"استطلاعات في بلاد الرافدين وكردستان وشمال غرب بلاد فارس ولرستان في الفترة من أبريل إلى أكتوبر ١٨٨٨، كتبها المقدم ف. ر. مونسيل، فرع الاستخبارات. يوجد مجلدان. المجلد الأول: تقرير سردي ووصف للمدن الكبرى والطرق المؤدية منها. شيملا: فرع الاستخبارات، إدارة قائد الإمداد والتموين، ١٨٩٠" [و‎‎٦‎٥] (٣١٢/١٣٤)

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This pass is too difficult for troops; the road in places was said to be so
narrow that two people could not pass each other.
The following is a precis of this route from Ushnu by the Kalashin pass
from Ainsworth. For the remainder of the route Ushnu to Urmia, see Route
XIII:
Ushnu to Hawanduz.
1st July 1840, 1st stage .—Left in the afternoon, forded the Gader, and passed by Shikar, and
then, instead of proceeding direct to Kalishin pass, we turned west to the summer quarters of the.
Seruji Kurds, where we halted.
2nd July, 2nd stage .—Started early for ascent of Kalishin pass, which we did on foot.
We crossed the first range, and gained a country of less snow and more wood, and with many
flocks of sheep and goats feeding on the slopes. We soon came to another range with glaciers, the
slope of which created some anxiety. We passed three of these, and a single slip would have
hurled a perso n to a great depth. Continued ascent of the Shaikiwa peak over the first mountain
and crossed numerous snow drifts ; then a descent through a ravine filled with snow ; then another
steep rocky ascent. Elevation of summit of Shaikh Iwa was 10,568 / . (Mr. Ainsworth seems to
have turned aside from the regular track to ascend this peak.) Descended from mountain top,
and halted for short time at elevation 8,568'. On leaving this, we crossed several large streams,
which united in a wooded vale below called Berkhamma.
We descended rapidly from here until the region of oaks and acacia was reached. Going at a
fair pace at a distance of 5 hours from the halting place, we reached Sidaka or Sidek valley, and
rested in the village of Seffuli. (Elevation 3,742'.)
The change in temperature and vegetation was very great, reaching here the level of rice and
melon cultivation with mulberry groves. Several little villages are scattered along the bank of the
Sidaka river or on the hill slopes. Continued our road along the Sidaka valley. Crossed a river
from the south-east, 10 yards wide and 3 feet deep, by a bridge, immediately beyond which was a
brook and ravine, which latter isolates a bold projection of rock which is washed on the opposite
side by the river of Sidaka, and the last mentioned river united.
On this projection is Sidaka fort, a square building with round towers at the angles. The
village near it contains 100 houses. A wooded open valley unites with the Sidaka valley from
the south-east, and the united waters flow into the comparatively open country between Sar Linitka
and Sar-i-Burd.
Immediately beyond Sidaka commenced the ascent of the Sar-i-Burd, a wooded mountain,
and were 5 hours accomplishing nearly the semicircuit of this, which we had to do to gain the
vale of Rawanduz. The latter part of the descent of the Sir-i-Burd for 2| hours is carried along
a shelving declivity of schists, and cannot be ridden over on mules. We halted a short time at
the Christian village of Diana, and then rode along the plain to Rawanduz. This route is quite
impracticable for artillery, the two principal difficulties being the snows of the pass of Kalishin
and the descent on slates at the foot of the Sar-i-Burd.
Route to Rezan. —To Rezan there is a route passing through the Beni-
Barakia Dagh, a steep rocky range running W.N.W. from Rawanduz.
The valley to the north-west is the country of the Badilia Kurds, through
which the Sidaka stream flows to join the Rawanduz Chai. It looks fertile
and well wooded, and contains seven villages, the largest being Barakia, 4>
hours from Rawanduz. It is two stages to Rezan of 8 hours each—^(1) Mus-
ina; (2) Rezan on the Great Zab, or about 50 miles.
The first stage passes Barakia, and the road is fairly easy over undulating
country. The second is said to be very rocky and difficult, and scarcely practic
able for mules.
It passes Boratu, Ahmara, and Shirana villages in the Badilia district, and
descends into the valley of the Great Zab at Rezan by a narrow pass called the
Derbend-i-Khanibaut, at the north-west end of the Beni Barakia ridge.
The route we took to reach the opposite bank of the Zab near Rezan is
less direct than this, but seems easier.
Route to Mosul .—All routes going west from Rawanduz have for the first
stage to descend the Serderria pass into the valley of the Ghalifan Su near
o
VOL. I.