deep, narrow valley facing S., and is
overlooked by an old castle formerly impregnable. It is hot and
unhealthy, but higher up the valley are residences used in summer
and extensive vineyards. To the N. are high mountains, to the E.
and S. are low undulating hills among which the line of the
Euphrates is said to be visible. Water is obtainable from springs.
Supplies are scarce. The population is mixed, but chiefly Turkish.
There was an Armenian element, but deportations were reported
in 1915. The town is the head-quarters of a Kaimmakam under
Kharput.
BELED SINJAR. About 76 m. W. of Mosul. About 400
houses (1903).
Routes.—
(i) To Mosul. (See Boute 92 a, m. 76-0.)
(ii) To Deir-ez-Zor. (See vol. iii, 49 b, from m. 76
onward.)
(iii) To Nisibin. (See Boute 92 a, from m. 76 onward.)
General Description. —The town lies on the E. slope of a valley
running from N. to S., watered by a stream. It is dominated to
N. and W. by the Toq hills. It contains a khan, Turkish barracks,
and government buildings, all of which lie at the top of the slope.
The houses are solidly built in the style seen also at Mosul. The
town formerly covered a much larger area, including the W. slope of
the valley, where now there is a ruin-field. Remains of the ancient
walls are to be seen.
Supplies and Commerce. —The land to N. and S. of the town is
cultivated, and probably a fair amount of supplies would be available